Date: 18 Jun 2004 20:35:36 GMT From: Dave Hinz <DaveHinznospamcop.net> Subject: Re: Replacing headlight lamp in 2000 9-5
On Fri, 18 Jun 2004 22:26:26 +0200, Mark Gerritsma <usenetnospamtmfweb.nld> wrote: > This question may not be as idiotic as it seems in the first place. The last > decade car designers have constantly lowered the car fronts to improve > aerodynamics, while the engineers have added more and more stuff under the > bonnet. All this stuff needs space decreasing the space you have to access > the headlight to replace the bulb. And yet, on a Saab it's still right there, no problems, no tools, no removing parts of the car to get to it. > On a VW Golf you need to remove the battery to replace a headlamp. On a VW > new Beetle you essentially need to remove the entire headlight unit to be > able to replace the lamp. Try doing that at night in rainy conditions > without the proper tools and proper lighting. Sounds like the sort of thing to look into before buying a car, then. > Some regulation requiring easy access for lamp replacement wouldn't be a bad > idea. I can't believe the number of cars I see every day having a broken > headlight. Otherwise we may end up with cars you have to take to the shop to > have a headlight replaced. Regulation as an answer? That's insane. Market forces, that's the way to do it. The same dumbass engineer that comes up with "You have to lower an engine mount to get the last spark plug out" (Ford Bronco 2 with the V6, among probably many others) is also going to make the bulbs hard to get to - if not the same person, the same engineering priorities. I think Saab is (still) very good in the servicability department. They don't have dozens of models, and they take the time to do intelligent things like putting the fluids, fuses, and other "user" items in reachable places. It's not that difficult to do, but it takes a bit of effort. If VW is making it hard to change lightbulbs, I bet the oil filter, fuses, power steering fluid, or other things are probably a bear to get at as well. It all depends on engineering priorities. If it's "Well, the engine is (dimensions), so let's shoehorn it into an existing engine bay", you'll get filters you can't reach, drain plugs above support members, and all those other inconveniences. Saab is pretty good about those, almost always. Dave Hinz
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