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November 18, 2022

5 Simple Steps to Putting a New Bulb in Place

If you find yourself with a busted headlight, you’re left with two options: Either you take it to an auto shop to have the light replaced with a new one or you replace it yourself. Unless you don’t mind spending hundreds of dollars to get it fixed by a professional, you might want to learn how to do it on your own. Trust us, it’s not that complicated!

Changing a headlight is one of the easiest car maintenance procedures anyone can do. Depending on the installation of your headlight, it can take you from 15 minutes to an hour to finish.

Veteran Car Donations is here to walk you through the process of replacing your headlights. But before we do that, let’s talk about your safety first. You need to follow the following precautionary measures:

  • Fix your car on a flat surface. You don’t want it rolling away or, worse, rolling over you as you’re working. Yikes!
  • Disconnect the battery. Do this if you’re working on your car’s electrical system. The chances of you getting electrocuted are high if you don’t.
  • Never use your bare hands to handle the glass bulbs. The lights can shatter at high temperatures if your skin is oily.

 

What You’ll Need

To replace your headlights, you should have the following tools ready:

  • Replacement bulb/s (refer to your owner’s manual to determine what bulb is suitable for your car)
  • Screwdriver
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Small socket set
  • Flashlight
  • Gloves

Again, make sure that you work on a flat surface, like your driveway, garage, or parking lot. If you’re thinking of doing it while your car is parked on the side of a street, you should check your local laws first if that’s allowed by the authorities.

 

Here’s How to Replace Your Headlights

Ready to take our short headlight replacement course? Let’s dive in!

  • Step 1: Turn off your car.

It’s also a good idea to let it sit for a while to cool down if you’ve just driven it.

  • Step 2: Open the engine compartment.

Pop the hood and find the headlight holder near the front of your vehicle.

  • Step 3: Disconnect the lamp connections.

Your lamp connections are located just behind your headlights. While many models allow you to simply disconnect them and replace the bulb, some require you to remove certain parts such as the air filter housing or battery to reach the headlight. If that’s the case, it might be best to have a mechanic do the work for you.

  • Step 4: Unscrew the defective headlight.

Removing the headlight is just as easy as unscrewing a broken light bulb. With your gloved hands, disconnect it gently from its harness. Then, place it aside for later disposal.

  • Step 5: Insert the new headlight bulb.

Once you’ve completely unscrewed the faulty bulb, plug in the new unit. Be careful not to squeeze the bulb area or touch it with a bare hand. Reinstall the headlight assembly into the back of the housing and then reconnect the battery. 

Now that you have a new bulb in place, you can enjoy driving your car with ease at night once again!

 

Repurpose Your Unwanted Car for the Benefit of Needy Vets

If headlights are not the only parts that are defective and need to be replaced in your car, if the repairs will put a big hole in your pocket that you can’t afford, you might as well let go of that vehicle.

How about repurposing it into a tool for uplifting the lives of the struggling veterans in your community? You can do that by handing over that vehicle to us at Veteran Car Donations.

Our team will have your car fixed before selling it through an auction. We’ll then hand over the proceeds to reputable military and veteran nonprofit organizations that are in partnership with us. Like us, these IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are dedicated to helping former U.S. service members who are homeless, unable to find decent jobs, and suffering from disabilities and serious illnesses, including mental health issues.

Our nonprofit partners use the funding we give them to provide deserving veterans with housing and financial assistance, family support, employment and livelihood opportunities, free comprehensive health care and medical treatment, psychotherapy services, educational scholarships, and many other benefits.

The good thing about donating a vehicle to Veteran Car Donations is that you’ll get amply rewarded for doing so. Not only will you get our free pickup and towing service wherever you are in the country, but you’ll also qualify to receive the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season. 

That’s not all. The best reward you’ll get is the immense feeling of satisfaction, knowing that your gift will help improve the living conditions of the disadvantaged and neglected veterans in your community.

You can donate not just your old car but any other type of unwanted vehicle that you may have. Check out this list of the different types of vehicles we commonly accept from our donors.

You can check out our FAQs page to get to know our quick and convenient donation process and other important information you might want to know. If you have questions and concerns, feel free to call us through our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822 or write to us here.

 

Make a Difference in the Lives of Our Heroes Today!

If giving back to our nation’s heroes is something you’ve always wanted to do, we’re here to provide you with that opportunity. Bring them the good news by donating any vehicle you can spare to Veteran Car Donations. Call 877-594-5822 or fill out our secure online donation form now!

 

Last Updated: August 24th, 2023

Veteran Car Donations operates in all 50 states.

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Or call (877) 594-5822!