Are Your Headlights Deteriorating?
Many people think that if their headlights are working, they don't need to do anything more, but they don't realize that they could compromise their safety by not maintaining them. If your headlights are deteriorating, you can end up losing as much as 80% of their strength. Less illumination can make it very difficult to see the road and other cars in front of you, causing a wide range of accidents annually, according to new research conducted by AAA.
Without enough light you are risking you and your family while driving at night, and that's why all of us at Service King Ingram in San Antonio, TX are happy to share this information with you.
Most headlights are made out of plastic and sunlight can seriously damage and discolor the lights' protective plastic coatings , which could cut the light you see illuminating the road to as little as 22% of low-beam light compared with a new headlight at that is operating at full capacity.
Depending on how and when you drive, headlights can start deteriorating in 3-5 years after acquiring the vehicle. AAA urges automobile owners to do a semi-regular safety check of all their lights. If you see the signs of yellowing or clouding, it's the right time to replace the headlights or get the plastic covers re-conditioned.
If you walk through any parking lot in the U.S. it's evident that deteriorated headlights are an issue for most vehicle owners. Most headlights in the U.S. don't produce an adequate amount of lighting, so any reduction in performance is a genuine safety issue.
Researchers measured the potential loss from deterioration by testing the headlights from two popular sedans approximately 11 years in age (about the average age of a vehicle on U.S. roads) and comparing the light from the degraded headlights against new headlights.
The good news is that replacing your aging headlights with new OEM ones can return to 100%. Aftermarket replacements could restore them back to 83% to 90%, which might not provide enough light and produce glare for oncoming drivers. An even less costly option is headlight restoration at repair shops or by using do-it-yourself kits, but buying factory lights is the smartest way to go.
Service King Ingram, 7602 Ingram Rd, San Antonio, TX 78251
Sources: IIHS and AAA
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