How to Understand How Vehicle Fuses Work

Fuses are an extremely small part of your vehicle, so you probably rarely think about them. Though they are small, fuses are crucial for the proper function of your vehicle. Fuses help supply power to your vehicle accessories, such as power windows, cigarette lighters and dome lights.

Instructions

1. Understand the job of the fuse. The main function of a fuse is to protect the wiring of the vehicle. If something overloads a fuse, then the fuse will blow, instead of a portion of the wiring harness. This protects your entire vehicle.

2. Know what a fuse looks like and where they are located in your vehicle. A fuse is a small tube shape with 2 blades inside of a protective plastic housing. The 2 blades will be connected by a U-shaped piece of metal if the fuse is good. If the fuse is blown, the U-shaped piece of metal will be melted.

3. Locate the 2 main places fuse boxes are on most vehicles. There is 1 located under the hood that holds the fuses for things like the anti-lock brake pump and cooling fans. The fuse box located inside the car houses fuses for the interior functions of the car like dome lights.

4. Write down the specific type of fuse your vehicle uses and keep it in your vehicle manual or other place you store your vehicle information. Information about the fuses can be found on the inside of the fuse box lid, too. If you are unsure about any of the information, show the schematic to an auto parts store employee for assistance.