22 Jul
2015
22 Jul
'15
6:53 a.m.
> Do you seriously replace both headlight bulbs
when one fails? I know of
> nobody who does that. Generally you carry a spare bulb kit and a screwdriver
> and if a bulb fails, pull over and change it.
and - like the capacitor replacement question this is
an "it depends".
For some cars - including the Mercedes A-class (at least earlier models) - it is
almost impossible to change the headlight bulb when the car is at ground level
because it is accessed through a hatch in the wheel arch, whereas if the car
ARGH!!!
But presumably you carry a jack and tools to change a wheel. Can you not just
remove the wheel on the correct side to reach the hatch (not that I want to work
on a car not supported on proper axle stands...)
Having had a number of bulbs that failed shortly (but not very shortly) after
installation (nothing to do with headlamps, and not quartz-halogen bulbs so
it was not contamination of the envelope that was the problem) I wonder if
necessarily changing a good bulb is a good idea...
is up on the garage lift with the wheel removed it is
trivial. In that case it is
probably best to change both bulbs when one fails.
Why not just change them both as part of the 12000 mile service (or whatever)?
I am sure I once heard of a regulation that car bulbs (at least the legally required
ones)
had to be changeable at the roadside with a minimum of tools. Looks like that is
universally ignored....
-tony