How does water get into your tail lights?
G’day, seen a bit of fog or water pooling in your car’s tail lights? You’re definitely not the only one. We get folks from all over Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Cambridge, even out Te Kowhai and Morrinsville way, popping in with this exact issue. Easy to miss but it does make a difference, especially during those thick fog mornings on Wairere Drive or rainy nights coming down Peachgrove Road.
Tail lights being in top shape matters for safety. You want drivers seeing you sharp as on our NZ roads, especially with how some of those stretches can get pretty dodgy in winter. And if you’re heading for a WOF Hamilton, two working tail lights are a must or you’ll get pinged and need a recheck.
What causes moisture in tail lights?
Plenty of reasons for water or condensation sneaking in. Some of the common ones we see at the workshop:
- Dodgy Seals: The rubbery seals around the tail light units break down over time. Hamilton weather’s not shy, so whether it’s the sun belting down in summer or damp winters, those seals cop a lot, especially when you’re bumping over potholes round Nawton or Hillcrest.
- Cracked Lenses: Had a little nudge, maybe clipped a shopping trolley at Chartwell or reversed into something by mistake? Even a tiny crack in that lens means water and moisture find their way in, especially after a proper downpour.
- Previous Repairs: Sometimes, tail lights get pulled out to do a bulb or some panel work (on anything from a Mazda Demio to a Volkswagen Golf), and if they weren’t put back proper, you get little gaps that let water get in.
- Condensation from Weather Swings: NZ weather’s up and down. Pop your car outside in the cold Dinsdale mornings, then bright sun after lunch, and next thing, you’ve got condensation clouds sitting behind the lens. We see it heaps on Asian cars like Toyota Prius and Euro jobs like Renault Captur.
Does water in the tail lights matter?
Yeah, it really does. That fogging and the odd water droplet might seem like nothing, but even a little bit can dull your lights so folks behind can’t see you as clearly— and that’s risky with all the start-stop roundabouts on Ulster Street or late arvo traffic on Grey Street. If it gets worse, the socket can corrode or bulbs burn out— have seen it cause more trouble than just a failed WOF.
This sort of stuff is classic NZ car problems— not picky about what you drive either. Last week, a customer rolled in from Tamahere in a Peugeot 308, and another from Rototuna in a Nissan Leaf. Same issue, both needed fixing.
What should you do if you spot moisture in your lights?
Spotting a few droplets inside your tail lights? Best to sort it sooner than later. Fixing the seals and drying things up is generally a quick job (and a lot cheaper) compared to waiting until the bulb and wiring are all fizzed out or you’ve got green corrosion setting in.
If you leave it, could be up for a proper replacement or wiring work— don’t wait for the warning from your next car service in Hamilton, or worse, fail your WOF ’cos of faint brake lights. Whether it’s a Honda Fit, Suzuki Swift, or something a bit more rare like a SsangYong, we’re happy to help, no dramas.
Need tail light cleaning, repair or replacement? Give us a shout at Grimmer Motors— we do the lot, right here in Hamilton. Keeps you safer, gets you legal, and saves you hassle further down the track.