If you find your headlight bulbs are blowing on a regular basis, then there could be several reasons why it is happening and by identifying what the cause of the problem is, you will save yourself the cost off continually buying replacement bulbs, and the hassle of needing to constantly change them.
What is the Frequency of Use for Your Headlights?
The typical expected lifespan of a standard halogen headlight bulb is around 350 to 400 hours, so if you are driving a lot during the long winter nights or even if you keep your headlights on during the day it is possible that your bulbs could only last 2 to 3 months.
You should know that upgraded xenon light bulbs will work for 200 hours because they are meant to produce a higher power of light for projection purposes. Drivers who use these lights for a long duration will find they need to replace them with longer living headlight bulbs to avoid the frequent changes.
Heavy duty components for headlights, which last longer than regular halogen bulbs, provide you the same performance as halogen bulbs.
Do You Wear Gloves to Change the Headlight Bulbs?
If you touch the glass section of the headlight bulb with bare hands, the natural oils within your skin will leave a small residue of grease behind. Once the halogen bulb is illuminated this oil patch will create a hotspot within the bulb and lead to it failing early. Therefore it is a good idea to wear latex gloves when installing new halogen bulbs.
Are The Bulbs Getting Wet Or Suffering Excess Vibration?
Manufacturers of headlight bulbs use a reinforced glass in the construction process so they will be able to handle the demands of the road. However, a thermal shock can occur if water gets into the headlight connectors or into the bulb itself. It is important to check that your bulb is protected in the holder from bumps, jolts, or moisture that could harm the filament.
Is The Car’s Electrical System Working Correctly?
When installing the bulbs make sure that the electrical connectors from the lights power lead are firmly joined to the metal connectors on the base of the headlight bulbs, otherwise it is easy to get a short circuit and blow the bulb.
It is also important to check that the alternator is not overcharging the battery and delivering more voltage than the bulb is designed for. Typically the maximum voltage of a bulb is around 13.2 volts.
Have You Purchased Quality Headlight Bulbs?
Inexpensive is something you tend to look for because you want to save money, but it is not always better. Quality of the materials used to create the light bulbs has a direct effect on how long they will last. Osram and Philips are two top manufacturers of light bulbs. The highest rating for bulbs is called the E1 mark, which Osram and Philips have. It means testing and quality has been found to be the best.