Replace a Tail, Brake or Reverse Light
It is very important that you replace burnt out vehicle lights immediately. Tail, brake and reverse lights are crucial safety items that allow other vehicles on the road to view and interpret your vehicle's movements. Vehicle owners can save themselves money, and a trip to the dealership or service station, by replacing exterior vehicle lights at home. In fact, replacing tail, brake or reverse lights is a do-it-yourself process that can be completed with a bit of time and effort. Read the article below to learn how to replace a tail, brake or reverse light.
Steps
- Review the vehicle's owner's manual in order to determine how to properly access the malfunctioning bulb. You may need to remove a lens cover or, if there are no visible screws on the lens cover, you may be required to use the vehicle's trunk as the point of access.
- Expose and remove the burnt out bulb.
- Remove the lens cover screws with a screwdriver and lift off the lens cover.
- Gently turn the broken bulb in order to extract it from its socket.
Trunk access
- Remove the interior panel in the vehicle's trunk.
- Remove the broken bulb by its socket.
- Acquire the appropriate replacement bulb from a local auto parts retailer. Select the correct bulb that corresponds to your vehicle's make and model. Bring the burnt out bulb with you to ensure the correct replacement bulb is purchased.
- Check the socket for the presence of corrosion. If necessary, wipe the socket out with a clean, dry rag to remove any traces of rust or debris.
- Install the replacement bulb by screwing it firmly into the proper socket.
- Replace the lens cover or access panel as required.
- Test and ensure that all vehicle lights are working prior to operating the vehicle.
Tips
- The standard taillight and brake light are typically contained in the same bulb.
Things You'll Need
- Vehicle's owner's manual
- Screwdriver
- Replacement bulb
- Rag
