The short answer is that it depends on what your vehicle was built with. Headlight designs are specific to each vehicle. Your technician can confirm the correct type of bulb required for your vehicle’s make and model before replacing anything.

Here are the different types of headlight bulbs:

• Halogen: In a halogen bulb, electricity makes a thin metal wire (the filament) glow. The halogen gas inside the bulb recycles tiny bits of metal back onto the filament, so the bulb can burn brighter and last longer. This is the most common type of bulb in older and lower-cost vehicles.

• HID (xenon): Instead of a filament, electricity jumps across a small gap between two metal tips (electrodes) inside a bulb filled with gas. This type of bulb is much brighter than halogen and casts a white light. HID bulbs last about 2,000 to 5,000 hours and take a few seconds to reach peak brightness.

• LED: Light in an LED bulb comes from a tiny electronic chip. This type of bulb uses very little power and lasts about 30,000 to 50,000 hours. LED is an increasingly common option in newer vehicles.

A brighter bulb isn’t automatically better if it doesn’t match your vehicle’s headlight housing. Always consult with your NAPA AUTOPRO technician to see which bulb is the best fit.

The steps to replace a headlight will depend on your vehicle’s headlight design. For example, some halogen bulbs come out from behind the headlight unit, while other halogen designs require replacing the entire headlamp.

If your vehicle uses HID lights, there are some additional safety risks your AUTOPRO technician will consider. Several types of HID bulbs contain a high-voltage igniter, which is unsafe to handle without the proper training. Therefore, it’s best to not handle any HID bulbs on your own.

If your vehicle uses LED bulbs, the entire light assembly may need to be replaced, instead of just the bulb.

Some systems may also require additional work after replacement. Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, the electrical system may need reprogramming after a headlight change, especially if your vehicle has adaptive headlights that adjust to surrounding light or oncoming traffic.

Getting to the headlight can be complicated, depending on your vehicle’s make and model. Some jobs require removing parts under the hood. On others, your NAPA AUTOPRO technician must take off the bumper to change the light.

However, if the bulb isn’t burned out, your technician will check if electrical connections need to be replaced.

Your headlight lens can cloud over as your vehicle ages. Due to oxidation from sun exposure, the chemical makeup of the plastic changes, turning it yellow or foggy. Road grime can also dull and damage the lens. Not only do clouded lenses look dingy, but they can scatter light and reduce brightness.

Luckily, you don’t need to replace the lens to bring your headlights back to full brightness. Your NAPA AUTOPRO technician can restore the plastic with special cleaners and polishes, then apply a hard protective finish to stall future yellowing and cloudiness.

Overall, the time and cost of a restoration service is far less than replacing the lenses.

Your vehicle has a wide variety of lights that serve multiple safety functions.

High beams are designed to light a longer stretch of road, but they shouldn’t be left on. Drivers in oncoming traffic will have difficulty seeing. Additionally, high beams in fog, rain, and snow reflect off the precipitation, making it harder for you to see.

Front fog lights use a wide, low beam to light the road directly in front of your vehicle in fog or snow.

Other lights include brake lights, turn signals, back-up lights, and licence-plate lights. All these lights rely on bulbs or entire light assemblies that will need to be replaced over time.

Burned-out rear lights can be easy to miss, so always include a lighting check at your oil change.

Headlights that are aimed wrong will light the road poorly and can dazzle oncoming drivers. If you upgrade to LED or HID headlights, they must be properly aimed. But remember that not every headlight type will suit every vehicle, so always check with your technician whether an upgrade suits your vehicle and that the aim is correct if a replacement is complete.

Before you even notice your headlights dimming, have your lights inspected during each routine maintenance appointment, and seasonally before winter begins. Book an appointment at your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre for your next headlight bulb replacement, repair, and lens restoration.