It’s known that a well-maintained Mercedes-Benz is typically more roadworthy and subsequently safer to drive. But unfortunately, many drivers neglect the one area of vehicle maintenance that can have the most considerable impact on road safety—their Mercedes headlights. As a result, it is no surprise that a huge percentage of all traffic accidents are caused by improper headlight use and maintenance.

Anyone who has ever driven around in a car with old or failing headlights will quickly realize that the safety aspect of driving after dark is paramount. Moreover, headlights are the most critical element of your vehicle’s lighting system. They are responsible for numerous tasks, including helping you see what is ahead of you and making sure that others can see you on the road.

When properly maintained, they can help make you more visible to other drivers on the road, which helps prevent accidents and improve road safety. Let’s review the four tips that can help you achieve proper maintenance for your headlights. 

Only Invest In High-Quality Headlights

When it comes to the lighting setup on an off-road vehicle or a truck, you need to be prepared for anything. For that reason, investing in high-quality headlights and floodlights is a necessity for any driver; whether you’re driving in the dark, in the rain, or through any other adverse weather conditions, you need to be able to see where you’re going.

Standard halogen headlights leave a lot to be desired regarding functionality. They may get the job done, but they certainly aren’t ideal. For example, halogen headlights are dim and can only shine light directly ahead of your vehicle.

On the other hand, LED headlights are incredibly bright and illuminate areas of the road ahead of your vehicle. They also emit less heat than halogen lights so that they won’t damage their housing after long periods of use. Additionally, the lifespan of an LED truck light is 30,000 hours or even more than that, which is much longer than a halogen light with an average lifespan of 2,000 hours. Therefore, in addition to having a LED work truck spotlight mounted to the top of your truck’s cabin, you should also go with a LED headlight set as they will last much longer and provide better service than all other types of lights.

Make Sure To Replace Your Headlights Before Burnout

Every driver should know that the lifespan of their headlights can be significantly affected by driving habits. Factors like driving, how often you use your high beam, and even extreme weather can affect your car’s headlights. With this being said, it is vital to use a proactive approach to get this checked if you sense that your headlight lights are noticeably dimmer than usual.

By replacing your headlights every five years or so, you can prevent over 60% of traffic accidents, which is an awe-inspiring number considering the price of replacing headlight bulbs is a fraction of what it costs to repair/replace a car after an accident. After all, when a headlight goes out, it’s like driving with one eye shut. It shatters your night vision and makes it difficult to see the road clearly in front of you. With this in mind, all drivers need to realize that regular headlight replacement is a definite necessity.

Regularly Perform A Vehicle Walk-Around

It’s always a good idea to visually inspect your vehicle before you drive. This can help you identify any problems and avoid situations where a sudden malfunction or mechanical failure could cause an accident.

You can quickly check for dents and dings, windshield cracks, and fluid leaks in the daylight. You should also ensure your headlights are clean and free of debris, which can cause them to shine less brightly. While you do this walkaround, note any service lights on your dashboard. If there’s a problem with your battery, tires, or lights, you’ll want to address it before you hit the road at night.

Have A Headlight Restoration Kit Handy

Having a headlight restoration kit in your trunk can save you a lot of trouble and time since you pull it out and do the job on the spot. However, a headlight restoration kit can only repair some minor headlight issues, such as fixing cloudy or foggy headlights, so keep in mind that if one of your headlight lenses is cracked or broken, it cannot be adequately restored by just polishing and sealing it.

With that said, these restoration kits usually include sandpaper and some sort of polishing liquid or paste that helps remove the outer layer of cloudiness. These products are safe to use on plastic lenses, so they won’t damage your lights if used according to instructions.

Final Thoughts

It’s crazy to think of how many vehicles still drive around with improperly working headlights. Worn-out lights can not only be a safety concern, but they are also illegal in most states, so you could be risking tickets and fines if your lights aren’t in proper working order. Aside from regularly replacing tires and other vehicle parts, being proactive about ensuring proper headlight maintenance should be high on the to-do list of priorities for vehicle owners.