2012 Chevrolet Traverse - Reverse Light Bulb

When to Replace Your Reverse Light Bulbs

Your back up lights, also known as reverse lights, are used to warn other drivers that your vehicle is backing up. Back up lights are also used to illuminate the area behind the vehicle for the driver to see as well as possible when reversing in low-light conditions. The reverse light bulbs are activated by a switch when you put your car into Reverse, and are designed to turn off any other gears. Some vehicles' back up lights may also illuminate or flash when the car is unlocked by using the key fob. If you are not sure if your reverse lights need to be replaced, you can check them by turning the ignition switch to the "On" position without starting it, put the car in Reverse with the parking brake engaged, then get out of the vehicle and check if your back up lights are on. If one or more of your reverse light bulbs is burnt out or dim, you will likely need to replace both light bulbs, since it's assumed they have endured the same wear and may fail at the same interval. If you replace the back up light bulbs in your vehicle and they are still not working, you may need to replace the switch, bulb socket, fuse, relay, or other parts of the system. Inspecting your bulb sockets for signs of corrosion or damage and checking your fuses is a simple DIY task, and may help get your back up lights working as they should or might prevent a problem all together. Be sure to check all of your exterior lights regularly, as it may be difficult to tell if your back up lights have failed when driving. If you need a new reverse light bulb, O'Reilly Auto Parts carries a variety of back up light bulbs, including replacement halogen bulbs and longer-lasting LED reverse light bulb options to help you see clearer and drive safer.