Essential Things To Know About Your Car's Tail Lights

Tail lights or tail lamps are part of the automotive lighting system that are attached in the front and back of the car, usually on the left and right sides. Different lights have different functions to offer while driving on road.

Tail lights are situated to the rear of the car and are usually red in colour. In many countries, the tail lights have been restricted to the colour red for many reasons, primarily being of safety. The red light has the highest wavelength among all the other colour lights in the spectrum and thus travels much further and is easily visible from long distances. This ensures maximum safety on road.

Although the shape and size vary with different make and model, but the composition of these lights is of three basic types only.

1. LED Lights - LED lights are used because they are durable, cost-effective, and use very little energy.
2. Xenon Lights - These lights have filament instead of electric arc and have very strong intensity.
3. Halogen Lights - Most common type of lights used in automotive lighting. The component of halogen lights doesn’t burn on high temperatures and produces sufficient light.

Major advantages and disadvantages of tail lights are mentioned below:

Advantages and Disadvantages of LED Tail Lights

Today, most of the vehicle manufacturers use LED lights over halogen because of many reasons. LED lights are cheaper, more durable and longer lasting as compared to other lights. Thus, note the following pros and cons of LED lighting before installing them in your vehicle:

1. Better Road Safety - LED lights provide increased safety while driving. LED lights are made of several light bulb system that emit an array of light, making it easier to spot the vehicle in the dark by other drivers that are following behind.
2. Energy Efficiency - LED lights use the minimum amount of energy to operate. Thus, they create less strain on car batteries. This provides the opportunity to the battery to last longer, thus, saving money.
3. Durability - LED lights are very durable and can last for more than 10 years. This is because they don’t have a filament that could break nor they produce a lot of heat. LED lights can also withstand harsh weather and off-road conditions easily.
4. Easy Installation - Installing an LED light is very easy and hardly requires any professional help. It is as easy as to remove the old LED and install the new one in place, in the socket.
5. High Initial Cost - The initial cost of LED is usually more that other lighting system, but they also last longer.
6. Complex Drive Circuit - LED light circuits are much more complex than the traditional tail lights. These can be so complex that you might need professional help to resolve any problem in the circuitry.

Overall, the advantages of LED lights are much more than the disadvantages. This is why, LEDs have become the go to lights for almost all vehicle manufacturers today.

The tail lights switch is wired with the headlight switch on one of the steering levers. Thus, they get automatically on when you switch on the headlights. Some vehicles also have automatic tail lights that are directly connected to the battery and get turned on when the car is started.

The tail light illuminates the rear end of the car which turns on automatically when the headlights are turned on. Many new car models have an automatic sensor which turns on the lights when it detects that the ambient brightness has dropped.

Following are the problems in association with the car tail lights:

1. Bad Tail Light Fuse - Faulty fuse is the primary reason for tail light failure. A fuse is a thin metal strip inside a plastic container that protects the electrical components from damages on high voltage input. The fuse thus breaks to protect the tail light bulbs.
2. Bad Tail Light Bulb - If the bulb is faulty, remove it from its socket and check the filament for breakage. Also check the bulb for proper illumination using an external battery and wiring. If the bulb in dim, it still needs replacement.
3. Socket Failure - A socket can fail due to corrosion or moisture in it. It can also be due to poor electrical connection at the back of the socket.
4. Worn Out Wiring - Electrical wiring and connections can wear out over a long period of time and might need replacement. Also check for proper electrical transmission through the wire, even if the connections seem to be fine on the outside.
5. Control Switch Failure - Another reason of the tail lights not turning on is the failed control switch and the car dashboard. Since in most of the cars, the control switch for the headlights and tail lights is the same, this can also cause headlights failure.
6. Faulty Ambient Light Sensor - In cars which have automatic tail lights, the light sensor may also fail due to which the tail lights will not turn on in the dark. The sensor can be dirty or could have gone completely bad and might need replacement.

Think about getting pulled over by a cop because of a $2 burnt out tail light. Or calling the insurance company because someone has bumped into the rear end of the car at night as he couldn’t see your vehicle due to malfunctioned tail lights. Both these scenarios could have been avoided if you had acted in time and replaced the faulty light bulb.

Following are the symptoms of a bad or failing tail light bulb. If you notice them, replace the faulty component as soon as possible.

1. Tail Lights Not Working When Switch is Activated - If the tail lights are not illuminating on engaging the headlight switch, it mostly means that the tail light bulb has burnt out and needs immediate replacement.
2. Brake Light Not Working - Tail light bulbs can also trigger the rear brake lights. This is an important feature which cannot malfunction under any circumstances. Thus, always check for faulty brake lights and replace them immediately. Sometimes it also happens that when you apply the brakes, the brake lights work but the tail lights get switched off. This happens usually due to a short in the tail lights electrical system. Always take the help of a professional mechanic to correct this problem.
3. Set Up Routine Service - Most people get the tail light bulbs replaced every other oil change, tire replacement or air conditioning service. A cracked tail light lens can also cause the bulb or the socket to malfunction and thus, might need immediate replacement.

There are a number of skilled auto mechanics who have a goal of opening their own car repair shop at some point in their career. But let’s face it; if you want to put up an efficient as well as profit making shop, then you might need much more than mechanical skills. There are a number of tools which you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliably. Auto repair equipment that you will need to repair your Tail Lights may include:

• Replacement tail lights
• Sockets
• Ratchet
• Screwdriver
• Gloves (if replacing bulbs)
• Trim removal tools

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some of the top brands for Tail Lights.

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop any auto part. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Tail Lights related parts.

• Stop Light
• Taillight Cover
• Bulbs
• Tail Light Guard
• Marker & Signal Lights
• Tail Light Bezels

More than any other kind of failure in a car, there's almost nothing that's quite as heartbreaking as a completely damaged Tail Lights. Now when we talk about the replacement cost, it might vary a lot even on the same car depending upon its performance, labor cost, brand etc.

If your tail lights area unit is broken or not illuminating, do not take your automotive to the mechanic! For a simple light or fuse replacement, you'll be able to fix your tail lights yourself for a fraction of the value. Thus, do not waste any time. Read and learn how to fix your automotive tail lights.

Assessing the Problem:

• Check for the condition of the fuse. Locate the fuse using the car manual and using a flashlight determine whether the fuse in blown or not.
• Check for the tail light wiring and connections. The wiring system can wear out with time and can also lead to short in the system.
• Check for faulty burn out tail light bulb. The light bulb can be accessed through the assembly unit and can be checked for functionality by checking the filament for breakage and damaged socket connections.
• Inspect the tail light lenses for cracks and breaks. Cracked lens exposes the bulb to dirt and moisture and reduces the life of the bulb. 

Using a Lens Repair Kit:

• Remove the tail light lens and repair the cracks using lens repair tape. You can also apply resin to fix the crack and make it waterproof again. Clean the lens with rubbing alcohol before applying the tape. Don’t use glass cleaner as the ammonia will not let the tape to stick.
• Repair the broken holes and spots with the lens repair resin. Mix the resin with the catalyst and colouring agent. Wear gloves before applying the resin to avoid getting it on your skin. Pour the resin using a syringe and let it cure for atleast 2 hours. Remove the tape and sand the surface to smoothen it.

Following are the steps to change a faulty tail lights:

• Disconnect the car battery.
• Open the trunk, hatch and tailgate to gain access to the tail lights. You might also need to remove the trunk mats, spare tires and storage trays.
• If you still don’t have a clear access to the tail lights, you may have to remove the access panel and plastic trim using a screwdriver and removing tool.
• Locate and remove all the old light bulbs from the holder and replace them with a new one wearing gloves. Use bulb grease to avoid corrosion and moisture from hampering the bulb.
• Remove the tail light assembly by removing the nuts retaining the lights to the car body.
• Reinstall the assembly in place and tighten the bolts using a ratchet. Handle the connectors and light lens carefully and do not crack them.
• Place bulb holder in correct location. Reinstall the trim/carpet/panel and close the trunk/hatch/tailgate.
• Reconnect the battery terminals and check for proper operations of the bulbs.