Headlights?

Spud83

So my bulb is gone in my Hundai Accent.

Need to replace it and want to do it quick so I am not one of those people driving around with one headlight on.

Just a quick question though are headlights/headlamps standard? My car manual only mentions wattage, and nothing about models. I can remove the bulb/fitting easy enough so I have no problem replacing it, just want to make sure I but the right one.

Alun

The most common ones are H4 which have a combined full/dip beam in one bulb, or H7 dipped / H1 main as separate bulbs. There are other combos but these are by far the most common. Any motor factor (or even Halfrauds) will be able to tell you which one you have, but first you need to determine whether it's the main beam, dipped beam or both that have gone.

Spud83

Alun wrote: »

The most common ones are H4 which have a combined full/dip beam in one bulb, or H7 dipped / H1 main as separate bulbs. There are other combos but these are by far the most common. Any motor factor (or even Halfrauds) will be able to tell you which one you have, but first you need to determine whether it's the main beam, dipped beam or both that have gone.

Its the dipped that have gone. But I thinks it a dual filament bulb. I prob should have just done a quick search seems like a H4 bulb I need according to some online sites.

My "parking"/"side" lights are fine on both sides.

Anan1

Easiest thing to do is remove it outside the motor factors and bring the old bulb in with you.

Alun

You should be able to see from the outside easy enough .. The side / parking lights are small and fairly obvious. If there's two other bulbs visible in each headlight housing then it's probably an H1/H7 combo, if it's only one it's probably an H4. Either is readily available.

Spud83

Alun wrote: »

You should be able to see from the outside easy enough .. The side / parking lights are small and fairly obvious. If there's two other bulbs visible in each headlight housing then it's probably an H1/H7 combo, if it's only one it's probably an H4. Either is readily available.

Defo only one I had the bulb out last night. So it must be the H4 thanks guys. I'll ask in the motor store anyway.

Berty

Nearly forget to get my two cent in here(as always)

Always change your headlight bulbs in pairs to stop you having different light levels on both sides.

The older a bulb the less light it emits. If you are replacing on then defo replace the other as well.

Your local factors should charge you no more than €8 for a pair of standard Halogens.

If you are feeling flush then as for PIAA or Osram and get a powerful bulb for better light.

Older Hyundai have a lens which light struggles to pass through so the stronger the light the better off you are.

ONLY BUY 55Watt bulbs. If you venture in Halfords 100Watt bulbs are for off road use only but the knobs will sell them to you anyway!!

Rebeller

Lidl are selling set of halogens for €7.99 tomorrow

Spud83

quirke_folder wrote: »

Nearly forget to get my two cent in here(as always)

Always change your headlight bulbs in pairs to stop you having different light levels on both sides.

The older a bulb the less light it emits. If you are replacing on then defo replace the other as well.

Your local factors should charge you no more than €8 for a pair of standard Halogens.

If you are feeling flush then as for PIAA or Osram and get a powerful bulb for better light.

Older Hyundai have a lens which light struggles to pass through so the stronger the light the better off you are.

ONLY BUY 55Watt bulbs. If you venture in Halfords 100Watt bulbs are for off road use only but the knobs will sell them to you anyway!!

Thanks for that I will purchase a pair, but might not get a chance to swap the other one till the weekend as it looks like a harder job on the passenger side with more stuff in the way.

Will only be getting 55w/60w bulbs as the manual says.

I'll see what is in stock at the motor shop and get the "best" one. It won't be a Halfords kind of place so I will trust the staff, plus the advice I have received here.

Rebeller wrote: »

Lidl are selling set of halogens for €7.99 tomorrow

Do not want to wait until tomorrow, as I will be driving in the dark this evening, and I always hate seeing people going around with faulty lights.

Although I may get some spare ones there tomorrow.

Berty

Rebeller wrote: »

Lidl are selling set of halogens for €7.99 tomorrow

God Help Us. Their stuff is questionable at the best of times. Thats all we need is low quality bulbs flooding the market.

On the bright side(dont excuse the pun, it was intended) at least they will promote them quite highly and remind people to think about their lighting.

Henry Ford III

1st time I ever heard of being advised to change a light bulb that didn't need changing

Berty

A halogen bulbs element breaks down over time and slowly emmits a lower level of light.

Putting in a new Halogen will to an extent make the light different on either side. It can be a nuisance depending on the wear of the working bulb.

Xenon Lights and HID lights should ALWAYS be changed in pairs. The manufactuers guide book even states this.

Spud83

All done now guys.

Thanks for your help.

gofaster_s13

quirke_folder wrote: »

A halogen bulbs element breaks down over time and slowly emmits a lower level of light.

Putting in a new Halogen will to an extent make the light different on either side. It can be a nuisance depending on the wear of the working bulb.

Xenon Lights and HID lights should ALWAYS be changed in pairs. The manufactuers guide book even states this.

A Halogen bulb actually gets brighter with age with it being brightest just before it blows.

Trampas

Not meaning to hijack the thread but who's bright idea (pun not intended) was to place the car battery right behind the lights on the passenger sides of cars (Skoda, Seat, VW).

You need to have a tiny hand to get your hand in there to change the light.

Or is it a case of removing the battery and battery case so make it easier to change the light?

Spud83

Trampas wrote: »

Not meaning to hijack the thread but who's bright idea (pun not intended) was to place the car battery right behind the lights on the passenger sides of cars (Skoda, Seat, VW).

You need to have a tiny hand to get your hand in there to change the light.

Or is it a case of removing the battery and battery case so make it easier to change the light?

Exactly the problem on the Hyundai as well. Which is why I will leave replacing that one until the weekend.


Thread has served its purpose for the OP(me) so I doubt its considered hijacking.

cjt156

quirke_folder wrote: »

God Help Us. Their stuff is questionable at the best of times. Thats all we need is low quality bulbs flooding the market.

Can't agree with that, almost everything technical they sell appears to be TUV rated. Can't be any worse than Halfords or other non-branded stuff.

Buffman

I have used the lidl kits a few times, actually quite handy. They do a sort of emergency bulb kit, 2 H4's, stop and tail, indicators, side light, number plate light, some other random bulbs I've never used, and a few fuses for good measure, all in a robust plastic container. Enough to get you out of a hole some night, no boot should be without one!:)

Berty

True enough,

I mentioned that although I contest the quality of their products it will serve a good purpose if it encourages people to carry a spare bulb kit through heavy advertising.

Shame, most people will have no idea what type of bulbs they need and will buy the first one they find. Might need a H7 kit and buy a H3 kit.

Wishbone Ash

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

I am not one of those people driving around with one headlight on

Carry spares with you in future and you will be able to rectify any fault immediately!