Car lighting systems don’t always receive much attention compared to the tires, engine, or other parts of a car. However, the lights on your car require just as much maintenance and attention to ensure longevity for safety on the road. These tips will help you maintain your car’s lighting system to keep it in an optimal condition for safe and sound driving.
Regular Inspections
You don’t need a professional mechanic to inspect your car’s lighting system every time. A quick self-assessment from time to time will suffice to notice any faults that will require repair.
During any inspection, look out for broken lights and dimming lights as well. The light of the bulb doesn’t need to go out for it to require changing completely. A dimming beam is a sign that the light is already failing. If you’re not sure, take the car for a quick check-up by a mechanic. When doing quick inspections of your car’s lighting system, many people tend to forget to check if the brake lights are functioning correctly. To check brake lights, ask a friend or bypasser to take a look to make sure they are working correctly.
Maintain Cleanliness
Keeping the headlights and brake lights clean may not initially seem like a crucial maintenance tip, but dirty lights will decrease their effectiveness. It’s best to ensure there isn’t any dirt, dust, or debris staining the lights. How can dirt or residue be dangerous on the road? If there is a significant coating of substances on your lights, this can cause the beam to become foggy. In this case, fogged-up lights will limit your headlights’ visibility when driving at night.
Replace Broken Lights
If you notice one of your lights is broken at any time, seek to get it changed as soon as possible. Drivers often mistake not fixing their broken headlights for a significant amount of time, believing it isn’t as crucial as a flat tire or engine problem. Not only are you putting yourself in danger when driving with broken headlights, but fellow drivers on the road too. If any of your lights go off during the night or a long road trip, it’s best to opt for a mobile auto repair service that can drive out to you and service your car on the spot.
Change Regularly and in Pairs
Specialists advise to regularly change your car’s lights even if they aren’t broken. Experts recommend changing bulbs every 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) or approximately every two years. This is not mandatory, but it could be an excellent opportunity to freshen your lights and upgrade to a better option. When buying new lights to replace broken ones or just a regular change, don’t buy singular lights. Always opt to change either your headlights or taillights in pairs. If you replace only one, you risk the other being dimmer or mismatched with its pair.
Opt For Better Illuminating Lights
Whether your car’s lights recently got broken or you’re thinking of a regular replacement, consider upgrading them to better illuminating lights. One option is upgrading to OEM headlight lamps, which have a greater beam strength. Another popular option now is opting for LED lights. LED headlights are more luminous when driving at night and are also energy efficient. Consult with a mechanic first since not all car models support LED light implementation. Why wait until your lights are broken? There is never a wrong time for an upgrade.
Your car’s lighting system is of just as essential importance as other parts of the car. With the right care and maintenance, your driving experience will be safer for both you and your fellow drivers on the road. The key to effective car lighting maintenance is to assess issues as they appear and follow through with immediate action to avoid unnecessary consequences.
Jack Bartner is a passionate content writer with four years of working in the automotive industry. He enjoys sharing his experiences with driving and giving auto care tips, and dealing with mechanics who have all the answers. Caring for cars has never been so easy!
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
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Here are several resources on car maintenance from the National Motorists Association Blog.
