According to the AAA, headlights are dimming on older cars. Through the years, the plastic coating on headlights can become so yellowed or clouded that they may provide a mere 20 percent of the light they did when the car was bought.
Eighty percent treacherous?
The AAA's findings stress all the evidence that car owners should routinely check the coating on their headlights and, when necessary, restore or replace them.
Driving at night with headlights producing less than 80 percent of the required light is extremely dangerous and a risk that drivers should not take, according to Greg Brannon, AAA's director of automotive engineering.
Brannon went on to say that convenient and inexpensive solutions are available that can dramatically improve the headlights of older vehicles.
At a minimum, drivers need 300 to 350 feet at 60 miles an hour to see, react, and brake for whatever occurs ahead.
Using lab-tested headlights from two popular sedans about 11 years old, the AAA studied the impact of deterioration on the amount of light a beacon produces as sunlight breaks down its protective plastic coatings.
The results were measured against new headlights to quantify the amount of light produced and, depending on where and how the vehicle is used, headlights can begin showing signs of deterioration in as little as three to five years.
In separate research, it was discovered that some makes and models seem to be more susceptible than others to clouding. It depends on the size, angle, and composition of the lens and whether the car is garaged or spends its life parked on the street. The effects can vary from just a slight haze to making lenses almost opaque.
As a result, carefully examine your headlight lenses before purchasing any restoration kits. If they appear bright, leave them alone. And before using any restoration kit, watch the manufacturer's instructional videos online.
If the lenses are clear, but the lights appear to be dimmer than they used to be, you may need new bulbs. All bulbs dim over time and should be replaced after a few years.
Regularly clean your lenses with a household glass cleaner. Even a simple cleaning can make a big difference in how well you can see, especially if you live in an area with a lot of snow, ice, or road salt.
