Driver guides · October 19, 2026

Headlights Stopped Working at Night: What to Do Before a Tow

Headlights out at night? Get to a safe stopping place and call Rick’s to discuss towing before continuing your trip.

If your car is parked in Lake View East or Chicago’s North Side and the lights will not work, call (312) 451-5785. We answer 24/7 and can assess whether our wheel-lift equipment fits your vehicle and pickup location.

If the lights go out while you are driving

The Illinois Rules of the Road advises drivers experiencing sudden headlight failure to use available emergency flashers, parking lights or turn signals and pull off the road. Those lights help signal your presence while you reach a safe stopping place; they are not a substitute for headlights for the rest of your trip.

Keep your attention on traffic. Do not troubleshoot on your phone while moving. Once stopped safely, arrange assistance. If you are stuck in a live traffic lane or there is immediate danger, call 911 for emergency assistance.

Already parked? Check the controls before describing a failure

Before leaving a garage, lot or curbside space after dark, check the lighting controls using your exact owner’s manual. Dashboard illumination alone does not establish that the headlights are working. If you are safely parked, confirm which setting is selected and describe what you can observe without standing in traffic.

Are both low beams out, or only one?
Did the lights go out suddenly, flicker or gradually dim?
Does the engine start and keep running?
Is there a charging-system or exterior-light warning?
Was there recent front-end damage or lighting work?

You do not need to diagnose the electrical system to request a tow. Read the warning message exactly as displayed, and save any photo only when it is safe to take one.

A headlight warning is not automatically a dead battery

Different faults need different repairs. For example, Hyundai’s 2026 Elantra owner guidance distinguishes exterior-bulb warnings from LED headlight faults and calls for dealer inspection when the LED warning remains on or blinks. That example is not a diagnosis for your vehicle; follow the manual for your year and model.

If the engine runs but the headlights do not, a jump start is not a repair for the lighting fault. If the car also will not start, tell us both symptoms when requesting jump-start assistance. We can discuss the appropriate next step without assuming that starting the engine makes the car ready to drive at night.

Rick’s does not advertise roadside headlight wiring or control-module repair. Do not bypass a fuse or improvise electrical repairs to continue the trip. Arrange inspection by a qualified repair facility.

When a tow is the practical next step

If proper lighting cannot be restored where you are parked, arrange transport instead of continuing a nighttime drive with inadequate visibility. Rick’s provides wheel-lift towing for compatible vehicles. We do not offer flatbed towing, and acceptance depends on vehicle requirements, condition and access.

Have the year, make, model and drivetrain ready if known. Tell us whether you have the keys, whether the car rolls and steers, and whether there is collision damage. Confirm your destination with the receiving shop. If it is closed, get approval and its drop-off instructions before arranging delivery.

What to tell us for a Lake View East pickup

Start with the exact address and nearest cross street, then the vehicle and lighting problem. Along Broadway, Belmont Avenue or Sheridan Road, tell us which side of the street you are on. For a garage, give the actual vehicle entrance, level, posted clearance and any locked gate. A building’s front-door address may not identify its garage entrance.

When you call, we’ll discuss vehicle compatibility, pickup access, availability, an arrival estimate and the quote for the described job. Ask about arrangements for passengers rather than assuming everyone can ride in the tow truck.

Need a tow tonight? Call (312) 451-5785. For other breakdown questions, visit our driver guides.

Headlights Stopped Working at Night: What to Do Before a Tow

If the lights go out while you are driving

Already parked? Check the controls before describing a failure

A headlight warning is not automatically a dead battery

When a tow is the practical next step

What to tell us for a Lake View East pickup

What to expect when you call Rick’s

About Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance — 24/7 Lakeview & North Side Roadside Assistance

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