Deciding When To Use Headlights

Most drivers have one goal in mind: safety. To achieve this, car owners need to keep up-to-date on vehicle maintenance and maintain clear visibility at all times. We know headlamps are quintessential in maintaining clear vision, but with recent advancements in headlight technologies, the number of headlights available today are far greater than ever before. Every driver could use a refresher on headlight safety. 

Here is our breakdown of the headlights you should know (if you already don’t) —  including when is the right time to use them. 

Daytime headlights 

Daytime running lights were once a thing for luxury cars. Now, you see more automakers integrating this useful headlamp technology into the manufacture of their vehicles. There is no state requirement to have daytime headlights, but there are a number of benefits that make them worthwhile.

The best use of daytime headlights include:

• On two-lane roads and highways 
• During sunset or sunrise
• When rain, snow, smoke, or fog are present
• When driving through rural areas

Today, renown automakers, like Hyundai, have beautifully integrated them into the design of their vehicles’ exterior. Just check out the 2020 Hyundai Sonata with hidden daytime running lights:

New 2020 Hyundai Sonata 👇😎
Hidden lights integrate with the chrome trim for an inventive design that sets the tone for Sonata’s many sweeping enhancements. And the Daytime Running Lights are just the beginning.⁠
See more: https://t.co/vsvXUwKHy4#WillowGrove #Hyundai pic.twitter.com/FjhDLM2s3F

— Sussman Automotive (@SussmanAutomot1) May 12, 2020

Beyond function, the daytime headlamps add a fun touch that car enthusiasts will admire. 

Low beam vs. high beam

Low beam and high beam bulbs both create illumination, but perform differently. Here is a refresher on the difference between them, including what scenarios permit their usage. 

Low beam 

The best time to use low beam headlights is during standard nighttime driving. The following circumstances are ideal for low beam usage:

• Driving in rain, fog, or poor weather conditions
• Navigating in a town or city zone with traffic lights
• Traveling against ongoing traffic 
• Driving in areas where high beams are too dangerous to use

Luckily, most new cars have an automatic setting that turns on low beam headlights the moment dusk hits. However, we wouldn’t recommend just rely on your vehicle. 

High beam 

High beam headlights are best utilized on open highways, rural roads, or mountainous regions where little to no light is present. These strong-powered bulbs can help prevent accidents with animals and oncoming vehicles. They can even avert pedestrian casualties.

In newer makes and models, automatic high beams come standard. Basically, a sensor detects low light levels, automatically turning the high beam function on for the brightest illumination on the road. A camera works conjunctively with this feature to trace oncoming traffic. As a result, the lights are dimmed to prevent blinding other drivers.   

Tips for headlight usage

Front end lights are designed to keep you safe, but it’s still important to know how and when to use them. Check out these simple tips for headlight safety. 

• Clean your headlights often to avoid clouding or dirt buildup. Clear headlights will shine more brightly. Therefore, keeping you safer on the road. 
• When an oncoming vehicle has their high beams on, direct your view to the outer edge of the road. Do not stare directly into the light; this could cause disorientation. 
• Reduce speeds when driving at night. Drivers visibility and reaction times become hindered at this time; even with the best vision. 
• Replace old headlamps with advanced headlights. Check out the video below on how to replace a headlight bulb. However, we always suggest leaving it up to the experts!

Shining the light on headlight safety

All car owners want to practice safe driving. By learning the basics of headlight safety, even the most inexperienced drivers will start to feel more confident behind the wheel. Plus, the headlights being produced are some of the best ever made. They make earning a 5-star safety rating easy. 

Between adaptive driving beams (ADB) and Audi’s groundbreaking projector headlights, the way I see it, headlamps are just getting started. Just make sure you learn how and when to properly use them. 

If you want to find out more about state law and when to use headlights, find out your state requirements here.