Subaru Headlight Replacement Service Near Oakland, CA

It's not uncommon to have headlight problems with your vehicle. Over time, bulbs burn out and need to be replaced. In some vehicles, getting to the burned-out bulb to replace it can be a challenge and time consuming. Fortunately, if you live in or around Oakland, San Jose, or San Francisco, you can get headlight service at Premier Subaru of Fremont to save you the trouble of trying to figure out how to do it on your own.

Schedule Service

What Headlight Service Includes

Sometimes when your lights go out, it isn't a simple fix. There may be other problems with your lights like electrical issues, a battery that won't work, or something else. At Premier Subaru of Fremont, our technicians in the Service Center are trained to take care of your vehicle so you don't have to worry about it. That includes headlight services as well as many other maintenance services. If you are having headlight troubles, you can take advantage of our services below:

  • Replacing bulbs.
  • Checking electrical system: fuses, relays, modules, switches, wiring, and power sources.
  • Checking the igniter and other components in your Xenon (HID) headlights.
  • Adjusting headlights to aim them properly if you happen to notice dark spots on the road in front of you.

Common Headlight Problems

Most issues stem from burned out bulbs, but they can also include electrical problems, charging issue problems, among others. Sometimes knowing which lights are not functioning can help diagnose the problem.

  • One headlight fails: Usually this means the bulb has burned out, but if replacing the bulb doesn't fix the problem it's good practice to have fuses and wiring checked.
  • Low beams or high beams stop functioning: Check for burned out bulbs first and then have relays and switches checked.
  • Both headlights fail: When this happens, the problem is probably related to the electrical system.
  • Dim headlights: If they turn on but are dim, the problem could be related to your charging system, worn out bulbs, or foggy lenses.

Types of Headlights

There are a few different kinds of headlights on the U.S. and Canadian market.

  • Halogen: Incandescent lights use tungsten filaments, which are surrounded by argon and nitrogen gases. These are inexpensive and dimmable, but they also generate heat and use a lot of energy, and they don't last as long as others.
  • High Intensity Discharge (HID): Xenon lights are powered by xenon gas, and they work similarly to neon lights. They last up to eight times as long as halogens and they shine twice as brightly. They illuminate a larger area with less energy, but they are costlier. If not installed correctly, they can blind oncoming traffic.
  • LED Headlights: These lights are becoming more popular, and they balance some of the pros and cons of halogens and HID lights. LEDs offer better brightness and coverage than halogens while using less energy. They can cost more than five times that of HID lights.

Light Longevity

Halogens last 500-1000 hours, LEDs last up to 50,000 hours, while HID lights fall in between the others at 2,000-8,000 hours.

Replace headlights when you notice a loss of brightness or when they are nearing the end of their life expectancy. On average most lights are used for about 300 hours per year.

If you've noticed problems with your lights, contact us and set up an appointment with our Service Center or schedule online today.