Bulbs die; it’s an inevitable part of their life. Many modern cars have a way of informing you when one of your exterior bulbs dies. Some might do so with the infotainment system or dashboard cluster, but one of the most popular ways is the fast-paced blinker sound you hear when you use a turn signal. It indicates that the car’s turn signal light system is using less power than it should — often meaning a bulb is dead.
Non-headlight exterior bulbs are an underrated but important driving safety feature. They are there to keep your driving predictable so other drivers can anticipate your next move. For example, brake lights tell others when you’re stopping, and turn signals tell drivers you’re about to make a turn. So, we’ve inserted them into our list of things you should check after every 1,000 miles.
When inspecting your car for dead bulbs, turn it on and use the hazard lights. Walk around the car to see if all the bulbs are blinking. Then, get a friend to press the brakes while in park to see if the brake lights are all working. Next, inspect the reverse light or backup lights by asking them to put the gear in Reverse. Don’t forget to check if your license plate lights are also working. Finally, and most importantly, check if all the levels of your headlights, side marker lights, and foglights are working properly.
