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Replacing a light bulb in a car – how to do it yourself? What do you need to know about replacing a light bulb in a car?
Replacing a light bulb in a car – how to do it yourself? What do you need to know about replacing a light bulb in a car?
Theoretically, replacing a bulb in a car should not cause any problems. In practice, this is not always a simple and quick activity. So how to choose and replace car bulbs?
How should you replace a light bulb in a car?
Especially in older car models, replacing bulbs is usually not complicated. When wondering how to replace a light bulb in your car, just follow the instructions in the service book.
You can replace it yourself halogen bulbs (including H1, H2, H3, H4). It is important to replace them wearing cotton gloves. The bubble must not be touched with fingers. They leave a greasy mark, which causes the glass to become dull and then the bulb itself burns out.
It is also important to replace bulbs in pairs. Replacing the light source in only one headlight will make the other one shine less efficiently. The light element in the second headlamp may burn out at any time.
It's different when we're dealing with a newer car, manufactured in the last 10-15 years, which most often uses H7 bulbs. Then we need to dismantle several additional elements (e.g. air filter and battery). The exchange of the so-called xenon. Xenon lamps installed in newer cars do not use a filament. Instead, the reflectors of the discharge light source must have power converters and automatic adjustment of the position of the lights.
It's even harder to get a replacement light bulbs in new cars equipped with lights LED . For example, changing a bulb in an Audi yourself from the showroom is downright impossible. The problem is the compact structure of the engine compartment, as well as the structure of the headlight itself.
These structures are often opened and closed using non-standard, specialized keys. Therefore, when buying a new car, you should be aware that replacing the bulb in Astra, Passat, Peugeot, Audi and other modern models should be done in a workshop. This applies to replacing the parking bulb and the dipped and high beam lights.
Replacing a light bulb – by yourself or by a mechanic?
You can replace, among others: halogen bulbs. Replacing an H7 bulb and other halogen light sources is not difficult. Just follow the service booklet. This replacement can be done in the yard, in the garage, or even on the road. Therefore, you should equip yourself with a practical one just in case set of light bulbs.
You can exchange in person too auxiliary bulbs W/P/R used in turn signals, cabin interior and marker lights. Replacing the license plate bulb is not a problem. It will also be possible to replace the bulb at the rear.
Of course, if you lack sufficient knowledge and experience, halogen models also need to be replaced in a workshop. When replacing them, do not overdo it with force. Failure to take precautions may result in deformation of the headlight elements (including the metal pin holding the bulb in the low beam), which will need to be replaced.
You should definitely use the help of specialists when replacing the bulb in the new Passat, Audi and other new cars with LED lighting. If the car is under warranty, it is best to replace the bulb at an authorized dealer or at an independent service center.
However, he must use light bulbs that meet the manufacturer's requirements. In order not to lose the warranty, documentation of the work performed is also needed. The cost of replacing a light bulb usually ranges from several to several dozen zlotys. Its replacement is therefore cheaper than the cost headlight regeneration.
Replacing a light bulb in a car
When should you replace a light bulb in your car?
Bulbs heat up to temperatures even above 3000 degrees Celsius and can burn out when you least expect it. Their durability depends on many factors, including: type of bulbs:
- halogen lamps – up to 1000 hours (e.g. H7 – approx. 500 hours, H4 – approx. 900 hours),
- xenon lamps – from 2500 to 3000 hours,
- LED lamps – over 40 hours.
According to mechanics' recommendations, halogen bulbs should be replaced once a year. The replacement interval for xenon lamps is 2 years, and the longest-lasting LED lamps - 10 years. Of course, drivers most often decide to replace bulbs only after they burn out, although a sudden loss of lighting poses a danger on the road. Additionally, it may also result in the retention of the registration certificate.
How to choose the right bulb for your car?
The most important criterion for selecting bulbs is their purpose (e.g. for headlights, directional lamps, rear lamps, side lamps, marker lamps, auxiliary lamps, fog lamps).
Regardless of the type of bulbs, when choosing them, you must always take into account the quality of the products. The best are models from branded manufacturers (including Philips, Osram, Bosch). They are characterized by a longer service life than cheaper Chinese substitutes.
The durability of a bulb is determined by two parameters:
- B3 – time after which 3% burns out. bulbs of a given model;
- Tc – time after which 63,2% burns out. bulbs of a given model.
Crucially, the longer the life of the bulbs, the lower their effectiveness, and vice versa. Therefore, when selecting bulbs, you can pay attention to the place of use (e.g. when driving frequently outside the city, use bulbs with higher efficiency and lower durability; use products with lower efficiency and longer durability when operating the car mainly in urban conditions).
Another factor is the voltage in the electrical installation. The durability of light bulbs is calculated at a voltage of 13,2 V. Meanwhile, in the car's electrical system, the voltage is 13,8-14,4 V. An increase in voltage shortens the life of the bulb.
Replacing a light bulb and road regulations
When replacing light bulbs yourself, you should also pay attention to the regulations. First of all, it is forbidden to modify original lamps and use non-homologated sources lights in the car. The regulations also apply to individual lights:
- road lights - ban on using lights without approval;
- low beam headlights - prohibition of using a discharge light source (xenon) in place of a halogen bulb;
- daytime running lights - prohibition of installation in the headlamp;
- fog lights - conversion to daytime running lights is prohibited;
- rear position lamps - ban on the use of LED bulbs.
To sum up, if it's an older car with halogen bulbs, replacing them doesn't have to be difficult. The newer the vehicle, the more complicated and sometimes even impossible the operation becomes. Therefore, if it is a new Audi, Passat or Peugeot, the bulb should be replaced at an authorized service center or an independent workshop.
