Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Headlight safety is a huge deal—luckily, replacing a headlight bulb is a much easier process than, say, replacing an engine! If you’re up to the task, you can save yourself the mechanic bill and change the headlight bulb yourself. To change a
New headlight bulb (usually you can order or purchase one at an auto shop)
Latex or vinyl gloves
Basic tools
Before you get started, make sure your car is parked and off—engines, headlights, and all—and that your keys aren’t sitting in the ignition. Then,
Pop the hood: You’ll need to get inside the car before making any changes
Open the headlight assembly: You’ll find the back of your headlight assembly near your car’s battery
Disconnect the old lightbulb: You’ll have to remove the power cable and any wiring to the faulty bulb
Remove old lightbulb: Turn the bulb counterclockwise to detach it from the headlight assembly entirely
Attach your new lightbulb: Make sure you’re wearing gloves for this part! The bulb will go in the same place as the one you just removed—this time, twist it clockwise to lock it in place
Reattach wires
Test the headlight: This is the last step! Once everything’s reconnected, turn your car on and make sure the bulb works
All in all, the process shouldn’t take you more than an hour or two. You can also always consult your car’s owner’s manual for extra help regarding your specific vehicle.
Fixing simple problems like burnt-out headlight bulbs yourself can save you hundreds on maintenance bills—-and downloading the car insurance comparison app
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