I don't like that having spent the last few days helping my mum find a new camera I now want to upgrade mine :(

I don't like finding out I'm 'one of them' with a brake light out! Day before MOT as well. Sods law I have loads of bulbs from cars I've broken up...but no red ones for clear lenses! <_<

For some reason, I have gathered an unprecedented number of indicator bulbs in my 'spares' collection yet I possess few brake light bulbs.

Of course, when the nearside rear indicator bulb failed on the way to take my Mum's Mk1 Focus for it's MOT: my indicator bulb collection wasn't with me :(

Where? Just Plymouth?

or are you still in Jersey?

All of Devon I'd say...

Yeah, I hate it when that happens - especially as I judge other drivers with blown bulbs quite harshly.

I recall one day at my old place of work I saw a Ford Focus pulling into the car park with the O/S brake lamp blown and mentioned to a colleague about people being lazy and not checking - only to step outside and realise it was our Focus (mother was picking me up)... Made me re-think slightly that maybe it is excusable in some instances to have a blown brake lamp for short periods of time. If it goes on for weeks though then that is just laziness.

The longest I go without checking brake, reverse and fog lamps is 7 days at my weekly fluid and light check. Of course the tail lights and headlamps are checked every time they are used.

The problem with checking brake lights is that it's a 2 person job....which is difficult for some of us! :P I check the rest every week or two though, not sure I could be bothered every day lol, but I very rarely have bulbs fail anyway. What I don't understand is how people can drive with a headlight out...it's right in your vision!

The problem with checking brake lights is that it's a 2 person job....which is difficult for some of us! :P I check the rest every week or two though, not sure I could be bothered every day lol, but I very rarely have bulbs fail anyway. What I don't understand is how people can drive with a headlight out...it's right in your vision!

Use a 24+" spreader clamp to press the brake pedal down, whilst the other end is wedged up against the steering wheel. No need for a second person then. :)

Very true, but I don't have one of those... Did manage to get my heavy tool box in the footwell to press the pedal for me after a mate pointed out the faulty bulb earlier lol.

Could do with one of those 'pedal pressers' they use when adjusting tracking really!

A brick?

For some reason, I have gathered an unprecedented number of indicator bulbs in my 'spares' collection yet I possess few brake light bulbs.

Of course, when the nearside rear indicator bulb failed on the way to take my Mum's Mk1 Focus for it's MOT: my indicator bulb collection wasn't with me :(

It's very strange because despite being the most used bulb (blinking on and off constantly when in use) I have yet to replace a single indicator bulb in over 7 years of maintaining our vehicles. Yet bulbs that are turned on and left on which should theoretically not burn out so quickly blow at least yearly.

A brick?

That would do nicely. It only needs to very lightly depress the pedal as the switch is designed to be very sensitive and illuminate the brake lights at the first sign of braking.

No, a brick doesn't work. Or 2 even... It's surprising how much force does need to be put on the pedal, and in an arcing motion rather than straight down...bricks just fall off lol.

No, a brick doesn't work. Or 2 even... It's surprising how much force does need to be put on the pedal, and in an arcing motion rather than straight down...bricks just fall off lol.

Hmm... I have never tried it myself so will assume you are right. I've got a rather large stone (would almost classify as a boulder ) in the garden which would probably fit in there and press the pedal adequately. Will have to test that theory!

Haha, a large boulder probably would be sufficient tbf!

No, a brick doesn't work. Or 2 even... It's surprising how much force does need to be put on the pedal, and in an arcing motion rather than straight down...bricks just fall off lol.

i use a trolley jack handle between the seat and pedal

Not a bad idea, my jack handle is too long unfortunately, as is my 3ft breaker...I tried both earlier lol.

Get an old mirror and place behind car at a slight angle. Easier than half of stone henge.

i use a trolley jack handle between the seat and pedal

Good idea! Only problem is I no longer have a trolley jack... To be honest, a broom handle would probably work just as well if it was wedged on the headrest or roof (depending on height of car and length of broom).

To be honest, we wouldn't even be having this debate if every car manufacturer took a tip from Volvo! Our old V40 had a light in the instrument cluster that illuminated when you turned the ignition on, and went out when you pressed the brake pedal and all the lights worked. If one blew, it would re-illuminate to warn you.

Good idea! Only problem is I no longer have a trolley jack... To be honest, a broom handle would probably work just as well if it was wedged on the headrest or roof (depending on height of car and length of broom).

mines a small handle and i put it between the seat base and peddle then pull the seat forwards works well

how I check mine is press the peddle and sprint round to the back :D

We wouldn't have this issue if Ford had included a bulb failure warning light on the dash like even Vauxhall manage!

how I check mine is press the peddle and sprint round to the back :D

and i bet there never on lol

Haha, must be a good workout anyway!! :D

Park against a wall at night or check when a wagon/bus is stopped behind you and press the pedal if it glows red they're working simples

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I don't like getting inadvertently bitten when playing tug-of-war with Brandy

The side of my index finger was right were she clamped down on to secure her tug, I now have a small puncture wound

We wouldn't have this issue if Ford had included a bulb failure warning light on the dash like even Vauxhall manage!

Exactly what I just said, only my experience of having it was in our Volvo.