How to change headlights

Working headlights are essential for driving any car safely, but they occasionally go out.

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page. It's worse than running at night with one eye closed: You've lost the illumination from one of your headlights. Either a bulb has burned out or a minor accident has claimed the lens, reflector, or perhaps the lamp's entire housing. Besides the obvious danger, there is also the risk of a citation, not to mention the possible gouge from a repair shop's hourly rate. But you can handle the situation yourself, saving precious greenbacks while feeling the warm glow of accomplishment by replacing a broken headlight yourself.

How to change headlights

Progressive Logo Progressive. However, you may need a replacement headlight if you have an older car. We asked Ganther how to replace a headlight yourself and when to seek out a professional. Begin by determining if the problem is with a faulty lightbulb or a dead fuse. If both lights are out, then you may have blown a fuse. The two most common methods for installing and removing headlights are the twist-and-lock and spring clip systems. You can identify a twist-and-lock headlight by looking for metal tabs along the outside of the adapter or off to one side that line up. A spring clip headlight typically has five or six spring clips evenly spaced around the perimeter that hold the headlight glass into the headlight ring. Then follow these steps to change the headlight yourself:. If both of your headlights are out, you may need to replace the fuse instead of your headlight. Founded in , Progressive is the third largest personal car insurer in the U.

Founded inProgressive is the third largest personal car insurer in the U.

Many of you have probably wondered how easy it is to change a car headlight bulb. Well, it really depends on the make, model and age of your car. Or bulbs, because we always recommend replacing your bulbs in pairs for safety, convenience and cost-efficiency. Finding the right replacement bulbs is easy. The next step is to locate the headlight under your bonnet and remove its cover. There will usually be three power wires attached to the base of the bulb and the bulb will be held in place with some kind of locking mechanism.

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page. It's worse than running at night with one eye closed: You've lost the illumination from one of your headlights. Either a bulb has burned out or a minor accident has claimed the lens, reflector, or perhaps the lamp's entire housing. Besides the obvious danger, there is also the risk of a citation, not to mention the possible gouge from a repair shop's hourly rate. But you can handle the situation yourself, saving precious greenbacks while feeling the warm glow of accomplishment by replacing a broken headlight yourself. We at Car and Driver know you can. Here's how to do it.

How to change headlights

Working headlights are essential for driving any car safely, but they occasionally go out. Knowing how to change a headlight and what to look for when the front of your car goes dark can help you quickly remedy the problem. Determining the cause of a headlight issue begins simply by observing. There are usually three wires attached to the base of the lightbulb. Push down the clip or cap holding them in place. Every car is different, Zullo cautions. Sometimes the battery or the air filter housing is in the way and sometimes you have to take the inner fender out and get behind it. This means seeing how the bulb is locked in and carefully unlocking it. Gently screw in the new bulb without touching the glass of the bulb; oil and dirt on your hands can cause the bulb to burst once it heats up. Close the hood of your car.

3 pines episodes

In some cases, the bumper cover may need to be removed and that is an entirely different skillset. What is the Debt Snowball Method? What is a credit score? Reassemble in reverse order. How to change headlights On the Road 4 min read. What is a low-mileage used vehicle? Did you know that with the Halfords Motoring Club you can save money on the likes of bulbs, wiper blades and batteries? Steps to Change a Halogen Bulb in a Vehicle Like the lightbulbs in your home, the bulbs inside your vehicle will go out eventually. These plastic components are exposed to heat all the time and can become frustratingly brittle. Determining the cause of a headlight issue begins simply by observing. How to check if your car is leaking. Cleaning can be a hassle and time-consuming, but the end result — a clean house — is definitely worth it. Benefits of driving a hatchback Putting a down payment on a used vehicle What the check engine light means Used SUVs with the best fuel economy What to do with your Christmas tree near Tampa Bay, FL Is there a best month to buy a vehicle?

.

The changes in temperature can impact the lightbulb filament, which is very delicate. Besides the obvious danger, there is also the risk of a citation, not to mention the possible gouge from a repair shop's hourly rate. With the new bulb in place, your headlights should once again be as good as new, and you can once again enjoy driving your car day or night. Some vehicles require some preliminary steps before you can extract the bulb the YouTube video you watched before should help with this. What kind of maintenance do I need to do for my car? This is much more gentle than your thumb, Popeye. Besides age, extreme cold or heat can also cause headlights to burn out. Install the fasteners that hold the housing to the vehicle, and plug in all electrical connections. What are the Signs of a Failing Transmission? This can cause it to break. However, you may need a replacement headlight if you have an older car. Progressive Logo Progressive. This consent does not require me to buy anything. Step 5: Install the new bulb Reverse the previous steps to install your new bulb. Unfortunately, in some cases for example, versions of the Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu, and Toyota Camry , the front bumper fascia must be loosened or removed to reach the housing's fasteners.