Whichever type of headlights your car has, you'll occasionally need to change the bulbs. How frequently you need new headlights largely depends on what type of bulb you're using. Let's look at how long each type of headlight bulb typically lasts and also how to know when it's time to visit your nearest Ford dealer for replacements.Â
Halogen Bulbs Last 500 to 1,000 Hours
Traditional halogen bulbs with tungsten filaments are still in popular use today, despite their relatively poor longevity. Halogen bulbs won't often last more than 1,000 hours of usage and might fail after just 500 hours. Toward the end of their lifespans, halogen bulbs might also lose up to 80% of their brightness, which is dangerously little light to drive with after dark.
HID Bulbs Last 5,000 Hours on Average
High-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs have a much better average lifespan of around 5,000 hours, although an HID bulb may last as much as 10,000 hours or as little as 2,000 hours. HID bulbs also tend to degrade less than halogen bulbs as they age, losing only 40% or 50% of their brightness.
LED Bulbs Can Last Up to 50,000 Hours
The brightest and longest-lived of all headlight bulbs are light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which can sometimes last as long as 50,000 hours of usage, which might surpass the lifespan of some cars. On top of this, LED bulbs only lose about 20% of their brightness before the end.
Find Out Which Type of Bulb Your Car Uses
It pays to know which type of headlights your car is using. You can then predict how often you'll need new bulbs. If you're unsure which type your car has, you can find out by facing your car to a garage door and turning on the headlights.
Yellow light usually means halogen bulbs, whereas white light is cast by HID or LED bulbs. When first turned on, a few flickering flashes before the light becomes steady typically indicates HID bulbs, whereas LED bulbs shine with instant full power. You can also check your owner's manual for the bulb type or ask at your local dealership.
Signs Your Headlight Bulbs Need Replacing
Dimming light is a common warning sign that one or more of your headlight bulbs is fading, but dimness can also result from dirty or hazed headlight lenses, so inspect your lenses before buying new bulbs. Flickering light may also preempt bulb failure, although flickering can also be caused by underlying electrical issues. If just one of your high or low-beam bulbs fails, it's best to replace both in the pair, as the second one is rarely far behind.
Have your headlights repaired or replaced today at Conway Ford. Our full-service dealership provides a one-stop shop for all things Ford in Conway and the surrounding region.
