Nissan Altima Tail Lights

• A tail light is the red light found at the rear of any motorized vehicle.
• It serves as a visual warning when a vehicle is coming to a stop.
• A tail light assembly includes the turn signal, tail light, and brake light.
• There are only two types of light sources for Nissan Altima tail lights, which are halogen and LED.
• Nissan Altima tail lights usually cost around $70 to $900.

The Nissan Altima debuted in 1993 as the continuation of the Bluebird line in the Japanese market. Before being a standalone model, the “Altima” was originally applied to the top-range Nissan Leopard and Nissan Laurel in Japan and Central America, respectively. Originally a compact car in its early years, the Nissan Altima now sits in the midsize sedan segment, competing against rivals like the Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, and Honda Accord.

To keep your Nissan Altima in tip-top condition inside and out, you must follow regular maintenance. Good thing you can evaluate some parts on your own, such as exterior components like the tail light. Having said that, here are a few pointers about Nissan Altima tail lights. 

A tail light, as the name suggests, is the red light found at the rear of any motorized vehicle. Unlike headlights, tail lights aren’t meant for illuminating the vicinity. Rather, it serves as a visual warning when a vehicle is coming to a stop. A tail light assembly includes the turn signal, tail light, and brake light—which is why some people interchangeably refer to tail lights as brake lights.

At night, tail lights serve as a reference point between two cars. The light that turns up brighter as the driver in front steps on the brakes are called brake lights and they’re just part of the whole assembly. Tail lights usually turn on along with the headlights or when the parking brake is on.

There are only two types of light sources for Nissan Altima tail lights, which are halogen and LED. You’ll most likely want a halogen if you have an older model Nissan Altima, while LED is typically available for 2014 models and up.

Halogen Light Source

Halogen comes as standard in most vehicles mainly because of it’s inexpensive. To generate light, it uses halogen gas mixed with tungsten-halogen filaments. However, halogen lights last shorter than LEDs, which is considered as one of its major downsides. A typical Halogen light bulb can last for about three years or 450 to 1000 hours. Although three years sound reasonably long, it is incomparable to LED lamps, which can last longer. 

LED Tail Lights

LED tail lights are becoming more popular nowadays. That’s because this type of light casts brighter lumination than halogen light sources. On top of that, LED bulbs are also more energy-efficient compared to halogen. And because this type of light source is a more advanced technology, they often feature a plug-and-play installation.

Apart from the light sources available for the Nissan Altima, you’ll also stumble upon CAPA-certified tail lights. But, what does CAPA mean and what differs CAPA-certified parts from the non-CAPA ones?

The Certified Automotive Parts Association, or CAPA for short, is an independent nonprofit organization that standardizes the quality of automotive replacement parts. Parts undergo rigorous inspection program and testing before receiving certification. The advantages of CAPA-certified replacement parts include OEM-quality fit and guaranteed durability. Some body shops are required to work with OEM and CAPA-certified replacement parts unless the client consents.

Nissan Altima tail lights usually cost around $70 to $900. Take note that prices depend on which model year a specific tail light is designed for. Currently, there are six generations of the Nissan Altima, each one has its own specific tail light design so it is important to specify your car’s model year on the filter tab. Tail lights are sold individually, in kits, or sets.

On a side note, you may also select from various color finishes available for Nissan Altima tail lights. You could go with clear and red lenses, clear red lenses with chrome interior, clear lens with black interior, or smoked lens with chrome interior. You may also shop according to preference, which falls on either OE replacement parts or performance tail lights.

To know whether your tail lights are properly working or not, you’ll need another person working with you. That person could either stand outside to inspect the tail light or be the one operating the vehicle from inside the cabin. There are two ways to check if the lights are working properly: switching the headlights on and tapping the brakes repeatedly.

If you don’t have someone to help you, you may back up near a wall (the more reflective or shiny, the better) and inspect the light cast onto the wall through the rearview and side mirrors. However, the best case scenario would be having your car checked by a mechanic. A trained mechanic might use a multimeter to easily detect what component is having an issue, as well as the electrical circuit.

Your car’s tail lights serve as an important guide to drivers behind you so it’s wise to keep them in tip-top condition. If you notice flickering or dimming, bring your car to the mechanic as soon as possible. Driving with defective tail light could result in serious accidents caused by confusion on the road.