Headlight Lens
Driving with a discolored, damaged or missing headlight lens is not only a danger to you and your vehicle but to other oncoming vehicles on the road as well. It is an easy problem to resolve and not expensive, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to find a solution. Whether you choose to clean your current headlight lenses if possible or replace them with new ones, this is a repair that you should do as soon as possible. In fact, you should make the necessary repairs prior to driving after dark again.
Types of Headlight Lenses
One of the things you need to know when looking for a replacement headlight lens is that the type of lenses made today are usually manufactured from polycarbonate synthetic materials. Prior to 1990, most cars were made with glass lenses which were prone to breaking easily. Newer synthetic lenses, although less prone to breakage, also discolor more easily and either need to be cleaned (restored) or replaced. Cloudy, yellow lenses from UV exposure and age are extremely hazardous. While you may find replacement lenses for older vehicles made from polycarbonate, you can also find glass replacements as well. Many companies still offer both types of products buy you just might need to look a little harder for glass.
Dirty Vs. Broken
A dirty headlight lens may or may not be able to be cleaned. There are headlight lens restoration products on the market that enable you to remove the lens and get rid of that yellow discoloration that builds up with age. Sometimes this is possible while other times a whole new headlight assembly replacement would be the only solution. The purpose of cleaning and/or changing the headlight lens would be to increase visibility on the road, but also to reduce the glare oncoming vehicles are exposed to. Also, bright new headlight lenses do add to the appearance of the vehicle on and off the road.
Quick and Easy Installation
With the right headlight replacement assembly, it only takes minutes to change out the old or damaged lens for a new one. As a matter of fact, when replacing the headlight lens, many drivers also opt to get a fog light lens replacement at the same time. This saves both time and money and ensures that you have maximum visibility and safety while on the road during the hours of darkness or during heavy fog conditions. If you aren’t quite sure how to go about replacing a headlight lens, there are usually instructions in the vehicle’s manual if you still have one. You may also find instructions for replacing the headlight lens assembly online.
Finding Replacement Lenses and/or Assemblies
Most headlight lens replacements for domestic and many foreign vehicles can be found at local automotive supply stores, but some imports might require finding replacements online. If you don’t know the OEM part number and don’t have a manual that came with the vehicle, you can search with the make, model and year of your vehicle. Ordering a headlight lens online may mean waiting a few days for the replacement to arrive, but you will often find the best pricing options.
Although it is a law to have both headlights operational with the lenses intact, many people risk getting a ticket (or worse) because they aren’t sure where to find the replacement part they need. There probably isn’t a vehicle on the road in which a replacement headlight lens isn’t available. Take the time to do a search online before you pay a hefty fine or become involved in an accident as a result of a broken or dirty lens.
