Driving at night or in bad weather can be difficult, but you can make it easier by keeping your car's headlights shining bright. Brighter headlights allow you to see other vehicles, road hazards and pedestrians more clearly, helping you to avoid these obstacles as you drive. It is fairly simple for most people to brighten their headlights, either by cleaning, replacing bulbs or switching to a different type of light.
Clean the surface of the lights. Dirt and grease from driving can build up on your lights, making them appear much duller than they really are. Clean them with a glass cleaner and rag to make them brighter. Treat the surface with an anti-fog or rain-resistant cleaner to keep them bright during bad weather.
Replace your bulbs. As bulbs age, they can lose their brightness. Replace your existing bulbs with brand new ones and you'll likely experience an increase in brightness. To replace the bulbs, open your hood and unscrew the metal cover plate that is protecting the bulbs. Take the old bulb out, screw in a new one and replace the plate.
Check that you have the correct bulbs for your car. If you have bulbs that are too small or too weak compared to the manufacturer's recommendations for your car, they will appear too dull. Head to your local auto parts store with your current bulb. The staff can check their manuals to make sure you have the correct bulb.
Get a higher wattage bulb. Just as the bulbs in our homes are available in different wattages, so too are the bulbs used in cars. Check with your local auto parts store to find the highest recommended wattage that's appropriate for your vehicle.
Switch to halogen bulbs. These bulbs contain a halogen gas, which causes the bulb to get hotter and burn much brighter than a traditional incandescent bulb. Halogen bulbs also produce light that is considered "whiter," making it seem even brighter to drivers. These bulbs are slightly more expensive than regular bulbs but will produce dramatically brighter light.
