What does Condensation in Headlights mean?
What you need to know about condensation in your headlights.
There are multiple types of car headlights, what is true for one may not be true for all. If you are unsure, please ask your mechanic. Below is a guide of generalized advice on what to look for and what are some red flags. First, let us talk about the components of a headlight. There is the headlight housing, which holds the bulb and electrical components. There is also the headlight lens, which protects the housing, bulb, and electrical elements from the weather. Holding the housing and the lens together is typically a silicone sealant. Water usually finds its way into the headlights thru the vents, cracks, and worn rubber seals.
What is ok: Some condensation will occur naturally. Bulbs heat up and to cool them down most headlight housings have vents to prevent them from overheating. The way that headlights are designed naturally causes some condensation.
Red Flags:
- When the light condensation doesn’t burn away after using the headlights or naturally by the sun dissipating the condensation.
- When you see a pooling of water in the headlight housing, or at the bottom of the lens. Driving with water in the headlamp assembly can damage the bulbs, electrical connectors and any computer
components drive with the headlights on, as it is an electrical system. Water and electricity do not mix. This needs to be addressed ASAP.
Headlights do not generally need much maintenance aside from bulbs needing to be replaced, the lens getting cloudy and needing to be clean or an unfortunate accident breaking them. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions we are always happy to help.