Clean Those Headlights and See Better This Winter

Most people do not think about their headlights until they notice that they are driving in the
dark without them or they notice that the beams of light are dim or distorted. Driving
without proper headlights can be very dangerous, especially when driving at night. Most law
enforcement officers will issue a citation if you are seen with inoperable headlamps. These
globes of light play a very important role in vehicle safety in general and in winter safety in
particular. Inspecting your headlights should be a part of your routine general car
maintenance. All of your hard work of faithfully doing fluid checks, winter safety
inspections, and tune-ups will be for naught if you are unable to drive because your lights
are dirty.

Cleanliness is Important

Headlights are covered by a thin plastic covering. Over time, that plastic can discolor and
turn milky and appear hazy. Road salt, blacktop, tar patches, and other chemicals in the
environment speeds up the discoloration. This discoloration and opaqueness of the film can
affect the quality of light. You will not have good visibility, as the light emanating from
behind milky plastic will appear distorted and dim. Not only does it affect your ability to see
others, it also affects your ability to be seen by others. The result could be a nasty accident.
The plastic is difficult to clean once it discolors, but you can purchase headlight-cleaning
kits that have special cleansers and polishers that will help to restore the brightness. You can
also hire a professional to clean them for you or have the entire headlight cover replaced.

Can Someone Else Do it For Me?

If you do not want to tackle this project, you can take your car to a professional. A
professional cleaning will give you the best possible result. You should look for an ASE
master technician who has certification in auto bodywork. They will have the knowledge
and experience needed and the appropriate equipment and materials they need. They will be
able to use stronger products on your headlights to renew the shine that you will not be able
to access. It is important to use a product that will remove the road salt and other chemicals
from the headlights as completely as possible. The salt will eat at the headlights and the
body of your car if you do not clean it off regularly.

What Else is there to Know?

Keeping your headlights clean will keep you safe on the road during the winter. You will
have greater visibility and your fellow road warriors will have better visibility of you,
especially in winter. The snow, ice, slush, and hail makes the roads slippery. The risk of
hydroplaning and reduced traction can spell disaster. Your clean headlights will produce
beams of light that will make it easier to see rough patches in the road, disabled cars in your
path, pedestrians, and other traveling hazards. They will also make you easier to be seen by

others so they can avoid a collision with you. If you are unable to get your headlights
cleaned, you may need to have a professional replace the headlight covers for you, which
could involve waiting on parts from the manufacturer and cost a lot of money.