Silent Car Bulb Killers - Know Them Before It Is Too Late

By Charles Farrell
Special to THE AUTO CHANNEL

There are so many factors that kill auto lamps, so how can you ensure that your car's bulbs last as long as possible? Here we will talk about several most common causes of faulty car lighting and how important it is to check out your bulbs regularly. Fixing and replacing faulty car bulbs is always more costly than taking good care of them.

Corrosion Diagnose And Prevention

So, one of the most popular car bulb killers is corrosion. Oxidized headlight bulbs are usually easy to diagnose. If you notice flickering, it can be a sign that corrosion found its way inside.

“If you are changing bulbs, check the socket first, and clean it. Rust spreads very quickly.” warns Ben Collins, the content editor of LightningLab project.

Bad Wiring

Poorly installed or loose wires can cause the car's electrical system to short out, and headlights may fail to work. Alternatively, the problem may lie with corrosion, a failed switch or relay.

Faulty Fuse

Can a fuse cause a headlight to go out? All of your car's electrical systems have fuses in order to protect against circuit overloads. If too much power flows through a fuse, the circuit will break and all components on that circuit will be protected.

The blown fuse will look burnt. You can also switch bulbs and see if the problem is in the bulb itself. If it works in the other socket, it can be the fuse.

Excessive Condensation

An excessive moisture buildup and can cause the bulb to burn out prematurely. Moderate fogginess is alright, but beware of small puddles inside the headlight.

Take it apart, dry it out, and then reseal properly.

Vibration And Other Problems

Vibrations are caused by driving over imperfect roads, potholes, and bumps shorten the lifespan of your car's filament. Another potential cause of vibration may be a structural error in your headlights.

Keep in mind, that aftermarket car bulbs vary in size and other specs. Poorly fitted bulbs will suffer from the vibration much more. You should also check the housing’s integrity.