How to Turn On the Low Beam and High Beam of a Car?

[AlessandraLee]

Here are the methods to use the high beam and low beam of a car: 1. The control for high beam and low beam is on the left-hand stalk of the steering wheel. The middle position is for low beam, while the first and third positions are for high beam. 2. The high beam icon is blue with a straight line shape, while the low beam icon is green with a downward-slanted line. 3. There is a stalk on each side of the steering wheel. The right one is mostly for wiper control, and the left one is primarily for light control, including switching between high and low beams, as well as turn signal control. 4. The light combination control stalk moves up and down for high and low beams, while the turn signal stalk moves forward and backward. Both high beam and low beam belong to the headlights, mainly used for nighttime driving illumination. The high beam has a higher angle and longer illumination distance, suitable for roads with poor visibility and no streetlights. The low beam has a lower angle and shorter distance, mostly used for well-lit roads with good conditions. In addition to headlights, the car's lighting system also includes parking lights, brake lights, fog lights, etc., each serving different purposes. Parking lights, also known as small lights, are used to display the width and length of the vehicle at night. Brake lights are brighter and used to inform the following vehicle that the front car is slowing down or stopping. Fog lights are used in heavy fog to enhance vehicle visibility and ensure safe passing.

[Carter]

Let me share how to operate the low beam and high beam lights of a car, which is a fundamental skill every driver should master. In most vehicles, like my daily commuter car, the light controls are located on the stalk to the left of the steering wheel. You turn the knob to a position with a small light symbol to turn on the low beams, which illuminate the road not far ahead. To activate the high beams, you usually need to first turn on the low beams and then push the stalk forward, making the light shine much farther. However, be sure not to use high beams when there are oncoming vehicles or when driving in the city to avoid dazzling other drivers and increasing the risk of accidents. Automatic headlight systems are quite common now; the car will turn on the lights automatically when it gets dark, saving you the trouble of manual operation. In safe driving, lights help you see the road conditions and alert pedestrians and other drivers to your presence, especially in rainy, foggy weather or in tunnels. Don’t underestimate this—operating the lights correctly can prevent a lot of trouble.

[DeJude]

As someone who drives frequently, I find turning on the lights isn't difficult but requires familiarity with the dashboard. Activating the low beams is straightforward: locate the lever on the left side of the steering wheel and rotate the small dial to the position marked with the low beam icon. The high beams, however, are different—push the lever forward or upward slightly to switch to high beams, but remember not to use them indiscriminately in front of others to avoid conflicts. I recommend that novice drivers practice more, as many modern cars also feature automatic functions that adjust the lighting intensity automatically once set. In actual driving, low beams are used for general illumination, while high beams enhance visibility on open roads, though they can impair the vision of oncoming drivers and must be switched back promptly. Though operating the lights may seem like a small action, it directly impacts nighttime safety, and mistakes can easily lead to accidents. Developing good habits starts with practicing the basics.

[OBenjamin]

Let me briefly explain how to operate the lights. To turn on the low beams, you usually use the lever on the left side of the steering wheel—just rotate the knob to the appropriate position. For the high beams, push the lever forward slightly to activate them. The key point is not to misuse high beams; while they enhance visibility on dark roads, they can also disturb other drivers. Safety comes first—remember to turn on your lights when visibility is poor to avoid collisions.