The Causes & Dangers of Foggy Headlights

Have you ever been driving at night and realize that you have a difficult time seeing the road, even with your bright beams? This is likely because your headlights have become foggy, yellowed, and dull. Nobody likes hazy headlights. Besides for the fact they are unattractive, it can also be very dangerous to drive with this impaired visiblity. At Scottsdale Muffler, your local Tempe mechanics are experts in dealing with bad headlights, and have shared a few of the common reasons contributing to this problem.

So What Causes Foggy Lights Anyway?

Typically, moisture is one of the biggest reasons your headlights are foggy. Keep in mind this does not mean your headlights or broken, damaged, or need to be replaced by a Tempe repair shop. Rather, condensation is a normal response to temperature fluctuations in the air. Just like your windshield gets fogged up and filled with condensation during the winter, moisture inside your headlights is a result of the air outside being cooler than the air inside. An easy solution to this issue is by driving around for a few hours. The moisture will likely disappear as the headlight warms up. Additionally, most headlights have tiny vented areas on their top and bottom to allow air circulation throughout the headlight and lens.

Sometimes, the reason for dull lights is that the lightbulb socket boot is improperly sealed, allowing moisture to seep inside. This will cause your headlight to be filled with excessive water and condensation. However, it can be quickly fixed by removing the lightbulb and socket, and then reinstalling it. Visit your local Tempe car maintenance shop if you need help figuring out how to remove and reinstall the light bulb and its seat pocket. While it may not seem like a huge deal and worth the hassle of repair, these moisture droplets can actually scatter the beams coming from your headlights, impairing nighttime visibility. If you see condensation in your headlights, finding a solution should be a top priority.

If the seal around your light bulbs or headlight assembly is failing, or your headlight assembly needs to be replaced entirely, you will find standing water inside your headlight. A simple way to solve this issue is by hiring your Tempe car repair team to first replace the seal to test if that is the issue. If you still find standing water inside the headlight, it is likely that your light cover has a crack or a hole, and the whole assembly needs to be replaced.

Another common cause of cloudy, discolored headlights is a reaction to the sun. Acrylic headlights come with a clear topcoat to help prevent this oxidation process, but with time and exposure to weather elements, this coating wears off and UV rays begin to turn the plastic yellow. Additionally, your headlights are continually coming into contact with dirt, debris, gravel, and road salt while you cruise down the road. This beating also wears down the topcoat and scratches the headlights, leaving them susceptible to yellowing and cloudiness. Contact with road chemicals and dirt also leave a thin, opaque film on your headlight lenses, further impairing nighttime visibility.

What Can Help?

If you find yourself dealing with poor nighttime visibility and dull, clouded headlights, it is time for a visit to Scottsdale Muffler. Our top-notch service and quick turnaround time make every car repair a pleasant experience, and our 20 years of experience as a family-owned business ensure our work is always superior. We can professionally clean your headlights, replace the entire assembly, reinstall lightbulbs, replace seals, and so much more, to ensure a safe driving experience for you and your family. Whatever you need, we have your back. Give us a call today at 480-994-4741 to schedule your headlight maintenance!