replace your headlight bulbs with 5 easy steps

1. Locate the bulb

Most modern vehicles feature composite headlamp assemblies with an access area built in to the rear for changing bulbs. Open the hood and locate the back of your headlight assembly. There will typically be a small cover piece that needs to be removed in order to get to the bulb holder. The cover piece may have wiring attached directly to it. (Check vehicle owner's manual for specific details if needed.)

2. Remove the cover piece and wiring harness from the bulb holder

Remove the cover piece and wiring harness from the bulb holder. After removing the cover piece, unplug the wiring assembly from the bulb carefully. The harness is usually held on with a metal or plastic clip.

Be careful! not to break the clip or you may have trouble reattaching the harness later.

3. Remove the bulb

Once the wiring harness has been unplugged from the bulb and moved to the side, a small metal spring clip that secures the bulb in place must also be released and/or moved to the side. Many spring clips made of metal or plastic release with a squeezing action against two ends. The bulb itself can now be removed from the headlamp assembly – usually after a small amount of rotation.

4. Install the new bulb

When installing your new bulb, do not touch the glass of the bulb with your bare hands. Oils on your skin can create hotspots on the glass, causing the bulb to burn out prematurely. Carefully install the new bulb in the headlamp assembly then re-attach the clip, wiring harness, and cover piece.

5. Repeat for the second side

Repeat these steps to replace the other headlight bulb. Replacing both bulbs is always recommended to avoid differences in brightness, even if only one bulb is burned out.