How to Find Your Headlamp Bulb

There are usually just a few ways of discovering that your headlamp bulb needs to be replaced. Unless you are checking your headlights on your own, it usually takes a failed inspection or a fix-it ticket to do the job. But no matter how it comes to your attention, it’s important to have your headlamp bulb replaced quickly to ensure safe driving.

To get started, identify the bulb you need to swap. Have someone sit in the driver’s seat of your vehicle and turn the lights on and off while you stand in front of the car and take note. Use your car’s owner manual to determine if it is your high beams or low beams (for some vehicles, there is only one bulb).

Then you’ll need to know the make, model, year, and engine type of your vehicle. This information will help you find the type of headlamp bulb you need to buy from an auto parts store or online retailer. This is done through a numeric or alphanumeric identifier, which can also be found in your owner manual.

Your next choice will be within the various levels of brightness and longevity. Bulbs that last longer won’t burn as bright and brighter bulbs will have a shorter lifespan.

The Replacement Process

After you buy your bulb, you must know the appropriate way to replace it. Because the process can vary based on specific vehicles, we can’t include everything you have to do in this post. We can tell you, however, that the process can usually be completed in just a few minutes. A detailed process for bulb replacement should be found in your owner manual. We also suggest searching for instructional videos on YouTube.

Keep the following in mind during your replacement:

• Help From Certified Automotive Technicians

  Still don’t feel confident in your ability to find the right bulb or replace it on your own? Bring your vehicle into our Huntersville shop and we will do the job for you. We have a complete selection of bulbs and can perform this quick switch so you can drive safely.

  • • Make sure your engine and headlights are turned off.
    • Wear gloves to protect your hands from cuts and scrapes.
    • Do not touch the glass of the bulb. This could cause it to wear out quickly.
    • Once the light is installed, check your high and low beams to ensure they work properly.