“JUST THE TIP

LET’S SEE THOSE HEADLIGHTS

It’s getting dark, you’re driving, so what do you do? Turn on your headlights of course. You might think the headlights are in great shape if you turn them on and both are working. But have you ever considered headlight maintenance as part of your cars tune-up cycle? Probably not. Most people don’t. But headlight inspection, and even the adjustment of the headlights can help improve safety and performance.

Are your headlights foggy or yellow? Most manufacturers apply a UV film over the headlight assembly to prevent this but over time that coating can wear thin or come off completely, especially in harsh weather conditions, and the plastic will begin to oxidize leaving the foggy discoloration. If your headlights are not crystal clear, this can lead to impaired visibility when driving. Replace them or look into a headlight restoration kit, which usually involves sanding and waxing, so be sure to follow the kit instructions to help ensure you clean the headlights properly.

Is the bulb getting dim? Headlight bulbs naturally dim over time and need to be replaced every few years. So if you can find a long-life bulb, it’s the best route to go if you do a lot of night driving, as these bulbs can last two to three times as long as a standard bulb.

Are your headlights aligned properly? Over time, the bulbs can become misaligned and point to high/low, or too far off center, impairing you ability to see the full road or any obstacles in front of you.

To check the aim of your bulbs manually, Popular Mechanics recommends following these steps:

- Make sure your car is level. If necessary, remove any items from your vehicle (or trunk) that may be offsetting the balance.

- Pull the vehicle as close as possible to a plain-colored wall and turn on the headlights.

- Mark the center of where each light beam hits the wall with pieces of tape. Place one piece of tape horizontally and one vertically. The vertical piece of tape should be about 2 feet long.

- Back up your vehicle about 25 feet and keep the headlights on. If the bulbs are set properly, the most intense portion of the light beam should be at the center of (or right below) the horizontal piece of tape and to the right of the vertical piece of tape.

- If you find that you need to adjust the headlights, locate the adjusters and move them as needed. These are typically a bolt or screw on the sides or back of a headlight. You can also check your owner’s manual for details on adjusting your vehicle’s headlights.