Why Your Car Tail Lights Are Important
What Functions do my Car Tail Lights Provide?
The tail lights of your vehicle are often taken for granted unless they fail and an accident occurs. The safety benefits of tail lights are manifold. The red lights on the back of your vehicle indicate many driving functions to prevent confusion and to alert other motorists of your intents. They indicate braking, turning, the shape and position of the vehicle, and that there is an emergency when your hazard lights are illuminated. When you are driving in the fog, tail lights are especially important for providing the key visibility that prevents accidents in overcast weather.
What Are the Electrical Elements of a Tail Light?
Your tail lights automatically turn on anytime that you have the headlights illuminated. They are connected to a relay on the same circuit to ensure that you do not forget to turn them all on individually. Fuses protect them from the damage of electrical shorts. The housing of tail lights is often made of reflective materials that magnify the intensity of the Halogen, LED, or Xenon bulbs encased within the assembly. The Xenon bulbs provide a more intense light for increased visibility and safety. Halogen bulbs are the most ubiquitous form of tail light bulbs that can be found in older vehicles.
Where Do I Purchase Parts When Tail Lights Fail?
When you need car tail lights in Miami, PartsMax is the premier source for all your automotive needs. PartsMax stocks a broad selection of car tail lights in Miami for most makes and models. Tail lights often fail because the metal retainers for the bulbs corrode. The plastic housing can also crack, dull, or oxidize over time. The seals can deteriorate and allow water to leak into the housing.
It is particularly dangerous to overlook broken car tail lights in Miami. The torrential rains from tropical storms here can flood the vehicle and short out electrical components. The salty atmosphere can also lead to corrosion if you live near the ocean. Some vehicles will alert owners when a tail light is burnt out. In many Ford vehicles, if a turn signal is broken, the relay will make a rapid clicking noise when any turn signal is activated to alert drivers that there is a problem.
Testing Your Tail Lights
In order to test your tail light bulbs, you will often need a helper to see whether the lights are working. It is best to test your tail lights in the night when they will be easier to see. The tail lights should brighten when you step on the brakes and always remain on when the headlights are illuminated.
Performing a visual check of your tail lights for cracks, dry rotted seals, and leaks is critical to maintaining the long-term value of your auto. Oxidation is difficult to correct and usually requires replacement of the tail lights for the best assurance and safety.
Replacing Tail Light Bulbs
Most tail light bulbs can easily be removed by unclipping the electrical pigtail wiring and carefully removing it from the bulb. The bulb base usually twists free or is easily removed from the metal contact housing. When replacing the bulbs, you must ensure that you do not touch the new bulbs with your bare hands. The natural oils on your skin are enough to create hotspots when the bulb is on, reducing the lifespan.
Replacing Tail Light Assemblies
The fittings for the tail light assemblies that hold them in place are typically hidden behind the trunk interior material liner. The fabric is usually lifted out of place to expose a couple of 10mm nuts that need to be removed before you can access the assembly. You may have to remove the backing plate of the assembly in a similar manner to replace the bulbs on some models. The old assembly should pop right out when all the retaining nuts are removed. The new assembly is positioned into place and bolted snuggly into position in the opposite manner.