The headlight on the wife's Toyota Highlander just went out. It looks like replacing the bulb is pretty straightforward, but I was wondering:

- Should I replace both? I've seen some vehicles where it looks like one headlight is brighter than the other, and I don't know if "unmatched" bulbs are the same brightness.

- Are headlight bulbs all the same?, or should I get an OEM bulb from the local Toyota dealer?

With our vehicles I have a habit of replacing both headlights (or turn signals) at the same time even if one goes out. I save the extra good bulb I replaced as a backup if needed in the glove box.

Usually, I order the bulbs I need online if have the time to wait to get them. Otherwise I go to a local automotive store to get the bulb. I have not gone to a dealership for bulbs or parts.

I have HIDs. For whatever reason, even though I buy supposedly the exact same OEM bulb from a reputable vendor, I don't get the original headlight experience - dimmer and not the same illumination breadth / depth. But buying bulbs from Toyota are expensive - 3x more. Not sure why. YMMV. And newer LEDs may be different.

If one failed prematurely, I'd replace one. If one failed for age, I'd replace both.

You could change the one bulb out without a problem and I wouldn't go to Toyota for a bulb unless it's an LED headlight that is only factory replaceable.

Most Auto part stores sell the bulbs, Sylvania Silverstars are good bulbs, some come in pairs, and if that's what you buy, replace them both.

Thanks guys.

The Highlander is a 2012, so it looks like it failed due to age. I am going to run over to the local auto parts store and replace both of them.

I appreciate the help!

Go to O'Reilly. They have a great selection and will install them for you. I recently picked up a pair of Sylvania bulbs. I think they are HID. Come in a Gold package and cost around 75 dollars each. Well worth it IMO.

I just change them as needed.

quote:

Originally posted by old dino:
With our vehicles I have a habit of replacing both headlights (or turn signals) at the same time even if one goes out. I save the extra good bulb I replaced as a backup if needed in the glove box.

Usually, I order the bulbs I need online if have the time to wait to get them. Otherwise I go to a local automotive store to get the bulb. I have not gone to a dealership for bulbs or parts.

I do the same, when I have the hood open and hands dirty I want to get it all done at once. In my experience when one fails, the other will in couple of months.

I replace them both and save the good as a spare.

I do both thinking if one went the other probably isn't far behind. Before you buy high dollar super bright bulbs check out the expected life of the bulb, you might think twice about it.

Most bulbs will fade over their lifespan.

Changing the bulbs is fairly straightforward (unless you have a Cadillac CTS. Boooo!)

Mine weren't what I had hoped for, so I converted them to HID. Wasn't any fun, but they have been great for at least 7+ years.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Most bulbs will fade over their lifespan.

Changing the bulbs is fairly straightforward (unless you have a Cadillac CTS. Boooo!)

Mine weren't what I had hoped for, so I converted them to HID. Wasn't any fun, but they have been great for at least 7+ years.

What? You don’t like pulling the bumper fascia off.

I replaced the bulbs in my wife's 2009 CRV with fan-less LEDs.

One side was a pain because it barely had clearance for the heat sink.

I have not changed a bulb since and it has been many years.

They are brighter than the original oem bulbs too.

Replace both with LEDs.
Much brighter.

I've got Beamtech LEDs in my daughter's car now and they're decent but during the last snow storm it wasn't hot enough to melt anything. I ordered her some Morimoto 2stroke 3.0 LEDs. It should fix the icing problem.

I used to always do both and keep the extra used one as a spare.

Whichever way you go do both at the same time and if your not sure how check out Youtube videos which can be helpful.

I would not recommend Sylvania Silverstar bulbs anymore as they’ve consistently lasted only a year or so for me and they’re pricey.


Philips X-treme Power seem to be doing better for me.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:

Changing the bulbs is fairly straightforward (unless you have a Cadillac CTS. Boooo!)

You clearly never owned a 2006-2015 generation Honda Civic

Changing lightbulbs either involved pulling inner fender well liners out and contorting yourself into unnatural positions while laying on your back and reaching up into the car and blindly trying to fit the bulb in, or just saying “screw it“ and taking it somewhere and having them put it on a lift to be able to access the headlights. The engineers who designed that should be lined up against the wall and shot.

I went to the local O'Reilly yesterday and got a set of bulbs to replace both headlights.

Today, the wife mentions in passing "the wipers need to be replaced too".

Apparently, there was no need to mention that yesterday.

EDIT: What a freaking ordeal. I am not very mechanically competent, but I thought I was capable of doing simple things like changing headlights, air filters, pumping gas, putting air in the tires, etc. I am going to have to rethink my "skill set".

In addition to the wipers, the wife says she's due for an oil change. So, I make an appointment and run over to the local Toyota dealer. While there, I get the usual upsell on everything from new brakes to a transmission flush. I decline everything except the engine air filter. We are heading out of town tomorrow and, based on past experience, getting at the rear bolt on the filter housing is a pain in the ass. So, I tell them to go ahead and gouge me for the filter replacement.

I get home and pop the hood to swap out the headlight bulbs. I take a quick glance at the air filter housing and there is no rear bolt. I decide I better check to see if the filter was even replaced and remove the front bolt. It was. But, when I replaced the bolt, I overtightened it and it snapped it half.

I decide to finish swapping out the headlight bulbs before confronting the Toyota dealership. I get the old bulb off no problem, but the new one will not go in no matter how many times I try. Finally, I compare it to the one I pulled off and they are not the same. A little internet sleuthing reveals that I bought high beam bulbs when I needed the low beams.

Back to the auto parts store, where the guy says "We're not supposed to exchange them, because you already opened the package". But, before I could slam my head into the wall, he quickly says "But, I'll make an exception. Here you go." (Maybe he saw the look on my face and was worried. ).

Back home, I call the dealership. I decide I'm not going to scream or shout. I'm just going to lay things out and see how they respond. Luckily, the service manager just says "Bring it back as soon as you can. We'll take care of it." I did just that and they had two guys stop what they were doing and replaced both bolts. Ten minutes later I was on my way.

I got back home and tried the new headlight bulbs. They popped right in and I (thought) I was finally done for the day. Then the wife says "When are you planning on replacing the wiper blades?"

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