Are Position Lamps and Outline Lamps the Same?
2 Answers
Position lamps and outline lamps are not exactly the same. The difference between outline lamps and position lamps lies in their installation positions, but both serve as light sources to highlight the vehicle's position. Outline lamps are installed on the sides of the vehicle, while any lamp installed on the vehicle body can be considered a position lamp. Position lamps include outline lamps, making outline lamps a type of position lamp. Position lamps (position lamps) are the four flashing lights (front, rear, left, and right) that activate when the hazard lights are turned on. They function as vehicle width indicators. Width indicator lamps are installed on vehicles to indicate the vehicle's width and are commonly used lights. Width indicator lamps are essentially turn signal lights that flash simultaneously for warning purposes, suitable for use during nighttime driving. Outline lamps are the outermost lamps at the front and rear of the vehicle. Large trucks also have outline lamps on their roofs and sides. The term "outline lamp" can be understood literally: "outline" refers to the contour, so outline lamps are warning lights designed to alert other vehicles. Installed along the edges of the vehicle's roof, these lamps indicate both the height and width of the vehicle. The purpose of outline lamps: Outline lamps are used to clearly display the length, width, and height of the vehicle. All vehicles are required to be equipped with them, as they are crucial for the safety of both the driver and other road users. According to relevant regulations, small vehicles only need to be equipped with light sources that can display the vehicle's length and width to be legally allowed on the road. In addition to indicating the vehicle's dimensions, outline lamps can also display the vehicle's position, serving to some extent as position lamps.
Position lights and clearance lights are quite similar on many vehicles, but not entirely identical. From my experience driving so many cars, position lights are usually those small lights that come on when you drive at dusk without turning on the headlights, indicating the vehicle's position—typically at the front and rear. Clearance lights, on the other hand, are more like outline lights, specifically used on the sides, such as those side markers on trucks, outlining the vehicle's overall shape. But in regular passenger cars I've driven, the position lights also serve as clearance lights—both are meant to make you visible to others in the dark. Why do people confuse them? Because both are often called 'small lights,' even though their purpose is the same. I always tell my friends that checking these lights is super easy—just regularly see if the bulbs are burnt out. If they're not working, especially in rainy or foggy conditions, the risk of rear-end collisions increases, so get them fixed ASAP. Nowadays, new cars even include daytime running lights, making things even simpler. In short, their functions are similar but not identical, and maintenance isn’t hard at all.
