You’ll know it’s time to change a headlight when you notice:

• One side is dimmer or completely out
  
• A flashing or flickering beam
  
• A warning light on the dashboard
  
• Drivers reporting reduced nighttime visibility
  
  

In fleet operations, ignoring these signs can lead to safety violations, increased accident risk, and downtime during inspections.

Step 1: Turn Off the Vehicle

• Always switch off the engine and remove the keys.
  
• This keeps you safe from live wires and moving parts.
  
  

Step 2: Open the Hood

• Pop the hood and locate the headlight housing.
• Depending on your vehicle, it may be right in front or slightly tucked behind other components.

Step 3: Disconnect the Wires

• Find the wires connected to the back of the headlight.
  
• Press the tab or clip and gently pull them off.
  
  

Step 4: Remove the Old Bulb

• Twist or unclip the bulb from the socket.
  
• Be careful with the locking tabs; if they break, you may need to replace the entire housing.
  
  

Step 5: Install the New Bulb

• Put on gloves so oils from your hands don’t damage the bulb.
  
• Insert the new bulb into the socket and lock it in place.
  
• Reconnect the wires and close the headlight housing.
  
  

Pro Tip: Always replace bulbs in pairs. If one has burned out, the other is usually close behind. This keeps light output balanced and saves another trip back under the hood.

• Touching the bulb glass: Oils from your skin can cause the bulb to overheat and fail early.
  
• Forcing the socket or clip: If it feels stuck, check the locking tab, don’t yank.  
• Replacing only one bulb: Uneven lighting can confuse drivers and reduce visibility.

• Keep a stock of the most common bulb types in your workshop.
  
• Track replacement intervals in your fleet software.
  
• Train drivers to report dim or burnt-out lights right away.
• Combine headlight checks with regular inspections to save time.