Headlights keep you safe at night in more ways than one. Not only do they provide you with visibility, but your headlights also make you visible to other cars. When something causes a headlight bulb to fail, it’s best to replace it promptly for the sake of everyone’s safety. If you notice the following problems, don’t hesitate to head to your nearest Chrysler dealer for a set of new headlights.
The Light Is Dimming
Your main warning that a headlight bulb is nearing the end of its lifespan will usually be dimming brightness. Because of the importance of visibility after dark, it’s unwise to drive with headlight bulbs that are shining with anything less than 100% brightness.
How much a headlight bulb dims depends largely on which type of bulb you’re using. Halogen bulbs may degrade and dim by as much as 70% or 80% before dying. High-intensity diode (HID) bulbs can dim 40% or 50%. Long-lasting light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs might only lose 20% or 30% of their brightness before finally giving up the ghost.
The Light Is Flickering
With a halogen bulb, a damaged filament will cause the light ahead of your car to flicker. With any type of bulb, flickering may occur if some wiring comes loose or there’s a problem with the underlying electrical system. You can replace a flickering bulb to see if the issue lies with the bulb itself or something else.
One Headlight Bulb Fails
If just one bulb falters, the other one is likely to already be dimmer and close to failing as well. It’s best to always replace headlight bulbs in pairs because otherwise, you may end up with mismatched bulbs. Also, replacing both at once guarantees maximum brightness for many months or years to come.
The Light Becomes Hazy
When the light in front of your car seems hazy or cloudy, as opposed to merely dim, the problem often lies with the headlight lens rather than the bulb. Haziness might be caused by dirt and grime from the road, which can usually easily be cleaned off.
Haziness might also be caused by myriad scratches from road debris or oxidization from excessive exposure to UV rays in sunlight. A headlight lens damaged in this way will probably need to be replaced to restore your headlights to full brightness.
How a Chrysler Dealer Can Test a Faulty Bulb
When a technician inspects your car’s headlights, they’ll usually test each bulb with a digital multimeter or a continuity tester. They may even use a 12-volt battery to check if the bulb is functioning properly.
If the bulb itself is malfunctioning, it will usually need to be replaced. If the problem lies with the wiring or electrical supply, the technician will promptly diagnose and fix the underlying fault.
Have your headlights inspected and repaired today at Northern Prairie Auto Sales. Our full-service dealership has been diligently serving the region’s drivers for almost a century, since 1926.
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