Letting Halfords change a bulb

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

I've gotta get a headlight bulb swapped out on a Kia ceed. It's an absolute dog of a job, drivers side, because the coolant bottle is up too tight to the headlight. If I drop it up to Halfords, would they really change it, and do it properly, for the €8 or whatever it is they charge for fitting? Seems a bit too good to be true.

Del2005

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy wrote: »

I've gotta get a headlight bulb swapped out on a Kia ceed. It's an absolute dog of a job, drivers side, because the coolant bottle is up too tight to the headlight. If I drop it up to Halfords, would they really change it, and do it properly, for the €8 or whatever it is they charge for fitting? Seems a bit too good to be true.

The good thing about a headlight bulb is its easy to see if it's fitted properly, stand in front of the one not replaced then compare with the replaced one. Make sure that they are wearing gloves so that they can't touch the bulb and there shouldn't be any problems.

colm_mcm

On the i30 you just pop out the headlight unit altogether. I'd assume the ceed is the same.

Halfords bulbs are very pricey

martinr5232

Most garages will fit a bulb for the price of the bulb unless its a very time consuming job and even if it was halfords wouldnt be a place to get an awkward job done.
To be honest anyone who gets halfords to do anything doesnt think much of there car ive seen 24 volt bulbs fitted to cars dash panels broken headlamps broken not worth it.

_Kaiser_

They won't do it if it's too awkward I'd say. One of the reasons I made "xenons" a must-have when I changed my Passat a few years back was because I was tired of cutting the hand off myself trying to get in between the driver's side light and the water bottle.

It's ridiculous that you have to go in through wheel arches or take off parts entirely to change a bulb. Imagine trying to do that on a dark winter evening on the side of the road! I'd be far more impressed with the EU if they tackled basic things like this than still more emissions targets that result in expensive issues for owners later if the new tolerances aren't adhered to.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

colm_mcm wrote: »

Halfords bulbs are very pricey

Now you said it. Might be only €9 to get it fitted but it was €12 for the bulb. I didn't go for it in the end, I'll pop out the headlight myself and see.

Marcusm

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy wrote: »

I've gotta get a headlight bulb swapped out on a Kia ceed. It's an absolute dog of a job, drivers side, because the coolant bottle is up too tight to the headlight. If I drop it up to Halfords, would they really change it, and do it properly, for the €8 or whatever it is they charge for fitting? Seems a bit too good to be true.

I probably wouldn't let them change my self levelling lights but my side lights regularly blow. Replacing them requires removing 6 screws and a panel and then getting tiny hands (which mine are not) into the space. They've always done it with good humour - the bulbs themselves are €3 or so.

BrianD3

Is this video any help

Looks like it is actually the windscreen washer bottle rather than the coolant bottle that is up against the driver's side light.

Also, get your bulbs in Mr Price - 1.50 euro for a H7 bulb, lasts just as long and is just as good as a 12 euro bulb from Halfords.

pa990

BrianD3 wrote: »

Is this video any help

Looks like it is actually the windscreen washer bottle rather than the coolant bottle that is up against the driver's side light.

Also, get your bulbs in Mr Price - 1.50 euro for a H7 bulb, lasts just as long and is just as good as a 12 euro bulb from Halfords.

OMG

That is <snip, use better language, moderator>.... who designed that car

pa990

J.pilkington wrote: »

Rubbish some headlight bulbs are very difficult to change for people with large hands

I've deleted my comment after seeing that Kia video.

Like.... seriously.... wtf

colm_mcm

pa990 wrote: »

OMG

That is <snip, use better language, moderator>.... who designed that car

It's not just the washer bottle that gets in the way on cars now. Often the headlight overlaps into the wing a good bit so you really need to take the unit out to change a bulb. Not a big deal on a lot of cars but on my civic you need to take the grille and bumper off to get at the indicators. The rest you can get at handy enough without removing the whole lot.

Ryath

pa990 wrote: »

OMG

That is <snip, use better language, moderator>.... who designed that car

Being able to pop out the head light can often being handier than trying squeeze your hand in and manoeuvre a bulb. Certainly better than some that involves a tiny panel in the wheel arch or taking a bumper of. My first car a fabia was a doddle loads of room. Wifes old Corsa was tricky one side was little tight other side I could just about get my hand in first time I changed a bulb I had to take the air filter box out. I have skinny hands and long fingers a lot of guys wouldn't have a hope. At least I'll never have to change a bulb in her new car as it's full LED headlights and rear Oh except the fogs!

Mondeo was a head light out job. First time doing it was a real PITA needing to loosen brackets on the front bumper to flex it and get the lights in and out. It got a lot easier as I got used to manoeuvring them. Last time I did it literally just took a few minutes and didn't even need to loosen the bumper.

pablo128

BrianD3 wrote: »

Is this video any help

Looks like it is actually the windscreen washer bottle rather than the coolant bottle that is up against the driver's side light.

Also, get your bulbs in Mr Price - 1.50 euro for a H7 bulb, lasts just as long and is just as good as a 12 euro bulb from Halfords.

If those bulbs are like the Dealz ones, I put one in my old car and got 2 days out of it. I had bought a pair, so I put the other one in. 2 weeks later on the motorway I noticed the beam was all over the place. I had more (good quality) bulbs with me so I pulled over. The glass on the Dealz one had melted and drooped down inside the headlight. I just about managed to get it out.
Never again.

BrianD3

pablo128 wrote: »

If those bulbs are like the Dealz ones, I put one in my old car and got 2 days out of it. I had bought a pair, so I put the other one in. 2 weeks later on the motorway I noticed the beam was all over the place. I had more (good quality) bulbs with me so I pulled over. The glass on the Dealz one had melted and drooped down inside the headlight. I just about managed to get it out.
Never again.

I don't know if Mr Price are the same as Dealz bulbs, I haven't used Dealz myself. I drive around 20-25 hours a week and always have my dipped beams on and I usually get over a year out of a Mr Price bulb.

newacc2015

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

They won't do it if it's too awkward I'd say. One of the reasons I made "xenons" a must-have when I changed my Passat a few years back was because I was tired of cutting the hand off myself trying to get in between the driver's side light and the water bottle.

I can see where you are coming from. But on the other hand it is nice go to the local autoparts shop and pick up a headlight bulb for €4 and change it yourself within about 20 mins. I know someone who had xenons in their Renault, that had to be changed by the garage at €500 a bulb. I personally would live with a few cuts and scratches than pay €500 to a garage for changing a bulb.

dodderangler

Simple. They're not mechanics. You'd be an idiot to ask them to change anything in a car

grogi

newacc2015 wrote: »

I can see where you are coming from. But on the other hand it is nice go to the local autoparts shop and pick up a headlight bulb for €4 and change it yourself within about 20 mins. I know someone who had xenons in their Renault, that had to be changed by the garage at €500 a bulb. I personally would live with a few cuts and scratches than pay €500 to a garage for changing a bulb.

What is different in buying a xenon "bulb" D1S or D2S and changing it yourself?

pablo128

grogi wrote: »

What is different in buying a xenon "bulb" D1S or D2S and changing it yourself?

You might not have the tools or ability. It would kill me to pay someone to change a bulb, but I have well over 20 years experience messing with cars, 11 of them a full time mechanic. I would still skin my knuckles at times changing bulbs. A 50 year old housewife wouldn't stand a chance.

beauf

Marcusm wrote: »

I probably wouldn't let them change my self levelling lights but my side lights regularly blow. Replacing them requires removing 6 screws and a panel and then getting tiny hands (which mine are not) into the space. They've always done it with good humour - the bulbs themselves are €3 or so.

You might have a wiring problem.

Marcusm

beauf wrote: »

You might have a wiring problem.

It's a Range Rover; I definitely have wiring problems!! Seriously though it''s only been 3 times in 5 years so I'm not that bothered. The dreaded bong as the sensor announces the problem many months before the bulb actually goes is more annoying. It's an issue with that car but one I'' more than happy to ignore.

beauf

Lol fair enough.

sunnysoutheast

Marcusm wrote: »

It's a Range Rover; I definitely have wiring problems!! Seriously though it''s only been 3 times in 5 years so I'm not that bothered. The dreaded bong as the sensor announces the problem many months before the bulb actually goes is more annoying. It's an issue with that car but one I'' more than happy to ignore.

Have you looked at the bulb housing?

My old A4 used to report all sorts of blown bulbs falsely but it turned out that the housing was cracked and was presumably going intermittently open circuit.

Supergurrier

It's all fun and games until you own a Renault designed car and you need to remove front bumper or a wheel and wheelarch lining.

JoeA3

Supergurrier wrote: »

It's all fun and games until you own a Renault designed car and you need to remove front bumper or a wheel and wheelarch lining.

Renault aren't alone in this regard... the bumper has to come off the MK7 Golf GTI/R if (unlikely hopefully) you ever need to replace a xenon bulb. Tossy on here had the same problem with his S3 recently.

Skylinehead

colm_mcm wrote: »

It's not just the washer bottle that gets in the way on cars now. Often the headlight overlaps into the wing a good bit so you really need to take the unit out to change a bulb. Not a big deal on a lot of cars but on my civic you need to take the grille and bumper off to get at the indicators. The rest you can get at handy enough without removing the whole lot.

I change the indicators through the wheel arch, not exactly easy but better than having to take the bumper off. Can you not do that on yours?

colm_mcm

Skylinehead wrote: »

I change the indicators through the wheel arch, not exactly easy but better than having to take the bumper off. Can you not do that on yours?

I probably can but I've had the bumper off so many times at this stage between changing the grille and changing fog light bulbs that it's probably nearly as quick!

CreepingDeath

I've a Honda Civic and got Halfords to change the front headlight. In fairness it was late/dark, but they snapped off a few retaining clips for the trim. So it doesn't fit nice and flush. But it turns out to be a nasty job, taking off the wheel trim and accessing the headlight from below.

colm_mcm

CreepingDeath wrote: »

I've a Honda Civic and got Halfords to change the front headlight. In fairness it was late/dark, but they snapped off a few retaining clips for the trim. So it doesn't fit nice and flush. But it turns out to be a nasty job, taking off the wheel trim and accessing the headlight from below.

What year?

ThisRegard

Supergurrier wrote: »

It's all fun and games until you own a Renault designed car and you need to remove front bumper or a wheel and wheelarch lining.

Nope, they learned their lesson and the current range is super easy to change, apart from the fogs.

grogi

ThisRegard wrote: »

Nope, they learned their lesson and the current range is super easy to change, apart from the fogs.

Isn't it the requirement for Type Approval in Europe now?

If you ever wondered if UE gave us anything useful

CreepingDeath

colm_mcm wrote: »

What year?

2007

colm_mcm

CreepingDeath wrote: »

2007

Far as I can remember you don't need to do anything more than taking out the battery to do the passenger side full beam. Both drivers side bulbs and the passenger side dipped beam can be done without any tools or messing. Pass side dipped is a bit fiddley but doable.

Walter2016

newacc2015 wrote: »

. I know someone who had xenons in their Renault, that had to be changed by the garage at €500 a bulb. I personally would live with a few cuts and scratches than pay €500 to a garage for changing a bulb.

Sorry, but I'm calling this post as complete and utter bullsh1t

Supergurrier

JoeA3 wrote: »

Renault aren't alone in this regard... the bumper has to come off the MK7 Golf GTI/R if (unlikely hopefully) you ever need to replace a xenon bulb. Tossy on here had the same problem with his S3 recently.

350z is the same

martinr5232

Walter2016 wrote:

Sorry, but I'm calling this post as complete and utter bullsh1t

Its not out of the question xenon bulb for my car is three hundred euro its a ford.

grogi

martinr5232 wrote: »

Its not out of the question xenon bulb for my car is three hundred euro its a ford.

What bulb is it?!

tossy

Audi wanted 217 plus vat for one bulb, got the same bulb on line for 50 lids.

theshaggyone

HID's (commonly called Xenons) need to be replaced in pairs, due to a fairly noticeable colour difference. As the "bulb" gets older, the gas burns a different colour. The cost of 1 of these can vary from €60 to €130, so double it and then add your labor on top of that. Some cars can be a right pig of a job so that charge (seeming a bit high) wouldnt be a million miles away. And for anyone wanting to change their own HID, be very careful. On start up, the ballast kicks out about 20,000 volts to create the arc. I personally either disconnect the headlights wiring loom, or remove the fuse before hand just to be safe.