Check Your Vehicle Lights - Headlight, Indicator and Brake

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Check your lights

Scientists recently discovered that lights have an uncanny ability to dispel darkness and draw the eye. Interestingly, however, this phenomenon only occurs when they’re switched to the ‘On’ state, and they functioning correctly.

Usually some busy-body will tell you when one of your lights isn’t working properly. (These days, everyone thinks they’re a scientist.) You may even notice it yourself. Some common signs of faulty lights include:

Your indicator flasher on the instrument panel is flashing too fast, too slow or not at all

People keep running into you from behind (ignore this sign if driving in Sydney, as it’s probably unrelated to your brake lights)

You can’t see when you’re driving at night

If you notice one of these signs, you should check your lights, as follows. Note that all of these procedures are much easier if you have someone to check your lights while you turn them on and off. (Much more fun too, as you can tell them to check the left blinker while you turn on the right, and vice versa. Hilarity ensues.)

IMPORTANT: You should avoid driving if any of your lights are not working. It’s dangerous.

To check your indicators

1 Turn the ignition key to ‘Ancillaries’ or ‘On’ (not ‘Start’).

2 Switch the right indicator on.

3 Saunter like John Wayne to the rear of the vehicle and make sure the right indicator is blinking.

4 Saunter back to the front of the vehicle (this time like Clint Eastwood) and make sure the right indicator is blinking.

5 Repeat for the left indicator.

6 If one of your indicators isn’t working (but it the flasher IS working on your instrument panel), your indicator globe may be blown. If it’s a rear indicator, you can remove it fairly easily, via the boot / rear compartment. Once removed, take it to your local AHG Service Centre, and they’ll supply you with a replacement of the right sort. If it’s a front indicator, it’ll probably be a bit more difficult to remove. You may need to bring it in to your local AHG Service Centre. TIP: Tell them your globe fluid is running low. They’ll know what to do.

To check your headlights / high beam / fog lights

1 Turn the ignition key to ‘Ancillaries’ or ‘On’ (not ‘Start’).

2 Switch the headlights on.

3 Do a robot walk to the front of the vehicle and make sure the headlights are on.

4 If one of your headlights is out, its globe may be blown. If they’re both out, it's likely that there’s an electrical fault.

5 If it looks like it’s electrical, you should probably call your local AHG Service Centre; electrical faults are usually caused by tiny little elves who hide inside the dash, and need to be coaxed out by a professional. (As soon as you mention elves, they’ll know what to do.)

6 If it looks like a blown globe, check your manual to see how tricky it looks to replace. If you think it looks easy enough, knock yourself out! If not, call your local AHG Service Centre and ask for help.

7 Repeat for high beam and fog lights.

To check your tail lights

1 Tail Lights Turn the ignition key to ‘Ancillaries’ or ‘On’ (not ‘Start’).

2Switch the headlights on.

3 Walk like a pirate to the rear of the vehicle and make sure the tail lights are on.

4 If one of your tail lights is out, its globe may be blown. You should be able to remove it fairly easily, via the boot / rear compartment. Once removed, take it to your local AHG Service Centre, and they’ll supply you with a replacement of the right sort.

5 If they’re both out, it likely there’s an electrical fault, in which case you should call your local AHG Service Centre (those pesky little elves again).

6 Repeat for high beam and fog lights.

To check your brake lights

1 Back your car up to a window or other reflective surface.

2 Turn the ignition key to ‘Ancillaries’ or ‘On’ (not ‘Start’).

3 Put your foot on the brake pedal.

4 Look at the reflection to see if the brake lights came on. (If you don’t have a reflective surface handy, you can try running to the rear of the car after putting your foot on the brake. But you’ll have to be really quick… Or you might simply ask someone to watch the brake light while you put your foot on the brake. Not quite as elegant a solution, but effective nonetheless.)

5 If one of your brake lights is out, its globe may be blown. You should be able to remove it fairly easily, via the boot / rear compartment. Once removed, take it to your local AHG Service Centre, and they’ll supply you with a replacement of the right sort.

6 If they’re both out, it likely there’s an electrical fault, in which case you should call your local AHG Service Centre.