Do you need to replace a burnt-out bulb in your vehicle’s headlights, or do you simply desire improved nighttime visibility? Does AutoZone replace headlights? Those curious about where to find auto components outside a dealer’s service department will likely be interested in this information. Since AutoZone is neither a dealership nor a repair shop, customers may wonder if they can truly have their new headlight installed if their old one burned out or if they simply wanted an update.
Let’s take a deeper look at the times and places when AutoZone can be the best option for changing your headlight. But does AutoZone have any written rules regarding replacing headlights or getting other vehicle assistance? In this article, we will investigate the hours during which AutoZone offers its headlight replacement service.
Does AutoZone replace headlights?
Let’s be clear: if you know the part number or the vehicle’s make, model, year, and sometimes even its trim, you can walk into any AutoZone and walk out with a new headlight or taillight. Going to a dealership or repair shop will usually cost you more than just the cost of the headlights because you’ll also have to pay for the technician’s time. However, if your headlight is easily accessible to an installer, AutoZone will replace it.
When will AutoZone refuse to replace your headlights?
AutoZone is a retail store without a trained mechanic, so don’t expect them to install your headlight if they refuse. In addition, AutoZone may not be able to replace your headlight if doing so would require disassembling any part of your vehicle.
You can contact the nearby AutoZone to see whether they offer headlight replacement. The worker might know which vehicles are prohibited from installation, allowing you to replace the bulbs from elsewhere. However, they will inform us when they are busy and that they may not be able to guarantee a speedy installation during such cases.
How much does AutoZone charge to replace headlights?
If a mechanic performs the headlight replacement for you, the overall price, including the bulb and the labor to install it, can range from $30 to $300, depending on the type of bulb and the degree of difficulty of the installation.
The price range is extremely wide for a new headlight assembly. Certain headlight assemblies can be purchased for as little as $30 at AutoZone, while others that incorporate very sophisticated lighting systems can cost upwards of $4,000 or more. In addition, the cost of labor to replace the headlight assembly adds another $100-$400, depending on the degree of difficulty involved in the job.
You can save a ton of cash in the long run if you invest time and effort to work on your car by yourself. With an initial outlay of $50 to $100, you can acquire a basic set of tools and perform a wide range of maintenance jobs on your vehicle, giving you more freedom and a greater sense of content.
Also read: Here’s how you should be cleaning your car’s headlights
How do you tell if your headlights are replaced properly?
The headlight leveling system in some vehicles provides feedback on whether the light points in the right direction during installation. A headlight could be installed incorrectly by an employee at AutoZone or by you if you don’t have a leveling system.
Turning on the car’s headlights before leaving and before reinstalling anything taken off at AutoZone or elsewhere is the simplest way to check whether they are placed properly. Tighten or loosen the mounting screws by adjusting the position of the headlights.
Image courtesy: Pexels
To check the alignment of the headlights, perform the following steps.
- The safest and most effective method is to park as near a path as possible while turning on your headlights. It aids in center focusing the low beams.
- Put a piece of horizontal tape through the middle of the light where both headlights are on to indicate where they are.
- Then, build a two-foot-tall vertical strip in the middle of the horizontal tape. Next, create a plus sign with set heights on the wall.
- Now reverse the car and use the owner’s manual for guidance to find the optimal testing distances.
- When your vehicle is between 10 and 25 feet away, look at the wall to check where the lights are shining. Ensure that the highest point of your headlight beam is at or below the horizontal center line.
- To prevent blinding oncoming drivers, direct the brightest part of your beams to the right of the vertical line.
Also read: Car Wash Expert Tips on Headlight Restoration
What steps should you follow while installing headlights?
If you prefer to install headlights by yourself, the following steps will help you.
Ensure your safety
Protect yourself by using safety gloves and goggles.
Replace both bulbs at once
If you need to change just one bulb, save time by replacing both simultaneously.
Get easy access to the headlights
In some vehicles, the headlights are housed in assemblies that may be easily removed by undoing a few screws. Once you’ve removed them, you may lay the headlight assembly on the fascia and access the bulbs underneath.
Remove the plug and the bulb
A pocket screwdriver comes in handy for releasing the clip on the light bulb plug. It’s not uncommon for these to be a bit rigid, especially in an older car. Later remove the bulb by grabbing the bulb casing.
Place the new bulbs on both sides
Once you get the tabs lined up, turn the bulb a quarter of a turn clockwise until you hear a click. Replace one at a time so you don’t mix up whether you’re replacing the high or low beam.
Check the working of the headlights
Now that you’ve had new bulbs, it’s good to test your headlights by switching between high and low beams.
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