May 17, 2020
Whether or not your exterior light bulbs are all working probably is not at the top of your list when you think about your vehicle. But those exterior lights are more important than you think, and they're vital to your safety and that of other drivers near you.
Headlights are important. Not only do they help you see safely down the road at night, they also help oncoming drivers know that the vehicle they're approaching is not a motorcycle. Both headlights should be working properly and aimed so that they don't blind other drivers.
Taillights are also important for a few reasons. They tell drivers what your intentions are (changing lanes, turning, stopping). So, the bulbs back there must be all in working order for maximum safety. Ditto for the front turn signal lights. They alert oncoming drivers to your lane changes or turns (if you use your turn signals!). Some side mirrors also have turn signal bulbs in them.
There are a few other important bulbs. You may not care about the ones that illuminate your rear license plate, for example. But they are there to help public safety forces identify your vehicle. In fact, in many municipalities you can be pulled over and ticketed if ANY of the standard lights are burned out. So not only does having all your exterior lights working improve your vehicle's safety, it may keep you from getting a ticket.
Many newer vehicles have a light on the instrument panel that will go on if on-board computers detect voltage problems in any of your vehicle's bulb circuits. Sometimes it can be hard to figure out which light may be not be working since there are so many. Sometimes it's simply a matter of replacing a bulb, but it may be an electrical problem causing the problem. Stay legal and safe by having your service repair facility diagnose and fix a non-working light, a really bright idea, don't you think?
Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy)
4353 Gunn Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
813-908-0438
http://www.tuffygunn.com
March 9, 2025
You've probably had your Check Engine Light go on. Then it goes off and you figure, hey, whatever the problem was, it's gone now and I don't have to worry about it. Well, the problem may have gone away and it may not have. Your vehicle likely has one of these warning lights on the instrument pa... More
March 2, 2025
Whether we're trying to save money, save gas or save the environment, most of us Tampa drivers have an interest in decreasing fuel consumption. We've all heard about ways to save money on gas in FL, but does it really add up to much? How much can we boost our fuel economy through preventive maint... More
February 23, 2025
You know you have an accelerator pedal; step on it and your vehicle is supposed to go. But did you know there is a part in your vehicle that keeps track of where the throttle is? It's called the Throttle Position Sensor, or TPS. The TPS is a sensor that helps your vehicle figure out the right mi... More