An embarrassing question regarding replacing xenon bulbs

Only had the car 9 months and well I was thinking that when one of my bulbs does go in the future would I simple go to Halfords to by a new pair for an Audi? Are they relatively simple to replace if so?

Out of interest what is the standard colour? For a s line 8v 4300 or 5000k?

Thanks

 

You'll be shocked to learn that the approved method for replacing the xenon bulbs involves removing the entire front bumper!

 

Yep - certainly wouldn't go for Halfords for this !!

 

You may be pleased to hear that I have had three A3's with xenon headlights, each for just under 3 years and never had a bulb go in any of them.

 

Another silly question from me now haha... Am I right in assuming if the bulb would need a replacement and you take it to Audi they would charge one hours labour and obviously for the bulb so you could be looking at anything up to £150 for a bulb replacement or is that me be ridiculous?

 

"Remember children, there are no silly questions . . . just silly people" - Mr Garrison, South Park Elementary

 

bulb lasted just over 2 years and the dealer took 2 days to replace the bulb because they had to remove the front bumper...

 

Had my R32 nearly 9 years and never had one go

 

Xenon bulbs are covered under your manufacturers warranty as they are seen as a lifetime bulb.

 

Getting lots of different views here. I'm shocked to find it's a bumper off job.

Is this really how you're supposed to change the bulbs?

 

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/xenon-bulb-change-front-bumper-removal.295196/

Removing the front section of the wheelarch liner could be another way to get to the rear of the lamp unit.

 

Can't believe what a ball ache this is!

 

The theory is that the Xenon light units should last the life of the car and should not need changing like ordinary bulbs.

The wording in the latest Owner's Manual says "LED and xenon lights are maintenance free and cannot be changed. For repairs, please contact a qualified workshop." The manual shows how to change the other bulbs but not the main headlight units.

 

I have just had a look in the Warranty section on the Audi UK website and it says:
Light bulbs (Xenon/gas discharge bulbs and LED’s are covered for the full warranty offered with the vehicle)

 

Mines out of warranty now. Fingers crossed!

 

They may be warrantied, but they do have a limited life - in the region of 1000-1500 hours. This is much better than halogen headlights which are in the 250 hour region (150 if you get uprated bulbs like "nightbreakers").

LEDs should be in the region of 10,000 to 20,000 hours- but the technology is still too new to prove this.

 

Especially when you consider the carrying a bulb pack when travelling abroad nonsense. I'd love to see a someone do one of these babies roadside!!!.

 

That's a point... I presume there's an exemption for LEDs from this law?

 

I suppose thy could argue that the bulb kit should contain all the normal bulbs but not xenon and LED headlights. In the UK if you were driving with only one headlight working the police could issue a notice to get it sorted within a specified timescale and then go to a police station to have it checked. Personally I would not fancy the idea of changing any bulbs on an A3 'by the roadside' and would almost certainly not have the necessary tools in the car.

 

Very contradictory advise from the two main bodies you initially would think would get this right. RAC you must carry bulbs & AA no mention of them!?! -





I suppose you could argue that a Xenon & LED are neither incandescent lamps in the traditional sense of what a light bulb is & therefore don't form part of the 'bulb kit'?.

 

I always carry a spare bulb kit in the car which has all the 'normal' bulbs in it but obviously no headlight units. Fortunately I've never had to use it.

I have needed the Hi-Vis vests and warning triangle when I had a puncture on the autobahn just as a crossed from Holland in to Germany. Sat on the hard shoulder for a while waiting for the ADAC (via Audi Assistance) to come and change the wheel for me.

 

OP I wouldn't worry about it particularly: it's rare for one to go at all. I'm on 5 years with my A3 and so far I've lost a grand total of one of the two number plate lights.

 

The car comes with the warning triangle, first aid kit and hi vis jacket so no problems there. All the lights on my car are LED now so probably not too much you can do about that, don't need a GB sticker if you have the Euro style numberplate with GB on it, and don't need headlight beam converters with the LEDs or Xenons anyway. Just the breathalysers needed really and you're sorted!

 

Not sure about LED headlights, but the xenon on my a3 can be set for European driving using the MMI and using the setting 'Lights for driving on right'. According to the manual LED headlights are suitable for driving on either side of the road.
I can remember with my earlier A3s having to move a lever on the back of the halogen headlights to change them for European driving. When I first had xenon headlights I used to change them using VCDS.

 

Just to revive an old tread, the same bulb just went again, I won't mention the haldex and the manifold flap code (p2014) that has just caused the engine check light to come on, I'm really loving the Audi reliability ...