...just after a service - the driver's side fog light has failed!

 

I had just a couple of items to ask them to look at on its first variable service yesterday. The heated seat base has given up, and there are issues with 'zinc inclusions' on the lower part of the driver's door. Nothing else had gone wrong in nearly 19,000 miles other than a split wiper blade. Turned into my road just now and noticed an orange light on the dash. My first thought it was the DPF warning, but on checking the manual found it was the bulb failure light. Checked round the car, and side lights, main & dipped, indicators & brake lights all fine. That only left the fogs, which I hadn't used since September - except for, as I then realised, the cornering function! Turning right into my road had blown the bulb.

 

I can see the process for swapping it in the manual - is this easy to get to? It does describe the task as do it yourself.

 

I looked at the spare bulb kit at the dealers yesterday and thought I really should get one, but forgot to ask before I left - another 'Typical'

The bulb is a H7 and is fairly easy to do, but small hands are a bonus!

 

And you should have got a message in the Maxidot saying which bulb it was.

If you buy the bulb from the dealer they should fit it for free or so the radio ads I hear say

The bulb is a H7 and is fairly easy to do, but small hands are a bonus!

 

And you should have got a message in the Maxidot saying which bulb it was.

 

Thanks Graham.

 

Bulb out okay, though it needed a set of needle-nose pliers. I have small hands but couldn't get enough purchase on the bulb. I got the message when I turned on the ignition, but it didn't show last night. It's also in the vehicle status section of the maxidot, so I know for next time.

 

I can find *lots* of bulbs that appear to match the spec, from under £1.50 to over £40, and I presume they should be replaced in pairs (or I might get different light outputs from them). These look reasonable http://www.amazon.co.uk/Osram-Ultra-64210ULT-Headlight-Bulbs/dp/B003A68QN4 or does anyone have any recommendations?

Those Osrams are good bulbs, but personally I'd probably go for their Nightbreaker ones, although as we don't use fog lights that much I doubt if the extra brightness of the Nightbreakers is needed.

Agree about replacing both, which ever you fit.

Martin

I suggest the brightness of bulbs does not vary over time until they fail. However if you are upgrading to nightbreakers you must do both. I concur with Graham's choice.

Martin

I suggest the brightness of bulbs does not vary over time until they fail. However if you are upgrading to nightbreakers you must do both. I concur with Graham's choice.

 

It was more a case of just about every bulb claiming to be x% better than standard bulbs, and no bulbs claimed to be standard. The few times (twice, from memory) I've used the front fogs in earnest the output has been fine, so I'll stick with the long life Osrams. The cornering fog function means they obviously get quite a bit of use, so I'd rather fit & forget!

...and today the left hand fog light gave up, just pulling out of work's car park. Now I know what to do it was quite straightforward. The output from the replacement was just the same as the original, so I only changed the faulty bulb last year, leaving me a spare to swap straight away.

 

In another bit of deja vu I think the drivers heated seat has given up again, having used it this morning for the first time this season. Oddly enough I've also had a reminder from the dealer to book the car in for an annual service, even though it's on variable and not due for another six months/7K miles.

Dealer always does that for my work car.

I just ignore their texts and calls.

...and today the left hand fog light gave up, just pulling out of work's car park. Now I know what to do it was quite straightforward. 

 

Yup. Just wait 'til the next time you turn left slowly with the lights on and it will magically restore itself!

Interesting the mention of `Zinc Inclusions` we had our Yeti in last year ( 12 months old) and had all four doors painted, here we are 12 months on and back again! Yeti goes in on Monday to D M Keiths to have the doors painted yet again! Will I need to book it in for next year as well!