Replacement Headlight Bulbs: How Long Should These Car Bulbs Last?

If one of your headlight bulbs has blown you arename suggests, they will certainly cut the amount of
normally the last to know about it, driving aroundtime you will need to spend replacing your car bulbs.
blissfully unaware that there is light only coming out ofBy using reinforced heavy duty components you can
one headlight, whilst other drivers can clearly see thatexpect a long life headlight bulb to last over 50%
one of you car bulbs has blown. Once you know thatlonger than ordinary halogen bulbs, giving you an
a bulb has blown you then have to find the rightexpected bulb life of 500-600 hours, whilst still
replacement and install it. But how do you know thatproducing the same light output as ordinary halogen
you are getting the best from your bulbs and is there abulbs. Long life car bulbs are slightly more expensive
way to have them last longer?than their standard halogen counterparts, but are
In effect there are really just three types of car bulbsconsiderably more economical when you factor in their
that you can install in your headlights and they are,extra long life span.
standard halogen bulbs, modern upgrade xenon bulbsWhen replacing headlight bulbs it is recommended, and
and heavy duty long life bulbs. When determining howgood sense, to change them both at the same time.
long a headlight bulb should last its is well worthFirstly if one bulb has blown the odds are very strong
remembering the old adage that "The light that burnsthat the other one will blow shortly afterwards, and by
twice as bright, lasts half as long".changing them together you wont have to repeat job
Standard halogen headlight bulbs, are the bulbs thatfor a while, and secondly if your bulb has comes to the
were fitted by the vehicle manufacturer at the factoryend of its life span it will be past its optimum light
and are normally full OEM (Original Equipmentperformance output.
Manufacturer) specification. These type of car bulbsOne final point to note when changing your headlight
will typically last between 350-400 hours of use andcar bulbs is to not touch the glass with bare skin during
emit a reasonable level of light onto the road.the process. No matter how clean your hands are,
Upgrade xenon bulbs, like the Osram Night Breaker orbare skin will always leave a residual grease mark on
Philips Extreme Power bulbs use xenon gas tothe glass, this creates a hotspot on the and will
produce a light up to 90% brighter than standardeventually lead to a bulbs premature failure. So, to get
halogen bulbs, making night-time driving safer and lessthe best from your headlights always change your
stressful, and because of their high performancebulbs in pairs, wear protective gloves during the
construction they can be expected to last betweenprocess and pick the right type to suit your
200-300 hours.requirements.
Finally there are long life headlight bulbs and, as their