Headlight Bulbs
Replacing Headlight bulbs is generally thought best to be done once a year. This does seem a bit too much since the actual use of the vehicle will help to determine the need to make frequent headlight bulb replacements. If you rarely drive at night or outside of brightly lit city areas this would seem to be an unnecessary expense. However, if you drive many hours in the dark and frequent roads that are poorly lit or where you are likely to run into wildlife like deer – then a yearly change is appropriate.
Bulb replacements should be done with the new whiter and brighter bulbs like the Sylvania SilverStar bulbs or the HID projector type headlights. Your cost will vary depending on the brightness and quality of the replacement bulbs. The whiter light from new headlight replacement bulbs provides drivers with improved night visibility and better sense of safety on the road. Whiter light can help shorten a driver’s reaction time and the ability to see objects in the road at night.
The bulbs can produce a blue color light and offer a stylish new appearance to your vehicle. It is important to check that you are buying the correct replacement bulb for your vehicle. Any auto parts store can help you to decide on the proper bulb to buy.
Replacing the headlight bulbs is a relatively simple process depending on the age of your vehicle. Newer model vehicles use bulbs that are accessed from the rear of the headlight assembly and are held in with a retaining clip. These are quite easy to replace as long as the back of the headlight assembly is not block by other equipment under the hood of the vehicle. The electrical connection is a simple plug that is easy to disconnect and then reconnect. Be sure to seat the bulb fully into the slot provided for it and firmly clip it in place. It is important to not touch the bulbs with your bare hands as the oils on your skin are not good for the bulbs. Also, be very careful to not break the new or old headlight bulbs as they a under a gas pressure inside. Remember to wear all the appropriate safety equipment when working with these items.
On older vehicles you may find the sealed beam type of headlight. These require removal of the entire unit in order to be replaced. This is done from the outside facing the headlight and loosening a retaining clip that is around the outside of the sealed beam. Usually with just two or three screws. Be sure that the replacement headlamp is properly aligned for the safety of you and the on-coming vehicles. See additional information on the Audi A6 Headlight here.
It is important to get replacement equipment that meets all the required federal and state safety standards. As quoted from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 ” … For all equipment required on new motor vehicles and replacements for that equipment, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, “Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment” applies. US safety standards are public law and apply to all parties associated with the manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, installing, or repairing motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment. These parties must self-certify that all regulated vehicle and equipment comply with the applicable regulations prior to sale, and also must not interfere with regulated equipment installed in any manner that impairs the regulated equipment. The U.S. government does not approve any motor vehicle equipment, nor does it give type approvals, or compel testing. CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html
Title “49″, part “571″, section “108″
Some replacement Headlight bulb suppliers are listed below:
Sylvania 9007SU BP SilverStar Ultra High Performance Halogen Headlight – Pack of 2
Sylvania 9006SU BP SilverStar Ultra High Performance Halogen Headlight – Pack of 2