Car Lights & Headlights: How & When To Use?

By Admin Reading time: 8 min read Published on: 09 / 04 / 2025
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How & When To Use Headlights?

Lights and headlights are ubiquitous in a car, and car lights often go unnoticed, but they are crucial for the safety of the car user. It helps you drive in the dark and keeps the path illuminated for you. When driving at night, you must use your headlights and different car night lights to be safe.

Car Headlights Explained

Want to know when to use full beam headlights? Every car has different car lights and headlights, depending on its model. The headlight is the glass casing in front of the car, and the bulb used in it is known as the headlamp. Therefore, headlights vary with the headlamps and the car model.

Different Types Of Headlights And When To Use Them

There are different types of headlights:

  • Tungsten halogen Bulb

  • High-Intensity Discharge bulb

  • LED

  • Laser

Car HeadLights Explained:

Tungsten Halogen bulbs are standard in cars, but LEDs are replacing them as they are a better and more energy-efficient substitute. Tungsten Halogen bulbs have a tungsten filament present inside a halogen-filled bulb. 

Halogen in the bulb helps maximise the light emission. Some cars even have two filaments for better illumination. 

High-Intensity Discharge bulbs are costly. They have mercury vapours and halide atoms, and the bulb fills with the noble gases argon and sodium. The side of the bulb is coated with fluorescent material. 

LEDs work with semiconductors. Laser is a new technology, and it is still adapting itself in the headlight market. These car headlight types and car light types have been evolving for decades, and now they are focusing more on energy efficiency and better results with fewer efforts. 

You can evaluate these headlights and decide what lights to use when driving at night.

How To Use Car Lights / When to use sidelights

Want to know what are side lights on a car? New car users often get confused between the rear and backlights and their switches. In addition, if you are new to driving, you must know about car headlight symbols, second-hand headlights, and second-hand car spotlights, and then you must also be worried about this. 

Follow these simple steps to know how to use car headlights.

  1. Locate the headlight controls and car headlight light symbols of your car. Their position differs with a different vehicle. 

  2. Locate the on and off positions. For example, a headlight switch is usually off by default, but you need to remember it while driving. 

  3. Identify all the symbols on the headlight switch and turn them towards the correct symbol.

  4. Remember the settings and default position of the headlight control. Know when to use which setting.

  5. Keep an eye on your dashboard for any sign of danger. Then, the dashboard usually shows the danger symbol in case of any problem.

  6. If you observe any problem with the headlight, take a moment and observe the headlight and look for the fault.

When Should You Use Your Headlights?

To be a master of the car, you should be friendly with the headlight controls and know when to use your headlight. If you also get confused with such questions as ‘when do you use dipped headlights, don’t worry, these tips surely will be helpful to you. 

There are the following light settings present in a car:

  • Daylight running lights

  • Low beam headlights / dipped headlights

  • Full beam headlights

  • Fog lights

  • Taillights

  • Signal lights / indicators

  • Brake lights

  • Hazard lights

  • Interior lights

You do not need to use additional lights; Daylight running lights are enough for it. 

During sunset, Low beam headlights / dipped headlights can help you. Full beam headlights are helpful when their darkness is too much, and no other car is present in the tight radius. It provides focused light with a lot of glare.

As the name suggests, Fog lights are helpful in foggy weather. They penetrate through the fog, make other cars aware of your presence, and prevent accidents. Tail Lights get turned on automatically whenever the headlights are working. 

Signal lights or indicators are present at the back and forth of the car and help other drivers know when you are taking turns. They are even present on the side mirrors. Likewise, brake lights help indicate to other drivers that you are slowing down. 

Hazard lights are also known as flashers, and the flashlight indicates danger, distress, or traffic problems. Interior lights are helpful in vehicles when checking for maps or directions. However, they should remain turned off while driving as they can distract the driver and waste energy.

Conclusion

Knowing about different car lights and when to use them will help you understand your car better. Know all about the car lights & headlights & how to use them. Also, find emergency items to keep in the car in particular situations.

If you want to buy a second-hand car in Delhi, a luxury car. You can find interested buyers using Auto Best Emperio (ABE), an online marketplace that deals with high-quality cars. You can also sell your luxury cars with Auto Best (ABE). The Auto Best Emporio in Delhi is another great place to buy a used car.

Read More:

  1. When Is It High Time To Change The Headlights?

  2. Must-Have Documents When Buying A Used Car

  3. Hidden Costs On Buying A Second-Hand Car: Know All About It

 

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