Celica Hobby - Tips For Replacing Headlight Bulbs

How Long Should Performance Automotive Light Bulbs Last?

Performance bulbs tend to have the same life as stock halogens and can give years of great service. Several things can have an effect on the lifespan of a bulb. The life of a filament is voltage sensitive. A stable electrical system in your vehicle will help to increase the lifespan of your halogen bulbs as well as the condition of the headlight units themselves. When installing your bulbs please remember to take care not to touch the glass portions of the bulbs. Other things that may shorten the lifespan of performance bulbs are:

* Touching the light bulbs glass during their installation. The oils on your fingers or dirt build-up that occurs in your engine bay can shorten the life of the bulb to only a few seconds or for a much shorter lifespan than if you had not touched the bulbs.

* If a mechanic is pounding on your car to remove your suspension or do bodywork, this may cause the filament in your lights to break (this is a common reason why neons often fail to work after major bodywork had been performed). This also includes If the vehicle is rear-ended (or any other sort of accident that may violently jerk your bulbs during operation).

* If you often drive poor quality roads or have replaced your suspension for much stiffer high Performance suspension such as Hotchkis or others commonly found on lowered vehicles, the light bulbs lifespan has several opportunities to go bad quicker than someone's who drives over paved roads or remained using their original equipment factory suspension setup.

* If you start your car or turn off your car while your lights are on, the surge of electricity may damage the bulbs.

* If you have an electrical short on the same circuit that your lighting is installed to, and the fuse does not break as it should, this may cause your light bulb (or light bulbs) to also need replacement.

There are many other causes for why headlights go bad before their maximum lifespan - these examples are only a few situations that would shorten that.