Upgrade your Headlights

How long have you been driving with a burnt out headlights. There is no reason not to replace it. Proper lighting for varying conditions is important for the safety of you and other drivers on the road. What if you had more light when you needed it most, like driving at night? Brighter light is as easy as upgrading to SilverStar & GE Nighthawk headlights. We'll go through the details of different types of headlights, how to replace them and why brighter is better.

A set of headlights usually has the same life-span. If one has burnt out, chances are the other will soon follow, so you should always replace headlights in pairs.

Remember, if you have any questions or if you're unsure of anything, feel free to contact the Parts Pros at your local PartSource. They're always ready to help, no matter what the job is.

Let's go!

IMPORTANT – NEVER touch the glass portion of a halogen bulb with your hands or skin. If the bulb is under pressure it can explode.

Headlights available at PartSource:

Sylvania SilverStar Ultra

Packaged in pairs
Longest lasting headlights
Whitest and brightest legal headlights available
Closest light to daylight for safer night driving
Increases down road and side viewing

Sylvania SilverStar

Available in all common headlight bulb and sealed beam styles
Whiter and brighter than standard halogens
Closer to daylight for safer night driving
Lasts longer than standard halogens

GE NightHawk

30% brighter than standard halogens
Available in most common headlight bulb and sealed beam styles

GE Xtra LongLife

Designed to last two and a half times longer than standard headlights

GE HO (High Output)

Provide a brighter light than standard headlights
Last up to two times longer than standard headlights

GE Standard

Great for original equipment replacements
Economical

Silverstar & GE Nighthawk Headlights vs. Standard Halogen Headlights
Features	Benefits	Available With Regular Halogen?
HID Appearance	Style, Style, Style Silverstar & GE Nighthawk headlights create the impression that your car is equipped with expensive High Intensity Discharge headlights	No
Brighter, Whiter Light	Safety, Safety, Safety Whiter light is more similar to daylight, and contains light from all parts of the colour spectrum, meaning it illuminates more roadside objects than the yellow-hued light of regular halogen bulbs Better illumination at night means safer driving Produce 30% brighter light than standard halogen headlights Increased down-road viewing Increased side-road viewing Lasts longer The brighter, whiter light makes Silverstar & GE Nighthawk the perfect upgrade for safety-conscious drivers	No
100% Street Legal	Worry-Free Driving Coloured lights or modified lenses can be illegal in some markets Silverstar is the perfect way for you to upgrade your headlights without increasing your risk of being pulled over	Yes

A Few Things Before You Begin

In case you need them, you can always find free print outs of specific vehicle instructions and torque specifications from Mitchell on Demand at your local PartSource store.

Everything you need for this job can be found at your local PartSource store. Ask a Parts Pro about what you'll need for the job. It's better to have extra spare parts ready for anything that might need to be replaced. The last thing you want to do, is go shopping when you have the car up on the jack.

When taking parts apart, be organized. Keep similar parts together in a safe place where they won't get lost and layout parts in a way that will allow you to put them back in the same order.

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs always follow the vehicle's owner's manual.

Make sure you have all of your tools and supplies before you begin – the last thing you want to do is go shopping when you have the car on the jack.

Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace. Always wear your safety glasses, a dust mask and latex gloves.

Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, seek the assistance of a Parts Pro, professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.


Headlight Replacement Instructions

Headlight replacement varies greatly depending on what style of headlight your vehicle is equipped with. Below you will find some common replacement tips. Sealed Beam Headlight Replacement Be sure the headlights are turned off before beginning. You'll need to remove any screws, trim and retaining rings that hold the headlight in place. Usually this is done from the front of the vehicle. IMPORTANT - If at all possible, do not adjust the headlight aiming screws. Once the headlight is loose, gently pull the headlight out, and unplug the electrical connector from the back. IMPORTANT - Don't pull too hard or too far, as you could damage the wiring harness for the light. After the old headlight is removed, plug the electrical connector into the new headlight, and reinstall. Check that the headlight is seated properly, check your work and turn the lights on to see if they work. Check the aim against a building wall to make sure it hasn't accidentally moved. Halogen Bulb Replacement Be sure the headlights are turned off before beginning. With halogen bulbs, you'll first need to figure out how to access the bulb. Your owner's manual can usually help with this. Access to the bulbs may be easy on some vehicles, with lots of room behind the headlight assembly. Some have access covers on the back of the headlight assembly that simply screws off. On others it requires removing the entire headlight assembly from the vehicle. If you need to remove the headlight assembly, it's usually quite simple. Normally you'll just need to remove a couple of bolts, or undo a couple of clips, and the assembly will slide out. On some cars you may need to remove the battery to access one of the headlight bulbs. Once you can access the bulb from behind the headlight assembly, there may be a retainer ring that you turn counter clockwise about 90º. The ring will then be loose, and the bulb should be free to slide out of the headlight assembly, though it may take a little effort. Other cars may just need the bulb itself turned 90º, or a wire retainer that snaps back to remove the bulb. IMPORTANT - Always grab the bulb by the base, never the glass portion. With the bulb removed from the headlight assembly, hold the base, and carefully remove the electrical connector. Usually a locking tab holds the bulb and connector together, and it needs to be unhooked to slide them apart. Make sure the retaining ring stays on the electrical wiring harness (if applicable). Attach the electrical connector to the new bulb, and again DO NOT touch the glass portion of the new bulb. Line up the bulb in the headlight assembly, and be sure it's seated properly. Secure the bulb, whether it's by turning it, or using a retainer ring or wire. Check your work, and turn on the headlights to see if the new bulbs work. This type of headlight set up should not need aligning unless the car has had an accident.
Some vehicles are more difficult to change headlight bulbs than others. If you are not comfortable changing your headlights yourself, talk to one of our Part Pros - we'd be happy to help.
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