As everyday wear and tear affects your car, you're bound to run into some brake light problems. If it's not caused by an accident, the problem could be in the circuitry or in the bulbs themselves. The most common reason for brake light failure has to do with a light bulb that needs replacing. It's important to take care of these malfunctions quickly because while each state's policies might vary in severity, they all have laws that pertain to broken taillights.
Locate the screws on your tail light covers. For some cars, you can just use a Phillips head screwdriver to pop the cover off. There will be some vehicles that have the screws in the cover itself. With some compact cars, you'll find the screws in the trunk.
Decide which screwdriver you'll need, a Phillips head or a flat head. Remove the tail light cover screws by turning the screwdriver counterclockwise.
Locate which of the brake light bulbs is failing by testing the brakes. You can then unscrew the dead bulb counterclockwise. Sometimes, all of your bulbs will need replacing.
Make sure you have a replacement bulb that not only fits your model but also has the correct wattage. Check the owner's manual for your car to find out the specific bulb for your make and model. Replace the bulb, or bulbs, by screwing them in clockwise. Test the brake lights to make sure you don't need to replace any other bulb.
Replace the tail light cover by either popping it back into place, or using the screwdriver to reinstall the screws in a clockwise direction.
