Headlights are an important safety feature found in all cars. You need to know how to turn on this simple but important feature.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Turning On The Car Headlights
Step 1. Find the headlight controls
There is no standard place for all cars, but there are some points that are commonly used by car manufacturers. Look for the headlight controls on the dashboard or the control stick at the bottom of the steering wheel.
- There are car manufacturers who install the headlight control panel on the panel below the dashboard, just to the left of the driver. This panel is usually present on larger cars which provides space for a larger dashboard. Look for a small panel with a play button. The headlight indicator symbols should be printed at various points on the dial.
- Other manufacturers place the control of the headlights on a control stick mounted on the base of the steering wheel. This stick can be on the right or left side, and the control of the headlights will be on the end. This headlight control loop will be marked with a headlight indicator symbol.
Step 2. Look at the "off" position
Initially, this headlight control will be in the "off" position. Pay attention to what symbol marks this position and where it is on the spin button (either the top, or the bottom). When you turn off the car, you also need to turn off the headlights.
- The "off" position is generally located on the far left or at the bottom of the spin. This position symbol is usually indicated by an open or empty circle.
- Now, many cars are equipped with permanent lights that will turn on automatically when your car is on and the headlights are off. If your headlights are off but you still see light, the light is probably coming from these permanent lights.
- When turning off the car, always make sure that the headlights are also off. If your headlights stay on, your car battery will run out quickly, and later on your car will be difficult to start. If you forget and your car battery runs out, you have to push the car to restart it.
Step 3. Rotate the dial to the right symbol
Hold the dial with your thumb and forefinger, then turn it until it reaches the correct setting. These settings will be marked with different symbols. Whenever you arrive at a new setting, you'll hear a "click" sound.
- The first setting is usually a parking light. In front of the car, this light is orange; at the back, this light is red.
- The next setting is usually "low beam" or "dipped beam". Both of these settings provide front and side lighting, but are not dazzling. You should use this setting on busy roads, when other cars are less than 60 meters in front of you.
- You'll probably also find a "fog light" setting on this dial, but some car manufacturers place the fog light controls on another button right next to the headlight controls. Fog lights provide lighting downwards so that the road becomes brighter. You should use this light when you cannot see the road clearly, for example when it is foggy, raining, snowing, or dusty.
- "Shotlight" ("high beam") is usually no placed on this play button. These settings are always separated on different sticks under the steering wheel. In some cars, the control stick of the turn signal is used. This setting was never combined with the regular headlight adjustment stick. You can turn on the flashlight by pulling or pushing the turn signal control stick forward or backward. These lights are brighter, and can dazzle other drivers, so use them only when no other car is around.
Step 4. Check the results
When in doubt, pay attention to how your car's headlights react when you turn the dial.
- If someone else can help you, ask that person to stand in front of the car while the car is stopped. Open your window so you can talk to this other person, then turn the headlight control dial. Stop at each setting and match it to what the person sees.
- If no one else can help you, park your car in front of a garage, wall, or similar structure. Turn the dial of these headlights to each position, then watch how your headlights glow on the surface of the garage or wall. You will be able to determine the effect of each setting based on how bright the reflected light is.
Step 5. Know when to use your headlights
You should use headlights when your visibility is reduced. You should turn on the headlights when your visibility is less than 150 to 300 meters.
- At night, always turn on the headlights. Use regular headlights when there are other cars around you and use headlights when it's quiet.
- Always use the headlights when it is not yet bright in the morning and in the evening. Even if there is sunlight, the shadows of buildings and other structures can make roads dark and other vehicles difficult to see. At least use your regular headlights at these two times.
- Use fog lights when the weather is bad. For example, when it rains, it snows, there is fog, and when it is stormy. Do not use your flashlight, as its harsh light and reflected light can be blinding and dangerous to other motorists.
Part 2 of 2: Headlight Symbol
Step 1. Pay attention to the headlight indicator symbol
In general, the headlight control buttons will be given headlight indicator symbols. This symbol is on the side of the spin button.
- The standard symbol for headlights is the sun or the inverted bulb.
- On some of the headlight control dials, you will see a closed circle next to this indicator symbol. This circle marks the side of the dial that controls the headlights: match this closed circle to your desired headlight setting.
Step 2. Pay attention to the indicator symbols for each setting
Each headlight setting will be marked with a different symbol. This symbol is almost always the same in every car.
- If your car is equipped with a parking light, it will be marked with a symbol that looks like the letter "p", with several lines running out from the front of the circle.
- The “regular headlight” symbol looks like a triangle with smooth corners or a capital “D”. There is a slash pointing downwards from the flat side of this shape.
- The "fog light" symbol is the same shape as the "ordinary headlight" symbol. However, there will be a wavy line running through the center of these straight lines.
- The "shot light" symbol looks like a triangle with smooth corners or a capital "D," but the line that appears from the flat side will be straight.
Step 3. Always pay attention to the "danger" symbol on the dashboard
Cars equipped with electronic/digital dashboards may also be equipped with lights indicating "danger" when any of the car's headlights are not working properly. When one of these lights comes on, you must replace or repair the headlight in question.
- If your headlights are damaged, your car may display the usual headlight indicator symbol with an exclamation point (!) or an "x" in front of it.
- In addition, your car may also display a regular headlight indicator with an exclamation mark on it.
