Driving at night is already complicated enough without having cloudy headlights. It is the perfect cocktail for having an accident, and the worst part is that not many people realize that their headlights are not doing their job properly. Very often a whitish or yellowish layer appears that cuts visibility at the wheel, and if we consider that lights are used especially when there is no visibility, any sudden change at high speed makes your reaction seconds disappear.
It is not a breakdown, no warning lights come on in the car and you think they work fine, but the reality is that they do not, and it is one of the most common and dangerous faults when driving, especially in winter when fog lights are needed or on days of heavy rain. Do not worry because it has a solution and here we are going to tell you about it.
Why do headlights become cloudy?
Most modern headlights are made of polycarbonate, a light and very resistant material, but it is very vulnerable to the sun. Now imagine years of UV rays, dust, rain, sudden temperature changes. All of that slowly burns the plastic. Far from thinking it is due to the age of the car, that layer that appears on your headlights ends up acting as a light blocker even if the bulb is perfect.
Less light means less reaction time
With cloudy headlights, the road becomes flat, gray, and without contrast. Signs appear late, and any animal, pedestrian, or stopped car appears even later. It is a visual challenge, but it can put any road user at risk and you as well, because visibility is not negotiable in a car.
What if you change the bulbs?
This is one of the most common mistakes we make. Many drivers change the bulbs thinking the issue is power, but then realize it did nothing and that they spent money unnecessarily, because the problem is that the light is there but cannot get through the damaged plastic. It is like turning on a flashlight behind frosted glass. It is useless and it does not matter how powerful the bulb is.
How do I restore the headlights?
If the headlight does not have deep cracks or moisture inside, it can be restored without a problem. There are specific kits that remove the oxidized layer, polish the plastic, and return it to an almost new condition.
And you can do it in half an hour. The light projects properly again and you can see well at night.
Remember that it is also important to seal against UV, because if you do not, it will last very little and after a few weeks you will have to restore it again.
Do not forget to adjust the headlights
We also forget this. There is a wheel behind the steering wheel that is used to adjust the headlights, because having them transparent is useless if they are not aimed correctly. They have to be in the exact position. If they are too low you cannot see, and if they are too high you blind oncoming drivers.
Just as we do not go through life with dirty glasses, we should not drive with poorly adjusted headlights either. We get tired sooner, see less, and put ourselves at risk. Checking the headlights is another step in basic car maintenance, and if you cannot afford a kit, you can always choose home remedies.
Remember that any improvement, approved of course, directly improves your safety and that of everyone else, so do not let the night confuse you and keep your headlights in good conditions!