Auto Light Bulbs Discounts and Replacements
Auto light bulbs come in many different shapes and sizes and for the most part are easy to replace. When it comes to common automotive lightbulbs such as headlights, dome lights, brake lights and turn signal lights, replacement often does not require tools. Replacing these bulbs yourself is easier on the wallet then paying a mechanic to do the same. Of course, first you’ll need to find the correct replacement bulb.
When shopping for replacement auto light bulbs, the best places to find specifications are in the car’s owner’s manual, at automotive websites or you can place a call to your local auto parts store. When you call the parts store, they’ll use their computer screen to key in the vehicles year, make and model which will then give them the lightbulb’s model-number, as well as all technical specs for the correct replacement bulb. Most part stores are willing to share this information with you, and once you have it you can use the information to shop online for discount automotive lightbulbs.
The remainder of this article will focus on headlights as this is the most common type of car light bulb searched for online.
Automotive Headlights
In
the old days automotive headlights were simple. Cars used round sealed
beam headlights and had two or four mounted on the car. As cars got
more advanced, factors like style, increased visibility, energy
efficiency and lifespan resulted in the creation of all sorts of
different model lamps. Thankfully, auto parts stores have advanced
database software on their computers which catalogue the specifications
for each vehicle. This makes finding replacement auto light bulbs much simpler.
When shopping replacement car lightbulbs, the first thing to look for is the type your vehicle uses. Today in the US, most late model cars use halogen lamps for their headlights. These were first approved for use in the US in 1980, and by the early 90’s nearly all manufacturers had made the switch. In addition to Halogen, you’ll find some vehicles use Plasma or Xenon lights, though with the legality of these lights questionable in some states, most often this type of automotive lightbulb is found only in cars that have been modified.
If you have an older vehicle using sealed beamed tungsten lamps, unless this is a vintage car with antique value, you’ll probably want to consider upgrading to Halogen headlights or, where legal, Xenon or Plasma headlights. A number of discount headlight upgrade kits are available online at sites such as ebay, be sure to shop around as the pricing varies greatly from kit to kit.
Working with automotive headlights is not difficult. Some tips when dealing with newer models is to make sure the bulbs are cool prior to replacing, as newer automotive lightbulbs can get quite hot. Also, when dealing with any car light bulb, be sure not to force anything. Some types require the bulb to be pushed in slightly prior to turning for removal. When in doubt, a great place to search for tutorials is social video sites such as youtube.com. Here you’ll find a wide variety of videos on car light bulb replacements.