When you’re on the road, nothing is more frustrating than having a headlight (or two!) that keeps burning out on you. Especially in dark or inclement weather conditions, a burned-out headlight on your vehicle can be both worrisome and inconvenient.

You may find the same issue with HID, LED, and the stock halogen bulbs. If the stock halogen bulbs keep burning out it might be because of either bad connection, voltage issue, or it's a daytime running light. If LED headlight bulbs may keep burning out if it's a cheap LED. And quality is key with this kind of bulbs. HID headlight bulbs may keep burning out either because of bad connections, voltage issues, or it's a cheap bulb.

Let’s take a look at why this happens and what steps you can take to keep your headlights shining brightly throughout all of your “on the road” endeavors.

Also Read, WHY HEADLIGHT MAINTENANCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE DRIVING

Common Reasons for Burned-out Bulbs

• In order to accurately assess the problem and find the best remedies to your situation, you’ll need to run through the most common culprits of your headlight-induced headaches.

• If you’ve recently replaced one or both bulbs, only to find that they’ve once again gone out on you, the underlying issue may be more complicated than simply installing a new bulb or pair of bulbs.

• Road conditions that are particularly rough, bumpy or otherwise hard on your vehicle (think an abundance of potholes or rocky roads) can cause a surplus amount of vibration.

• This intensified vibration can easily cause a bulb to come loose, a bent bulb socket, or even unbalanced front wheels.

• If your ride has recently endured some “wear and tear” due to rough roadside conditions, check these areas for any related issues.

• Handling the headlight bulb improperly (with your bare hands) can also cause malfunctioning due to the natural oils found on our skin. How can this hurt the bulb? By creating hot spots on the bulb’s surface where your skin’s oils have come into contact with the glass.

• Handling your headlight bulbs without gloves and/or a cloth also risks glass breakage—a headache you definitely want to avoid.

Also Read, SIMPLE THINGS YOU MUST TAKE CARE OF WHILE REPLACING YOUR CAR HEADLIGHTS

• Temperature-induced damage can occur when driving excessively in either extreme heat or cold conditions. If you’ve been driving at night or using your daytime running lights much more than usual lately, overheating within your headlight bulbs can occur.

• Particularly hot external temperatures only add to the problem. Similarly, freezing outdoor temps make headlight bulbs more brittle and prone to breaking.

• Do you often find yourself turning your headlights on before starting your car? If so, you could be lessening the life span of your bulbs by doing so, as your lights will restart again once your car engine starts. This makes the bulbs work overtime unnecessarily.

• Water leaks—if you notice condensation accumulating in the headlight housing, you may have a water leak on your hands. Naturally, water leaking into an electrical outlet will cause a short, which may be to blame for a recurring headlight problem.

Also Read, HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REPAIR CAR HEADLIGHTS?

Preventing the problem

As with many vehicle-related snafus, prevention is key. Your best bet is to take precautions to avoid any headlight issues down the road—literally.

• Make sure you’re installing the headlight bulbs safely and securely. Avoid the risk of any loose or faulty attachment that will lead to potential problems.

• Address (or have a professional take a look) any suspicions of water leakage or other problems in a timely manner. The longer you wait to intervene, the more damage you’re potentially doing to your car or truck.

• Help lengthen the lifespan of your bulbs by avoiding turning your headlights on prior to starting the engine, as well as staying off especially rough roads as much as possible.

• Consider switching to more energy-efficient bulbs—you’ll save time, money, and patience by opting for a more durable product.

Also Read, CHOOSING THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT BULB: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Best headlights to buy

Don’t waste time with outdated products that aren’t up to the task. Get the most bang for your buck with some of the top picks from Underground Lighting.

 

Here are some of our favorite finds:

• H11 LED Headlights — If you’re tired of the dull, yellowed-out light cast by your car or truck’s Halogen bulbs, consider switching them out for the H11 LED Headlights at UGL. You’ll get a brighter, whiter shine on the road, in addition to the best light pattern for reflector-style headlights available. LED bulbs are also more energy-efficient and longer-lasting, which means added savings for the consumer.

• H13 LED Headlights — In addition to the longevity and environmentally-friendly aspects of LED Headlights, the H13 headlight bulbs are the slimmest design on the market. Say goodbye to big, bulky, difficult-to-install headlights. This pair features “plug and play” installation for a fast and efficient upgrade.

• D2S HID Headlights — Yet another fantastic find for your vehicle’s lighting system are the D2S HID Headlights. HID (which stands for High-Intensity Discharge) lights are your best bet for achieving a fresh, aftermarket look. Also known as Xenon gas bulbs, HID headlights are extra-effective by design, lasting up to 10,000 hours—much longer than the traditional Halogen models.

What are you waiting for? Ditch your old, burned out bulbs for more efficient, longer-lasting lights that will illuminate the road ahead. Call, chat or email the professionals at Underground Lighting for the best car and truck products on the market.