By chidi
•
March 30, 2025
Whether or not your exterior light bulbs are all working correctly is not at the top of your list when you think about your vehicle. But those exterior lights are more important than you think, and they're vital to your safety and that of other drivers near you. Headlights are important. Not only do they help you see safely down the road at night, but they also help oncoming drivers know that the vehicle they're approaching is not a motorcycle. Both headlights should be working correctly and aimed so that they don't blind other drivers. Taillights are also crucial for a few reasons. They inform drivers of your intentions (such as changing lanes, turning, or stopping). Therefore, the bulbs in the back must be in working order for maximum safety, and the same applies to the front turn signal lights. They alert oncoming drivers to your lane changes or turns (if you use your turn signals!). Some side mirrors also contain turn signal bulbs. There are a few other essential bulbs. You may not care about the ones that illuminate your rear license plate, for example. However, they are there to assist public safety forces in identifying your vehicle. In fact, in many municipalities, you can be pulled over and ticketed if ANY of the standard lights are burned out. So, not only does having all your exterior lights working improve your vehicle's safety, but it may also keep you from getting a ticket. Many newer vehicles have a light on the instrument panel that will go on if onboard computers detect voltage problems in any of your vehicle's bulb circuits. Sometimes, it can be hard to figure out which light may not be working since there are so many. Sometimes, it's simply a matter of replacing a bulb, but it may be an electrical problem causing the problem. Stay legal and safe by having your service repair facility diagnose and fix a non-working light. It's a bright idea.