You know it can be a real headache if you’ve ever been pulled over for a broken tail light. Driving without a working tail light is illegal; you could also get pulled over and ticketed.
Our car is one of our most prized possessions for many of us. We rely on it to get us to and from work, errands, and social engagements. So, when something goes wrong with our car, it can be a real pain.
One of the most common car problems is a broken tail light. In most states, taillights are required by law, so you could get pulled over and ticketed if yours is out. If you’re involved in an accident, and your tail light is not working, you could be held liable.
So, if you have a broken tail light, don’t delay getting it fixed. The sooner you take care of the problem, the less of a headache it will be. Trust us; you don’t want to deal with the consequences of driving without a working tail light!
In this post, we’ll go over the purpose of red tape for a broken tail light, how to install it, and some benefits and disadvantages.
See also Why You Should Fix a Broken Tail Light
The Purpose of Red Tape for Broken Tail Light
If you’ve ever gotten a ticket for a broken tail light, you know how expensive it can be to get it fixed. But what if there was a way to fix it temporarily until you could get it replaced?
Well, there is! You can use red tape or even electrical tape to hold the broken piece in place until you can get it replaced.
The first thing you’ll need to do is clean off the area around the break with some alcohol or glass cleaner. This will help the tape adhere better. Then, take a piece of red tape and place it over the break. You may need to use a few pieces of tape to make sure it’s secure.
If you’re using electrical tape, you’ll want to put the sticky side towards the break. Then, wrap it around the area a few times to ensure it’s secure. You can also use clear packing tape, but it’s not as strong as electrical tape.
Once you’ve got the break taped up, you’ll want to check it periodically to ensure the tape is still holding. You don’t want to leave it too long or risk getting pulled over again. But as long as you check it regularly, you should be fine.
So, there you have it! A quick and easy way to temporarily fix your broken tail light. Be sure to get it replaced as soon as possible, but this will do the trick in the meantime.
What You Need to Know Before Using Red Tape for Broken Tail Light
Using red tape to fix a tail light is not a permanent repair and can lead to electrical issues with your tail lights. Check out these 8 things that you need to know before doing this do-it-yourself repair:
It’s not a permanent repair.
The red tape will only hold the broken pieces in place for a short period. Eventually, the tape will lose its stickiness, and the broken tail light will need to be fixed properly.
It can be a fire hazard.
If the red tape doesn’t hold the broken pieces in place, there is a risk of the wires coming into contact and causing a fire.
It can cause electrical issues.
If the red tape doesn’t hold the broken pieces in place, the wires may move around and cause shorts or other electrical issues.
It’s not safe.
Driving with a broken tail light is not safe. It’s illegal in most states, and it’s hard for other drivers to see you.
It’s a waste of time.
This is a temporary fix that will only last for a short period. It’s not worth the time or effort to put the red tape on when you could fix the tail light properly.
It’s unattractive.
Let’s face it; red tape is not the most attractive thing. It will make your car look tacky and unprofessional.
See also How to Choose the Right Tape for Your Project.
You might need to replace the whole tail light assembly.
If the red tape doesn’t hold the broken pieces in place, you may need to replace the entire tail light assembly. This can be expensive and time-consuming.
It’s not worth the hassle.
This temporary fix is not worth the time, effort, or money. Just fix the tail light properly and be done with it. You’ll be glad you did.
How To Fix a Broken Tail Light Without Red Tape?
If your tail light is broken, don’t despair! You can easily fix it without having to use red tape. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be back on the road in no time:
- Start by removing the broken tail light lens. This can usually be done by gently prying it off with a flathead screwdriver. If the lens is cracked or shattered, be careful not to cut yourself on the sharp edges.
- Once the lens is removed, you’ll need to remove the broken bulb from the socket. Depending on the type of tail light, you may need to unscrew a retaining ring or simply pull the bulb out.
- Now you’ll need to insert a new bulb into the socket. Make sure it is firmly in place before moving on to the next step.
- Once the new bulb is in place, you can replace the lens. If the lens is cracked, you may want to use some clear tape to hold it together until you can replace it with a new one.
That’s it! Just screw the lens back into place, and you’re done.
Conclusion
Following these simple steps, you can easily fix a broken tail light without using red tape. So don’t get stranded on the side of the road with a broken tail light – get it fixed quickly and easily with these easy steps.