How Long Headlights Last?

Sep 17

When your vehicle’s headlights fail, you’ll know pretty quickly. Fortunately, automotive LED headlights and halogen bulbs last tens of thousands of hours. Still, at some point, even the best bulbs will fail, and replacing your bulbs before the lights go out keeps you safe – and maybe save you a ticket.

We check headlights on every tune-up we finish – here’s what to expect for your vehicle’s light bulbs!

Choosing Automotive Headlights: What to Know

As you might guess, the more you drive at night or in bad weather, the sooner you’ll need to replace your headlight bulbs. Drivers that hit the road primarily during daylight hours may not need to change their bulbs for several years. Other factors that may impact light bulb light span include climate, manufacturer and, most importantly, the type of headlight bulb you choose.

The three most common types of bulbs are halogen, xenon, and LED. Each offers a few pros and cons worth considering.

Halogen Headlights

Halogen bulbs are the most common headlight used by automotive manufacturers, primarily due to their low costs. Halogen bulbs are less expensive than xenon and LED bulbs and remain the low-cost option for aftermarket replacement, too.

Halogen headlights, as the name suggests, are filled with halogen gas and use a tungsten filament. These bulbs are easy to spot; they give off a soft, yellowish light.

Xenon Headlights

Considered the “next step up”, xenon lights are similar to halogen lights. They use a different gas, xenon, and they tend to cost more than halogen bulbs. Xenon lights produce a noticeable whiter light than halogen and do a better job of illuminated the road ahead.

LED Headlights

Just like in your home, LEDs are the most energy-efficient type of light bulb and they last considerably longer than both halogen and xenon. LEDs are the most expensive option, which is why you only see manufacturers install them on luxury vehicles. They emit a brilliant white light – they’re so bright that some automotive engineers choose LEDs for daytime running lights on some models.

What’s the Best Car Headlight for Me?

Like any replaceable automotive part, choosing a headlight bulb comes down to cost, compatibility and needs.

If you do a lot of early morning or even driving, it’s worth investing in the brightest headlight possible. Xenon and LED headlights may cost more, but they deliver superior illumination and last considerably longer than halogen bulbs. Of course, if you rarely drive in the dark, your choice of bulb won’t matter quite as much. If you aren’t sure which way to go, count on the friendly technicians at Garfield Auto for expert insight and choose confidently.

How Long Do Headlight Bulbs Last?

Depending on the factors noted above, the typical headlight bulb will last from as little as 500 hours to 30,000 hours – or more!

Halogen – 500-1,000 hours
Xenon – 10,000 hours
LED – 30,000 hours

Make sure to check your headlights, taillights and brake lights regularly to identify non-working lighting systems early. If you’re replacing bulbs more frequently than noted above, there could be an electrical issue causing the problem, such as a short or exposed wire.

See the Light at Garfield Auto Service Center

For nearly 60 years, Northern Michigan has trusted Garfield Auto to reliable headlight replacement and bulb replacement services. We fix broken headlights on the spot if we have the parts, or make the fix just as soon we can. Count on Garfield for fast, friendly repair serves from bumper-to-bumper. Schedule your appointment today!

Cody Sovis