Why Your High Beams Matter Out On The Road 
So you’re driving out on Morrinsville Road late at night or winding your way through Rototuna after dark. Maybe you’re dodging potholes down Ngaruawahia way or out by Glenview, and you flick on your high beams to see a bit further. Those lights aren’t just for show – they make a serious difference, letting you spot roadworks, possums, or stray cats before you’re right on top of them.
High beams throw light a lot further than your standard headlights, which helps heaps on those country backroads or out on State Highway 3 when it’s pitch black. Around Hamilton, with all the fog and drizzle over winter, good working high beams make night driving way safer. If your high beams pack in, your vision takes a real hit, and you’ll probably fail your next WOF too – not to mention the hassle of not seeing speed bumps along Peachgrove Road or loose gravel up by Chartwell.
If the lights are dodgy or lenses are cloudy and need a clean or polish, best to get onto it. For WOF rules, here’s a handy link about headlight WOF requirements >
Why Do High Beams Stop Working?
Here’s what we see come through the workshop most:
- Blown bulb: Pretty common, whether you’re driving a Toyota Aqua, a Subaru Outback, or something like a Mazda Demio. Some cars use two separate bulbs for high and low beams, others (like a few newer Hyundais) have one bulb that does both – but either way, those bulbs eventually pack up.
- Wiring or relay dramas: Seen plenty of older Suzuki Swifts and VW Golfs come in with high beams cutting out because of dodgy wiring or a tired relay under the bonnet. That can stop power even reaching the lights at all.
- Blown fuse: If you’re running your lights heaps, or you’ve hit a deep puddle round Frankton, you can fry a fuse easy. That’ll knock out the high beams until you swap the fuse over.
- Switch issues: Sometimes the actual switch or stalk (the one next to your indicators) wears out. Had a lady in from Cambridge with a Honda Fit and the whole switch needed sorting.
High Beams Gone Dim?
A few drivers reckon their high beams are still working, just not as bright as they used to be. Here’s what we usually find:
- Cloudy or dirty headlight lens: When you’re doing a lot of back-and-forth from Hamilton East through Tamahere, dust, bugs, and moisture build up and cut your brightness. Seen plenty of Mitsi Outlanders and even a couple of BMW X3s come in just needing a lens clean or replacement.
- Electrical gremlins: Worn wiring or tired old relays can mean your high beams are only getting half the juice they need. Flickering or flicking between bright and dull? Could well be an electrical issue.
- Battery or alternator troubles: If your car struggles to start in winter (as half the Hamilton fleet seems to do), low battery voltage will drop your headlight output too. Usually pops up on those freezing August mornings.
WOF Fails From High Beam Problems
We see quite a few customers, from Te Awamutu to Huntly, missing out on their WOF for poor high beams. The most common fails:
- High beam bulbs not working at all: Obvious fail – gotta have all lights working for WOF Hamilton checks.
- Headlights aiming too high or low: If they’re pointing at the clouds, you’ll blind someone on Wairere Drive. Too low and you won’t see the kerb.
- Too dim for the inspector: If the bulbs have faded over time or the lens is foggy, that’ll knock you back.
If you want to avoid the WOF headache, best to get them checked early. We’re always happy to take a look and sort it out for you.
Sorting High Beam Light Problems in Hamilton
Trouble with your high beams in the car? Whether you’re driving a Nissan Juke or a Peugeot 308, we’ve pretty much seen it all. One of our technicians will hunt down what’s wrong – maybe it’s a blown bulb, dodgy wiring, the fuse, or just that switch playing up.
We can swap out high beams, fit new bulbs, clean up those foggy lenses, and get everything road legal again. While we’re at it, we can also check your brake lights, indicator lights, or pretty much anything else that’s giving you grief.
For car service Hamilton, WOF repairs, and all high beam light jobs, just flick us a call or swing by. We’ll get you sorted and back on the road.