How to Turn On High and Low Beam Headlights?
3 Answers
Method to turn on high and low beam headlights: There is a control lever on the left side of the steering wheel with a knob that has two positions. Rotating to the first position turns on the parking lights, rotating to the second position activates both parking lights and low beams, pushing the lever downward turns on high beams. You must first turn on the parking lights before activating high beams. Lifting the lever serves as a passing signal—each lift flashes the headlights once. High beams enhance visibility and expand the field of view. On dark roads without streetlights, the visible range with high beams is much greater than with low beams alone. However, it's generally advised not to use high beams in urban areas because the lighting conditions are usually good. The high angle of high beams can easily dazzle oncoming drivers and pedestrians, impairing their vision, which is unsafe and considered impolite driving behavior.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, the high and low beam controls are located on the left-hand stalk of the steering wheel. Pulling the stalk towards yourself activates the high beam flash to alert vehicles ahead, while pushing it away turns on the high beams continuously—indicated by a blue light on the dashboard. Remember, avoid using high beams in well-lit urban areas, especially in residential zones. I've seen new drivers blinding pedestrians with high beams in parking garages, which can draw complaints. On highways at night, you can keep high beams on, but switch back to low beams immediately when facing oncoming traffic or following another vehicle—this is basic driving etiquette. Also, it's wise to check your bulbs during regular maintenance to avoid being caught off guard by a failure.
Last month I just got my driver's license, and the instructor repeatedly emphasized the light controls. On the left control lever near the steering wheel, pulling it toward yourself flashes the high beams, which is suitable for alerting the car in front. To keep the high beams on continuously, push the lever toward the dashboard until you hear a click, and the blue light on the dashboard will illuminate. A common mistake beginners make is forgetting to switch back promptly, especially on poorly lit roads like those in urban-rural fringe areas. Last week, I was driving at night on a county road and got confused—I left the high beams on and forgot to turn them off. It wasn't until an oncoming car flashed their high beams at me as a warning that I realized my mistake. Remember to keep the throttle steady when switching the high beams, and avoid making abrupt movements. It's also a good idea to keep a spare bulb in the car. A friend mentioned that his H4 bulb once failed, which was particularly troublesome in a remote area.
