➤ Replacing the tail light of a Lada Granta liftback

The relative simplicity of the Lada Granta’s design, including the liftback, allows for a number of preventive and repair work to be carried out outside the service center. Even during the warranty period, the manufacturer allows basic work to be carried out outside of an official service station.

For example:

replenishment of cooling system fluid and engine oil;
replacing windshield wiper blades;
replacement of light bulbs, front and rear optics.

Necessary tool for flashlight replacement

So, how to remove the rear light on a liftback: for these purposes you will need time, tools, a platform (platform), and a set of new consumables.

A set of automotive tools, in particular: a flat-tip screwdriver, an “8” socket, a socket wrench of the same size;
Rags, liquid for removing rust and corrosion WD - 40;
New optics;
Lighting lamps if necessary.

Replacement algorithm

We turn off the engine, squeeze the handbrake;
Open the back door;
Depending on the model year, the sequence of actions differs. In the first generation (until 2015), unfasten the casing flap and provide free access to the back of the optics. In the second generation, remove the plastic latch, remove the lamps, unscrew the three nuts.

We replace the reflector, lamps, and assemble the structure in the reverse order.

Replacement instructions

So, if you want to achieve a better glow and increase the service life of your optics, just change the lighting sources in it. As practice shows, the most popular option in this regard is to replace traditional halogen lamps with diode light sources. But before you begin this process, you need to understand that simply installing a diode instead of a halogen will not be enough.

After all, this process has certain features:

Typically, for installation it is necessary to tear off the base previously installed on the diode element in order to transfer it to the required hole.
Replacing Lada Granta DRL lamps also involves checking the polarity of the lighting sources in order to maintain the functionality of the safety element. If you do not do this, the fuse will fail in any case, thus de-energizing the safe operation of the on-board network.

The replacement procedure is as follows:

First, you need to turn off the ignition, open the hood of the car and disconnect the terminals from the battery. This will allow you to turn off the device and ensure further safe operation when the power supply is de-energized.
Let's start the replacement with the light sources in the right lamp. To do this, pull out the cartridge; to do this, you need to rotate it counterclockwise.
Then the failed lighting source must be removed from its seat; to do this, simply pull it towards you.
After completing these steps, make sure that the antennae on the removed bulb correspond to the location of the contacts on the new one. The antennae themselves should fit into the mounts on the optics without any problems. Install the new lighting element at a 45 degree angle.
Next, the lamps in the left headlamp are replaced. Here the procedure will be slightly different, since it has its own characteristics, in particular, it will be more difficult to reach the light bulb. Before changing devices, it is necessary to dismantle the air filter unit; to do this, disconnect all fasteners and clamps, as well as pipes. It will also be necessary to unscrew the pipe through which the coolant passes. The block itself is supported by three special clamps; they must be removed.
After completing these steps, you will need to repeat all the replacement steps described above. Further assembly is carried out in reverse order. Now all you have to do is connect the battery and check the functionality of the optics.

Price issue

The cost of a set of lamps or the daytime running lights themselves can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and place of purchase. Below are the average prices for headlights, as well as lighting sources that can be purchased on the Russian market.

Catalog articles for lighting lamps in Granta Liftback rear lights

Name	OEM number / index / article
Turn signals	PY21W
Brake/side light	P21
Anti-fog headlight	P21W
Reverse	P21W
License plate	С5W
Luggage compartment	С5W
Salon	С10W

Features of replacing the tail light of the Lada Granta liftback

After unscrewing the three nuts, remove the Grant liftback tail light from the guide grooves. This must be done carefully, without jerking and strictly straight. Otherwise, you risk damaging the plastic latch on the case.

The design is too fragile, careless handling can lead to damage. If the guide is deformed, reuse of the flashlight is no longer possible due to the lack of a lock.

Replacing the Grant liftback fog lamp in the front part is carried out by analogy. Work is carried out from the rear of the bumper.

DRL lamp replacement process

To gain the necessary access to the left headlight unit, you need to move to the side the housing, inside of which the engine air filter is located. For this purpose, we dismantle all housing fastenings, wiring harnesses and sensor. After this, you can slide the filter housing up.
But to gain access to the right headlight unit, you will need to remove the power unit cover. To do this, you need to unscrew the oil filler cap, and then carefully snap off the cap. This is done with a confident upward movement. The main thing is not to forget to screw the lid back into place in order to prevent the possibility of solid objects falling into the neck, including dirt, which can be quite a lot under the hood.

As for the headlight lamp connector, it is located closer to the lower corner of the headlight. So, you will need to remove the cartridge. This is done by turning the cartridge counterclockwise. Now you will have access to a lamp, which is very easy to replace.

Installing a new lamp occurs in the reverse order. The main thing is to get the cartridge into the corresponding groove on the headlight, but turn it clockwise.

Disadvantages of LED lamps

If you decide to install LED lamps, then be prepared for some problems with their operation.

Basically, we are talking about the fact that the sensor on the instrument panel will constantly indicate problems with operation. The reason for this is the reduced electricity consumption of such lamps. This is noticed by a monitoring relay, which constantly monitors the normal operation of the lamps. So, seeing a reduced current supply, the driver will be shown a corresponding message that the lamp has become unusable.

The indicator will be constantly lit on the instrument panel, or the on-board system will sound an audible alarm. However, the sound signal will only be heard in a situation where the instrument panel is replaced with a similar one, but of a European version.

In addition, if you replace a yellow LED without chromaticity with a white one, it can additionally include various shades, ranging from blue to purple. This may cause a natural reaction from government officials. So, it can be very difficult for you to prove that LEDs meet legal and safety regulations.

Installation Requirements

The key disadvantage of daytime running lights is that they are not fixed in legislation as a standard lighting device. So, many conflicts may arise between vehicle owners and government officials.

Special types of lighting fixtures must be manufactured in strict accordance with state standards. Therefore, if an independent replacement was carried out, then the new lamps, in terms of their technical characteristics, must comply with the established standards.

For example, for a Lada Granta car, daytime running lights must be located in the front part at a height of at least twenty-five centimeters from ground level.

Elements of tuning optical devices

Recently, installation of LEDs has become popular. There are many advantages with analogues: long service life, direction of the light beam, brightness, resistance to high plus and minus temperatures.

And the main trump card is cost, availability, and a wide range of color shades.

The installation process is somewhat different from the usual, as it is necessary:

dismantle the standard illuminator (lamp);
depressurize the lantern, remove the rubber seal;
cover the seat with LED strip of the required length;
connect the contact board;
Reassemble the structure in reverse order.

Recently, it has become popular to install fog lights on the rear bumper. This improves visibility when passing backwards and prevents accidents. Replacing the rear fog light of a Lada Granta liftback is carried out by analogy.

How to choose the right lamps

First of all, you need to figure out which bulbs are installed in the headlights of a Lada Granta car. Low and high beam are provided by the same two-filament halogen lamp h4. The headlight of the new Granta Liftback contains lamps marked h19. There is no fundamental difference between them, h19 is a modern modification of the h4 base. It is the same halogen double-filament design.

When it comes time to change a burnt out light bulb, the main task is choosing the right replacement. It is important to know that any design change is a violation, which gives traffic police officers a reason to fine or even deprive the driver of his license for six months or a year. If xenon or LED lamps are installed instead of the standard halogen design, this will be regarded as making unreasonable changes to the design, which could lead to emergency situations on the road. This is quite justified, since the headlight units are designed to install a certain type of lamps with specified parameters and configuration of tungsten filaments. Excessive brightness or incorrect adjustment of the light beam leads to blinding of drivers of oncoming cars, which is unacceptable and dangerous.

Important! You must also remember that you will always have to change both lamps, even if one of them works. This is due to the difference in the parameters and configuration of the luminous flux available for all lamps.

Suitable types of lamps

Let's look at the most popular and effective types of low/high beam lamps for Lada Grants:

Philips h4 3700k x;
Osram Original Line;
Bosch Pure Light;
Mtf-Light Aurum H4;
Narva H4 Contrast+, etc.

Each of these lamps has its own advantages and features. For example, the last two models on the list have the same efficiency in any weather. When choosing the most suitable option, you need to not just look for the brightest model. It is necessary to take into account the conditions in which it will be used. If the color temperature is too high, the glow will be bluish-white. This gives good readability of details, increases the illumination range, but in bad weather conditions all the advantages sharply turn into complete disadvantages - a beam of light makes snowflakes, raindrops or fog glow, forming a luminous cocoon and making it difficult for the driver to see. The best option for bad weather is soft yellow light, which does not change perception and does not interfere with vision.

Typical signs of a lighting system malfunction

lack of indication on the dashboard when the turn signals, high/low beam lever, and brake light are activated;
frequent indication of the above indicators;
the high/low beam lever does not activate the lamps;
insufficient brightness of lamps and flashlight reflector.

The above signs indicate damage, deformation, or a break in the electrical circuit of the lighting system. To troubleshoot problems, you will need comprehensive diagnostics, identification of the breakdown, and subsequent replacement of elements. You can do this either independently or by contacting a service center for help from specialists.

Does it make sense to change working running lights?

Many car owners are interested in the issue of replacing standard DRL bulbs with more advanced ones, since the former are characterized by certain disadvantages:

Dim lighting with yellowish tint. Firstly, in practice, such light often spoils the aesthetic appearance of the car as a whole, and secondly, its lighting does not have the best effect on the visibility of the car in front.
Low service life of such lighting sources. So sooner or later you will have to face the need to replace light bulbs.

It is for these reasons that our car owners decide to replace traditional incandescent lamps with more advanced lighting sources

If you decide to install diode light elements instead of incandescent lamps, then when choosing, you should pay attention only to their base - replacing a light bulb involves using the appropriate connector (the author of the video is the City&Country Style channel).. It should also be noted that the main disadvantage of DRLs is that this type of optics is not fixed in any way in the current legislation, in particular, we are talking specifically about lighting sources

Therefore, you must be prepared for the fact that you may encounter an inspector who wants to fine you for this. It must be taken into account that certain types of lighting devices must be manufactured in full compliance with GOST and standards. So if the technical specifications of the light bulbs being installed do not match those that should be installed, then this is fraught with possible problems in the future.

It should also be noted that the main disadvantage of DRLs is that this type of optics is not fixed in any way in the current legislation, in particular, we are talking about lighting sources. Therefore, you must be prepared for the fact that you may encounter an inspector who wants to fine you for this. It must be taken into account that certain types of lighting devices must be manufactured in full compliance with GOST and standards. So if the technical specifications of the light bulbs being installed do not match those that should be installed, then this is fraught with possible problems in the future.

Analysis of reviews from Lada Granta liftback owners

Grant-Eject (https://www.drive2.ru/l/6512513/): the sedan's lamps are different from those of the liftback. In the first modification they are combined, in the liftback they are separate.
Diyk: taillights often sweat on sedans, the problem has been eliminated in the liftback;
Silica Gel: to quickly remove moisture, attach a moisture absorber for shoes to double-sided tape. It doesn't last long, but it's effective. Improving the sealing of the rear lights is an alternative option.
Grant-Eject: insufficient fixation contributed to the flashlight falling out during movement.
LADA Granta 2012 (https://www.zr.ru/content/articles/832528-lampy-primenyaemye-v-avtomobile-lada-granta/): the car is reliable, unpretentious, subject to a moderate driving style. Over a period of five years of operation, breakdowns are typical and characteristic.

Check list

Turn off the engine, squeeze the parking brake lever;
Open the liftback cover;
Remove the plastic protection / sound insulation layer. The choice depends on the model year. More details are described at the beginning of the article;
Unscrew the lamps, three nuts;
Replacement of Grant liftback taillight lamps, carry out related preventive maintenance;
Reassemble the structure in reverse order.

Conclusion based on the results of the replacement The design and fixation of optical devices is not at all complicated. Every car owner can do the replacement; there is no need to contact a service center. Only as a last resort, when a global breakdown is identified or surgical intervention by a specialist is required. After reading the instructions provided, the owner knows exactly how to change the Granta liftback taillight with minimal time.