AUTOMOTIVE FORWARD LAMP APPLICATIONS
Low vs. High Beams vs. Dual Beams
- Low Beams: provide a downward, asymmetric cutoff light for short range visibility (30-40 meters ahead of you), and are the most frequently used beam used on the road. Low beams are ideal for driving at night and allowing other drivers to see you with no glare (in populated areas), as well as during adverse weather conditions such as fog, rain, smoke, or snow
- High Beams: provide a long-range, centralized distribution of light (100 meters) to see better at a longer distance, with no control of glare towards other road users. High beams should only be used for a short period of time on poorly lit roads or on the highway with no oncoming traffic. Please note that the intensity of light could cause visibility and safety risks for others (e.g. blinding other drivers on the road), so be considerate of others when using them
- Dual Beams: have dual functions, with one bulb with dual filaments creating both high and low beams. Deciding between use of a dual beam and a single beam is dependent on your vehicle's year, make, and model
Fog lights provide additional light to the front of the vehicle; they are used with low beam headlights in order to provide improved visibility. Fog lights are not required by law and are only found in certain vehicles, typically found in the front bumper of a car or truck in their own separate assembly. Daytime running lights (DRLs) are also known as "signature lights;" these low-wattage lights can be found on the front near the sides of your vehicle and point downwards, and automatically activate when you engage the vehicles ignition. Their purpose is to illuminate the car's front, to make your car more visible to drivers and pedestrians when you are approaching. DRLs are not required by law, although many passenger vehicles already have them installed. Cornering lights are an additional safety feature; they aid the driver when turning corners or switching lanes by providing additional illumination by casting light on the area of the road to the side of the vehicle. These lights can be located near the front of the vehicle and sometimes the back, and are automatically activated when your turn signal is used.
