Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Tail Light Lens

A cracked tail light lens will gradually deteriorate until the tail lights stop working, so be sure to check them regularly before they fail.

A fully functional tail light is a requirement for any registered vehicle that drives on the roads of all 50 US states. However, the number of people that the police and sheriff's departments issue "official tickets" annually pales in comparison to the number of people involved in rear-ends; primarily due to a broken rear light. In many cases, the cause of the driver colliding with the vehicle in front was a bad tail light lens that was damaged or not illuminating.

By law, the rear light lens must be tinted red in order to shine brightly in day or night driving conditions. The lamp that illuminates the rear light is white. As a result, when the rear light lens is cracked, broken, or damaged, the light that is supposed to alert other drivers to braking or your presence ahead of them at night can appear white and be very difficult to see. .

The tail light lens itself is light, affordable and fairly easy to replace by a regular mechanic. If the tail light lens is damaged and needs to be replaced, it is recommended to replace the tail light bulb at the same time. This ensures that all light will work well. Unlike other mechanical parts, a bad or faulty tail light lens usually doesn't show warning signs that it's about to break. However, there are different levels of problems or failures, as well as a few quick self-diagnostic checks that you can perform on your own or with the help of a friend who will alert you to the problem so you can fix it as soon as possible.

Inspect the rear light lens for cracks

Whether you hit a wall, another car, or a shopping trolley crashes into the back of your car, it's very common for our taillight lenses to crack rather than break completely. A cracked tail light will usually still work correctly, turning red when the headlights are active and bright red when the brake pedal is pressed. However, a cracked light lens will gradually crack until parts of the light lens fall off. This problem is exacerbated every time you drive and wind, debris, and other objects come into contact with the rear light lens.

A good rule of thumb is to check your taillight lenses every time you fill up with fuel; since you usually have to go around the back of the car to fill the tank with fuel. It only takes a few seconds and can save you from getting a ticket from the police or, worse, getting into a traffic accident.

Check your taillights every week at night

Another good safety tip to consider is checking your rear lights weekly through a quick self-assessment. To do this, simply start the car, turn on the headlights, go to the back of the car and check that both taillight lenses are intact. If you see small cracks on the lens, chances are that the tail light lens has completely broken or water has entered the lens; potentially short circuiting the electrical system in your vehicle.

Any time you notice a crack in your tail light lens, contact your local ASE certified mechanic and have them replace it as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your tail light or the electrical system inside your vehicle.

Have a service technician check the rear light lens.

Many car owners get their oil changed at service centers like Jiffy Lube, Walmart, or their local ASE certified mechanic. When they do, the mechanical technician often performs a routine safety check that includes about 50 items on a checklist. One such item is checking the taillights to make sure they are working properly.

If the mechanic tells you that the rear lens is cracked or broken, be sure to replace it as soon as possible. A fully functional tail light is required by law in the United States. Replacement is very easy, affordable and much cheaper than a repair ticket or insurance premium.