How to Change a Brake Light at Home

Your car’s brake lights get a lot of use every time you’re out and about in High Point. Eventually, one of your brake light bulbs might burn out. When this happens, you have one less light to communicate with other drivers on the road, so you should replace any burned out bulbs as soon as possible. Fortunately, learning how to change a brake light is pretty simple! Of course, our service department would be glad to take care of this quick task for you. But, if you’d prefer to take care of it in your own driveway, we’ll tell you how in the guide below.

How to Replace a Brake Light in Three Steps

The below instructions for how to replace a brake light will apply to most vehicles on the road in Winston Salem. However, we always suggest checking your owner’s manual before performing any manner of maintenance by yourself. 

1. Purchase the correct bulb: Older vehicles may use a traditional incandescent bulb in their brake lights, while some newer vehicles use LED bulbs. In any case, you will need to check your owner’s manual to learn what bulb size and voltage to look for.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the tail light cover: Using a Phillips-head screwdriver, carefully remove the colored housing for the brake lights. Place the cover somewhere safe so it doesn’t break. 
3. Install the new bulb: We recommend rubbing some dielectric grease on the base of the bulb to prevent corrosion and rust. In the future, this will also make it easier to unscrew the bulb. Gently screw the bulb into place. Once it’s secure, you may put the tail light cover back into place with your screwdriver.

Check Your Tail Lights to Keep Yourself Safe 

Your tail lights are the primary form of communication with other drivers on the road in Kernersville. Any time you’re slowing down or stopping, turning, or reversing, your tail lights alert other drivers so they can react appropriately. If one of your tail lights is out, the drivers behind you might not see that you’re about to turn or change lanes. Or, a fellow driver might not know that your car is in reverse and you’re about to back out of a parking space. Tail lights keep you and other drivers safe, which is why you’re liable to get a fix-it ticket if you don’t replace a burned out bulb. 

Often, you’ll have no clue that one of your tail lights is out until someone tells you. So, get a friend or family member to help you test your lights on occasion. Have them stand a safe distance from your car while you sequence through your brake lights, reverse lights, and turn signals. 

Visit Us for a Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection

When you visit us for service, we offer a multi-point vehicle inspection so you can find out sooner than later if one of your tail lights is out. Schedule your next appointment or contact us for more information.