How To Perform A Simple Tail Light Replacement?

Answer 1

Imagine that you’re traveling down the road and a little warning light pops up. The warning light indicates that a tail light has burned out and needs replacement immediately. Your tail lights work to let other motorists see you during night time, as well as let them know you are stopping or signaling for a turn in both day and night. Keeping your tail lights in operating condition is very important not only for you, but for other motorists on the road.

Most people are never aware that they have a burned out tail light until either someone else points it out to them or they are pulled over by law enforcement officials and cited for malfunctioning safety equipment. Either way, it is best to handle a tail light replacement in order to maintain the safety of your car, as well as insuring the safety of your fellow motorists.

Finding what type of tail light bulbs you will need for your tail light replacement is the first step. You can simply go to your local auto parts store and ask the parts assistant the correct bulb for your vehicle. Normally you will have to furnish the year, make and model of your car. There is also a small booklet in the headlamp and tail light bulb aisle that can be used to find the correct bulb for your tail light replacement. This information may also be found in your owner’s manual.

The next step is installing your tail light. In many cases, you may have to remove a considerable amount of plastic and carpeting in order to reach the tail light assembly. Some assemblies may have a plastic socket that can be twisted out of the tail light for easier removal. Others may require the entire tail light assembly be removed in order to replace the bulbs. A Phillips head screwdriver may be needed for some of these assemblies, while a socket wrench is needed for others.

Installing the new tail lights is as easy as swapping out the burned out bulb for the new replacement, then fitting the assembly back in place, restoring the plastic panels and carpeting that was moved aside during the installation.