The lights on a car are a standardized communication system designed for safety, indicating everything from your intentions to turn or stop, to signaling an emergency. Understanding these signals is crucial for all drivers. They can be broadly categorized into exterior lights for other drivers and interior lights for the vehicle's occupants.
The Basics: Lights You Use Every Drive
- Headlights: These are your primary forward illumination. Low beams are for standard night driving and poor weather. High beams provide maximum visibility on dark, empty roads but must be dimmed for oncoming traffic. Many modern cars feature automatic high beams that do this for you.
- Taillights: These red lights activate with your headlights, making your vehicle visible from behind.
- Brake Lights: When you press the brake pedal, these bright red lights illuminate at the rear of the car, signaling that you are slowing down or stopping.
- Turn Signals: These amber (or red) flashing lights indicate your intention to turn or change lanes. It's a simple but vital tool for predicting other drivers' actions.
- Hazard Lights: Often identified by a red triangle symbol, these make all four turn signals flash simultaneously. Use them to warn other drivers that your vehicle is stationary and poses a hazard, such as when broken down on the side of the road.
Advanced and Situational Lights
- Daytime Running Lights (DRLs): These are low-intensity, automatically activated white or amber lights on the front of the car to increase visibility during daylight hours. They are not for night driving.
- Fog Lights: Mounted low on the front (amber or white) and rear (red), these are designed to cut through fog, heavy rain, or snow. Their sharp, flat beam illuminates the road without reflecting light back into the driver's eyes.
- Interior Dome Light: This turns on when a door is opened. Most have settings to stay off, on with open doors, or always on.
Warning Lights on Your Dashboard
These are a separate but critical system. While turn signals and brake lights communicate with drivers outside the car, dashboard lights communicate with you. Here are a few critical ones:
| Light | What It Looks Like | What It Means | Immediate Action |
|---|
| Check Engine | Orange outline of an engine | A potential issue with the engine or emissions system. | Have the vehicle diagnosed by a professional soon. |
| Battery/Charging | Red outline of a battery | The charging system is failing; the battery is not being recharged. | Stop driving immediately to avoid being stranded. |
| Oil Pressure | Red oil can | Engine oil pressure is critically low. | Stop the engine immediately to prevent severe engine damage. |
| Brake System | Red circle with an exclamation mark and parentheses on either side | There is a problem with the brake hydraulic system or the parking brake is engaged. | Do not drive the vehicle. Have it towed to a repair shop. |
| Tire Pressure (TPMS) | Yellow horseshoe with an exclamation point | One or more tires are significantly underinflated. | Check and adjust tire pressures to the level listed on the driver's door jamb. |
Ignoring exterior lights makes you an unpredictable driver, while ignoring critical dashboard warnings can lead to expensive repairs or dangerous situations. Always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for the most accurate information specific to your car.
