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| How to Select the Right Replacement Headlight Bulbs |
How to Select the Right Replacement Headlight Bulbs
- Q. How can I find out the model name/number or "size" of my car bulb?
- Q. How do I determine if I have separate bulbs for low and low beams, or a combination of bulbs for high and low beams?
- Q. How do I determine if my vehicle uses halogen or HID/Xenon bulbs?
- Q. Are there options to choose from for my replacement bulbs?
- Q. Once I know the size of my bulb, is there an easier way to order replacement parts?
- Q. Many headlight bulbs are sold in pairs, do I need to replace bulbs in pairs?
All of your vehicle's external lights are critical to your safety on the road. Lights, we like to say, "help you see and help you be seen." Anything that increases the visibility of your automobile or truck to other drivers aids them in determining where your vehicle is about theirs. While all exterior bulbs should be examined for good performance regularly, we recommend paying special attention to the headlights, both low and high beams, as they are crucial to the driver's forward view.
From the mid-1980s, so-called combination headlight assemblies, with separately replaceable bulbs inside their housings, became legal in the United States. This style quickly replaced the round and rectangular sealed beam headlamps that had been in use since the 1940s. (You may find our article "A Brief History of Sealed Beam Headlights in the United States" interesting.) The "headlights off" situation only require the replacement of an individual bulb, not the entire housing. However, purchasing this bulb requires that you know exactly which bulb is needed.
This FAQ document is designed to help those who are looking for a factory-style replacement bulb for their modern vehicles. Although our website is designed to guide you to the correct bulb for your vehicle, there are sometimes factory options that you should consider before making your final selection. In some cases, bulb upgrades are also available in the same bulb style.
If you still have questions or require further assistance with your order, please do not hesitate to contact one of our qualified sales staff, who can help you make your final selection.
Q. How can I find out the model name/number or "size" of my car bulb?
- All replaceable headlight bulbs have a numeric or alphanumeric bulb "size" or "number." Common examples are H₁, H₇, 9005, and 9006. Start at www.carid.com by entering the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Our site will show you the correct bulb size.
- For example, for a 2010 Honda Accord sedan, the correct low beam bulb is a 9006, as shown in this ACDelco bulb here.
- For a 2017 BMW 3 Series Sedan with factory halogen headlights, the low beam bulb looks like an H₇ as shown here with this Race Sport bulb.
Q. How do I determine if I have separate bulbs for low and low beams, or a combination of bulbs for high and low beams?
One way to make this determination is to examine the front of your vehicle while you or someone else alternates between low beam and high beam. Vehicles that use a single high/low beam bulb will have light emanating from the same bulb.
There may be a screen that moves to block the light, or the bulb may have two filaments. Vehicles that use separate bulbs for low beam and high beam will clearly show that the light is coming from two different places on the headlight assembly.
When you search on CARiD, you will be asked if you want to buy a low beam or a high beam bulb. We'll use a 2010 Honda Accord as an example once more. The drop-down option for a Philips brand bulb allows you to pick either the low beam bulb, the high beam bulb, or both.
Q. How do I determine if my vehicle uses halogen or HID/Xenon bulbs?
For factory replacement bulbs (not aftermarket upgrades), it is extremely important to know the types of headlight bulbs that were installed in your vehicle when it was new. Whether your car came from the factory with halogen or xenon bulbs, you should use the same type of bulb as the replacement.
A 2018 Chrysler 300, for example, might have had halogen or HID/Xenon lamps installed from the factory. As you can see from the screenshot below, we provide both while searching our site, but only for factory installation. This will be shown on the new Monroe car tag (window sticker), or your dealer should be able to inform you if you supply them with the VIN. Remove the bulb and compare it to the photographs below as another alternative.
Q. Are there options to choose from for my replacement bulbs?
Some headlight bulb manufacturers offer a "good/better/best" selection. For example, when purchasing a Sylvia headlight bulb for a 2014 Toyota Corolla, which has a 9005/HB3 size bulb, you will find these options in the drop-down menu.
Reading the text, we notice that each update produces an improvement in both brightness and diffusion. Of course, the price of light bulbs increases, but not drastically.
Philips is another example of a brand that offers different levels of performance for its halogen bulbs. As you can see below, in this case, the manufacturer offers 4 options, so the buyer will surely find a bulb that meets his needs at the desired price.
Q. Once I know the size of my bulb, is there an easier way to order replacement parts?
For those familiar with bulb sizes, we have a special department on our site called Shop by Bulb Type.
From this point, you can choose the brand and the price of your desire. By the way, this bulb-type feature also works for all other car bulbs, not just headlight bulbs.
Q. Many headlight bulbs are sold in pairs, do I need to replace bulbs in pairs?
Bulbs are sold in pairs for convenience; one of the reasons is that if you require another one, it will be close at hand. Many drivers like to keep a spare bulb in the glove compartment because driving with only one working headlight is dangerous and can result in a ticket.
However, there is another reason to sell bulbs in pairs. Modern halogen and xenon bulbs tend to dim over time, almost imperceptibly. For this reason, we advise you to replace the bulbs of your headlights in pairs, ensuring that you always have the maximum amount of light in front of you.