I'll ask in here as nobody looks in electrical.

The wife has been badgering me to change a blown brake light bulb in her car. Went in Halfrauds for a new one and they only seem to sell them in pairs and on the packet it says change both. Does anyone bother? Just change the one and keep the other for spare?

I can just about understand it with headlight bulbs, don't want one dim one and one bright one, but indicator bulbs?

 

Probably fitted at the same time, so same age, same use.
Might as well do it. Especially if it's not an easy change. I swapped out all my dash lights when one went.

 

I always fit in pairs.

 

Just because they are both the same age don't meen they will go at the same time. Some times one bulb will out live 2. I would just keep the other one as a spear that way you won't get caught out.

You never know one of the new bulbs may go in quick time and you'd wish you hadn't thrown the old (working) one out

Except for headlights.

 

Depends...I'd look at the bulb to see if the filament show signs of age...i.e coils have fused together or the filament looks "dirty" (re-deposited tungsten) or filament is drooping/sagging between the supporst, or there is any blackening on the glass. If so, I'd replace and chuck the old bulb.

If the bulb looks ok, keep it.

 

chris jt: you use bulbs as spears?

 

Not to sure what you mean but I will give it a go.

Not at the moment but in the past I have had sets of spear bulbs in the car in case I get caught out. I have also bought a set of two bulbs but only needed one (not unlike the guy that started this thread) and just put the other bulb (the spear) in the glove box.

Hope this answers your question.

 

Spares

 

I like to keep a spear in the glove box, a short handled one.

 

oh......well don't I feel stupid now.

O.k... I've thought of some excuses.

a). My tablet learns how you do things so when you make a mistake a few times it thinks that you want the same word again.

b). I have to take a LOT of morphine 3 times a day due to my health and I had just had some so was a bit high.

I like excuses b) the most so let me know what you think and if you don't like either then I will think of some way to blame my wife maybe.

 

Buy the pair, fit the pair - keep the 'good' removed bulb as an 'emergency' replacement spare.

 

Nah, I'm just going to fit the one, fitting both involves undoing three more screws, unplugging a connector, undoing some plastic clips and then the reverse once the bulb is fitted. Probably break something in the process

 

Oh, and a LOL regarding the "spears"

No good blaming your morphine addiction either

 

I replace pairs, I don't want the hassle of finding out the next one goes a week after and have to repeat all over again.

Secondly, and most importantly. They are called lamps, not bulbs. Bulbs grow in the ground, lamps go in lighting

 

I just replace singles, local place sells em for £1 for 1 or summit silly price wise

 

 

I would cut down on the drugs if you are struggling to stay awake

 

Doctors orders, sorry.