Tail lights are there to improve visibility and lower the risk of accidents caused, which make it one of the things to check before hitting the road. Driving without these lights is a huge risk, especially in bad weather. Not to mention, it is illegal in the UAE to drive a car without functioning backlights. Therefore, you should go for tail light replacement as soon as you notice any fault.
That said, changing your car’s tail lights isn’t too difficult or time-consuming. With the right tools and knowledge, you can do it on your own. However, it is always best to seek professional help for any repair that requires knowledge of electric wiring. If you think you have the right tools and skills, here is a quick guide to help you replace your car’s taillights. DIY Tail Light Replacement
How to change tail light bulbs
If you decide to do it yourself and it is your first time changing the tail lights of a car, then you need to follow these rules:
1. Be careful and work safely
Since you will be handling wires and light bulbs, make sure you do so carefully. This includes disconnecting the battery of the car before starting. This will keep you from unexpected shocks. Reach the tail lights via the rear hatch or the trunk. Make sure you are working in a well-lit place or have someone holding a flashlight for you to see clearly. Move the layers of carpet or padding until the back of the tail lights is visible to you. A few cars have a panel that must be removed, for which a screwdriver will help.
2. Remove the Bulb Holders
The next step is to remove the bulb holders from the back of the lamp. Moving it clockwise will undo the holders. The purpose of removing the holders is to check their wiring. Now you can remove the bulbs from the holders with ease. Be careful while removing the damaged tail light bulbs, especially if they are broken, to not cut yourself by mistake. This step is required if only the bulbs are damaged.
Once you have removed the bulbs, replace them with the new ones after donning a pair of gloves. The purpose of gloves is to keep the bulbs clean to ensure longevity.
3. Remove the Assembly
In case the entire tail light assembly is broken, you will have to replace it. A tail light assembly is a collection of lights mounted as an assemblage at the back of a car. It contains brake lights as well. After removing the bulb holder, you will have to take out the rest of the assembly as well if it is damaged. You just need to loosen the nuts, and the assembly will slide out. It is recommended to use oil or grease on nuts for smooth removal.
4. Install the new tail light assembly
Take the new tail light assembly and put it back into place and hand-tighten all the bolts. Now use a ratchet to tighten the assembly further but be careful not to damage the plastic housing. Install the bulb holders to their proper place, a task made easy by most manufacturers as they make the bulb holders a size different from the brake lights, so you assemble them the right way only.
Replace the carpet and panel trim as required and close the hatch. Reconnect the battery.
Test Out the New Tail Lights
You have now changes your car tail lights. However, the job is not complete yet. Do not just drive off after tail lights replacement. Always turn them on and check if they are properly working. If they do not light up when you switch them on, retrace your steps and make sure you have done everything to the book.
Tail Light Fines in the UAE
Car lights are important for safe and legal driving in the UAE. Therefore, driving with broken tail lights is a serious offence and results in fine and other penalties in the UAE.
Fines in Abu Dhabi: The fine for driving any vehicle with a broken rear light is AED 200.
Fines in Dubai and other emirates: AED 400 and 2 black points for light vehicles and AED 500 and 4 black points for trailer container.
Tail Light Replacement Cost
The taillight replacement cost depends on a few things, such as the car’s brand and model. If you hire professional auto repair services, the overall cost may be slightly higher than DIY tail light replacement. In the latter, you only have to take care of buying the assembly. The tail lights cost somewhere between AED 200 and AED 700. However, the rear lights cost is higher for luxury cars, especially the ones with LED bulbs.
For reasonable rates, convenience and a wide variety, you can buy car lights online as well.
FAQS
How long do tail lights last?
Some tail light bulbs, such as incandescent ones, can last for up to five or six years. However, the average life expectancy of LED bulbs is 12 years.
How long does it take to replace a car’s tail lights?
If you are a beginner and not particularly skillful at handling such jobs, it might take an hour or two but never more than that. Once you get familiar with the process, you will find it is a fairly simple task and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.
This concludes our guide on how to change the car tail lights. Replacing them requires you to invest in quality tail lights and then follow the procedure carefully. Alternatively, you can opt to visit an auto service shop to get it done. In addition to always taking care of your car tail lights, also look out for other car safety features for a secure road experience.
For more information on car repairing and auto parts, stay tuned to the UAE’s best cars blog.
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