Running lights

bigadaj

Just had a warning light come on in my two year old Astra, says one daytime running light has a problem and the offside one is indeed not working.

I assume this is a blown bulb which needs replacing and is down to wear and tear rather than warranty, reading on Vauxhall board it sounds like a bit of a faff to change myself so might try my local independent garage for the cheaper labour rate.

I have had it serviced at the main dealer I bought it from, bought at a year old, and has been back in for two minor warranty issues, just wondered if others agreed with my thinking.

Le_Kirk

This happened on my Mondeo and I took it in under warranty. The dealer told me the warranty did not include bulbs. I said, "good, these are not bulbs, they are LED's" After a little more discussion they changed them. I would not have been so adamant if it was an easy change but it seemed like the whole front bumper has to come off.

almillar

bulbs are user serviceable, and can be expected to pop any time, I'd say after a car is 1 year old, you might expect some good will for such a cheap part, but not much more, and not worth fighting over.
As Le_Kirk says though, we get told that LEDs aren't user serviceable, and shouldn't need to be replaced since they're so amazing and reliable. Well, I'd expect them to last longer than 2 years, so I'd be back to the dealer with the FAULTY, not WORN OUT, part, for a free replacement...

AdrianC

Except a quick google suggests the DRLs aren't LED on an Astra of that age, but a bulb, and that fitting LEDs is a popular mod/upgrade.

Retrogamer

If it was me, i'd take the opportunity to replace both with LEDs instead and check some forums to which are best suited.

david_a

I have a 13 plate Astra in stock which does have LED running lights

Stigy

almillar wrote: »

bulbs are user serviceable, and can be expected to pop any time...

Usually. Some cars are renowned for having bulbs that aren't able to be replaced easily. Most bulbs can be changed easily, but I recall a few years ago that certain VWs particularly (Mk4 Golfs?) one had to remove the front wheel(s) to replace a headlamp bulb. Things do move on and VW certainly seem to complete opposite now (my Mk5 Golf headlight bulbs simply twist out and are very accessible - there's not even and wires going to them!). Honda were just as bad. Ever tried replacing a front indicator bulb on a 2006ish Civic?

I'd like to think manufacturers these days have thought about issues raised in the past, but I'm not convinced, as car bodywork is geared more toward style than ease of access, more so now than ever before.

AdrianC

Stigy wrote: »

I'd like to think manufacturers these days have thought about issues raised in the past, but I'm not convinced, as car bodywork is geared more toward style than ease of access, more so now than ever before.

It's simpler than that.

EuroNCAP demands ever-larger crushable areas, at the same time as styling demands ever-larger light units, at the same time as the combination of buyers and legislators demand ever-fuller engine bays stuffed full of electronics and ever larger wheelarches to accommodate ever-larger wheels and tyres.

Something has to give, and maintenance accessibility is it. That's why so much modern stuff has to have arch liners or bumpers removed to change bulbs. B'sides, Joe Public is happy to drive around with a bulb out until the annual service or MOT...

Stigy

AdrianC wrote: »

It's simpler than that.

EuroNCAP demands ever-larger crushable areas, at the same time as styling demands ever-larger light units, at the same time as the combination of buyers and legislators demand ever-fuller engine bays stuffed full of electronics and ever larger wheelarches to accommodate ever-larger wheels and tyres.

Something has to give, and maintenance accessibility is it. That's why so much modern stuff has to have arch liners or bumpers removed to change bulbs. B'sides, Joe Public is happy to drive around with a bulb out until the annual service or MOT...

I do agree with you in terms of safety, however if I can change a headlamp bulb (or any other bulb for that matter) in my 2006 Golf in a matter of seconds, there's surely no reason why the same can't should be able to be done on other cars of similar size (Astra/Civic etc)? Not a great deal has changed in car design in the last ten years or so in terms of accessibility for drivers to undertake bulb changes themselves. Something as simple as a lack of wiring or clips (which doesn't require extra space) makes life 100 times easier.

Retrogamer

Stigy wrote: »

I do agree with you in terms of safety, however if I can change a headlamp bulb (or any other bulb for that matter) in my 2006 Golf in a matter of seconds, there's surely no reason why the same can't should be able to be done on other cars of similar size (Astra/Civic etc)? Not a great deal has changed in car design in the last ten years or so in terms of accessibility for drivers to undertake bulb changes themselves. Something as simple as a lack of wiring or clips (which doesn't require extra space) makes life 100 times easier.

Even some of the larger cars can be a nightmare and it's becoming more and more common to have to remove the bumper to get enough access

Iceweasel

Stigy wrote: »

Not a great deal has changed in car design in the last ten years or so in terms of accessibility for drivers to undertake bulb changes themselves.

I simply can't agree with that statement - things have changed a great deal.

DLRs
Xenons
LEDs
Laser

Very few cars had any of those 10 years ago.

The styling of headlamps has also changed greatly.

Like it or not changing many bulbs is a major task these days.

The days of changing a bulb at the side of the road in 5 minuted or so are long gone.

I have the barked knuckles to prove it.