When to change headlight bulbs

Hasbeen

Agree with others only change one when it fails.

I always put in the 150% more light one's, slightly more expensive, even with trade price but the difference is worth the money.

Scot22

That's something that concerns me.  After 9 years, halogen, has light dimmed and just got used to it.

pogofish

Halogen dimming is usually the result of the filament sublimating, which causes a thin layer of metal to be deposited on the inside of the capsule - which is IMO a sure sign that they need replacing sooner rather than later.

Is the capsule dark/discoloured when you look at it?

Scot22

Appreciated.  No, it looks fine.  I confess to being neurotic about safety.

JustAnotherSaver

AdrianC said:

oldagetraveller1 said:

When one fails. I would change as a pair because if the other is the same age, sure as night follows day, that will fail soon too!

Nope, doesn't work like that. I've had one go and the "pair" has lasted for years.

Agree with this.

Only change when they fail. Or if one was putting out appalling light in comparison to the other but i can't remember if i've ever had that situation.

I also don't pay over the odds. Standard halogens are poop to put it mildly. All of them. I've not seen a single set of halogens that i'd call decent and i've spent a small fortune on many of these premium bulbs trying to get some that give decent light. Unless you're on Xenons or i suppose these modern LED units (but i guess factory fitted rather than aftermarket) then it'll be poor.

So i just go on eBay these days, pick up some Osram Nightbreakers for about £15 +/- and call it a day. I remember picking up Halfords bulbs for pence with discount but the Osrams were better than that so i'll pay their price but nothing beyond that as i really couldn't tell a difference.

Scot22

Very informative, much appreciated.

pogofish

Another thumbs-up for Nightbreakers here. They are the best of the replacement aftermarket halogens that I’ve tried, although there are now three or four sub-models under the same brand, each promising a little more light than its predecessor but the “original” nightbreakers do me just fine, with a good lifespan and palpable improvement in light/beam colour and none of the potential fitting/legal/alignment/mot issues that some of the other aftermarket high-power and god-forbid LED replacements might land you with - take note of the small print as many LEDs (and some halogens) are sold as “not for road use,” even from big-name spares dealers.

And do shop around online for them - prices are much more competitive compared to the spares shops, which round here, really see you coming for this sort of stuff but do ensure you get genuine product as there are some sellers of fake/wilfully misdescribed product out there.

Scot22

Appreciated.  When I come to replace will definitely get nightbreakers.

JustAnotherSaver

When i bought my current car i don't know what on earth is in them but they seem decent. I'm guessing they're LEDs as i don't see any ballasts for HIDs and my lenses are reflectors. My brother picked up the same car as me and he has Xenons in his and projector lenses and the lighting looks a tad different which makes me think the previous owner put LEDs in mine. The colouring is different to halogens but not like when i tried out 6000k HIDs in my last car. 

I had a comment from a driver at work questioning them as he said they were blinding. Another worker said they weren't bad. In the almost 3 months i've been driving i've had 2 people flash me. They passed the MOT test (nope, i'm not suggesting that this makes them 'right', i'm just saying they passed an MOT).

I haven't had them out yet to have a look at what they are but every article i've read says LEDs are disappointing (i'm assuming they're talking about aftermarket? As those LEDs on Mini's that come standard are pretty bloody blinding!!!) whereas mine aren't. They're much better than halogens but not quite HID level.

oldagetraveller1

"I would change as a pair"

Which means exactly that, me!

Is it not allowed to have an opinion or personal routine now?