replacing blown bulbs in pairs

secret_tramp

I have had to replace a blown brake light bulb, and I have just noticed on the packaging on the pair of replacement bulbs that I bought from Halfords, that bulbs should be replaced in pairs.

Is that correct?

wallbash

I have never bothered , the spare gets saved .

bungle4by4

i change them in pairs. to be honest, the other bulb has generally been on just as long as the blown bulb and will be going soon.

theres no other reason to change them in pairs though. and by the way, bulbs are a LOT cheaper at your local motor factors than halfrauds

poppasmurf_bewdley

Try Wilkinsons for car bulbs. Much cheaper than Halfords. They have plenty of other car stuff as well.

paddedjohn

If you moved into a new house and a bulb upstairs went would you change all the bulbs? of course you wouldnt so save your cash and wait until the other brake light fails. Halfords are just trying to make money.

secret_tramp

I must admit I had not previously heard that you should change both bulbs, and my thoughts echo paddedjohn's and wallbash's.

I agree about Wilko, but had to bite the bullet as Wilko is not near to me and didn't want to risk being pulled over by the police.

It was even more galling to have to buy some engine oil from them last week (as the warning light came on and I was in desperate need) for £43 instead of £35 online.

forgotmyname

Only replace the one thats gone, The other bulb could outlast the new one.

Why make work for yourself.

Only some suspension and brake parts need to be changed in pairs.

Springs & Shocks, Pads & Discs etc.

You could have bought a whole boxful from a proper car shop for the same price as 2
from halfords.

vikingaero

Depends on the car. If it's a PITA to access and you have to remove the grille/bits then you may as well do it. I've had bulbs on a new car blow within a few days of each other.

mattyprice4004

As above, depends on access. My car has been through 2 rear driver's side brake lamps, and no passenger side lamps. Luck of the draw!

pstuart

The quality control on things like bulbs is pretty precise, when one goes its highly likely that the other one will fail shortly after.

colino

Depends on the car. Normally just change the one that's blown, but some Jags and BMWs with very sensitive lamp control modules will cold sense the difference in resistence between two differing bulbs, assume one has blown and put on a warning light.