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How a car horn works and replacement cost
You may be familiar with this: the driver in front of you doesn't notice that the traffic lights have long since turned green; the student driver stalls the vehicle for the umpteenth time; someone else leaves the roundabout without signalling. All these situations have one thing in common – they make you feel the urge for a reprimanding "honk"– also known as a klaxon sound. But are you allowed to do this? Here we’ll explain how a car horn works and when you are allowed to use it and when you are not.
How does a car horn function?
Horns are metal components that are vibrated when your car is moving. A tone is then created electronically with a fine metal plate and an electromagnet. When this is activated with the use of a button, it applies power to the plate thereby creating the sound.
Where is it installed in my vehicle?
First, locate the horn in the bonnet. The car horn is a spherical part usually with a prominent opening. In most cases, the horn is located near the radiator grille and is about 5 inches in diameter. Another option is to check the car owner’s manual, this should assist you in finding its exact location.
When am I allowed to sound my horn?
You may use the horn as a warning to other road users if you believe yourself or others to be in danger. For example, you may warn an oncoming vehicle of an unsecured accident scene behind you or use the horn to draw attention to yourself in the event of a sudden lane change by the vehicle next to you. You are also permitted to sound the horn if a vehicle tries to pull out of the parking space without consideration or if a child runs onto the road between parked cars. In short, you may only honk your horn as a warning signal or as an indicator that you are overtaking another vehicle.
HELLA Air Horn
BOSCH Horn
12V, 110 dB(A), Electric-pneumatic, 60W, Holder may need adaptation
HELLA Air Horn
HELLA Air Horn
Defective car horn
If your car horn isn’t working It could be that you have a blown-out fuse. To determine this, you should open the fuse compartment in your vehicle. Most likely, you will find it on the left-hand side of the driver's side. Remove the relevant fuse either with your fingers or an appropriate tool. There is a wire between the two contacts in the centre of the fuse. If this wire is damaged, you’ll need to buy car fuses. If this doesn’t solve your problem, you may need to get a replacement such as a new horn from HELLA horns.
How much does it cost to repair a car horn?
As with all things, the cost of fixing a car horn will depend on the particular dealership or workshop, so it’s wise to shop around. Generally speaking, replacing the fuses will run you about £16 while a professional car air horn replacement costs around £75 to £115. Your car horn is an important part of your car and helps to ensure the safety of you, your passengers, and other road users, so make sure it’s of good quality and always in proper working order.
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