Got a light out on your car or truck? If it’s a tail light or headlight, chances are that you may be pulled over by a police officer soon and given a warning requiring you to fix it. One solution is to drop it off at your local car repair shop and have the bulb replaced by a mechanic but there is another option – you could do it yourself. Today most automotive lights are easy to replace. Generally a single tool, a phillips head screwdriver, is all that is needed but sometimes no tools at all are necessary. Here’s a step-by-step procedure that applies to most vehicles:
First verify that a light isn’t working. Of course, headlights are easy, just turn them on and look for high and low beam operation. Turn signals and taillights are easy too. For parking brakes and backup lights, you might need someone to stand behind the vehicle while you operate them and verify that they work.
Most light assemblies on today’s cars are designed to be easily accessed and the bulbs replaced. Usually this just requires unsnapping some plastic clips, unscrewing a plastic thumbscrew or using a phillips screwdriver to remove a retaining screw. If you are unsure how to do this on your model car, consult your owner’s manual or see if there is a Youtube video covering it. Chances are that you will find some sort of video either made professionally or by an owner that shows how it’s done.
Most bulbs can be removed by just twisting them in their housings. Here’s how: depending on where the bulb is located, either open the hood or trunk, and locate the rear of the light housing.
Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise, as far as possible, and pull it out. At this point you can inspect the bulb and see if it’s burned out. If the filament is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced. Note that there are usually two filaments — one for the low beam and one for the high beam – in the headlight bulbs and only one is generally burned out. If your car has separate lights for high and low beams, then there will only be one filament inside each bulb.
You can obtain replacement bulbs from a number of places. You can find them at your local dealer, at most auto parts stores, and on-line. Some retailers will often offer upgraded more powerful lights for a modest amount extra. If you need additional help, generally the fellows at auto parts stores will come out to your car and give you a hand.
Source: http://www.anthonygurnee.com/replacing-automotive-lights