How to Repair Car Headlights

Headlights are one of the most important safety features on your car, but they can only do their job if they're properly maintained. It's not just burned out headlights that cause problems; headlights that are dim or incorrectly aligned can also lead to accidents. Fortunately, learning how to repair headlights is something even the least mechanically inclined person can do. When you know how to repair headlights yourself, you can save up to several hundred dollars on mechanic's fees. Here are some tips on how to repair headlights with common problems.

Headlights that don't turn on
If you're headlights aren't working at all, the most likely cause is a burned out bulb. All you need to do to repair the headlights is replace the bulb. If you have plastic lenses, you can take out the old bulb by removing the lens and unscrewing the bulb from the back of the lens. With glass headlights, though, you'll need to replace the whole glass. Since you're buying new bulbs anyway, consider picking up one of the new, brighter types of bulbs, such as the halogen or xenon types. Osram Sylvania's SilverStar brand is an especially popular model. These can greatly improve nighttime visibility.

When you've got your replacement bulb, install it and turn on the lights. If the headlights still don't work, it's a sign of an electrical problem. Because electrical problems are relatively complicated to repair, take your car to a mechanic before you try to do anything else with the headlights.