How Long Do Vehicle Headlights Last

It’s not often that you’ll need to replace the bulbs in your vehicle’s headlights and taillights. However, when the lights grow dim, or burn out altogether, you want to make sure they’re replaced promptly so that you can see, and be seen, when you’re driving Toronto’s streets. So which bulbs should you be looking at installing in your vehicle, and how long can you expect them to last? The service and parts experts here at Downtown Ford take a look at the lifespan in the average headlight bulb.

Average Lifespan

Lightbulb lifespans are determined by two main factors; the material they’re made from, and the overall brightness of the light. A bright bulb will burn hot, which causes them to wear out faster, especially in bright halogen bulbs with tungsten filaments. Xenon and LED lightbulbs, by comparison, last an incredibly long time.

Xenon

In a standard halogen bulb, the tungsten filament is what’s being illuminated, and this causes the tungsten to wear out rather quickly. Tungsten-xenon bulbs work differently, as the tungsten is actually working to illuminate xenon gas in the bulb. As the gas is creating the bulb of the luminescence, the filament isn’t working as hard, and they’ll last as much as 10-times longer than a regular halogen bulb. Note that high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs also use illuminated xenon gas, but they use an electrode instead of tungsten filament. While they also last longer than regular halogen bulbs, tungsten-xenon ones last longer.

LED

The longest lasting bulb you can install in your headlight is a light emitting diode (LED) bulb. They produce light completely different from an incandescent bulb, using electrical currents passing through a microchip. Not only will this cause illumination, it also absorbs and redirects heat, which is easier on the bulb as a whole. Rather than burning out, LEDs tend to dim over time, and are considered “in need of replacement” when they’ve lost around 30% of their light output. They’re bright, efficient, and last significantly longer than any incandescent lightbulb.

Replace Your Headlights & Bulbs in Toronto, ON

Whether its headlights, taillights, or interior lighting, the team here at Downtown Ford in Toronto, ON is ready to help you get replacements, and get them installed, just as soon as possible. Learn more about why you shouldn’t ignore windshield damage, and why it’s important to rotate your tires. Book a service appointment today for all of your service and maintenance needs!