how to turn on car lights

Driving as the sun begins to set or a sudden rain shower rolls in can be a little nerve-wracking. In these moments, knowing exactly how to operate your vehicle’s lighting system is not just about convenience—it’s a fundamental part of safe driving. Properly illuminated headlights ensure you can see the road ahead clearly and, just as importantly, make your vehicle visible to others. While it might seem straightforward, the various symbols and settings on the control stalk can sometimes be confusing.

The Simple Guide to How to Turn on Car Lights

For most modern cars, the light controls are located on a stalk protruding from the steering column, usually on the left side. You’ll find a dial or knob on the end of this stalk with several icons. The “O” or “Off” position keeps all exterior lights deactivated. Rotating the dial one notch typically turns on the parking lights (also called sidelights), which illuminate your side markers and taillights. The next position is for your low-beam headlights, the setting you’ll use most often during nighttime or poor weather driving.

When to Use Your High Beams

Pushing the entire control stalk forward away from you will activate your high beams, often indicated by a blue icon on your dashboard. These provide maximum forward visibility on dark, unlit roads. It is absolutely crucial to switch back to low beams whenever you approach another vehicle, whether it’s an oncoming car or one you’re following. The intense glare from high beams can temporarily blind other drivers, creating a dangerous situation for everyone.

Don’t Forget Your Fog Lights

Many vehicles are equipped with separate front and rear fog lights. These are designed to cut through thick fog, heavy rain, or snow, providing a wide, low beam of light that won’t reflect back and create glare. The controls for these are often a separate button or a pull-out mechanism on the same stalk. Remember, these are for specific low-visibility conditions and should be turned off when not needed, as rear fog lights can be very bright for drivers behind you.

Making Your Lights Automatic

If your car has an “AUTO” setting on the dial, consider yourself lucky! This setting uses a sensor, typically located on the dashboard near the windshield, to automatically turn your low-beam headlights on when it gets dark and off when it’s bright. This is an excellent feature that ensures your lights are on when they need to be, but it’s still your responsibility to manually activate high beams or fog lights as required by the conditions.

Taking a few moments to familiarize yourself with your car’s specific lighting controls is a small step that makes a big difference. It builds confidence and ensures you’re always prepared, no matter what the road or weather brings your way.