Headlamp Bulb Replacement In Modern Cars

[Iggle Piggle]

Is there some freakish EU regulation that insists headlight bulbs must be extremely awkward to change in modern cars? Most need tools to get to, some Renaults have panels in the filthy wheel arch to get into, I had to move a washer bottle and a battery to do recent bulb replacements. What has the world come to ???

Grrrrr. Thanks, rant over.

[tonyav]

Yes it seems that way or you need hands the size of a baby to get at them.

[Captain2]

"hands the size of a baby" blimey, my daughter was 21" long at birth! ;-))

[grasscarp]

I called at a small garage where I usually get my MOT to ask if they could replace a rear bulb. The poor chap had to, in the end, completely remove rear light fitting and do some extraordinary things with the new bulb I gave him to make it work. Job done I said how much, and he said a fiver. I gave him ten as he had really earned it. It could all be easier Iggle. I agree.

[Buenchico]

£200 suggested by the Guardian for changing a bulb in a Renault Mégane over 5 years ago!
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/nov/01/car-motoring-headlight-bulb-renault

[tonyav]

Captain2
"hands the size of a baby" blimey, my daughter was 21" long at birth! ;-))


Allright allright, I mean't you need hands the same size has a babies hands ;-)

[tonyav]

I remember something on Top Gear some years ago about headlight bulb changing. The three presenters had a car each ( all different cars ) and they had to change one of the headlight bulbs, two of the managed to after sometime but the third one ( I think it was Jezza ) with a VW Golf couldn't do it so they got an RAC or an AA man to come and do it and if I remember rightly it took him about 40 / 45 mins to do it.

[Iggle Piggle]

It's illegal to drive with a 'bulb out' on our roads, we should make it a legal requirement to carry a spare bulb kit and manufacturers should ensure that bulbs are easily replaced by the motorist at the roadside with no tools and dim light. 'nuff said.

[tonyav]

I think you have to carry a spare bulb kit in your car in France !.

[Hopkirk]

I think you are mistaken Tony.

The VW Golf was the easy one - 53 seconds in this race.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCZ2v-nIF4

[Iggle Piggle]

Thanks Hopkirk, I have to say after owning both a Golf and a Megane (amongst many others) I will never buy a Renault again. I think they need to divert some of the F1 money into their road car design team !

[Hopkirk]

Don't you hate those ones that have the bulb held in by what seems like an unravelled paper clip.

Easy to get the bulb out, but a nightmare to secure the new one in.

They planned enough space to work with, but then realised they had forgotten to leave space for the battery. Never mind, just shoe horn it in behind the headlight.

[RATTER15]

We just pop into the local garage and the guy changes them for us, the headlights always go in pairs for some strange reason, something to do with modern alternators apparently. Citroen Grand Picasso.

[chas2008]

quite often its easier to drop the bumper(on the side in question) and or actually remove the headlamp, just not many people are prepared to do that and spend ages trying to get around it and put of the inevitable.
Its also false economy buying nasty cheapo bulbs the chances are you will be replacing them again fairly soon.

[EDDIE51]

The latest bulbs are supposed to last the life of the car , 10 years at least,that is why Renault can get away with a bulb where you have to remove the front wing to change it.

[stefos]

30 years ago I was the unfortunate owner of an Austin Allegro and when the headlight bulb went it could only be replaced by a sealed unit, the exact specifications of which had been discontinued. I then had to buy and fit lugs to house the unit which meant it stood proud of the chassis... Which meant alignment was out..

Austin Allegro, what a car!

[chas2008]

you didnt have the early version with the oblong steering wheel ?

[EDDIE51]

It was better known as The' All Aggro '

[Iggle Piggle]

Hmmm I once had a Talbot Samba and crashed it. The local scrapyard had no Sambas in so I remodeled the passenger side to accept a Volvo 340 headlight. Went through the MOT no problem ! Doubt you'd get away with such ingenuity nowadays.

[Baldric]

I remember reading (National Press, I think) that on a Small Hatchback type car, E/European, you could only change one of the headlamp bulbs by dropping the engine, but I can't find story ATM.