As the days get significantly shorter in October, night driving increases during the commute. The first thing to check at this time is your headlights. Even if the bulbs haven't burned out, if the lenses are cloudy or turn yellow, the light is greatly reduced, causing you to spot pedestrians or the car in front late on the road at night.
First, go around the car and check the lights.
After starting the engine and turning on the lights, visually check from outside the car to ensure that the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and hazard lights are all illuminated. If a bulb flickers dimly or if one side is unusually weak, it is a sign that it is time for replacement. It is a good habit to check this during your regular autumn inspection.
For a clouded lens, 'wiping' and 'restoring' are different.
1) If it is just dust and dirt on the surface, wiping it gently is sufficient. Strong solvents or harsh abrasives can damage the protective coating, so please use a mild car cleaner.
2) If it remains cloudy and yellow even after wiping, it means the plastic has oxidized due to ultraviolet rays. Tests by the American Automobile Association (AAA) showed that severely worn lenses can only produce less light than a new one. While commercial restoration kits or professional restoration can restore a significant portion of the light (to about 701 TP3T), the most reliable method is to replace the headlight itself.
3) If the lens is cracked, moisture keeps accumulating inside, or the reflector is peeling off, replacement is the correct choice rather than restoration. Internal damage cannot be fixed by wiping.
Things to know when changing a light bulb
Do not touch the glass part of the halogen bulb with bare hands. The oil on your hands can heat up and shorten the bulb's lifespan, so it is recommended to wear gloves or handle it with a clean cloth. After replacement, turn on the lights to check that they are working properly before completing the assembly. Also, if the direction of the light (beam angle) is misaligned, it can reduce your visibility and blind oncoming drivers, so if the direction is off, have the alignment checked at a repair shop.
Checking your headlights is a maintenance task that offers significant safety benefits without being expensive. If you feel like you can't see well on a dark road, don't put it off; start by checking the condition of your lenses this week.
Source: AAA 'Illuminates Dangers of Driving with Cloudy Headlights' (BodyShop Business Report) · isure.ca 'Fall Car Maintenance'
https://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/aaa-illuminates-dangers-of-driving-with-cloudy-headlights/
https://isure.ca/inews/fall-car-maintenance-checklist/
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