These days, headlight bulbs are lasting longer and longer. But that’s no guarantee that you won’t someday find yourself with a burned out headlight. When this happens, it’s imperative that you get it taken care of quickly – being on the road with only one headlight isn’t only dangerous, but it can also cost you time and money if you’re pulled over and cited. Fortunately, you don’t have to lay claim to any advanced auto repair skills to change your car’s headlight bulb. All you need is a little resolve and a few minutes of time. The steps below will show you how to change your car’s headlight yourself.
1) Lift your hood. This will save you an awful lot of time you might otherwise spend staring at the front grill of your car trying to figure out how the heck that bulb got in there in the first place. Once you’ve got the hood lifted and safely secured, peek into the space immediately opposite your burned out bulb. You’ll be able to identify the right area by looking for three wires leading to it.
2) Unplug the power connector. You can accomplish this simply by studying the assembly that’s keeping your headlight rig in place. More than likely you’ll see a plastic catch, clip, or other screw-on device that you’ll have to disengage before you’re able to unplug the wiring.
3) Remove the bulb. Once you’ve got the wires unplugged, the bulb mount should be easy to pull out. Be aware that on some models you might have to turn the mount counter clockwise before you can remove it. If it gives you any resistance, don’t force it.
4) Find a matching bulb. Most of the time, you can figure out exactly what kind of bulb you need by visiting an auto parts seller and telling the friendly chap behind the counter exactly what kind of vehicle you drive. But if you haven’t taken this step yet or want to make absolutely certain, bring the burned out bulb with you to find an exact match.
5) Clean the new bulb before installation. Believe it or not, a bulb’s longevity can be severely impacted by the oils on your skin, so it’s important to give it a good cleaning after you’ve handled it to make sure you don’t have to replace it again too soon. Although it’s recommended to clean the bulb with an alcohol wipe, using a clean paper towel will do the trick.
6) Set the bulb back in place in your vehicle’s assembly in the same position it was in when you first removed it.
7) Reconnect the wiring and replace any metal clips or plastic catches to ensure the assembly is securely in place.
That’s all there is to it. When you’re done, test your handiwork by turning on your headlights. Don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back – you just saved yourself a chunk of change and a slice of time changing your car’s headlights by yourself. For those times you do need certified mechanic for major repair work, start with Openbay. Compare quotes and book with ease from top repair shops in your area.
