Almost half of all car accident fatalities happen at night even though there are far fewer vehicles on the road. One significant reason for the increase in road danger after dark is reduced visibility. This is why it’s so important to properly maintain your headlights and promptly replace them when needed. And if you notice the following four signs of trouble, visit your nearest Chevy dealer right away for a set of new headlights.
Your Headlights Are Getting Old
It’s a good idea to know which type of headlight bulb you’re using and how long they’re expected to last. That way, you’re less likely to be taken by surprise by failing headlights.
These days, there are three primary types of bulbs: halogen, HID, and LED bulbs. Here’s how long you can expect each one to last:
Halogen Bulbs
These traditional bulbs use a tungsten filament inside argon and nitrogen gases to create light. Halogen bulbs tend to last 800 miles on average.
HID Bulbs
High-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, also known as xenon bulbs, generate brighter light with electrodes at both ends of a gas-filled tube. You can expect HID bulbs to last an average of 5,000 miles.
LED Bulbs
Famously long-lasting light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs run negative electrons against holes in a semiconductor to generate powerful white light. LED bulbs often last 20,000 miles of usage, which even might surpass the lifespan of your car.
Your Headlights Are Flickering
Flickering headlights may indicate a damaged filament inside a halogen bulb, which means you need a new one. With LED or HID bulbs, any flickering is more likely to indicate a problem with the wiring or electrical supply than the bulb itself.
Your Headlights Are Fading
Both LED and HID bulbs can lose a great deal of brightness over time before they finally die. So if you find yourself squinting to see the road ahead at night, consider having your bulbs replaced. Halogen bulbs usually don’t fade much before they fail and give little warning before suddenly flickering out.
Your Headlights Are Hazy
Hazy light ahead of your car may mean faltering bulbs. But the haziness might also be caused by dirt and grim from the road or even damage to the lens from years of strong UV exposure.
Try cleaning your headlight lenses to see if the problem improves. You can also replace the bulbs or ask a technician to test them with a voltmeter.
How a Chevy Dealer Can Test Your Headlights
If you’re concerned about your headlights, you can always ask someone at your local dealership to test them for you. A technician will first inspect each headlight for any signs of damage such as cracks, warping, or burned filaments. They may then use various tools such as a voltmeter, ohm meter, or amp clamp to test each bulb’s voltage and also see if switching out for a fresh bulb resolves any existing problems.
Have your headlights examined and repaired today at Mike Kelly Chevrolet. We’re a full-service dealership providing excellent vehicles, service, and financing, whatever your car-related needs might be.
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