how to independently maintain your carhow to independently maintain your car

Someone yells at you at a stop sign that your brake lights aren't working. It's something that needs to be taken care of quickly and you can likely do it yourself. Here are the steps for fixing the common light problems in your car.

Some Guidelines to Help Identify the Problem

The two components that make your lights work are the light bulb and the fuse. Every light is connected to a fuse. Some of your lights, such as the brake lights, work in pairs connected to one fuse. An easy guide to troubleshooting a light problem is

• If a pair of lights isn't working, such as the brake lights, the problem is likely a fuse.
• If one light isn't working, it's likely a bulb.

It would be rare for both of your brake light bulbs to be burned out at the same time, but not impossible. Use these guidelines as a start, then tackle the unlikely scenarios.

Replacing a Fuse

If you think you have a fuse problem, the fix is the same for all light pairs:

1. Make sure the car is off when working with the fuses.
2. Find the fuse box usually located in the glove compartment or on the driver's side of the dashboard on the end. In older cars, it may be under the hood.
3. Find the section in the car's owners manual that describes the fuses in the fuse box. Each system will be associated with a numbered fuse in the box.
4. The fuse box may also contain spare fuses (unless they have all been used).
5. Find the fuse related to the light pair that is not functioning and pull it out.
6. Insert an identical replacement fuse.
7. Turn the car on and try the lights.
8. As soon as you can, get a replacement fuse at an auto parts store so you always have an extra one available.

Replacing a Bulb

If you determine the bulb is the problem, you'll need to get a replacement light bulb from an auto parts store. Ask the clerk to help as each make and model of car uses different bulb styles. Once you have the replacement bulb, follow these steps to replace the light.

Headlights, Front Turn Signals

1. Open the engine hood and find the light assembly at the front of the car.
2. The light bulb sits in a connector which is screwed into the light assembly.
3. Push the connector in slightly while turning it counterclockwise to loosen it.
4. Pull the connector out of the light assembly.
5. Pull the old bulb out of the connector and push the new one in until you feel it click into place.
6. Insert the connector into the light assembly, push slightly and turn clockwise until you feel it click back into place.

Brake Lights, Tail Lights, Rear Turn Signals

1. Open the trunk and find the light assemblies at the rear of the car.
2. Remove any protective cover that is over the lights.
3. Find the connector for the bulb you wish to replace.
4. Push the connector in slightly while turning it counterclockwise to loosen it.
5. Pull the connector out of the light assembly.
6. Pull the old bulb out of the connector and push the new one in until you feel it click into place.
7. Insert the connector into the light assembly, push slightly and turn clockwise until you feel it click into place.

As you can see, replacing the light bulbs is similar for all of the lights in your car. There are some problems you may encounter that will require the help of an auto repair shop:

• The connector is corroded and won't come out of the light assembly.
• The headlights in some luxury cars don't have a bulb and require replacing the entire assembly.
• The problem is a broken wire on the connector and it needs to be replaced.

If you face any problems like this, or have issues with a bulb replacement, contact a local shop.