Your headlights don’t seem to be as bright as normal as you’re driving down the street. One of your headlights is out when you pull over to the side of the road, park, and exit your automobile. We’ll show you how to adjust the headlights on your Toyota Corolla so you can drive safely at night and avoid getting a penalty. For instructions on how to replace a headlight, continue reading.
In This Article...
Just a few simple steps
- Find the housing for the headlights. This holds the headlamp in the front fascia of the Toyota Corolla.
- Remove any components that are obstructing your access if you can.
- Look for cables entering the bulb assembly’s back. A plastic enclosure with the bulb inside can be found here. Once located, remove the headlight housing.
- Remove the old bulb with care. After that, insert the new bulb into the socket where the previous one was.
- Reinstall the headlight housing and make sure the bulb is tightly twisted.
- Make sure the headlight is operational. This can help to confirm that the bulb was put properly or if you unintentionally purchased a defective bulb.
Tips to remember when changing your headlights
Even though changing a headlight is simple, there are a few pointers to keep in mind to make the operation even simpler. Check your owner’s manual for instructions as well if you don’t have access to the internet to refer to this post. As soon as you remove the old bulb, moisture and grime will begin to enter the headlight, so have the replacement ready. To save money for the future, change both bulbs at once when you change one. Wear gloves and avoid tapping or bumping the new bulb against any surfaces to prevent any damage. The light may burn out more quickly as a result.
Can I replace the headlight bulb on my own?
Fortunately, changing a headlight is frequently simple. The majority of the high-intensity discharge (HID) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs used nowadays are easy to swap out. They are secured by rotating bayonet-style retainers or tiny wire clips. They can be removed from the wiring, rapidly pushed out from behind the headlight housing, and replaced with a functional bulb. But before you can replace a headlight, you must figure out what kind of bulb you require. Your owner’s manual should be your first port of call.
Can Autozone assist with headlight bulb replacement?
To be clear, buying a headlight or tail light for a vehicle at AutoZone is pretty simple if you have the part number for it or simply know the make, model, year, and occasionally even the trim of the car. When you visit a dealership or repair facility, labor is frequently added to the cost of the headlamp.
If your headlamp is easily accessible to the installer and is in most cases, Autozone will replace it.
Do I have to unplug the battery before changing the headlight bulb?
When replacing a blown headlight bulb, always unplug the battery. The electrical system of your car is connected to the headlight bulbs. While the alternator recharges the battery, they will draw power from it. You should always disconnect the battery when working on your car’s electrical system to be safe. The battery doesn’t have to be taken out. Instead, all you have to do is unplug the ground cable (the black cable) until the blown headlight bulb has been replaced.
Step One
Choosing a method to access the headlight bulb is undoubtedly the trickiest aspect of the procedure. Even though it looks like you should be able to just pop the bulb out, you frequently need to remove other components in order to reach the bulb.
On the majority of automobiles, the engine compartment is where you access the headlight bulb. Locate the headlamp within a bulb holder by opening the hood. For information on the optimum access points and any components that need to be removed in order to reach the headlight bulb, consult your owner’s manual as well.
Step Two
Analyze the best way to remove the old bulb. On some cars, the bulb is positioned directed into the headlight assembly, while on others, the bulb is fixed in the headlight assembly by a wire arrangement. You can take out the bulb once you understand how it is held in the housing.
You’ll also be able to decide at this time whatever tools you’ll need to finish the project. Some headlight bulbs do require the use of a flathead or Phillips screwdriver, but the majority can be removed without them.
Remove any power wires that are attached to the back of the light bulb. The back of the headlamp may also have a dust cover that needs to be taken off. The bulb may alternatively be secured in place by a clip or clips.
Step Three
By grasping the bulb housing and drawing it out, you can remove the bulb. You might need to twist some bulbs in order to remove the cap. When doing this, be careful not to risk shattering the bulb by touching it roughly.
Step Four
Clean the replacement bulb with an alcohol wipe or by using rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth before replacing it.
Insert the new bulb by aligning it with the available socket while holding it by the housing. Avoid touching the bulb as your skin’s oil may leave a hot patch, which could cause it to burn out more quickly. To avoid this situation, you can think about wearing gloves.
The procedure you used to remove the old bulb should be repeated. If necessary, reinstall the dust cover and attach any wires or clips. Place the headlight housing in the frame once again. If you had to remove any extra components to get to the headlight bulb, replace them.
Step Five
To test the new headlight’s functionality, start your car and turn on the headlights. Spend some time as well examining the headlights’ direction. Your lights may not be focused on the road, where you need them to shine clearly, if they are not properly aligned. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to fix them if they appear to be out of alignment.
Find out more about high-quality lighting items, where to buy your car part, or how to locate it.
This article’s information is provided for educational reasons only and shouldn’t be relied upon in place of consulting a qualified technician or mechanic. We advise you to speak with a licensed technician or mechanic if you have any specific queries or issues regarding any of the subjects discussed here. We will not, under any circumstances, be held responsible for any loss or harm resulting from your reliance on any content.
How long do the headlights on a Toyota Camry last?
A high intensity discharge (HID or “Xenon”) bulb may operate for twice as long as a typical halogen headlight bulb, which can last up to 1000 hours.
Which bulb makes a better headlight?
HID headlights function similarly to fluorescent lights, which are used in office buildings. A glass cylinder containing an inert gas and an electric current are used to create HID light. This produces a light that is brighter and whiter than halogen lamps. Additionally, they are more effective and frequently last longer.
Because of the gas present inside, HID headlights are also referred to as Xenon lights. Although they are frequently found on premium cars, they are increasingly offered as an option in cars with lower sticker prices. During the day, HID light is easier to see, improving pedestrian and incoming traffic visibility. Additionally, the increased brightness can aid the driver in spotting risks. HID lights have a lot of advantages, but they are more expensive to buy and more challenging to find when they need to be replaced.
Do LED headlights outperform halogen ones?
driving a vehicle? If you’ve ever taken a short or long trip by car, you’ve probably noticed that different vehicles have different bulbs. Halogen and LED headlight bulbs are two of the most popular types used in cars today. Which of these is different? Is one kind superior than the other?
Halogen Bulbs Pros and Cons
Halogen headlights are the most typical headlights seen nowadays and may be found in both new and old cars. An incandescent light that uses halogen gas is known as a halogen bulb. Vehicles that use halogen bulbs have headlights that are yellow in color.
What benefits and drawbacks come with halogen bulbs? Halogen bulbs are less expensive to replace than LED bulbs if you’re on a tight budget. Additionally, the yellow light is softer and less likely to readily blind other motorists. What are the disadvantages of halogen lamps then? It all comes down to how much energy is used. A halogen bulb gets hot to the touch when it is operating. These bulbs waste energy since they use more to produce the same amount of heat that they produce.
LED Bulb Pros and Cons
In many ways, LED bulbs are the antithesis of halogen bulbs. White light from LEDs is brighter than typical halogen lights. This looks much cooler and makes it easier to see around corners. LEDs are also much more efficient than halogen lamps. While halogens produce a lot of heat, LEDs produce far less heat, which contributes to energy savings. An LED bulb should live longer than a halogen bulb because it uses less energy. These benefits have led to an increase in the popularity of LED bulbs among motorists. LEDs are now available as standard or optional equipment with the majority of contemporary automobiles.
On the other hand, LEDs cost more to fix. Additionally, replacing an LED is far more difficult than replacing a halogen bulb, necessitating the assistance of a professional for more drivers. Additionally, LEDs can be harsher on other drivers’ eyes when driving at night because of how bright they are.