Types of car lights that new drivers need to know

This has a certain impact on road safety. In fact, many drivers have been fined by traffic police for using headlights incorrectly.

Therefore, understanding the function and how to turn on, off, and adjust the headlights, low beams, turn signals, and fog lights on a car is considered an important first lesson for new drivers.

Types of lights on a car

Headlights and low beam lights

Low beam headlights are headlights with a low beam angle, helping drivers observe road conditions in the immediate vicinity. They are used when driving at low speeds, in urban areas, and residential neighborhoods.

Taillights

Taillights are located on either side of the rear of a vehicle. They emit a red light to signal the presence of a moving car to vehicles behind. This allows the vehicle behind to maintain a safe distance.

Fog lights

Fog lights are positioned low, below the front bumper or at the rear of the vehicle, and their function is to provide illumination in bad weather conditions such as rain or fog.

The fog light system operates independently of the headlights and can be used when the headlights are ineffective in bad weather.

Turn signal

Turn signals are located at the front and rear of the vehicle, next to the headlights and taillights. These lights serve to signal to other vehicles coming from the direction the car is about to turn.

Brake lights

The brake light is part of the overall taillight assembly; it will illuminate or become brighter than usual when you press the brake pedal, signaling to drivers behind you that you are slowing down or stopping.

Emergency lights

Emergency lights are displayed at both the front and rear of the vehicle via turn signals simultaneously on both sides. Emergency lights signal to other drivers that the car is experiencing a problem.

Cabin lighting system

The cabin lighting system includes: roof lights, dashboard lights, ABS lights, oil pressure warning lights, engine fault warning lights, etc. Each type has its own specific function.

How to adjust the lights on a car

Depending on the manufacturer's layout, there are two ways to operate it: using the control lever to the left of the steering wheel or using the rotary knob integrated into the dashboard near the driver's door sill.

To turn on the headlights, the driver simply rotates the control switch to the headlight symbol (usually represented by three horizontal lines resembling headlights). When switched on, the headlights will typically default to low beam (cos) mode. To switch to high beam (pha), the driver simply pushes the integrated control lever on the left side of the steering column forward.

At this point, a green indicator light (three horizontal lines resembling headlights) will appear on the dashboard to signal that the headlights are on. Conversely, pulling the lever backward (towards the driver) will switch the lights to low beam (cos).

In some cases, to signal a warning to the vehicle ahead, the driver can flash the headlights by pushing and pulling the integrated control lever on the left side of the steering column at least 1-2 times consecutively backward (towards the driver).

When changing lanes or turning, the driver also uses the integrated control lever on the left side of the steering column to activate the turn signals. Specifically, to turn on the right turn signal, the driver moves this lever upwards. Conversely, moving it downwards will activate the left turn signal.

Similarly, to turn on the fog lights, daytime running lights (DRL), etc., the driver simply needs to rotate the control switch to the symbol indicating each type of light. Each car has a different design for the light control switches, so to understand it properly, users should read the owner's manual that comes with the car.

With vehicles using rotary knobs, drivers will have a more intuitive and easier-to-operate experience compared to traditional levers. In this case, the traditional lever on the left side of the steering wheel is only used to switch between high beam/low beam modes and turn signals.

Tips for using lights correctly

When driving at night on the highway, drivers can use normal headlights, but when encountering oncoming traffic, you should reduce speed and switch from high beams to low beams until the oncoming vehicle has passed.

It's a good habit to use high beams (flashing, switching continuously between low and high beams) when changing lanes or overtaking other vehicles. For cars, high beams are a better way to signal than the horn, because cars are usually closed while moving, making it difficult to hear the sound of the horn.

If you see an oncoming vehicle flashing its headlights, check if your vehicle's headlights are in high beam mode. This is important to remember because your headlights can blind oncoming drivers, potentially causing them to lose control and have an accident.

Regular maintenance of your car's headlight system, proper adjustment of high and low beams, and replacement of headlights after a period of use are essential to ensure optimal and safe lighting.