The RAC has issued guidance on how to keep your headlights in tip top condition this winter using a common household item that could give amazing results
The RAC has offered guidance on how motorists can maintain their headlights in pristine condition during winter months. Given that December features the year’s shortest day, it becomes the most crucial period to ensure your lights remain as clear as possible.
Over time, headlights can lose their effectiveness compared to when they were first fitted. While replacing the entire unit remains one option, the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) has revealed there’s a far more economical approach to restoring your lights to their original condition – toothpaste.
Though this may appear an unusual automotive remedy, the roadside assistance organisation confirms that properly applied toothpaste can deliver impressive outcomes, reports the Express.
They stated: “Thanks to the abrasive elements of gritty toothpaste, it can gently wear away a surface layer of scrapes and scratches on your headlight casing.”
The RAC subsequently detailed the application process for using toothpaste on your vehicle. They advise using “the gritty kind” containing baking soda on the headlight lenses with a toothbrush until the toothpaste begins to “turn dirty, or start to discolour”.
When this happens, they suggest allowing it to dry before carefully rinsing it away “with a cloth and warm water”. Beyond toothpaste, the RAC has also suggested sandpaper, baking soda, white wine vinegar, or cola as affordable alternatives for effectively restoring headlight clarity.
However, should motorists lack confidence in tackling this automotive task themselves, the RAC provides reassurance that seeking professional assistance is perfectly acceptable.
They explained: “If you’re not so confident tackling cloudy headlights yourself or it seems too fiddly, you can always leave the job to a garage. The cost of restoration will vary depending on whether you need to replace a bulb, restore or replace the headlight unit, and the type of bulbs you need.”
This marks another instance of the RAC providing headlight-related guidance to motorists as the winter period continues.
The motoring organisation has also offered direction regarding fog light usage, equipment that should only be deployed during poor visibility conditions. For those uncertain about proper timing, they shared helpful guidance on Instagram with accompanying explanation about appropriate fog light deployment.
They stated: “You’re probably using your fog lights wrong, and it could cost you £1,000. According to the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), you should only switch your fog lights on when visibility drops below 100 metres.
“That’s about the length of a football pitch. If you can see further than that, your fog lights should be off, but research by eBay has found that 60% of drivers use their fog lights at the wrong time, and some even turn them on when visibility is well over 300 metres.
“If you get caught, you can face up to a £1,000 fine, and three points on your licence. And, if that’s not enough, almost a half of drivers admit that they use their full beam headlights when it gets dark, regardless of oncoming traffic, and other road users.
“Drivers not using their headlights properly is exactly why the RAC say that headlight glare is one of the biggest nighttime driving concerns, with one in four drivers telling us that they drive less at night due to other vehicles’ headlights being too bright.”
