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Clean headlights, mirrors and cameras: see better in the dark
A dirty headlight lights the road less well, a dirty mirror shows you less, and a dirty camera or radar sensor can stop working altogether. In the dark and in wet weather, dirt builds up on them quickly, so it is worth wiping them clean more often than you wash the whole car.
Why dirt affects visibility
Slush and salty sludge leave a film on the headlight that dims and scatters the light. A dim headlight lights up a shorter stretch of road, and scattered light can dazzle oncoming drivers.
Rear lights and brake lights also get dirty in winter, especially on estates and hatchbacks, where slush builds up at the back as you drive. So remember to wipe the rear of the car as well, not just the front.
Mirrors, cameras and radar sensors
Dried droplets and a film of dirt on the door mirrors make it harder to see, especially in the dark, when the lights of cars behind you scatter in the film. A parking camera lens is small, so a single splash of slush can blur the whole picture.
Parking sensors, lane assist and the radar for adaptive cruise control only work properly when there is no snow, ice or thick dirt in front of them. Many cars show a warning on the dashboard if a sensor is covered. Your owner's manual shows where the sensors are.
How to clean them properly
- Headlights: wet them first, then wipe with a soft cloth. On most cars the headlight lenses are plastic, and rubbing them dry or using an ice scraper will scratch them.
- Cameras: wipe with a clean, soft microfibre cloth. Do not use dry paper or a scraper.
- Mirrors: if your car has heated mirrors, let them melt the ice. Wipe off droplets and the film of dirt with a soft cloth.
- Radar and sensors: brush the snow and ice off them too, not just off the windows.
- Washer fluid: keep the reservoir full and use a frost-resistant fluid in winter. We can also fill the reservoir while you are here (Washer fluid top-up, €10–25). We have both winter and summer grade fluid.
We explain how to clean the inside and outside of the windscreen in our article on wiper streaks and misted windows.
When a headlight is cloudy even when clean
If a headlight still looks yellowish or milky after washing, dirt is not the problem. Plastic lenses turn cloudy with age and sunlight, and the cloudiness dims the light just as dirt does. Headlight lens repair (€60–80) fixes cloudy lenses.
If you can see moisture or condensation inside the light, that is a different fault, and it cannot be fixed from the surface of the lens. We can check the light and assess what can be done about it. We can also replace a blown bulb. These jobs cannot be booked online, so call 010 508 9300 or send a message.
Headlight alignment
If your headlights seem to point too low even when clean, or they dazzle oncoming drivers, the cause may be the headlight alignment. This cannot be booked with us online. Call 010 508 9300 and we will tell you whether we can help.
Clear up cloudy headlights
Headlight lens repair €60–80. Book online or call us.