Shedding Some Light on Your Headlights

The oldest headlights were fueled by acetylene or oil and were introduced in the late 1880s. Acetylene lamps were popular because the flame was resistant to wind and rain.  The first electric headlights were introduced in 1898 and were optional. Two factors limited the widespread use of electric headlights: the short life of filaments in the harsh environment, and the difficulty of producing parts small and powerful enough to produce sufficient current to fuel the new headlights.  By 1904, acetylene lamps were the standard.  When Cadillac integrated their new electrical system in 1912, it changed the new standard to electric headlights.  This headlight system remained until the 1940s when the sealed beam headlight was introduced.  Now the new technology is LED headlights.  These provide the brightest and clearest view while driving at night and claim to last the longest.  

Headlights Lifespan

When headlights malfunction it is not fun.  The time they malfunction is when you need them most, especially if it is dark.  Headlights rarely indicate if they are about to quit working.  This is why it’s good to know the estimated life of your headlights.  You may not know their exact life span because there are so many factors that affect it.  Manufacturers usually have some type of estimate for this.  This lifespan estimate is developed using a complex formula involving voltage, watts, lumens and a few other factors. Each contributing factor, as well as real world testing, is crunched together and an approximate number is determined.  If you are getting near the end of this estimated life then it is a good idea to purchase an extra set of bulbs to keep until needed.

Headlight Maintenance

Headlight systems require periodic maintenance. Sealed beam headlights are modular so when the filament burns out, the entire unit is replaced. Most vehicles in North America made since the late 1980s use headlight lens-reflector assemblies that are considered a part of the car, and just the bulb is replaced when it fails.  Be sure not to touch the glass bulb with bare hands.  The oil or moisture from human skin can cause the bulb to overheat and burn out prematurely.  Headlight aim must be properly checked and adjusted frequently.  Misaimed lamps can harm other driver’s vision and stop you from seeing effectively at night.  Over time the headlight lens can deteriorate.  Sand and gravel can cause it to become pitted.  This will not allow light to pass through easily and could crack to let water into the headlamp.  Water on the bulb can cause it to burn out.  Water can also cause the headlight to short out.  Plastic lenses can often become cloudy or discolored.  This is due to the oxidation of the hard coat on the lens surface.  If this damage is minor it can be polished out.  You should use a good brand of car polish that is intended to restore the shine to chalked paint.  Major damage will require the entire lens to be replaced.  

Smart Headlights

Drive through a pounding thunderstorm or heavy snowfall at night and you’ll notice that your headlights glare off the precipitation more than the road ahead.  Scientists are developing a way to concentrate the light in between the drops or flakes to increase visibility.  The headlight is actually an array of bulbs. The system uses a digital camera to track the motion of individual raindrops or snowflakes and then uses a computer to predict where they will be.  Then it deactivates the bulbs that will glare off of the precipitation.  There are also headlights that turn in the same direction as the steering wheel to help see around corners.  There are many concepts that will help to make driving at night much safer.