The Honda Accord is one of the most popular cars on the market with more than 20,000 vehicles sold every month in the United States. If you’re the proud owner of one of these sedans, there are some basic maintenance tasks you will have to perform to keep it running properly.
One of the most common repair projects is headlight replacement, which is something you can easily do by shopping at an auto parts store that uses VIN lookup to ensure the proper match, according to Auto Zone. Here’s a handy step-by-step guide on how to replace your headlight and turn signal bulbs:
1. Gather your replacement parts.
Before you start, you’ll need to buy the proper headlight bulbs from your auto parts store. If you’re doing this because one of the lights is burned out, you should only drive in the daylight to avoid an unsafe situation.
When you make your shopping list, test both the high and low beams because there are different bulbs for each setting. Once you have figured out which parts are not working, let the sales associate use your VIN number to figure out the right replacement components.
2. Get under the hood.
Once you’re back from the store, park the car in a well-lit area and open the hood. If you need additional illumination, use the flashlight on your cell phone or hang a work light on the hood’s underside.
Locate the sockets for the high and low beams on each side, which are on the back of the headlight assemblies. The Accord’s design provides easy access to the bulbs, so you shouldn’t need any additional knowledge to learn how to replace headlight bulb components in your car.
3. Remove the old bulb.
Replacing a car headlight bulb is not the same as changing bulbs around your house. Road conditions create significant vibrations and bumps, which is why there’s a clip holding the power connector to the bulb’s backside.
Use a flat-head screwdriver to disengage the tab on the clip and pull it away. Give the bulb a gentle counter-clockwise quarter-turn and pull it straight out.
4. Install the new bulb.
With the old bulb removed, it is time to install the replacement, but put on a pair of gloves first. If your bare fingers touch the special glass used in the bulb’s construction, the oil in your skin could create a weak spot that causes premature failure.
Work in reverse from the removal step, reattach the power connector and close the hood. Check your work by testing the high and low beams again before you head out on the road.
If you’re going to replace one of your headlight bulbs, you may want to consider replacing them all while you are under the hood. While this guide is geared towards the Honda Accord, other cars sometimes require the removal of other components that make it a more difficult project. If you have everything open already, you might as well switch everything out in one fell swoop.
Now you know how to change the headlight bulbs in your Honda Accord, you’re ready to tackle this important maintenance task. When purchasing replacement components, make sure you only buy from a reputable store.
CONAN Daily 