Morning! As a customer myself, I expect the technician to move my seat for his/her safety. Same with moving my mirrors. I can readjust my stuff, it’s no big deal.
That’s because you are a decent human being, and possess critical thinking skills. I’ve been physically threatened by customers for moving their seats. That’s the type of crazy we have to deal with.
I have driven KIA Sedona minivans since 2004. I replaced my first light bulb with the bezel mounted to the van. The second time I had to replace a light bulb I took a different approach. I used a 10 mm socket to remove 3 small bolts. Disconnected the wiring connectors, removed the bezel from the van. This way I could set the bezel down on a towel & replace the bulb much easier as well as faster. Reducing my stress greatly. KIA doesn't give enough room to access the back of the bezel. I am not a mechanic, although I do play one in my driveway. Thanks 4 the videos
I have learnt from many years of experience that if one headlight has blown the other one is not far away either, as a rule of thumb I always replace them in pairs.
Yeah true. HID bulbs also have a tendency to change color with age. Brand new they got that awesome cold light with a blue tint but with time they fade out and look yellow like Halogens.
I wish that the mechanics that I encounter around my area would take the time to clean up after themselves. I have light colored interior in one of my vehicles. I drop it off with them for a small repair or oil change and when I get it back the door panel is full of greasy hand prints. I would switch shops but this place is the most honest shop around. The rest of them try to bs you into things that you don't need. Or try to kill you by leaving your lug nuts loose and send you down the road or strip out your oil drain plug costing you additional money to repair because they deny damaging it in the first place. Keep up the good work Ray! The world needs more guys like you!
I was recently commandeered to convert my moms 2018 Hyundai Ioniq headlights to leds and let me tell you it’s the biggest pain in the world, literally 3 inches of room if you don’t move anything on the left, I could move a reservoir on the left like you did but on the right is the fuse box which isn’t exactly easily moved, suggestions online were literally “remove the wheel well” I didn’t end up needing to do that but in total it took me 50 minutes. I really wish they’d build these things with maintenance in mind.
Ray the Rambler is always fun to listen to. Also, replacing headlights in an '03 BA Falcon (australia) is an hour long chore too, have to remove battery and airbox just to get enough room to get at them. And to replace the front indicators, you've got to remove the front wheels and inner guards ....
It is nice to see that a mechanic with years…probably decades, of experience and has probably removed and reinstalled that weatherproof cover hundreds of times, still struggles and probably cussed it out in his head. Thank you for being normal…lol
Always have to take aerodynamics into account when shopping for wrenches. Need to make sure that they fly true when accelerated towards sources of anguish and discontent.
I think the taboo against moving the seat is the chance that you'll be blamed if the seat adjustment motor doesn't work when readjusted. In many cars they aren't moved for years, so a customer may not know the switch or motor is broken. Then you move it and he can't get it back. Like a mirror control, the switch may work in only one direction.
@@AT-wl9yq Like a car mirror with a defective switch, when they fail sometimes they move in only one direction. Before moving it back, make sure it is capable of moving forward.
@@spelunkerd I see what you're saying. It doesn't matter because we can bypass the switch if something like that happens. Or, if the car is still under warranty, I'll just fix the problem.
I always change bulbs in pairs. Not only for equal brightness but because if one died, it's counterpart on the other side can't be far behind. Great video as always.
Get yourself a poster of "Patches O'Houlihan" from Dodgeball. "If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball". When the service managers get too uppity, just point at the poster as a warning.
I have recently retired (March 2021) and happened apon your videos. Ihave always dune the things your doing in your videos myself. Its nice to see that the frustration you face are normal. As an Electrician for thirty three years, I'm not a mechanic. I also live in a diferent time zone then you and try to be one of the first 100 to tappy tap the thumbs up. I was lucky enough to be the first on one vidio. Thanks.
there is a team of engineers somewhere that think that is the coolest lightbulb clip ever invented. It definitely looks like it is designed to have a specific tools used to "easily" disengage and re-engage...because EVERY single part needs its proprietary tool.
Bulbs in my car literally screw in you place the bulb in then place the locking ring on the back side turn a quarter to the right it locks down so simple you do have to pull the whole headlight out put it’s still pretty simple
As an engineer I can assure you, we're not thrilled about these things either. We're asked to design everything down to a price, sacrificing everything but the bare minimum of functionality. Clips are cheaper than threads.
@@eelcogg Ahhhh....now that is a very good point to make...I often forget that "cost efficiencies" forced upon design work can lead to unintended difficulties/undocumented features.
So many of these unique features make sense when the sub-assembly is alone on a bench. Once installed in the system (the car) with accessibility issues, they become nightmares.
That was an easy one. I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox and I had to replace the driver's side turn signal bulb....what PITA! There is a small access panel inside of the fender well. I removed the tire and reached up in there to change the bulb. It is above the headlight bulb and I was only able to get two fingers on it. Well, those bulbs cannot be turned with two fingers. I removed the fender liner to gain more access but still wasn't able to reach it. I ended up removing part of the bumper cover and facia. Then I had to pull the headlight out partially and was able to then access the turn signal bulb. A ten minute job turned into three hours! Thank you GM engineers.
@@etherealbolweevil6268 I’ve had a snap-on guy fully break a ratchet I had to replace it for me. Why do you think snap-on is so expensive, you pay for the replacement. It’s not miss use of the tool in my opinion, what’s he gonna hold it with?
@@TheDon8771 We jest. Welding is fast metal based adhesive. The number of tools upstairs strangely adhering to things they should not is testament to the sanity of a SnapOn account for a professional.
I'm glad you clarified the low/high beams because I couldn't tell with LED headlights. I feel like I need to install rally lights because so many people drive with their high beams on and I couldn't tell for the longest time. The old halogen bulbs are better. Sure they're not as bright but at least no one is getting blinded going the other way.
I remember when halogen bulbs first started getting popular in the 80's. People would flash their lights at me thinking I had my brights on because I had halogens. Then they got to be the norm and no one cared. Then it was HID and now LED. They are getting more and more common and soon no one will give them a thought and be on to the next thing.
LED should be illegal for headlights because they produce a narrow beam more conducive to spotlights, which means neither the person using them nor oncoming traffic benefits from their use. Automakers already had a better solution in HID, providing the light was installed correctly and had a quality reflector.
@@woodstream6137 These new cars are definitely going to surprise people when they realize you have to replace the whole headlight or taillight assembly when the LED goes out for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
I personally consider being able to replace a lightbulb in a car to be something an owner should really know how to do - with every car I've owned, the first thing I read in the manual is how to change a light. However, humans keep feeling the need to continually re-invent things. I'm pretty sure that 60 odd years ago we figured out as a species how to engineer a lightbulb to be easily replaceable in a car. Now things just get engineered down into oblivion... this almost looks like a deliberately confusing process.
Pretty sure engineers design things to be as hard as possible nowadays. I still haven't worked out if it's to ensure the owner has to take it to a shop/stealership to get it fixed, or to make it take as long as possible to charge more labour. It could also be because they get paid a bonus for making things as difficult as possible for the previous two reasons🤷
Long gone are the days when automakers designed cars to be easily serviced/repaired by the owners. Hell, on some cars you have to remove the entire front fascia to replace a stinking headlight bulb, then there are the cars with LED headlights where you have to replace the entire headlight assembly for $1500 or so if the headlight fails
Used to get an owners manual that told you how to perfom these minor repairs, now the owners manual tells you not to drink the contents of the battery.
I would have thought that all automakers would use the same basic idea to hold in a light bulb at this point. I suppose it's similar to the fact that there are hundreds of different spigot valves for faucets and one has to replace with the exact manufacturer design. Again, Ray, I am in admiration of your patience, stick-to-itiveness, and lack of cursing to deal with this PITA job that with good engineering should have taken 5 minutes as it would with a Toyota or other consumer minded automaker. Thanks for the great video. I love the bird in the shop.
That bird looked like a customer, who sneaked into service area to check if the old parts are actually changed for new ones and he is not being ripped off. Nice vid!
i remember buying one of those lights for one of my customers at autozone. The bulb was $185. Now that is just absolutely insane. I can imagine what the price would be at the dealer. Also lets add the fact that the bumper had to come out and head light assembly to get to it LOL
You think that's bad, the big brother short arc xenons in movie theater projectors are far more expensive with a shorter life span, yet they are easier to change.
I've got a 2005 Jeep Liberty. About 10 years ago, I tried running some of high intensity bulbs, like Sylvania Silverstars. But after a couple times of them burning out after only a year or so, I went back to the stock bulbs. Haven't had to replace a bulb in the 7 years since. Here's a tip - if you think your stock headlights are too dim, try having your headlight aim checked out before you spend money on high dollar bulbs or lights.
Thanks for another "Start my workday smile" (tm) :) You have shed light on "big hands" and "small space" troubles for all auto maintainers -- why in the hell do car designers do this! (anyway before I rant). The bonus footage of the bird in the shop was the best! He seems pretty tame; bet he was looking for wayward French Fries.
I miss the “good ole” days when there were just two headlight styles for all cars and trucks…round 5 1/4” 4 headlight system or round 7” 2 headlight system. Loosen three screws, twist and remove the retaining ring, remove sealed beam bulb from the front and unplug. Replacement was reverse of removal. Plus! The lense was glass not plastic so it didn’t fade from baking in sunlight.
I do miss glass lenses but those sealed beams for awful for actually making light. A European version (shaped just like it, glass lens) would have an easily replaced bulb on the back side. (In fact, some people converted their cars to euro headlights but that's a whole 'nother story.)
@@theundergroundlairofthesqu9261 I did that on many of my cars. I used Cibie’ conversion headlamps with Halogen H4 Bulbs. On my rally car the high beam was 100 watts. I still have the headlamps in storage when I sold the car.
@@stevencimini3556 I've had high power lights on every one of my bikes and cars. I do a lot of travel at night and here in Australia there are a lot of kangaroos, wombats, cattle and suchlike to dodge. Modern lights are so much better than the old sealed beams - ugh!!
Ray I love how aware you are of customers stuff. I'm a detailer & I know exactly how folks are they look for every little thing they can. Graf job as always keep up the awesome work 👏 🙌
I used to work for Toyota. Part of there training was not to move customers seats or wheels unless absolutely necessary. But suggested putting that back to as close to possible. Which made sense.
This task reminded me of the struggle I went through to change the passenger side low beam on my 2014 equinox LTZ. Everything came apart fine and went back together fine except for the stupid dust cap. No matter how I turned that joker it would not line up! I think I finally gave up and it’s hanging up in the front end somewhere. The drivers side went straight up into the hole, lined right up, turned it 45° and it locked right in. Go figure. Manufacturers need to put plainly visible alignment marks on those stupid things so even technicians can throw those on without a problem. Or better yet put a mark on the dust cover that is plainly obvious to everybody that “this spot right here” belongs at the 12 o’clock position.
My mom's vw gol had an issue like that, one of the headlight bulbs was replaced by some electrical car shop thingy, and the guy managed to screw that connector in completely crooked in the little rails it goes on, so one side of the headlights would just turn and get loose very easily as intended, and the other one was impossibly stuck and would turn but not come out. When we finally got her car to an actual mechanic for an oil change and timing belt stuff, i also talked up the mechanic to take a look at that thing before the bulb blew up again, and after some co-op we managed to get the damn thing out and properly attach it this time, just in case that bulb ever needed to be replaced on the road by someone who's less of a tinkerer.
Changing the headlamps on my Jaguar XF 2013 was also a major operation that involved my cutting both hands to ribbons, or removing the front of the car. I chose the former and got it done and it took about 2 hours.
I worked at a car parts place and the "service" we provided when a customer bought a bulb we had to change it for free and a lot a cars you can't get a finger much less a hand in there and the bosses and/or customers think it should take 2-5 min but as you can see from Ray's work not easy at all! Great Job Ray! Keep em' coming!!!
Thank you for rambling a little bit, because it pretty much sums up my day at work. Almost all the work I had to do today seemed to be more fiddly than usual. I get your frustration, those things come and go as they please (like the bird). Anyway, thanks for mentioning the part about cost up front versus the maintenance, that is a perspective we usually forget about too easily.
I feel for you. I went through the same thing replacing a couple of bulbs in my Tacoma. I had to remove the battery and move the washer fluid reservoir. I still didn't have room. Big hand problems.
So the easiest way to change the headlight bulbs on a 1st gen Mazda 6 involves removing the front bumper. And from what I understand, this is not so unusual. For a first generation Z car, access to the screws that hold in the headlight is best obtained by removing the front tires. No 5 minute jobs on either one. Fortunately for me, I have a lift in my garage to facilitate the process.
Same deal on the second Gen 6’s as well. In our 8 years of owning a 2010, I had that front bumper off probably a half a dozen times for the head lights. If I wasn’t changing bulbs, I was restoring the plastic lens covers. This is a prime example of why mechanics dislike engineers.
There's a lot of psychology attached to working for customers. In the past I've been accused of breaking a customers radio because I turned it off at the switch whereas the the customer only used the ignition switch. Also moving a seat back on another customers car I was blamed for her brakes been tampered with, after allot of head scratching & road testing we moved the seat forward. Stealing a car blanket but was called an hour later saying his wife didn't tell him it was in the wash. I'm retired in Spain now and seeing your videos you have worked out the needs to get through your day. You are truly a very professional guy and love watching.
Uhuh. And what about them moving the seat forward because they're a midget and not moving it back? Especially power seats. I'd be raising a storm, or, just never coming back. Courtesy goes both ways.
My daughter sometimes drives our cars and normally leaves the seat so far forward that I cannot get into the car. I normally bang my knee pretty good before I realize it.
That's nothing. Did you see what looked like a 1982-1984 Dodge Rampage in the background when Ray was filming the unauthorized avian personnel in the shop? Here in the Northeast those things turned to dust 20+ years ago.
The wife's 03 Gran Prix was a PITA too. Depending on which side is out, it was easiest and fastest to pull the structural bracing, airbox, battery, squeeze this, rub that, caress there, etc.
In the future, I recommend you put a piece of tape from the driver's seat to the center console before moving the seat...just cut it, and then re-align it when done...no more issue with moving the seat.
My car lets you set up driver profiles, with customized seat/wheel/mirror settings for each one. I just put it on a guest profile if I have to take it in. Granted, the only time I have ever taken it to the service center was to get the Homelink module installed, but still. Sometime this year, I need to have the brake calipers cleaned/lubricated (only recommended because I live in an area where the roads are salted in the winter). That is the only yearly maintenance item.
You are a patient man Ray, I was working up a filthy temper tantrum from just watching you do battle with that ridiculous headlight assembly. This kind of stupid engineering crap is what makes me hate modern cars
Modern anything. How about a washing machine where the inner basket can be torn with your bare hands? Yes it works till it needs repair. You need a whole special rig to attempt to repair it without damaging it. Attempt as the washer was 3 years old and the parts were no longer available and it was out of warranty. They squall and squall and squall about too much bleach threatening to void your warranty. Same for about any 'white good' now. At least with cars there are some aftermarket parts, not enough but some.
@@aaronbritt2025 And the Advisor is just getting an update on job status from the Tech to communicate with the customer. That's also part of your job to communicate to the Advisor. Maybe YOU should try doing their job.
At least he didn't have to take any body panels off to get to the bulb, like I'd have to do on my Honda👎🏼 I'd gladly take this procedure any day, detach the little tank and presto!
Kia did a nice job in encapsulating the HID from moisture and dirt. You did a fine job in replacing that bulb. I think I'd take a Saturday afternoon, with plenty of shop chair time, if I were doing that. Always enjoy your videos!
@@aaronbritt2025 My sons both have a Honda Accord (2008 & 2009). Manual states that the process is to remove part of the fender well and reach up and unplug the bulb, but I believe the manual was written for tiny-handed people with double-jointed wrists. As such, the process for these Accords is now to remove the bumper and the headlight assembly. Easy peasy once you do that. We've come a long way from popping the hood and unscrewing the bulb.
It's really not that bad considering the other cars. Take the Acadia for example, you have to go through the wheel well to change out a bulb. Sure they had enough room on the top but why would you want something like changing a headlight bulb to be easy.
@@nottelling4828 Hey , Why Not ? What else did u have to get done anyway ? Making stuff expensive to fix is the road to selling more nu stuff. Much of what's in salvage yards today isn't badly damaged[if @ all] Owner jus decided to move on or walk.
Man I just love your comments. I get in earlier than most of the others and I always check for your videos first. Today I had another tech come in and now he thinks that I have lost my ever loving mind as I sit at my desk laughing my a$$ off at your video. Oh well at least the day is starting off great....thanks for the great content and keep it up.😀
Changing a headlight bulb, how hard can it be, right? My 2001 Golf has little to no room to change the bulbs. First time I did it, I thought it'll be 15 min tops both sides. An hour later and cuts all over my hands I had got them changed... Battery on the other side (yeah, could have removed that) and AC fill port on the other giving no room to work. Not to mention the covers, a pain in the ass to get to correct orientation... Would've probably been faster to remove the bumper and whole headlights and replace the bulbs that way.
Heh, makes me glad for this old shitbox i drive, you can stand inside the engine bay for that kinda thing, and you don't need to, because the bulb just comes out with a small twist! It's kind of cheating though, this car i got was based on the opel corsa 94, and was designed around being easy and cheap to maintain, and definitely NOT designed to be top tech, safety and comfort.
In 92 I bought a 73 Cadillac with mint leather seats. 45k original miles. Within the first month of owning it I sat down in the drivers seat with a screwdriver in my back pocket and poked a hole in the seat back.
Unless someone has done a lot of work on vehicles they can't appreciate how many bad designs flaws are in a vehicle that make it unnecessarily difficult and time consuming to work on.
This is why people (have to) bring their car to a shop to get a lamp replaced as opposed to old cars where you could just do it yourself rather easily.
My 1999 Chevy Silverado high beam would come on my low beams would go off..but I installed that kit everything works like it should..dealer told me this high low thing was something Chevy did..back then..but it's been great now..
"It's just a headlight, what's taking so long?" says the customer that can't replace a headlight in their own car. Sad when car owners can't do basic maintenance.
You just showed me why I'm not replacing al light bulb in my cars anymore. It was a major pain the last time I did replace it in 2015 on a Toyota Aygo. It just took me 40 minutes. But after much cramps in my hand it finally did in and promised myself to never do it again.
Look at a helicopter, and see that thin pipe that attaches the chopper to the big blades. The entire weight of the chopper is being held by that thin pipe. I find that amazing. Anyhow, a morning starts and I am off to work, but my darn car won't start. Then after work I try it again, and the car starts. This went on for several days. I finally traced the problem down to the ignition coil. In the mornings, the air temperature was much colder, and so the low voltage was a problem. After work, the temperature was much higher, and so the engine started. I despise those intermittent problems.
As a tall man, I fully understand that the mechanic needs to adjust things to be safe to do a road trip. I just highly appreciate it when they will move the seat back so I can actually get back into the car. Fortunately my current car has memory seats so no big deal.
Most cars have low beam on the outer part of the headlight. However, some Ford Focus models do have low beam on the inner part. And of course, you need to dismount the headlight to change bulbs due to lack of space
I was a mechanic a service writer and a shop owner for 30 years. it truly still amazes me how complicated these manufacturers have to make things.. My hat is off to ray, good job, you work and explain things exactly as I did.. When you have to charge somebody a $165 to change out a light bulb that will probably cost Anywhere between $40 and $70 and more, , You really need to know how to explain your yourself to someone as if they were a two-year-old so they could understand. It's tough keeping your integrity intact, and the illusion that you're ripping someone off out of the equation.
I knew a mechanic who was not a small person who was working on the vehicle of much shorter person, and they didn't want to inconvenience them by adjusting anything, and supposedly when they forced themselves to fit they broke the height adjustment on the steering column. I'm cool with mechanic moving stuff around, it takes 30 seconds to fix. Also I just replaced the headlights on my 09 Focus. That required removing the front grill.
Ray, use your constant tension hose clamp tool to remove that type of bulb. Then put the spring clip back on the new one first then just snap it in. Connect the wires last. Live and learn.. Ask me how I know.....
Looks like they are doing construction near every shop in Florida! FYI, I'm glad you added the terrifying music when you installed the floor mat backwards...the horror.
My old 2 envoy is super simple Raise the hood pull up on 2 clips behind the headlights And the headlight assembly swings out swings out And twist The bulb loose Extremely simple
I didn't know Ibis migrated to Florida, then again they didn't used to come here (South Australia) but have done for the last decade or so. I also noted your Ibis had a very white beak and body where ours have a dark coloured beak and darker patches around the body.
Wow a clean looking "Bin Chicken" at the end... check out the "Aussie Bin Chicken" for comparison. And we even have the audacity to call ours the white ibis. Thats a white ibis!😀
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Morning! As a customer myself, I expect the technician to move my seat for his/her safety. Same with moving my mirrors. I can readjust my stuff, it’s no big deal.
That’s because you’re a normal rational human being 👍🏼
Especially if said seats seem to have a memory function 🧐👍
yeah thats because you are a sensible critical thinking human, and we have alot of the other types.
I always thought it was more a "don't disturb the wiring and you won't end up fixing an airbag fault for free" move.
That’s because you are a decent human being, and possess critical thinking skills. I’ve been physically threatened by customers for moving their seats. That’s the type of crazy we have to deal with.
Ray - We.Love.Your.Rambling ! - don’t ever stop. Ending Transmission !
Job was jinxed from the beginning with the upside down paper floor protective device. Great job Ray !
Self inflicted agony
I have driven KIA Sedona minivans since 2004. I replaced my first light bulb with the bezel mounted to the van. The second time I had to replace a light bulb I took a different approach. I used a 10 mm socket to remove 3 small bolts. Disconnected the wiring connectors, removed the bezel from the van. This way I could set the bezel down on a towel & replace the bulb much easier as well as faster. Reducing my stress greatly. KIA doesn't give enough room to access the back of the bezel. I am not a mechanic, although I do play one in my driveway. Thanks 4 the videos
I have learnt from many years of experience that if one headlight has blown the other one is not far away either, as a rule of thumb I always replace them in pairs.
Yeah true.
HID bulbs also have a tendency to change color with age. Brand new they got that awesome cold light with a blue tint but with time they fade out and look yellow like Halogens.
@@alouisschafer7212 you are correct, and halogen bulbs are shocking for blowing the other side once you have replaced one side.
True but customers don't want to hear that...so one it usually is
I do that with halogen bulbs, too. But HIDs are a bit on the expensive side. Especially when they have electronics attached.
In modern cars, when one headlight blows, it's time to sell the car 👍😂
Mechanics have the best sense of humour. I think it keeps you sane.
The difference between swinging a wrench and flinging a wrench is getting interrupted by status updates. Thanks for taking us with you, Ray!
"What's taking so long to change a light bulb?" -- Ray, "Here's my UA-cam channel. You can see for yourself soon. Now leave me alone!"
I wish that the mechanics that I encounter around my area would take the time to clean up after themselves. I have light colored interior in one of my vehicles. I drop it off with them for a small repair or oil change and when I get it back the door panel is full of greasy hand prints. I would switch shops but this place is the most honest shop around. The rest of them try to bs you into things that you don't need. Or try to kill you by leaving your lug nuts loose and send you down the road or strip out your oil drain plug costing you additional money to repair because they deny damaging it in the first place. Keep up the good work Ray! The world needs more guys like you!
I was recently commandeered to convert my moms 2018 Hyundai Ioniq headlights to leds and let me tell you it’s the biggest pain in the world, literally 3 inches of room if you don’t move anything on the left, I could move a reservoir on the left like you did but on the right is the fuse box which isn’t exactly easily moved, suggestions online were literally “remove the wheel well” I didn’t end up needing to do that but in total it took me 50 minutes. I really wish they’d build these things with maintenance in mind.
Whoa! Nice Rampage!
Ray the Rambler is always fun to listen to. Also, replacing headlights in an '03 BA Falcon (australia) is an hour long chore too, have to remove battery and airbox just to get enough room to get at them. And to replace the front indicators, you've got to remove the front wheels and inner guards ....
05 maxima you have to pull the bumper and fender well and wheel
😳😳😳
Hope y'all properly compensated for all involved. It's not your car or need to fix it for any less
And why they don't sell them anymore.
@@grantleyhughes they don't sell em any more cause Ford left Australia!
It is nice to see that a mechanic with years…probably decades, of experience and has probably removed and reinstalled that weatherproof cover hundreds of times, still struggles and probably cussed it out in his head. Thank you for being normal…lol
Always have to take aerodynamics into account when shopping for wrenches. Need to make sure that they fly true when accelerated towards sources of anguish and discontent.
😂
That bird at the end, we have one like it here in the land down under and we call it a Bin Chicken
I think the taboo against moving the seat is the chance that you'll be blamed if the seat adjustment motor doesn't work when readjusted. In many cars they aren't moved for years, so a customer may not know the switch or motor is broken. Then you move it and he can't get it back. Like a mirror control, the switch may work in only one direction.
If the motor or switch is broken, the seat won't move to begin with.
@@AT-wl9yq Like a car mirror with a defective switch, when they fail sometimes they move in only one direction. Before moving it back, make sure it is capable of moving forward.
@@spelunkerd I see what you're saying. It doesn't matter because we can bypass the switch if something like that happens. Or, if the car is still under warranty, I'll just fix the problem.
I always change bulbs in pairs. Not only for equal brightness but because if one died, it's counterpart on the other side can't be far behind. Great video as always.
same....
Get yourself a poster of "Patches O'Houlihan" from Dodgeball. "If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball". When the service managers get too uppity, just point at the poster as a warning.
I have recently retired (March 2021) and happened apon your videos. Ihave always dune the things your doing in your videos myself. Its nice to see that the frustration you face are normal. As an Electrician for thirty three years, I'm not a mechanic.
I also live in a diferent time zone then you and try to be one of the first 100 to tappy tap the thumbs up. I was lucky enough to be the first on one vidio.
Thanks.
there is a team of engineers somewhere that think that is the coolest lightbulb clip ever invented. It definitely looks like it is designed to have a specific tools used to "easily" disengage and re-engage...because EVERY single part needs its proprietary tool.
And let's not forget that if you break off the plastic tabs that the retaining clip engages with you'll be replacing the entire headlight housing!
Bulbs in my car literally screw in you place the bulb in then place the locking ring on the back side turn a quarter to the right it locks down so simple you do have to pull the whole headlight out put it’s still pretty simple
As an engineer I can assure you, we're not thrilled about these things either. We're asked to design everything down to a price, sacrificing everything but the bare minimum of functionality. Clips are cheaper than threads.
@@eelcogg Ahhhh....now that is a very good point to make...I often forget that "cost efficiencies" forced upon design work can lead to unintended difficulties/undocumented features.
So many of these unique features make sense when the sub-assembly is alone on a bench. Once installed in the system (the car) with accessibility issues, they become nightmares.
That was an easy one. I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox and I had to replace the driver's side turn signal bulb....what PITA! There is a small access panel inside of the fender well. I removed the tire and reached up in there to change the bulb. It is above the headlight bulb and I was only able to get two fingers on it. Well, those bulbs cannot be turned with two fingers. I removed the fender liner to gain more access but still wasn't able to reach it. I ended up removing part of the bumper cover and facia. Then I had to pull the headlight out partially and was able to then access the turn signal bulb. A ten minute job turned into three hours! Thank you GM engineers.
Ah man. You blew it. "We've got a low beam on this side, and no beam on this side."
I like your rambling, it is all part of the entertainment you supply along with the information. 😁😁
It’s like Goodfellas with Ray looking at the helicopter 😂
Hahahahaha. Made my morning! I can see it. 💪🏻😎👍🏻
Obviously searching for someone who deceived a SnapOn Tools agent to get a replacement needle nose pliers.
@@etherealbolweevil6268 I’ve had a snap-on guy fully break a ratchet I had to replace it for me. Why do you think snap-on is so expensive, you pay for the replacement. It’s not miss use of the tool in my opinion, what’s he gonna hold it with?
@@TheDon8771 We jest. Welding is fast metal based adhesive. The number of tools upstairs strangely adhering to things they should not is testament to the sanity of a SnapOn account for a professional.
Always enjoy when the customers complain as to why something is taking so long. If it’s so damn easy, do it yourself!
I'm glad you clarified the low/high beams because I couldn't tell with LED headlights. I feel like I need to install rally lights because so many people drive with their high beams on and I couldn't tell for the longest time.
The old halogen bulbs are better. Sure they're not as bright but at least no one is getting blinded going the other way.
I almost went with LED aftermarket but they're very expensive and don't have a great lifespan
I remember when halogen bulbs first started getting popular in the 80's. People would flash their lights at me thinking I had my brights on because I had halogens. Then they got to be the norm and no one cared. Then it was HID and now LED. They are getting more and more common and soon no one will give them a thought and be on to the next thing.
LED should be illegal for headlights because they produce a narrow beam more conducive to spotlights, which means neither the person using them nor oncoming traffic benefits from their use.
Automakers already had a better solution in HID, providing the light was installed correctly and had a quality reflector.
@@woodstream6137 These new cars are definitely going to surprise people when they realize you have to replace the whole headlight or taillight assembly when the LED goes out for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
If I had to go though all that to change my bulb, I would bring it to you too.
It's stuff like this that makes me want to keep my 23 year-old car forever.
really appreciate your care for not adjusting customer settings...wish my dealership had the same mentality
I personally consider being able to replace a lightbulb in a car to be something an owner should really know how to do - with every car I've owned, the first thing I read in the manual is how to change a light. However, humans keep feeling the need to continually re-invent things. I'm pretty sure that 60 odd years ago we figured out as a species how to engineer a lightbulb to be easily replaceable in a car. Now things just get engineered down into oblivion... this almost looks like a deliberately confusing process.
Pretty sure engineers design things to be as hard as possible nowadays. I still haven't worked out if it's to ensure the owner has to take it to a shop/stealership to get it fixed, or to make it take as long as possible to charge more labour. It could also be because they get paid a bonus for making things as difficult as possible for the previous two reasons🤷
far too much "innovation" going on nowdays... my wife's car has windshield wipers that are automatic...
Long gone are the days when automakers designed cars to be easily serviced/repaired by the owners. Hell, on some cars you have to remove the entire front fascia to replace a stinking headlight bulb, then there are the cars with LED headlights where you have to replace the entire headlight assembly for $1500 or so if the headlight fails
Used to get an owners manual that told you how to perfom these minor repairs, now the owners manual tells you not to drink the contents of the battery.
Bulbs, tires... well, at least put the damn spare on if there is one, should be common knowledge to operate a car.
11:30 Ray: "I have wrenches, and they fly very well."
Patched O'Houlihan: "If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!"
I would have thought that all automakers would use the same basic idea to hold in a light bulb at this point. I suppose it's similar to the fact that there are hundreds of different spigot valves for faucets and one has to replace with the exact manufacturer design.
Again, Ray, I am in admiration of your patience, stick-to-itiveness, and lack of cursing to deal with this PITA job that with good engineering should have taken 5 minutes as it would with a Toyota or other consumer minded automaker. Thanks for the great video. I love the bird in the shop.
Your rambling is good. You bring up good subjects that most people don't understand. Hopefully the less intelligent learn from it. 👍
That bird looked like a customer, who sneaked into service area to check if the old parts are actually changed for new ones and he is not being ripped off. Nice vid!
Yeah, what was that? A curlew?
A spy.
@@josepherhardt164 Crane I think.
Just another well trained moocher. Knows the folks leave lunch scrapes and mite toss some good stuff its way.
@@josepherhardt164 A white ibis, I believe.
Sometimes it's the little things that humbles us. Good attitude helps aid in victory. 👍
i remember buying one of those lights for one of my customers at autozone. The bulb was $185. Now that is just absolutely insane. I can imagine what the price would be at the dealer. Also lets add the fact that the bumper had to come out and head light assembly to get to it LOL
The bulb he used (D1S) is "only" $67.99 on Amazon. A bargain!
@@lab1042 you know what's even more crazy. My customer bought the headlight assembly for $900 thinking it was that lol
You think that's bad, the big brother short arc xenons in movie theater projectors are far more expensive with a shorter life span, yet they are easier to change.
I've got a 2005 Jeep Liberty. About 10 years ago, I tried running some of high intensity bulbs, like Sylvania Silverstars. But after a couple times of them burning out after only a year or so, I went back to the stock bulbs. Haven't had to replace a bulb in the 7 years since.
Here's a tip - if you think your stock headlights are too dim, try having your headlight aim checked out before you spend money on high dollar bulbs or lights.
Good morning Raymond👋 and family👨👩👧👦 from Chicago,🌬 hope you all have a good day 😁BROTHER! 👍
Thanks for another "Start my workday smile" (tm) :) You have shed light on "big hands" and "small space" troubles for all auto maintainers -- why in the hell do car designers do this! (anyway before I rant). The bonus footage of the bird in the shop was the best! He seems pretty tame; bet he was looking for wayward French Fries.
👍👍👍👍that Kia is singing “you light up my life”
I miss the “good ole” days when there were just two headlight styles for all cars and trucks…round 5 1/4” 4 headlight system or round 7” 2 headlight system. Loosen three screws, twist and remove the retaining ring, remove sealed beam bulb from the front and unplug. Replacement was reverse of removal. Plus! The lense was glass not plastic so it didn’t fade from baking in sunlight.
I do miss glass lenses but those sealed beams for awful for actually making light. A European version (shaped just like it, glass lens) would have an easily replaced bulb on the back side. (In fact, some people converted their cars to euro headlights but that's a whole 'nother story.)
@@theundergroundlairofthesqu9261
I did that on many of my cars. I used Cibie’ conversion headlamps with Halogen H4 Bulbs. On my rally car the high beam was 100 watts. I still have the headlamps in storage when I sold the car.
@@stevencimini3556 I've had high power lights on every one of my bikes and cars. I do a lot of travel at night and here in Australia there are a lot of kangaroos, wombats, cattle and suchlike to dodge. Modern lights are so much better than the old sealed beams - ugh!!
Very time worthy. My daughter just lost her DS low beam. She replaced both lights with new bulbs. Easy replacement on the Volvo C30.
Ray I love how aware you are of customers stuff. I'm a detailer & I know exactly how folks are they look for every little thing they can. Graf job as always keep up the awesome work 👏 🙌
I used to work for Toyota. Part of there training was not to move customers seats or wheels unless absolutely necessary. But suggested putting that back to as close to possible. Which made sense.
This task reminded me of the struggle I went through to change the passenger side low beam on my 2014 equinox LTZ. Everything came apart fine and went back together fine except for the stupid dust cap. No matter how I turned that joker it would not line up! I think I finally gave up and it’s hanging up in the front end somewhere. The drivers side went straight up into the hole, lined right up, turned it 45° and it locked right in. Go figure.
Manufacturers need to put plainly visible alignment marks on those stupid things so even technicians can throw those on without a problem.
Or better yet put a mark on the dust cover that is plainly obvious to everybody that “this spot right here” belongs at the 12 o’clock position.
My mom's vw gol had an issue like that, one of the headlight bulbs was replaced by some electrical car shop thingy, and the guy managed to screw that connector in completely crooked in the little rails it goes on, so one side of the headlights would just turn and get loose very easily as intended, and the other one was impossibly stuck and would turn but not come out.
When we finally got her car to an actual mechanic for an oil change and timing belt stuff, i also talked up the mechanic to take a look at that thing before the bulb blew up again, and after some co-op we managed to get the damn thing out and properly attach it this time, just in case that bulb ever needed to be replaced on the road by someone who's less of a tinkerer.
Changing the headlamps on my Jaguar XF 2013 was also a major operation that involved my cutting both hands to ribbons, or removing the front of the car. I chose the former and got it done and it took about 2 hours.
I worked at a car parts place and the "service" we provided when a customer bought a bulb we had to change it for free and a lot a cars you can't get a finger much less a hand in there and the bosses and/or customers think it should take 2-5 min but as you can see from Ray's work not easy at all! Great Job Ray! Keep em' coming!!!
I remember I believe it's the Cadillac CTS, you remove the entire bumper cover to access the headlamps.
Thank you for rambling a little bit, because it pretty much sums up my day at work. Almost all the work I had to do today seemed to be more fiddly than usual. I get your frustration, those things come and go as they please (like the bird). Anyway, thanks for mentioning the part about cost up front versus the maintenance, that is a perspective we usually forget about too easily.
Hi Ray I have a 2010 Kia Ceed and its easier to remove the headlamp unit from the car, its almost impossible to replace the bulb with it in situ.
Being aware of the dexterity required to manipulate more than one thing with one hand at the same time, my compliments, sir.
I feel for you. I went through the same thing replacing a couple of bulbs in my Tacoma. I had to remove the battery and move the washer fluid reservoir. I still didn't have room.
Big hand problems.
I was screaming not to touch the glass! Such relief when you said you would not be touching ze glas.
So the easiest way to change the headlight bulbs on a 1st gen Mazda 6 involves removing the front bumper. And from what I understand, this is not so unusual. For a first generation Z car, access to the screws that hold in the headlight is best obtained by removing the front tires. No 5 minute jobs on either one. Fortunately for me, I have a lift in my garage to facilitate the process.
Same deal on the second Gen 6’s as well. In our 8 years of owning a 2010, I had that front bumper off probably a half a dozen times for the head lights. If I wasn’t changing bulbs, I was restoring the plastic lens covers. This is a prime example of why mechanics dislike engineers.
Yep my old Vectra was the same but someone with little hands could get them in and change it
There's a lot of psychology attached to working for customers. In the past I've been accused of breaking a customers radio because I turned it off at the switch whereas the the customer only used the ignition switch. Also moving a seat back on another customers car I was blamed for her brakes been tampered with, after allot of head scratching & road testing we moved the seat forward. Stealing a car blanket but was called an hour later saying his wife didn't tell him it was in the wash. I'm retired in Spain now and seeing your videos you have worked out the needs to get through your day. You are truly a very professional guy and love watching.
Any customer who complains about their seat being moved should be put on an industry-wide block list.
Uhuh. And what about them moving the seat forward because they're a midget and not moving it back? Especially power seats. I'd be raising a storm, or, just never coming back. Courtesy goes both ways.
Agree, I can't imagine being that entitled
My daughter sometimes drives our cars and normally leaves the seat so far forward that I cannot get into the car. I normally bang my knee pretty good before I realize it.
Be as picky as your shop can afford.
Nah, just lock up all the adjusters. Something a GM will do FOR YOU.
Thanks
Was it really 2014 Ray? Cleanest 2014 I've ever seen. Engine bay and engine itself was immaculate?
Probably some old Florida qtip that garages it & only drives it to church Sunday morning!
That's nothing. Did you see what looked like a 1982-1984 Dodge Rampage in the background when Ray was filming the unauthorized avian personnel in the shop? Here in the Northeast those things turned to dust 20+ years ago.
The wife's 03 Gran Prix was a PITA too. Depending on which side is out, it was easiest and fastest to pull the structural bracing, airbox, battery, squeeze this, rub that, caress there, etc.
In the future, I recommend you put a piece of tape from the driver's seat to the center console before moving the seat...just cut it, and then re-align it when done...no more issue with moving the seat.
Okay, THAT is a slick piece of advice! Upvoted.
Now its Nice and Shiny.
Don't touch...Don't breathe
Should have sent another paper clip.
Hopefully they don't smell the seats.
My car lets you set up driver profiles, with customized seat/wheel/mirror settings for each one. I just put it on a guest profile if I have to take it in. Granted, the only time I have ever taken it to the service center was to get the Homelink module installed, but still. Sometime this year, I need to have the brake calipers cleaned/lubricated (only recommended because I live in an area where the roads are salted in the winter). That is the only yearly maintenance item.
You are a patient man Ray, I was working up a filthy temper tantrum from just watching you do battle with that ridiculous headlight assembly. This kind of stupid engineering crap is what makes me hate modern cars
Amen !
Cars are not made to be user serviced, otherwise the dealerships would lose money.
These are one of the easiest cars to replace bulbs on...Ray really made this look difficult, especially as it's a tool less job.
Modern anything. How about a washing machine where the inner basket can be torn with your bare hands? Yes it works till it needs repair. You need a whole special rig to attempt to repair it without damaging it. Attempt as the washer was 3 years old and the parts were no longer available and it was out of warranty. They squall and squall and squall about too much bleach threatening to void your warranty. Same for about any 'white good' now. At least with cars there are some aftermarket parts, not enough but some.
"I have wrenches and they can fly..." I can appreciate this sentiment!
My response to my service writers when they start bugging me is always, "you can finish it if you think I'm taking too long".
FYI, most Advisors are bugging the Tech because the customer is beating them up. Give them a break.
@@johnr8439 That's their job. They deal with customers. When I have trouble, I don't go bug the writers.
@@aaronbritt2025 And the Advisor is just getting an update on job status from the Tech to communicate with the customer. That's also part of your job to communicate to the Advisor. Maybe YOU should try doing their job.
Morning time stuff, sometimes it just goes hard ... glad to see you soldier through.
Nice short example on how frustrating an “easy” job can be.
I've been changing the spacing on my tractor tires for 3 days. I'm only half way.
At least he didn't have to take any body panels off to get to the bulb, like I'd have to do on my Honda👎🏼 I'd gladly take this procedure any day, detach the little tank and presto!
@@markredf150 Honda and Mercedes are horrible about that.
Can’t beat a good ramble Ray
This is one of those jobs when you've done it once the next time is easier. Still a PIA but easier.
Kia did a nice job in encapsulating the HID from moisture and dirt. You did a fine job in replacing that bulb. I think I'd take a Saturday afternoon, with plenty of shop chair time, if I were doing that. Always enjoy your videos!
Plier Warranty Police are staking you out Ray...
I thought I saw a Snap-On logo on the side! 🤣
That bonus footage of the bird was awesome.
if its "just a headlight" why didn't they fix it themselves? 😃
I am waiting for the next car idea that requires the technician to program and relearn a new headlight globe / assembly to be functional.
@@wonniewarrior with associated per-install cost to the manufacturer and only works with OEM lamps?
@@ThePoxun And is on subscription--you have to pay every month to keep your headlights on.
@@josepherhardt164 Please don't give them any ideas.
@@wonniewarrior You say that but a certain farm equipment manufacturer already does that with many parts for no reason other than to make more money.
I think you took the broken studs out of the heads quicker than that light bulb change! 😁😁😂
Mercedes have been doing Xenon since the 90's, and they are so much easier to change. Well done Kia on unimproving known technology.
This one was easy. Some cars require removing the front bumper cover and the headlight assembly.
@@aaronbritt2025 My sons both have a Honda Accord (2008 & 2009). Manual states that the process is to remove part of the fender well and reach up and unplug the bulb, but I believe the manual was written for tiny-handed people with double-jointed wrists. As such, the process for these Accords is now to remove the bumper and the headlight assembly. Easy peasy once you do that.
We've come a long way from popping the hood and unscrewing the bulb.
It's really not that bad considering the other cars. Take the Acadia for example, you have to go through the wheel well to change out a bulb. Sure they had enough room on the top but why would you want something like changing a headlight bulb to be easy.
The headlights on my Skoda Octavia come out by loosening one screw and sliding a locking tab to the side. Easy peasy.
@@nottelling4828 Hey , Why Not ? What else did u have to get done anyway ? Making stuff expensive to fix is the road to selling more nu stuff. Much of what's in salvage yards today isn't badly damaged[if @ all] Owner jus decided to move on or walk.
Man I just love your comments. I get in earlier than most of the others and I always check for your videos first. Today I had another tech come in and now he thinks that I have lost my ever loving mind as I sit at my desk laughing my a$$ off at your video. Oh well at least the day is starting off great....thanks for the great content and keep it up.😀
Changing a headlight bulb, how hard can it be, right? My 2001 Golf has little to no room to change the bulbs. First time I did it, I thought it'll be 15 min tops both sides. An hour later and cuts all over my hands I had got them changed... Battery on the other side (yeah, could have removed that) and AC fill port on the other giving no room to work. Not to mention the covers, a pain in the ass to get to correct orientation... Would've probably been faster to remove the bumper and whole headlights and replace the bulbs that way.
yep, my '13 acura requires removing the front bumper to replace headlights
Heh, makes me glad for this old shitbox i drive, you can stand inside the engine bay for that kinda thing, and you don't need to, because the bulb just comes out with a small twist!
It's kind of cheating though, this car i got was based on the opel corsa 94, and was designed around being easy and cheap to maintain, and definitely NOT designed to be top tech, safety and comfort.
In 92 I bought a 73 Cadillac with mint leather seats. 45k original miles. Within the first month of owning it I sat down in the drivers seat with a screwdriver in my back pocket and poked a hole in the seat back.
Unless someone has done a lot of work on vehicles they can't appreciate how many bad designs flaws are in a vehicle that make it unnecessarily difficult and time consuming to work on.
Amen!
Putting your paper floormat upside down jinxed the headlight job! 😁😁😁
This is why people (have to) bring their car to a shop to get a lamp replaced as opposed to old cars where you could just do it yourself rather easily.
My 1999 Chevy Silverado high beam would come on my low beams would go off..but I installed that kit everything works like it should..dealer told me this high low thing was something Chevy did..back then..but it's been great now..
New pliers being delivered by helicopter...cool 😆
Back on my day we had to do things like aiming headlights and marking sparkplug cables to make sure you connected them correctly. 😆
Aligning headlights was a pain, especially when you did not have the tools. :) The good part they where easier then what Ray went through. :)
"It's just a headlight, what's taking so long?" says the customer that can't replace a headlight in their own car. Sad when car owners can't do basic maintenance.
To be fair, you did see the pain that Ray had to go through with that. I wouldn't expect a regular car owner to have that many tools and knowledge.
That is a clean rampage behind the egret
That is why they presented you with the lightbulb fun!!
You just showed me why I'm not replacing al light bulb in my cars anymore. It was a major pain the last time I did replace it in 2015 on a Toyota Aygo. It just took me 40 minutes. But after much cramps in my hand it finally did in and promised myself to never do it again.
Welcome to HID headlights. I'm used to changing the bulbs and ballasts of the Bi Xenon headlights in my 06 "EV"90 V8. (Exxon Valdez)
£41.99 in the UK for one of those HID bulbs today. $52 or so.
Look at a helicopter, and see that thin pipe that attaches the chopper to the big blades. The entire weight of the chopper is being held by that thin pipe. I find that amazing. Anyhow, a morning starts and I am off to work, but my darn car won't start. Then after work I try it again, and the car starts. This went on for several days. I finally traced the problem down to the ignition coil. In the mornings, the air temperature was much colder, and so the low voltage was a problem. After work, the temperature was much higher, and so the engine started. I despise those intermittent problems.
Please continue to ramble at will. I find the rambles to be entertaining and often informative.
As a tall man, I fully understand that the mechanic needs to adjust things to be safe to do a road trip. I just highly appreciate it when they will move the seat back so I can actually get back into the car.
Fortunately my current car has memory seats so no big deal.
Good thing you film you can clearly see the mark as you get into the car
Most cars have low beam on the outer part of the headlight. However, some Ford Focus models do have low beam on the inner part. And of course, you need to dismount the headlight to change bulbs due to lack of space
I was a mechanic a service writer and a shop owner for 30 years. it truly still amazes me how complicated these manufacturers have to make things.. My hat is off to ray, good job, you work and explain things exactly as I did.. When you have to charge somebody a $165 to change out a light bulb that will probably cost Anywhere between $40 and $70 and more, , You really need to know how to explain your yourself to someone as if they were a two-year-old so they could understand. It's tough keeping your integrity intact, and the illusion that you're ripping someone off out of the equation.
I knew a mechanic who was not a small person who was working on the vehicle of much shorter person, and they didn't want to inconvenience them by adjusting anything, and supposedly when they forced themselves to fit they broke the height adjustment on the steering column. I'm cool with mechanic moving stuff around, it takes 30 seconds to fix.
Also I just replaced the headlights on my 09 Focus. That required removing the front grill.
Ray, use your constant tension hose clamp tool to remove that type of bulb. Then put the spring clip back on the new one first then just snap it in. Connect the wires last. Live and learn.. Ask me how I know.....
Love the rambling. Perfect.
Looks like they are doing construction near every shop in Florida!
FYI, I'm glad you added the terrifying music when you installed the floor mat backwards...the horror.
Ray.. in regards to your comment about the difference in bulb locations. You are correct in this day.. however if you own a Saturn it's the opposite.
My old 2 envoy is super simple
Raise the hood pull up on 2 clips behind the headlights And the headlight assembly swings out swings out And twist The bulb loose Extremely simple
I didn't know Ibis migrated to Florida, then again they didn't used to come here (South Australia) but have done for the last decade or so. I also noted your Ibis had a very white beak and body where ours have a dark coloured beak and darker patches around the body.
Wow a clean looking "Bin Chicken" at the end... check out the "Aussie Bin Chicken" for comparison. And we even have the audacity to call ours the white ibis. Thats a white ibis!😀