How to Replace the Headlights in Your Car

Many of the car repairs we used to take for granted as do-it-yourself tasks have mushroomed into something akin to brain surgery thanks to computerization, emissions equipment and the increasingly complicated way modern cars are built. Thankfully, for the home mechanic, there are still a few holdouts.

Headlight repairs are one of these. On most modern cars, headlight housings are still installed and removed just about the same way they always have been. Sure, the lights themselves have improved, but the process still involves disconnecting electrical connections and then extracting and replacing the headlight housing itself.

Why Replace Car Headlights?

Sometimes, lights just quit, and in that case, the need for a replacement is obvious. In most cases, though, the motivation to open your headlight housing is to simply replace a bulb. For example, the xenon gas bulbs popular in many modern cars can undergo color shifts as they age. Swapping in a new set will let you enjoy the crisp, white light your car produced when new.

In other instances, you may want to replace the entire headlight fixture. Fogging is common in sealed-beam projector lights, and while there are ways to restore fogged headlights, the costs of doing so multiple times will exceed the cost of simply replacing them. Pick up some replacement headlights and follow our instructions for a clearer, brighter driving experience.

Night Driving, Visibility and Safety — Facts You Should Know

Driving at night is inherently more dangerous than daytime commuting because of reduced visibility. Even though 83% of driving occurs during daylight hours, 50% of fatal accidents occur after the sun goes down. Risks increase in the winter months when the evening rush hour coincides with or occurs after sunset, and the sun rises after the morning commute. 

Furthermore, driver fatigue is more likely to play a role in accidents after dark. According to the Sleep Foundation, drowsy driving presents many of the same risks as getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. After 20 hours of wakefulness, driving impairment is equivalent to the legal intoxication limit. 

Speaking of intoxication, you are more likely to encounter impaired driving at nighttime. 70% of drunk driving crashes occur after the sun goes down. One in four fatal accidents occurring during this time involves alcohol. 

Even the best drivers can run into problems at night because of decreased visibility. Even with high beams, your visibility extends only 500 feet, and only 250 feet with low beams. It can take up to 392 feet to stop when traveling at 60 MPH. What’s worse is that night driving also affects how long it takes your brain to process information, slowing your reaction time. The bottom line? You can hit something well before you even see it. 

Tips to Stay Safe Driving at Night 

Replacing the headlights in your car is one of the best things you can do to stay safer when driving at night. Clear beams increase visibility, giving you the maximum time to spot potential danger and react to it. Additionally, you can improve your safety during night driving by doing the following: 

• Avoid driving when tired, and never drive while using substances. 
• Slow down to account for reduced visibility and reaction time 
• Use your high beams except when you spot oncoming traffic, turning them off within 500 feet of a passing vehicle or 300 feet behind another car. 
• Keep interior lights off and your display dimmed to a reasonable level to prevent glare.
• Stay to the furthest right-hand lane when on multi-lane roads to decrease glare from oncoming traffic. 

How to Replace the Headlights in Your Car in 4 Steps 

Replacing your car headlights requires a systematic approach. However, here’s how you can rock it, even if you’re a total newbie, by following this step-by-step method. 

1. Gather Your Materials 

Trying to DIY anything without the right tools is an exercise in frustration. It results in cutting corners to make things work, and that’s not the best approach to repairs that affect your safety. Begin by gathering the following tools: 

• Screwdriver: Have a flat and Phillips handy. Better yet, have a ratcheting screwdriver or drill with attachments, in case the last person to tighten things down had 24-inch biceps and you don’t. 
• Locking grip pliers and bulb pliers
• Socket wrench set
• Headlamp: Wearing one of these is much easier than maneuvering a lamp with greasy hands or holding a flashlight in your teeth, which isn’t good for your pricey dental work. 
• Cotton gloves to prevent fingerprints all over your new bulb.
• Replacement bulbs or full headlight assemblies

Considerations When Selecting New Headlights 

When you DIY your headlight replacement, you maintain control — and you can upgrade. Headlights come in five types: 

• Halogen
• High-intensity discharge lamps (HID)
• LEDs
• Matrix
• Lasers 

Halogens are the traditional choice, while HID and LEDs provide brighter, whiter light — you can probably distinguish between them as you see cars pass you on a darkened highway. They give drivers greater visibility and help others see you, although they can cause a stronger halo effect in folks with astigmatism. LEDs are the most energy-efficient option, making them a natural choice for the eco-conscious. 

Matrix and laser headlights are the latest innovations and may not be widely available to DIY. Matrix-style headlights may entail removing your car’s entire bumper. The US Department of Transportation recently approved adaptive-style laser headlights that automatically dim when they perceive oncoming traffic, but they are not yet widely available in stores.

2. Disconnect Your Battery

After you pop the hood, the headlight assembly on your car should be easy to recognize. However, before you mess with any electrical components on your vehicle, you must first disconnect the battery. 

Make sure to disconnect the battery on your car to avoid any risk of shock. Park your vehicle on a flat, level surface — like your garage — and let it cool. Then, disconnect the negative ground cable. It’s the black one and may have a negative symbol on it. Remember, always disconnect the negative cable first, even when changing the battery. However, you won’t have to remove both cables in this case, only the negative ground cable. Look into additional resources for more info.

3. If Replacing the Full Headlight 

If replacing the entire headlight assembly, locate the housing and unplug the blinkers and headlights. Once you disconnect any electrical connection from the rear of the housing, loosen the bracket holding the assembly in place with your screwdriver. Place the screws in a secure container — such as the box your new headlight assembly came in — so they don’t roll off and cause a scene reminiscent of Ralphie helping his dad change a tire in “A Christmas Story.” 

From there, insert your new headlight assembly and screw it into place. Reconnect the electrical wires. Then, reattach your negative ground cable to the battery and crank your baby. 

Test that the headlights work by turning them on and shining them at your garage door before closing the hood. Why? You can aim your low beams to focus instead of scattering light everywhere like your high beams by using your screwdriver. Find the adjusting screw and turn it slowly clockwise to raise them or counterclockwise to lower them.

Doing so is especially important when upgrading to newer HID or LEDs, as the bright light can hinder the visibility of other drivers. Once you ensure that your new headlights work and aim as intended, relax and bask in the sweet glow of your DIY success. 

4. If Replacing Your Headlight Bulbs Only 

You may not need to replace your full headlight casing, only the bulb. You’ll begin by following the same steps, including removing the negative ground cable from the battery. You typically must remove the full assembly first, following the above steps, although you may not need to in some models. 

Here’s where you’ll wear gloves to keep your new bulb clean. Headlight assemblies secure the bulb via two methods — twist-and-lock and spring lock systems. If you have a twist-and-lock model, compress the tab, twist the bulb counterclockwise and turn it aside. Turn the new bulb clockwise until it locks into place. 

For spring lock systems, press the spring to release the old bulb. Push the new bulb into place until it locks. 

Once you’ve replaced the bulbs, reinstall the assembly if required. Reattach the battery cable and test your new headlights to ensure they work. Assuming all goes according to plan, stand in the light of your new headlight bulbs and declare yourself king or queen of your DIY garage, master of all you survey and capable beyond belief. Well, at least pat yourself on the back. 

Troubleshooting Headlight Problems 

What if your headlights still won’t work? The problem could be a blown fuse. Fortunately, that’s also an easy DIY fix. 

However, test this theory before spending money on supplies. Fuses are inexpensive, but they cost energy to produce — why burden the planet with unnecessary consumerism if they aren’t the source of your trouble? It’s easy to diagnose problems on most modern cars using your OBD-II port. 

Testing Via Your OBD-II Port 

Your OBD-II port is standard on all cars sold after 1996. It lies beneath your steering wheel on your driver’s side — you might be familiar with it if you use an insurance carrier that uses a special plug-in in this port to monitor your driving habits. It connects to your car’s computer system, letting you diagnose what’s wrong when attached to a special reader. 

You can purchase OBD-II readers, although they cost a pretty penny, and you must still learn to interpret the codes. However, many auto parts stores have them, and an associate will be happy to hook it up to your car to confirm a blown fuse lurks behind your continued headlight woes. 

How to Replace a Blown Headlight Fuse 

If it turns out a blown fuse is the source of your woes, gather what you’ll need: 

• Replacement fuses
• A fuse puller or needle-nose pliers 
• A headlamp is usually helpful 

Then, locate your car’s fuse box by consulting your owner’s manual. It’s usually in or just below your glovebox or under the hood of your vehicle. Rarely, you may have to remove a component or two, like your glove box or part of your dashboard casing, to reach it more easily. 

Once you locate the fuse box, remove the cover and consult the handy diagram within to find the fuse that corresponds to the malfunctioning headlight. Locate the blown fuse. You can typically tell it has blown out, as the metal inside it will appear burnt. 

Remove the blown fuse with your fingers or a tool. Replace it with the same type, ensuring you use the same amperage of fuse to avoid damage. Your auto parts store will help you select the right one. Finish by testing your headlights and seeing if that solves the problem. 

If It’s Not a Fuse

If the problem isn’t with the headlight itself or the fuse controlling the current to it, you may have deeper electrical issues with your car. Take your vehicle to a shop that specializes in your make and model, as repairs will likely require advanced equipment and expertise to repair. 

Maintaining Your Headlights 

To keep your new headlights bright and shiny, maintenance is key. Fortunately, all you need to do is give them a little extra TLC when you wash your car. 

You can clean headlights with vinegar or toothpaste. Here’s how to do each: 

• Vinegar: Make a 2:1 mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Remove debris with the hose and apply the mixture to your headlights, scrubbing in a circular motion with a microfiber cloth. Rinse thoroughly. 
• Toothpaste: Follow the same procedure as for vinegar, only using toothpaste on a dampened cloth to scrub your headlights. 

Some people use painter’s tape to avoid scuffing their car’s paint while they scrub their headlights. While you can take this optional step, painter’s tape isn’t always as easy to remove as promised and can cause problems of its own — use your judgment. 

You can also buy special headlight cleaning kits. Only you can decide if they’re worth the investment — many folks find that vinegar or toothpaste works fine. 

Replacing the Headlights in Your Car 

Congratulations. You successfully replaced the headlights in your car. You’ve developed a sense of confidence along the way and now feel more secure in your ability to tackle minor mechanical problems. 

With your new lights in place, your car will look better, people will notice you more quickly while driving, and you will be better equipped to see what’s in front of you on the road. Nice work!