Running lights

chrisw

Iceweasel wrote: »

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.

It's pretty simple on my year old Volvo. Pull out two pins and the headlight comes out. Change the bulb, slide the headlight back in and reinsert the pins. Job done.

Xenons, if fitted, are supposedly dealer only though due to the high voltages inside.

paddedjohn

chrisw wrote: »

It's pretty simple on my year old Volvo. Pull out two pins and the headlight comes out. Change the bulb, slide the headlight back in and reinsert the pins. Job done.

Xenons, if fitted, are supposedly dealer only though due to the high voltages inside.

High voltages inside bulbs?? Seriously?? 😂😂

AdrianC

paddedjohn wrote: »

High voltages inside bulbs?? Seriously?? 😂😂

HIDs, yes, absolutely - up to about 15,000v when first turned on to strike the arc, settling down to about 80v.

bigjl

chrisw wrote: »

It's pretty simple on my year old Volvo. Pull out two pins and the headlight comes out. Change the bulb, slide the headlight back in and reinsert the pins. Job done.

Xenons, if fitted, are supposedly dealer only though due to the high voltages inside.

That's because they copied the idea from Ford.

The last car I had that was simple to change a bulb was my mk3 Mondeo with the same system.

The mk2 Zafira that came out in 2005/6 was a nightmare.

If I remember correctly the face lifted Rover 75 was a bumper off job aswell.

Le_Kirk

Iceweasel wrote: »

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

........... and yet the French (and possibly Spanish) insist we drive around with a set of spare bulbs in the boot!!

almillar

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?

And some Renault Meganes need the front lights replaced through a flap in the front wheel lining. That's more difficult than it really should be, but it's still 'user serviceable' as in, you can fit the part at home with normal equipment.

Stigy

Iceweasel wrote: »

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.

Agreed, but not what I was talking about. Design in terms of accessibility hasn't changed that much over the last ten years. Technology in vehicle lighting has changed, but car design hasn't (not so much as you'd not be able to change a standard bulb at the roadside at least.). My 2006 Golf is easier than most other cars I've had, so VW at least, have made it easier - there's not even any wires to the bulb holder and certainly no awkward clips to contend with! Simply twist the unit to take it off and remove the old bulb.