2004 Kia Optima Tail Light Bulb Replacement Information
The Kia Optima has been called a less expensive alternative to a Honda. When the stylish sedan debuted in 2001, it displayed higher quality than past Kia models. Subsequent years of Optimas soon followed, and owners found them generally easy to make repairs on, including being able to change their own head and tail lights. Many options now exist for owners wanting to customize the look and style of their Optima's lights, including the 2004 model.
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Know Your Model
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There are two versions of the 2004 Optima--the LX and EX--with 4- and 6-cylinder engines available for each version. The taillights of the Kia Optima are identical for the LX and EX. There are three pieces in each unit: a main taillight lens unit on the passenger or driver side; and two smaller bulbs, available on the quarter-panel-mounted side or lid panel side.
Go Shopping
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The most common way to find replacement Optima taillight bulbs at an online or brick-and-mortar retailer is to buy an entire taillight assembly package. The original equipment unit, which includes the bulbs and main lens, is generally easier to replace than having to open the casing to remove and replace individual bulbs. Getting grease or oil on a bulb can result in possible damage as it heats.
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Price
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The average price for a new assembly unit for a 2004 Optima taillights is around $100 (as of 2010), and a used one can run around $70. You can also find individual plain bulbs starting at $2 to $3 apiece. Some stores sell both the driver's side and passenger side lights together; others sell them individually.
Standard Colors
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Taillight bulb colors for a 2004 Optima can be found in primarily amber and white. You can also find special covers for the Optima taillight bulbs that give a bright purple glow. These covers, made by a company called Mr. Gasket, are not street legal, but designed for show cars or racing cars. They cost around $3 for one bulb cover.
Show It Off
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Racing/show fans also are finding new varieties of taillight bulbs to customize their Optimas, including different colors like purple, red or green. Growing in popularity is the specialty LED bulb, which is clear-colored but contains multiple small, low-voltage lights that blink every time you brake. The price rises for specialty colors, usually around $15 to $20 apiece.
Brightness
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Several brightness options are available for your tail lights. There are standard filament bulbs, which generally use 25 to 277 watts in a LX for amber and 5 to 10 watts for clear; there are also brighter halogen bulbs, which claim to use half as much energy and last twice as long. Some custom car places offer kits for making the Optima lights even brighter, but these are more geared to the headlights.
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References
- Photo Credit rear corner panel showing the light assembly of an suv. image by JoLin from Fotolia.com
