Do It Yourself and Save Big

Change a Burned-Out Headlight Bulb

Time: 15 minutes for most cars. (Note: It’s difficult to replace bulbs on some cars, such as those by Volkswagen or Mercedes Benz. A car more than 15 years old might need the entire headlamp changed.)

What you need: A new bulb ($20 and up; search by make and model at an online store, like autobarn.net, or go to a local auto shop or hardware store) and a rag.

How-to:
Step 1. Turn off the car (very important!).
Step 2. Open the hood and find the back side of the headlight. Different cars have different cover plates. There will be screws, a knob, or some other mechanism to release the plate. Remove it and unscrew the old bulb; this usually requires a quarter turn or releasing a clip.
Step 3. Install the new bulb using the same technique. Next, wipe off the new bulb with a rag; the oils from your hands could cause it to pop and burn out.
Step 4. Reposition the cover plate. Close the hood, turn on the car, and test the headlights.

A pro charges: $110
DIY cost: $20 and up for a new bulb