How to Use the Car Cigarette Lighter?
4 Answers
How to use the car cigarette lighter: 1. Turn on the car power, insert the cigarette lighter into the power socket, and press down to lock; 2. The cigarette lighter starts heating. When the heating wire reaches the required temperature, it will automatically pop out, or wait 5 to 8 seconds until the wire turns red. You don't need to wait for it to pop out by itself, you can also pull it out manually; 3. After lighting the cigarette, place the cigarette lighter back into the power socket. The cigarette lighter is a component found in all cars, providing a convenient fire source for smokers. Besides lighting cigarettes, the car cigarette lighter can also be equipped with a car inverter to convert the car's 12V, 24V, or 48V DC power into 220V, 50Hz AC power for use with ordinary electrical appliances.
Using the car cigarette lighter is actually quite simple, mainly for lighting cigarettes. I firmly insert the lighter head into the socket, listening for a soft click to confirm it's properly seated. After waiting a few seconds, the indicator light will turn off, signaling that heating is complete. Then I gently pull it out and touch it directly to the cigarette to light it. I always make sure not to do this while driving to avoid distraction, using it only when the car is parked or during breaks. The cigarette lighter can also be converted into a power socket with a USB adapter to charge phones or GPS devices. However, remember not to plug in high-power devices like car vacuum cleaners, as they can easily blow a fuse. I always keep a spare fuse box in the storage compartment just in case. For safety, never place the hot lighter head in cup holders after use; let it cool before storing to prevent burns or fires. When cleaning the socket, use a soft cloth and avoid inserting foreign objects that could obstruct heat dissipation. Although primitive, the cigarette lighter remains quite useful in older cars.
I often use the cigarette lighter on the road, but mainly for charging my phone. The way to use it is to plug it into that round socket hole, wait for it to heat up, then remove the lighter head and set it aside, and plug in a USB adapter to power electronic devices. As a modern person, I rarely use it for lighting cigarettes anymore, but the cigarette lighter socket has become a practical power outlet. It provides 12V voltage, and charging is super fast—I often use it to charge my Bluetooth earphones or iPad. Adapters are cheap to buy online and just plug in. The only thing to watch out for is not to use high-power appliances for too long to avoid circuit overload. I make it a habit to check if the cigarette lighter socket is clean and free of dust before driving to ensure good contact. If it feels loose or unresponsive, the fuse might be blown and needs replacing. The cigarette lighter is versatile and highly expandable, making it great for travelers.
Having driven older cars for many years, what I remember most is how to use the cigarette lighter: insert it, wait for the light to turn on for a few seconds until it goes off, indicating it's heated up, then gently pull it out to light a cigarette. I used to use it frequently, but now for health reasons, I've mostly given it up, though the method remains preserved in the car. The original design of the cigarette lighter was truly thoughtful—much more stable than a lighter. Be gentle when inserting or pulling it out; avoid yanking it forcefully. If the cigarette lighter isn't working, it might be a fuse issue—check the manual, as replacing it yourself isn't difficult. Nowadays, cigarette lighters are rare in new cars, replaced by more practical USB ports, but as part of car culture, they're worth remembering.
