Replacing a Tail Light

Before replacing a tailing light on your car or truck, you need to collect all the items that you are going to need for the job. Most of these items that you are going to need are located around the home, and if not then you can simply get them from any local auto parts store. To begin, you are going to need soft cleaning cloths or rags, rubber gloves (you are going to be working with electricity, so safety is important), a complete screwdriver set and automotive light bulbs. If you don't know what kind of light bulbs to get for your car, simply ask the clerk of any auto parts store. As long as you know the year, make and model of your car you are well on your way to being able to get any part you need. Once you have all these parts, you are ready to begin.

1. Remove cover. The first step is to remove the cover over tail light. It could be either the rear light assembly, or as simple as a covered hatch in the trunk of the car. For the entire assembly types, you simply remove the screws that are holding it in. This is the reason for the complete screwdriver set. Some models use the straight edge and others use a Philips screw. Whichever it is set aside the screws in one location so you don't lose them. If it is a hatch in the trunk, just look for a plastic cover near where the light assembly is located. It could be kept closed with knobs, tabs or screws, so which ever it is open the cover being sure that you don't lose anything.
2. Remove bulb. Once the cover has been removed, you are ready to remove the light bulb. Most likely you just need to push in and twist, and it should pop right out.
3. Clean connection. After you have removed the bulb, take your cleaning cloths and put them to use. Clean the socket and the metal around the area around it. You don't often get a chance to clean this part of the car, most people simply forget about it. Cleaning it out like this is going to help ensure that you have a good connection as well as ensuring that the bulb puts out as bright of a light as possible.
4. Replace bulb/cover. Now, after you have cleaned out the light assembly it is time to replace the light bulb. Simply push in and twist at the same time. Be sure that you are gentle so that you don't break the bulb and hurt yourself. Now, put everything back together again. Just do the reverse of the earlier step, and you are going to be fine. Make sure that you don't have any "leftover bits" as you should have everything back to where it belongs.
5. Test. Once everything has been replaced, have a friend of family member step behind the car to be your testing partner. Step on the brakes a few times, and while your foot is on the brake, place the car into reverse. This is going to test all the various lights on the assembly to make sure that they are all working.