Headlights replacement guide: What headlight bulbs do i need

It's strange that most of us rarely pay attention to the health of the headlight bulbs, until one day, one of the headlights of your car dims or doesn't light up, and then you start to think about replacing the headlight bulbs. Or you will discover that it is not an easy task when you upgrade your headlight bulbs. Because you have to make sure you get the right headlight bulb size, which means you have a lot to consider when choosing a replacement bulb. But don't worry, we've written this detailed headlight bulb selection guide to help you fully understand headlight bulbs and find the right one for you quickly and easily. With this article, you can wave goodbye to the nitty-gritty doubts and uncertainties of picking a bulb, so take a look.

Different types of headlight bulbs

COVER:

How to find the right bulb size for your vehicle?

We all know that the type of original bulb used on a vehicle varies by car make, model, and year of manufacture and that headlight bulbs are not universally interchangeable. If you need to replace or upgrade your headlight bulbs, ensuring vehicle compatibility is the most important. Here are three ways to help you determine the right light bulb size for your vehicle.

Use the AUXITO Bulb Finder:

AUXITO Bulb Finder

AUXITO Bulb Finder

Check the Owner's Manual:

Check The Owner

Check The Owner

Check Existing Original Bulbs:

Information on the bulb base or housing


After determining the type and size of your vehicle's original headlight bulbs, consider the following when choosing suitable and high-quality bulbs.

What to consider when buying headlight bulbs?

Bulb type: There are various types of modern automotive headlight bulbs, and the most commonly used are mainly divided into three types: halogen bulbs, LED bulbs, and HID bulbs. You can choose the type of bulb you want to upgrade based on your needs and on the premise that the replacement bulb is compatible with your car. And to help you better choose the type of light bulb, the following is a detailed description of the three types of headlight bulbs.

Halogen bulbs
LED bulbs
HID bulbs

Brightness: Brighter bulbs can help you see farther and react faster when driving at night, improving driving safety. But the overbright bulb can also cause glare, so consider the brightness level you need and the scenarios in which you will use it frequently. For example, if you live in a weather area with low visibility all year round or often go on cross-country trips, then bright LED bulbs may be more suitable for you.

brightness of different types of bulbs

Color Temperature: Headlight bulbs come in different color temperatures, which can affect the appearance of your lights. Lower color temperature values such as 3000K produce a warm yellow light, while higher color temperature values such as 6500K produce a cooler blue-white light. You can choose the color temperature of your headlight bulbs that meets the legal requirements based on your preference.

Knowing the color temperature of your car's light bulbs can also help you improve your driving comfort and safety. For more information, please read this blog - CAR LED LIGHT BULB COLOR TEMPERATURE - COMFORT AND SAFETY

Color Temperature

Lifespan: Different types of bulbs have different lifespans. For example, the lifespan of halogen bulbs is usually shorter than that of LED and HID bulbs. Longer-lasting bulbs can be replaced less frequently, saving long-term investment costs.

Beam pattern: A good, correct beam pattern allows the headlights to fully perform their lighting effects, enhancing road visibility and preventing bright lights from dazzling others. If you want to upgrade from halogen bulbs to LED bulbs, please choose the LED bulbs with a focused beam and a clear cutoff line to avoid glare occurs.

By the way, properly aligning your headlight beam pattern will ensure the effectiveness of your headlight bulb output. If you have LED bulbs on hand, take a look at this article - GUIDE TO LED HEADLIGHT BULB BEAM PATTERNS .

beam pattern of headlight bulbs

Cost: Headlight bulbs vary in price, so consider your budget when choosing bulbs.

After considering these selection factors, you can find the right high-quality headlight bulb faster. However, some people may not know when they need to replace their headlight bulbs. Here are some tips.

When to replace headlight bulbs?

Over time, the bulbs in various parts of the headlight assembly may turn yellow or burn out, and when your headlights are not enough to see in the dark, it can bring you constant trouble and increase the risk of a driving accident. Therefore, you need to replace your headlight bulbs when any of the following occurs.

If you notice that your headlight bulb is gradually dimming and providing less illumination on the road, it may be a sign that the bulb's performance is declining and its life is approaching the end of its life. This is especially noticeable with halogen bulbs, which require regular replacement.

Dimming or Reduced Brightness

If either or both headlight bulbs stop working and no longer emit light, this is a sign that the bulbs are burned out and need to be replaced.

Burnt out bulbs

Physical damage to the bulb caused by a collision while driving or exposure to adverse weather conditions that affect the light. Besides, physical damage can also occur during installation, so be careful when replacing bulbs.

You want to upgrade to a more reliable headlight bulb with higher quality and longevity.

Anyway, properly functioning headlight bulbs help keep your headlights performing at their best. Please replace your headlight bulb in time to ensure optimal visibility and safety when driving at night or in low-light conditions.

Conclusion

Whether you're replacing a bulb for the first time or upgrading to a more efficient option, ensure compatibility with your vehicle's requirements. Follow this guide to streamline the process, from finding the right size to choosing the perfect headlight bulbs. If you have any questions, our staff is here to help.

FAQ

Q: Where can I buy headlight bulbs for my car?

A: AUXITO offers all the most popular headlight bulb sizes that are compatible with most vehicles. Visit our website or use the AUXITO Bulb Finder for easy purchasing.

Q: Which type of headlight is the brightest?

A: Among the commonly used headlight bulb types, HID (High-Intensity Discharge) bulbs tend to produce the brightest light. But the bulb with the highest brightness depends on the lumen value and light output of the bulb you choose to buy. LED bulbs are another type of bulb known for their brightness, they can also provide excellent brightness and illumination while being more energy efficient.

Car headlights

Q: What is the best headlight to buy?

A: The best headlight depends on your preferences and your vehicle's compatibility. AUXITO offers H11 bulbs, widely used in the U.S., ensuring a suitable replacement. And if you want to determine which H11 bulb is best for you, read this blog - BEST H11 HEADLIGHT BULBS | AUXITO

Q: Can I just replace the stock single-beam bulb with a dual-beam one?

A: No. There is a difference in the mounting setup within the headlight assembly between a single beam bulb and a dual beam bulb, and different bulb models have different connectors and chucks, so you cannot install an LED dual beam bulb in a single beam headlight assembly. If you want to go from having a separate bulb for the low beam and high beam to having a common bulb for the low beam and high beam, replace the entire headlight assembly.

BTW, if you want to learn more about single-beam and dual-beam headlight bulb configurations, read this blog - KNOW ABOUT DUAL-BEAM AND SINGLE-BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS FOR YOUR CAR .

Similarly, to learn how to replace a headlight assembly, this article is for you: YOUR CONCERNS - HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT .

DUAL-BEAM AND SINGLE-BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS

Q: Should I replace my headlights in pairs?

A: Yes, it's recommended to replace headlight bulbs in pairs to ensure consistent brightness and visibility. Typically, headlight bulbs have the same lifespan, so when one bulb breaks and needs to be replaced, it also means that the other bulb is reaching the end of its life. On the other hand, if you only replace one bulb, you may end up with one brighter headlight and one dimmer headlight, which will impact your visibility and visual field while driving.