How to Turn on High Beam Headlights?
4 Answers
Method to turn on high beam headlights: 1. Locate the high beam switch on the left-hand control stalk or the light rotary knob on the left side of the steering wheel; 2. Turn on the low beam headlights, then push the control stalk downward (toward the engine direction). At this point, the dashboard will display an indicator, and the high beam headlights will be activated. High beam headlights focus their light parallel to the road, emitting a concentrated and bright beam that can illuminate distant and tall objects. Low beam headlights, on the other hand, emit light in a diverging pattern (between 1x and 2x the focal length), covering a wider area at a shorter distance. The main differences between high beam and low beam headlights are: high beams have a higher angle and longer range, while low beams have a lower angle and shorter range.
That day I was driving my friend's new car and got stuck with this issue too, but later figured it out. Most cars have a control lever on the left side of the steering wheel—push it all the way toward your chest to keep the high beams on, and a blue indicator will light up on the dashboard. Pushing it forward temporarily flashes the high beams, and it automatically springs back when you let go. I’ve encountered an unconventional design—older off-road vehicles had a separate toggle behind the steering wheel; pressing it down turned on the high beams. Remember to switch back to low beams when meeting oncoming traffic, and avoid using high beams when following another car at night, or the rearview mirror of the car ahead can blind you. If you really can’t find it, turn on the lights after starting the car and experiment, but watching the dashboard indicator is the most reliable way.
Last week I happened to teach my niece this exact operation during her driving practice. Usually the stalk on the lower left of the steering wheel is the key - you need to pull it toward yourself and hold until the blue high beam indicator lights up on the instrument cluster to activate persistent high beams. A quick tap will only flash the high beams twice as a warning to vehicles ahead. My domestic SUV uses a rotary control - turn to the headlight position first, then push the stalk forward. High beams do provide much better visibility on nighttime highways, but you must immediately switch back to low beams when you see the reflection from the vehicle ahead - that's the rule. Some premium cars have automatic high beam functions, but I prefer manual control for peace of mind.
There's quite a difference in car models. German cars typically operate by pushing the left stalk towards you with two levels of force: a light push for flashing high beams, and a firm push that locks it for continuous high beam. I remember once renting an American pickup truck that used a rotary knob - you had to turn the headlight switch to the far right and then push the stalk forward. Nowadays, new energy vehicles have even more features, with automatic high beam settings in the central control screen that detect oncoming vehicles and automatically switch lights. Beginners are advised to practice at night on empty roads, paying special attention to the blue high beam indicator on the dashboard. Reminder: don't use high beams on well-lit urban roads, or the traffic police might have a word with you.
