BULB CHANGING
Why replace your cars bulbs?
Ensuring your vehicle's lights are working correctly is critical for your own safety and also other road users as it allows you to be able to see and help others to see you.
A blown bulb will also result in an MOT failure, so make sure you check your lights before taking your vehicle in for its annual MOT test.
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To have visibility when driving at night.
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To help others see you when driving at night.
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To give advance warning to other motorists about which way you are going.
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To stay legal when driving.
How to check your car bulbs
Checking that your vehicle's lights are in good operational condition should form part of your regular vehicle maintenance check. Headlamps should be cleaned and the dirt should be removed to provide an optimum light output when driving. When driving in wintry conditions, you should clean any snow off your lights before starting your journey so that other drivers can see you clearly.
Ask a friend or partner to help you check brake lights and indicator lights by observing the lights while you apply the brake pedal and indicators respectively.
When I should replace my car bulbs?
It’s not always immediately obvious when your car's bulbs blow, but here are some signs your bulbs might need replacing:
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If visibility seems poor or other road users flash their lights at you, check your bulbs are operating correctly as they may be trying to warn you about bulb failure.
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If you can hear one of your indicators blinking faster than usual, it means there is a fault or the indicator bulb has blown. You should try to rectify this as soon as possible as other road users won’t be able to see you turning.
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Replace your bulbs in pairs. If a bulb has blown and it is one of a pair of lights replacing both will give consistent light output.
Replacing blown car bulbs can be a fiddly business, particularly on some vehicle models where the bulb housing is located in close proximity to other engine components. Pop into your nearest First Stop Centre where our experienced fitters would be able to supply replacement bulbs suitable for your vehicle, align and fit these for you, saving you time and trouble.