What is the Reverse Light Bulb all about?

Reverse lights are an important safety feature on modern vehicles. They exist at the back of your car, and light up when you put your transmission in reverse. This alerts motorists and pedestrians around you that your car will be moving in reverse, and helps your surroundings be more aware of what your vehicle is going to do.

Keep in mind:

If your reverse lights aren’t working, you may not have a bad light bulb, but instead the issue could be a blown fuse.

Our recommendation:

There is no preemptive care for light bulbs, so it’s important to check them from time to time to make sure they’re still working. It’s a good idea to check all of your vehicle’s lights about once a month. Since your reverse light bulbs only light up when your car is in reverse, it can be difficult to check if they’re working unless you have a helping hand. You can check the reverse light bulbs yourself by turning the ignition to “on” (but not turning the engine on), and putting the car in reverse. You can then get out of the vehicle without it moving, and check to see if your lights are working.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Reverse Light Bulb?

Reverse light bulbs don’t light up when vehicle is in reverse.

How important is this service?

Reverse lights exist solely as a safety feature. When you put your vehicle in reverse, the reverse light switch turns on the reverse light bulbs. These bulbs let your surroundings, such as pedestrians and other drivers, know that you’re about to drive in reverse. When your reverse light bulbs stop working, your surroundings won’t have any visual cues that you’re about to reverse. This not only makes your vehicle less safe, but is also illegal in many states.