Headlamp bulb failure etiquette and other questions.
Discussion
Had a headlamp bulb fail the other night and still over 140 miles from home so I put the front foglights on so that people could see it was a car coming towards them and not a bike.
I wondered what the correct etiquette was knowing the PH stance on foglights in non foggy conditions?
This lead me onto a train of thought about bulb replacement especially on the Continent. IIRC you have to carry a spare set of bulbs in case of failure but with a lot of modern cars replacing any bulb is no longer a five minute job and could involve panel removal and replacement. Why do the manafacturer's make a simple task so difficult and potentially putting their customers at risk of prosecution by over zealous gendarmes for instance. Would that make the vehicle not fit for purpose?
I wondered what the correct etiquette was knowing the PH stance on foglights in non foggy conditions?
This lead me onto a train of thought about bulb replacement especially on the Continent. IIRC you have to carry a spare set of bulbs in case of failure but with a lot of modern cars replacing any bulb is no longer a five minute job and could involve panel removal and replacement. Why do the manafacturer's make a simple task so difficult and potentially putting their customers at risk of prosecution by over zealous gendarmes for instance. Would that make the vehicle not fit for purpose?
Faced with a dark 140 miles I think I'd just buy a new bulb from a petrol station and fit it. If replacement wasn't possible I would probably drive with just the one and would use front fogs only if I thought I wasn't visable enough. Fog lights lack the throw to illuminate the road ahead.
Rovinghawk said:
Dilligaf10 said:
Why do the manafacturer's...............potentially putting their customers at risk of prosecution by over zealous gendarmes for instance?
It was your choice to drive it rather than fit a new bulb or call the AA.RH
Rovinghawk said:
It was your choice to drive it rather than fit a new bulb or call the AA.
RH
Are you seriously suggesting I sit and wait for a couple of hours with clients on board for the AA/RAC to arrive because of a headlamp bulb? A puncture is one thing or a mechanical breakdown, I don't think the breakdown service would be best pleased either.RH
Dilligaf10 said:
Had a headlamp bulb fail the other night and still over 140 miles from home so I put the front foglights on so that people could see it was a car coming towards them and not a bike.
I wondered what the correct etiquette was knowing the PH stance on foglights in non foggy conditions?
I've done the same when I've been unable to work out how the change the bulb in the dark. If I'd been stopped by plod, I'd have defended my position.I wondered what the correct etiquette was knowing the PH stance on foglights in non foggy conditions?
Rear lights have to be easily replaced without tools on all new cars for about the last 20 years. Having a spare set is always handy and driving without working brake lights, for example, isn't a great idea.
Front lights have no such rules, which is odd and on some stuff, like my f
king Renault, require hell to change.
I can't see why all cars can't be engineered properly to have easily changed bulbs, surely it's not that hard
Front lights have no such rules, which is odd and on some stuff, like my f
king Renault, require hell to change.I can't see why all cars can't be engineered properly to have easily changed bulbs, surely it's not that hard
Dilligaf10 said:
Are you seriously suggesting I sit and wait for a couple of hours with clients on board for the AA/RAC to arrive because of a headlamp bulb? A puncture is one thing or a mechanical breakdown, I don't think the breakdown service would be best pleased either.
Are you seriously suggesting that you should drive clients in a defective car? Are you seriously suggesting it's the manufacturer's fault if you do?The AA/RAC don't have to be pleased- you're paying for a service.
Alternatively, learn how to replace a bulb on your car or buy one where it's easier to change.
RH
Rovinghawk said:
Are you seriously suggesting that you should drive clients in a defective car? Are you seriously suggesting it's the manufacturer's fault if you do?
The AA/RAC don't have to be pleased- you're paying for a service.
RH
So you'd have pulled over, phoned the AA and taken that route then?The AA/RAC don't have to be pleased- you're paying for a service.
RH
I think you did the right thing.
Better to be seen and recognised as a car than a bike.
My A4 has very bright side lights and these can help a lot.
Being an old fart, I have learnt to carry some simple tools for such occations.
Indeed to change the front headlight bulb on the A4 takes literally 5 minutes, once you know how to do it and have the basic tools. Headlight unit needs to be completly removed!
I doubt the RAC/AA man would not have been upset if you had called, or indeed aranged to meet somewhere along your journey.
After all that is their job and they mostly enjoy helping others.
So now you have had this experience what changes are you going to make???
Better to be seen and recognised as a car than a bike.
My A4 has very bright side lights and these can help a lot.
Being an old fart, I have learnt to carry some simple tools for such occations.
Indeed to change the front headlight bulb on the A4 takes literally 5 minutes, once you know how to do it and have the basic tools. Headlight unit needs to be completly removed!
I doubt the RAC/AA man would not have been upset if you had called, or indeed aranged to meet somewhere along your journey.
After all that is their job and they mostly enjoy helping others.
So now you have had this experience what changes are you going to make???
Rovinghawk said:
No, I'd have taken the spare bulb set out of the boot and swapped it over.
Both of my cars have lights where it can be done in 2 minutes- I actually checked it on my little list of requirements for a car as I do a lot of night driving.
RH
That's nice for you. With a lot of cars now that just isn't an option.Both of my cars have lights where it can be done in 2 minutes- I actually checked it on my little list of requirements for a car as I do a lot of night driving.
RH
Rovinghawk said:
No, I'd have taken the spare bulb set out of the boot and swapped it over.
Both of my cars have lights where it can be done in 2 minutes- I actually checked it on my little list of requirements for a car as I do a lot of night driving.
RH
But, were you in the OP's car (or indeed any number of the cars from the last 10-ish years that require various bits of bodywork removed in order to perform a bulb change) what would your actions have been? Both of my cars have lights where it can be done in 2 minutes- I actually checked it on my little list of requirements for a car as I do a lot of night driving.
RH
OP, I would agree with sticking the foglights on to be seen. To be honest I don't really find foglights to be a distraction, much more poorly-aligned dipped beams
and DRL's come to think of it 
CampDavid said:
Rear lights have to be easily replaced without tools on all new cars for about the last 20 years. Having a spare set is always handy and driving without working brake lights, for example, isn't a great idea.
Front lights have no such rules, which is odd and on some stuff, like my fking Renault, require hell to change.
I can't see why all cars can't be engineered properly to have easily changed bulbs, surely it's not that hard
I know of several cars from the last 10 years that need at least a screwdriver to remove the lamp housing.Front lights have no such rules, which is odd and on some stuff, like my f
king Renault, require hell to change.I can't see why all cars can't be engineered properly to have easily changed bulbs, surely it's not that hard
Rovinghawk said:
No, I'd have taken the spare bulb set out of the boot and swapped it over.
Both of my cars have lights where it can be done in 2 minutes- I actually checked it on my little list of requirements for a car as I do a lot of night driving.
RH
A lot of cars that simply isn't possible. However, a lot of people just need to learn that skin is sacrificial, and the job gets much easier!!Both of my cars have lights where it can be done in 2 minutes- I actually checked it on my little list of requirements for a car as I do a lot of night driving.
RH
I'd have done what you did. No way would I stop to change a bulb in the dark when quite frankly other people can see you just as easily (without being blinded) when you have a headlight, a sidelight, and the front fogs on.
If I was the client, and my contractor suggested stopping and waiting an hour for the RAC rather than just drive me to the destination for the sake of a headlight bulb I'd be less than impressed.
If I was the client, and my contractor suggested stopping and waiting an hour for the RAC rather than just drive me to the destination for the sake of a headlight bulb I'd be less than impressed.
On my Yaris the drivers side bulbs are just about possible to replace, a mirror helps.Though I wouldn't like to try on a dark, wet hard shoulder. The passenger side is another story. You need to take off the front bumper first then completely remove the headlamp unit as the battery is located about 5cm from the place where the bulbs go in!
So if a bulb stopped working I would drive with the sidelight and front fog lights on until I could safely replace them.
So if a bulb stopped working I would drive with the sidelight and front fog lights on until I could safely replace them.
Edited by RosscoPCole on Sunday 6th May 05:33
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