Which Headlights are Best for Me?

Headlights are lamps that are installed in the front of the car to help you see in the dark while driving. They are so important that you can receive a citation or have to pay a fine if you are pulled over for nonworking headlights or for forgetting to turn them on when you get in your car. The technology has progressed from a simple light kit enclosed behind a covering to the more energy-efficient advanced models of recent years that are being installed in cars. Some car manufacturers have created headlights that will automatically illuminate when the car is put into gear, such as daytime running lights. With all of the advances made, it may be daunting to determine which ones you should use for driving during the winter months. If you are thinking about replacing your headlights, you should know some things about them first.

Types of Headlights Available

There are several types of headlights that are available on the market today. The most basic light is the incandescent lights. These lights are similar to the average household light bulb except they are bigger and will not fit in a household socket. Inside the bulb is a tungsten filament that is heated to produce light. Halogen lights are filled with halogen gas that caused the tungsten from the filament to redeposit. This makes the filament last longer. Xenon lights are similar to halogen bulbs except that they are filled with xenon gas rather than halogen. Xenon burns brighter than halogen and it is less taxing on the car battery. Many newer model cars include either xenon or halogen headlights as standard equipment. Fog lights are smaller and they focus the light beam so that it does not reflect off the fog, snow, or rain, making driving in those conditions a bit safer. Some cars have these as standard equipment as well. Pencil beams are lights that have the longest visibility range, but they burn so brightly that they are illegal in some jurisdictions. Pencil beams are usually reserved for off-road driving. 

Replace or Repair?

If you have older or incandescent light bulbs, you may be thinking about replacing them. In the interest of safety and saving money, replacement may be a good choice. If you already have xenon or halogen bulbs but you noticed that they do not burn as brightly, then you may need to clean or replace the covers. Cleaning headlight covers can be difficult and there are several cleaning kits available on the market; however, this is a job that is best performed by your mechanic. The mechanic would have special cleansers that are specifically formulated to remove the road salt, grime, and dirt that accumulates on the surfaces. If they cannot be cleaned, then they may need to be replaced. The mechanic can replace them for you since removing, reinstalling the cover can be difficult, and replacing the bulb inside can be just as difficult. 

Which One to Choose?

Before you decide if you should replace or repair your headlights, you need to know which type of headlights you already have installed. You can consult your owner’s manual for this information. The make, model, and year of your car will guide you toward the kind of headlights you can use for replacement. For the best advice, you should always talk with a qualified mechanic to help you choose and they can install them for you.