Rear lights: our selection to replace them

2021-08-18T13:55:27.515Z

Not only mandatory, but also essential, the rear lights allow a driver to be visible to other users in

Recognizable by their red color, the

rear lights

allow you to perform multiple actions on the road. Their primary role, as rear position lights, is to illuminate a vehicle backwards up to 150 meters without dazzling motorists or pedestrians. They should be used in low light conditions and in dimly lit areas such as tunnels. The rear lights also act as brake lights and can indicate an intention to slow down to other road users. They also have reversing and rear fog lights, one of which is compulsory for each type of light. Finally, they are used to indicate a direction thanks to their indicators.

The Highway Code has made the presence of two or three brake lights compulsory on all motor vehicles which must emit a non-dazzling red light.

For safety reasons, failure of the rear lights constitutes a 3rd class contravention.

Prepare to receive a fine of 68 € if you have not already paid the 45 € on the spot.

It can go up to 135 € in case of abusive and dangerous use for others.

The police can even go so far as to immobilize your vehicle.

To prevent this incident from happening, Le Guide Shopping Le Parisien has compiled a selection of the best bulbs for taillights.

Reliable and durable, they will ensure your safety and that of other users.

Our selection :

Osram Ultra Life P21 / 5W bulb

Philips Vision bulb P21 / 5W

Michelin 008781 P21 / 5W bulb

Bosch Pure Light P21 / 5W bulb

Bosch Longlife Daytime P21 / 5W bulb

What is the role of your taillights?

Rear position lights

The role of these rear lights is to indicate the presence of a vehicle to other users.

They must be used in case of poor visibility and bad weather.

Stop lights

Stop lights are used to indicate an intention to slow down to other road users.

Unlike the rear position lights, their lighting is not permanent.

The third brake light located at the top of the rear windshield is now mandatory on all new cars.

Rear fog lights

Rear fog lights should be used in fog or snowfall.

They serve to improve the visibility of other users in difficult weather conditions.

However, they are prohibited in the rain because of their glare.

These taillights are recognizable by their orange symbol oriented to the right and cut by a vertical wave.

A single rear fog light located on the left side is mandatory.

Reversing lights

The reversing lights are used to indicate to other users that a driver is performing a reversing maneuver.

They are also used to illuminate the parking area.

These taillights may be one or two.

Direction indicator lights

The purpose of the direction indicator lights is to indicate an intention to turn left or right.

These rear lights also act as hazard lights.

How do car tail lights work?

Rear position lights

Car taillights come on when a driver manually activates their low beam headlights.

Some vehicles benefit from automatic switching on of the front and rear lights in the event of darkness.

Stop lights

The brake lights come on when a user presses the brake pedal of his vehicle.

Rear fog lights

The rear fog lights are activated manually with a thumbwheel usually located near the turn signal switch.

Reversing lights

The reversing lights come on when a user engages their vehicle in reverse.

Direction indicator lights

The direction indicator lights are triggered independently when the user activates his turn signal to the left or to the right.

These taillights come on at the same time when the hazard warning lights are activated.

What type of tail light should you choose for your vehicle?

The most common tail light bulb is the P21 / 5W.

It uses a 15mm diameter BAY15d base with offset lugs.

Thanks to its two filaments, it illuminates the rear light as well as the brake light.

There are a total of 3 types of rear lights:

The halogen bulb is the most common light source on a vehicle.
It is recognizable at the front of the vehicle by its yellow light beam.
The LED bulb has the particularity of consuming less energy and having a longer lifespan than a halogen tail light.
It is recognizable at the front of the vehicle by its white light beam.
The xenon bulb is powerful and precise.
It offers a much higher light intensity than a halogen bulb, but consumes more energy.
Its light beam is slightly bluish at the front of the vehicle.

How do I change my taillights?

Changing taillights: nothing could be simpler

Since changing the tail light bulb is a relatively straightforward task, there is no need to go to a professional garage.

This intervention will be beneficial for your wallet and will save you maintenance time.

It is strongly recommended that you change all the rear light bulbs at the same time to extend their life.

For this operation, you will need the following materials:

new bulbs;
protective gloves ;
Protective glasses ;
flash light ;
screwdriver.

Steps to change tail lights

To change your taillights, simply follow these steps:

turn on the rear lights;
identify the defective light (s);
disconnect the battery from the vehicle;
unscrew the rear light housing;
extract the light case;
unscrew the bulb holder;
disconnect the electric wires from the old bulb;
replace the old bulb with the new one;
plug in the new bulb;
put everything back in place;
connect the vehicle battery;
turn on and check the condition of the new tail lights.

When should I change my taillights?

You must change your taillights and all your signal bulbs when you detect a malfunction.

On P21 / 5W bulbs, the rear position light and the brake light have the particularity of communicating independently thanks to two filaments.

Do not hesitate to make a rear light comparison to find the model perfectly suited to your vehicle.

For safety reasons, it is advisable to always have a pair of emergency bulbs in your vehicle.

Why change my taillights?

Rear lights that work properly ensure your safety, but also that of other road users. They make you visible in night traffic and prevent cars from your braking. If the bulb is defective, it could endanger your life and the lives of others. The law can punish you with a fine of 135 € for a tail light malfunction. This 3rd class ticket is not the only penalty. The police can also immobilize your vehicle if they believe that your signage does not comply with the law. To help you, Le Guide Shopping Le Parisien invites you to choose the best tail light for your car from among our five models presented above.