Where is the spare fuse located in a car?
3 Answers
To locate the spare fuse in a car, you need to open the fuse box and refer to the diagram on the back. Normally, it will be clearly marked inside, but some vehicles may not come with a spare fuse. Car fuses can be categorized into blade-type fuses, glass tube fuses, and fork-bolt fuses. The car fuse box is typically located on the right side of the engine compartment and the lower left side of the steering column. The fuse on the right side of the engine compartment is mainly responsible for the safety of external electrical components, such as the ECU, windshield washer fluid, headlights, horn, and ABS circuit protection. The fuse on the lower left side of the steering column primarily ensures the normal operation of internal electrical components like the cigarette lighter, power windows, electric seats, and airbags.
I remember last time my car lights suddenly went out, and I searched the entire cabin for spare fuses. Now I know, these things are usually hidden in three most reliable places: there's a small compartment on the back of the fuse box cover in the engine bay—lift it up and you'll see colorful little spare parts; under the steering wheel on the driver's side, inside that hidden box, pry open the plastic cover, and there's a dedicated spare storage in the corner; and deep inside the glove compartment on the passenger side, there's a small drawer with a spring latch. Different car models might place them in different locations—German cars love to tuck them on the side of the dashboard, while Japanese cars often stash them in the trunk's tool slot. The spares are usually packed in transparent plastic, labeled with different amperages. If you can't find them, flipping through the owner's manual will surely have a diagram. Keeping a dozen or so different types in the car can really save the day in a pinch.
When repairing my car, I noticed that spare fuses are actually hidden in quite deliberate locations. In most regular family cars, they're placed in empty slots next to the cabin fuse box - just lift the main fuse box cover to find them. For luxury models, they might be tucked away in the glove compartment liner or behind the side sliding panel of the center console. Trucks and SUVs usually store them on the second layer of the engine compartment fuse box. These spare parts come in individual small packages marked with numbers ranging from 5A to 30A. Key thing to remember: blue indicates 15A, yellow 20A, and red 10A. If you can't find them, don't panic - some vehicles also keep backups in the small tool kit near the spare tire in the trunk. It's best to check every six months whether the spare parts have gotten damp or oxidized, and while you're at it, clean out any dust in the storage slots.
