In general a torx or so called 'star screwdriver' is used. In other instances you might only need a standard or philip's head screwdriver. The process is relatively straightforward so long as you have a user manual.
You will need rubber gloves, your new lights, and a screwdriver. You also will want to make sure you have a safe place to change it out and maybe someone along with you who can test it for you when you are done.
You will need to remove the tail light covers in the cargo compartment. Remove the wiring harness. Remove the tail light assembly retaining bolts.
You only Need A Light For Street Use
Then you need to replace it. Tail lights can burn out at different times. Aside from being dangerous, you can receive a traffic citation for a missing tail light.
To replace a tail light on a Toyota Echo, you will first need to access the tail light assembly from inside the trunk. Locate the back of the tail light assembly and remove any screws or fasteners holding it in place. Carefully disconnect the electrical connector, then remove the old tail light. Install the new tail light by reversing these steps, making sure to securely fasten the assembly and reconnect the electrical connector.
5007LL
You open the trunk and remove the plastic wingnut screw on the backside of the tail light and replace the bulb and put the nut back on...very easily done without tools...
Generally, dash lights and tail lights are on the same fuse so that if the tail fuse blows you'll know. When the tail light was "smashed", it shorted out the circuit and blew the fuse. You need to fix the tail light before you can get the dash lights to work.
to replace tail light, you need to lower the tailgate> On the side of the bed that is covered by the closed tail gate are a couple of screws.Remove these screws and the tail light assembly can be removed.
NICOclub.com has a nice description on how to remove your tail lamps. Nissanclub.com is another website with very useful information as well. Essentially with simple hand tools it is a 5 minute job to remove the tail light assembly from your 08 Altima.
First, open the gate to the truck box. There will be 2 screws that need to be taken out for each tail light, located where the truck box gate latch catches the sides of the truck box on each side of the vehicle and about 5 inches below the latch connection. After removing the 4 screws, the tail light covers can be removed by gently pulling toward the back of the vehicle. The tail light covers are connected to the truck, so be careful not to break any connections or wires. When the tail lights covers are loose, twist to unlock each tail light housing from the tail light cover. Pull out the tail light from its socket, replace with a new bulb, lock the tail light housing and socket in to the tail light cover. Finally, put the tail light cover back into place and replace both of the screws which secure the tail light cover into its housing.
In order to replace the rear window tail light you need to get into the truck. Once inside the trunk look to the top of the trunk and look at where the screws are for the rear tail light. Unscrew them and the entire housing for the light will pop off.