Foggy Headlights

[marvinp]

On my current car (2000 Honda Civic Coupe), the headlights became foggy after a while. I was wondering how I can prevent that from happening on my 135i. Do you guys have any tips? Or will cleaning the car regularly (how often is good?) prevent the headlights from becoming foggy? Thanks!

[Lester]

Moisture is getting inside. Don't take them apart is a good way to prevent moisture from getting in. If you have to take them apart, to put a new bulb in, do it on a warm, dry day.

[BaNaNaBoy69]

Do you mean your headlights became foggy due to condensation or the lens material became foggy/translucent?

If it is due to condensation, then your headlamp seal or gasket has failed, allowing moisture to enter the housing causing it to fog up just like your bathroom mirrors after a hot shower/bath. In this case, you need to replace the gasket or re-seal the housing with the proper sealant. You may also experience a dirty film coating the inside of the housing if left unresolved, kind of like limescale build-up on a coffee maker carafe, due to the evaporation of the moisture during hot headlamp use leaving behind the dirt.

If it is due to the lens material changing over time, I can only see this happening on a clear plastic headlight lens as a glass lens is less likey to fog up due to its durability and easier to maintain. You must take care to wash any plastic parts as what you use to wash your car may be abrasive and over time and the build up of fine scratches can appear as a fogged up lens. It is also possible to discolour or damage clear plastic parts when using chemicals to clean these parts. Use only recommended cleaners for these parts.

So which one is it?

[larryn]

FYI, I had a headlight replaced under warranty for fogging up on the inside. It was a faulty gasket, and they do not just replace the cover or gasket.

[marvinp]

So which one is it?

It's on the outside due to the lens material changing over time. Are the 135i's headlights glass or plastic?

[larryn]

Originally Posted by marvinp

It's on the outside due to the lens material changing over time. Are the 135i's headlights glass or plastic?

They're plastic in North America. Just get some headlight polish.

[lib]

You essentially need to protect them from the elements. There's a number of products that should work (some waxes, clear-bras, etc).

[marvinp]

Originally Posted by lib

You essentially need to protect them from the elements. There's a number of products that should work (some waxes, clear-bras, etc).

I was thinking getting a clear bra for the headlights would be perfect, but I found this post from a certified 3M clear film installer that a clear bra on the headlights voids your warranty if you have Xenon headlights

Originally Posted by HallsMARS

I only install headlamp protection if the head lamps are not the Xenon lights (Voids warranty on the head lamps according to my local BMW dealership if protection is installed on Xenon lights).

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...6&postcount=18

I guess I'll just have to stick to headlight polish.

[SV Concepts III]

Bring it to the dealer, I had this issue on my passenger side headlight and they replaced the headlight under warranty.

[cagekicker]

that's lesser car problems!

[BaNaNaBoy69]

Originally Posted by marvinp

It's on the outside due to the lens material changing over time. Are the 135i's headlights glass or plastic?

Most newer BMWs have a clear plastic lens over the headlamp assembly.

On a new vehicle I would recommend clear plastic film to protect it from the elements or chemicals.

On an older vehicle, either replace it if it's not expensive or else you could use Meguire's PlastX clear plastic/vinyl cleaner/conditioner. I've used this on my old Mazda Miata that had a clear vinyl rear window which had fine scratches built up over time causing it to look not as clear. If the plastic has hazed or looks milky, then the plastic may have chemically changed and must be replaced.