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BURNED AT WORK
Often the owners are less anxious to the working condition of the rear lighting equipment than to an extinct headlight. And the lights, by the way, are no less important. If, say, the driver following him does not recognize your maneuver due to a burned out light bulb, then there is no harm. And let the one who was behind be the culprit in the accident (although not a fact), this is not enough for you: the car has lost its presentation and it will be much more difficult to sell it at an affordable price.
It is easiest to check the condition of the lamps in the presence of an assistant. Even a child is suitable for this role. Sometimes it is enough for an experienced driver to look in the rear-view mirror and reveal a cinder by reflection from the back of a going car, especially if it is large enough (bus, truck). Or by reflection from stationary buildings. It’s good when there is a garage: you can hang mirrors in the corners and use them to control lighting equipment every time you leave.
When there is neither one nor the other, we check the brake lights using a wand of a suitable length: one end rests on the brake pedal, and the other on the driver’s seat cushion. The serviceability of the turn signals on all modern machines is automatically controlled: if the relay latches at double frequency, it means that the bulb burns out - it's hard not to pay attention to it.
Of course, it is pointless to start replacing lamps without having spare ones. We advise you to purchase them in advance: all of a sudden in the roadside store will not be needed? Stock, as you know, a pocket does not pull. Look for the type of lamp in the instruction manual.
Ten cars participate in the test: Hyundai Accent, Ford Focus II +, Toyota Corolla X, Mitsubishi-Lancer X, Renault Logan, Daewoo Nexia, Chevrolet Lacetti, "Mazda-3" and two "frets" - "Kalina" and "Priora" (ZR, 2011, No. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10). The average time of three attempts to replace the indicator lamp was taken into account. In order to exclude random factors, all the work was performed in the Zarulevsk technical center by the mechanic Yevgeny Mikhalkevich - at the same temperature, illumination and skill of the master.
TORTURE - LIGHT
The fastest way Eugene coped with the "Lacetti" - in a minute and 16 seconds! Everything is provided for in the sedan: both wide pockets in the trunk lining, and lamp holders with different keys, so as not to inadvertently confuse which one to insert … But not everyone has reason to rejoice - in a hatchback of the same model, the replacement is much more difficult: for access to the lamps, a flashlight need to be removed (ЗР, 2007, No. 11). And this is not easy to do: to overcome the powerful grip of the two fixatives, you will have to attract an assistant, smearing his palms with something sticky - for example, honey, jam. Only in this way, by tapping sticky palms on the cap and helping with traction, it will be possible to shift the lamp in the axial direction back. The indicator lamp here is with an orange bulb and with offset ledges on the base.
In the second place of the Corolla: in a minute and 24 seconds they changed the indicator lamp, and in a minute and 40 seconds - all the lamps. As on the “Lacetti” hatchback, the sections are separate: in the wing there is a turn signal, stop and gauge, and in the trunk lid there is a reverse gear and a fog lamp. However, access is not an example more thoughtful. To replace the stop-gauge-indicator (in the outer section), remove the plug in the trunk lining - and here they are, the bulbs. If you had to change the lamps in the trunk lid section in winter, drive the car into a warm box and let it warm up. Otherwise, you risk breaking the latches of the plastic hatch.
The third is “Accent.” Having opened the trunk, we turn out two self-tapping screws for the lantern fastening and pull it to the side, perpendicular to the axis of the car. Some, not knowing such a nuance, pull the lamp back, breaking the locks. Fortunately, this is a separate part, fixed on the body with self-tapping screws, and finding it at a showdown is not difficult. The question is money: if a used flashlight assembly will cost 1900–2500 rubles, then that piece of plastic is about half that price.
Fourth place for the “Lancer”. Although the placement of the lights on the sedan is the same as on the Corolla (in the wings and trunk lid), to replace the lamps in the outer sections, please remove them. Having turned out two self-tapping screws with a Phillips screwdriver, pull the lamp back strictly along the axis of the car! If at the same time you do not split the corner of the diffuser, consider yourself lucky (especially when you disturbed a frozen car). Check the seal of the wiring harness: it could have been removed from the seat during the previous replacement of the lamps - this is why a “reservoir” formed in the trunk of the experimental car. We get to the inner sections and the third foot by removing the trunk lining, for which we pick out the cores, and then the bodies of seven pistons. One cannot do without a slotted screwdriver.
BEFORE THE LANTERN
The fifth result is Nexia. But the copy of the "Opel-Cadet" could be the first if it adopted the German tradition - to replace bulbs without using a tool. In “Nexia,” alas, you cannot do without it. You can also unscrew the two plastic wing nuts for fastening the sidewalls of the trunk manually, but how to remove the four caps without risking breaking your nails? Well, at least, you do not need to remove the lights. If you changed the lamp on the right, do not forget to pass through the hole in the sidewall the cable of the gas tank flap.
On the “Focus”, as well as on the “Lacetti”, everything is simple with the sedan, but they tinkered with the hatchback. As a result, the sixth result. Having turned out two self-tapping screws “under the cross”, they tried painfully for a long time to separate the lamp from the body. Here, neither honey, nor other sweets helped - the cap area is small, to which effort was applied. Rescued a plastic wedge. Inserting it between the body and the lamp in the places indicated by the bend of the diffuser relief, carefully, so as not to tear off the paint, they pulled the case from two latches. Most likely, in the cold, such a number will not work: the flashlight will easily burst. Pleased with the "protection against the fool": whatever one may say, you won’t stick the lamp in someone else’s cartridge, you won’t insert the cartridge in another socket. When assembling, it is important to correct the wiring by laying it in the lodgements of the back of the lamp housing, otherwise you risk pinching it with fasteners.
The seventh on the list is Logan. Here, too, I had to remove the flashlight, and although the tool was not needed at the same time, they transported for more than four minutes. Well, if in one attempt, but this is the average result of three! First, they turned out the plastic lamb for fastening the trunk lining, then bent it and, unscrewing the two wing nuts of the lantern, took it out of the "eye socket". The wiring on the experimental specimen turned out to be a bit short - so as not to suffer from replacing the lamps in weight, we decided to unfasten the connector by pressing on the pad lock and halve the case on the workbench. When assembling, they tried to put the rubber gasket upside down, but realized in time what was what. "Protection from the fool" is provided, but not from the full.
No matter how hard our mechanic tried to play along with his compatriot Priore, nothing came of it: the stopwatch recorded only the eighth result. The pockets in the trunk lining were too small, which is why more or less conveniently only one wing nut is turned out. To crawl to the two remaining ones (closer to the opening of the lid), at least turn inside out. When removing the flashlight (strictly back along the axis of the car), do not lose the sealing rings on the heels - without them, water will penetrate into the trunk. The cartridges do not differ in color from each other, so be careful when assembling: if you had to remove them all, check the correctness of the selected section by turning on the lamp. Some cartridges have individual keys, but they are made indistinctly. Therefore, you can unwittingly, with a little more effort, make a mistake with the orientation. At the end, we refuel the lining under the seal of the trunk opening and fix it with the piston.
The vaunted Japanese auto industry represented by Mazda-3 is only on the ninth line. I remember that with the model of the previous generation they were also transported (ZR, 2009, No. 11). The fact is that neither in that car, nor in the present one there are provided pockets in the skin. We recommend cutting through them, and then fixing them with textile Velcro. Otherwise, to access the lights you will constantly have to remove the plastic sills of the opening, at the risk of breaking the latches. And to put this detail is not easy: first you need to get the guide spikes into the return holes (closer to the spare wheel) and only then snap into the opening and put four pistons in place. Keep in mind that the lining is “oak”, and in order to bend it and not break it, release at least four caps.
In last place, "Kalina": failed unsuccessful mounting of lamps. Like on Priore, they also need to be removed, however, instead of convenient plastic lambs, ancient fasteners are used here - ordinary nuts on a “8” turn-key basis. And with separate washers! As if this sandwich inadvertently doesn’t fall off the tool and rests forever and ever on the bottom of the wing niche … Tip: stick a powerful magnet or a strip of rags to the socket wrench to make the nut fit more tight. And in order not to suffer with washers, throw them out, replacing the nuts with others - with beads in the role of washers. By the way, the lanterns of the ancient "Four" were fastened with such.
IN PICTURES
Replacement time: 1 min 16 s
Tool: -
A convenient hatch offers excellent access to light bulbs. But it would be better if the hatch leans back to the wing:
Chevrolet Lacetti Sedan
Chevrolet Lacetti Sedan
The indicator lamp with an orange bulb, unlike white, has an asymmetrical antennae on the base.
+ Great access.
Not
Replacement time: 1 min 24 s
Tool: -
The hatch in the casing for access to the side section of the lamp is removed completely. Very comfortably!
Toyota Corolla
+ Excellent access, easy orientation of the lamps and their lampholders. - In frost, you can break off the antennae of the trunk section hatch
The double-ended baseless lamp of the stop-gauge has four contacts. No matter how you put it, it will be right.
+ Excellent access, easy orientation of the lamps and their lampholders
In frost, you can break off the antennae of the trunk section hatch
Replacement time: 1 min 44 s
Tool: Phillips screwdriver
Here I needed a tool - a Phillips screwdriver. Tighten the fastener with two fingers.
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Accent
The length of the wiring allows you to confuse the ammunition in places, but different keys on each of them - no.
+ The effort of fixing the lamp is small
The flashlight needs to be removed, and not back, but sideways
Replacement time: 2 min 10 s
Tool: Phillips screwdriver
When you remove the flashlight, the wiring sealant strives to leave the seat (arrow).
Mitsubishi Lancer sedan
Mitsubishi Lancer sedan
To access the lamps in the trunk lid removed the entire lining. Soundproofing - completion of the owner.
+ Simple orientation of lamps and their cartridges
The flashlight needs to be removed, it is easy to break off the corner of the diffuser
Replacement time: 3 min 9 s
Tool: slotted flat-blade screwdriver
When replacing the lamps in the right lamp, do not forget to refuel the gas tank lock lock cable.
Daewoo Nexia
Daewoo Nexia
After removing the plastic flap of the trunk side, excellent access to the lamps opened.
+ Cladding attachment points are clearly visible
“Besides the need to use the tool, no.”
Replacement time: 3 min. 50 s
Tool: Phillips screwdriver, plastic wedge
A plastic wedge will help to separate the flashlight from the body. But work with him carefully so as not to damage the body.
Ford Focus hatchback
Ford Focus hatchback
Wiring of different lengths, and cartridges with individual keys - with all the desire you will not confuse.
+ Clear orientation of lamps and cartridges
The flashlight needs to be removed, tight clamps
Replacement time: 4 min. 18 s
Tool: -
Bending the upholstery, we unscrew the two plastic wing nut securing the lamp (here they are white).
Renault Logan
Renault Logan
To connect the connector, it takes longer than usual to aim at the mating part due to short wiring.
+ There are no additional clamps of a lamp
The flashlight needs to be removed, the wiring is short
Replacement time: 4 min. 20 s
Tool: -
If such a rubber washer is lost, water will leak into the trunk. A trifle, but unpleasant.
Lada Priora hatchback
Lada Priora hatchback
Go find out which lamp to insert. The keys, although different, have only minor differences.
+ Significant benefits not identified
The lantern needs to be removed, the hatches in the trunk lining are too small
Replacement time: 4 min. 46 s
Tool: slotted flat-blade screwdriver
Before bending the trunk lining, remove as many fastening caps as possible, otherwise it will break.
Mazda 3 sedan
Mazda 3 sedan
The lining of the cover is more pliable, it is enough to release a couple of side caps. All lamps are baseless.
+ Significant benefits not identified
There are no pockets in the lining of the trunk, you need to remove the doorway sills
Replacement time: 5 min. 33 s
Tool: “8” socket wrench, magnet
Turning off nuts of fastening of a lamp, be careful - do not drop fixture in a wing cavity.
Lada Kalina, station wagon
Lada Kalina, station wagon
Casting of the housing is of higher quality than at Prior, but these two lamps can still be mixed up.
