Headlight maintenance for safer night-time driving

Car headlights serve as a vital marker of our presence to other drivers on the road. If they're dim, dirty, misaligned or otherwise not performing as they should, you're increasing your risk of not being seen.

Headlights aren't just a crucial link in your car's safety chain but that of the driving public in general, you need to ensure they're shining bright.

Keep them clean

Just like the rest of your car, your headlights get dirty. And not just the inevitable dirt, dust and grime; their location means they're exposed to potential tar and other road grit. Allowing gunk to build up on your headlights will eventually compromise their brightness and effectiveness.

For hard-to-budge stains, you might need a specific product such as bug-and-tar remover. If your headlights have clouded with age, consider investing in a headlight-restoration kit and – if you want to stop the clouding– a UV-resistant protective coating

Check their condition regularly

Regularly checking your engine's crucial fluid levels, tyre pressures and other key mechanical aspects of your car is vital, but are you also closely examining the external condition of your headlights? If you're not, you'll be missing small issues such as cracks or condensation that could be compromising their performance. So add headlights to your weekly/fortnightly car checklist and remedy issues promptly if they crop up.

Make sure they're aligned

Much like the wheels, headlights must be correctly aligned to perform properly. Sometimes you can't help but know you've got an alignment problems as them not lighting up the right piece of road. More often, though, it can be hard to tell. If you're worried or just want to ensure your headlights are fully tip-top, it is possible to align them yourself

. You'll need a flat, vertical surface to test them on (i.e. a wall) and your owner's manual to help you locate the relevant adjustment screws. Your owner's manual will also tell you how to perform the alignment process. Some cars also offer headlight adjustment via a button for on-the-move tweaking (eg. towing).

Replace dim or failed bulbs promptly

Just like cracks and other external issues, a dimmed or failed headlight should be promptly replaced. But can you do it yourself? In some cases, no. Some headlights – typically those that use LED, laser or others– require the whole headlight unit to be replaced if they fail rather than just a bulb.

To find out, check your owner's manual, which will also give recommendations for replacement bulb specifications. In many cases, replacement is a simple task using only pliers, a screwdriver or other simple tools. If you're happy with your current headlight performance, like-for-like bulb replacement is the way to go. If you're looking for a performance upgrade, you might be able to swap factory-spec bulbs for those with your preferred characteristics or even upgrade to a different technology (say, swap halogen for LED), but you'll want to do your research – or, even better, consult with an expert. Unless it’s an easy fix, seek out a professional so your modifications don't end up compromising your vision and safety.

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}