{"id":13030,"date":"2020-05-13T16:18:03","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T23:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/?p=13030"},"modified":"2022-11-05T12:35:20","modified_gmt":"2022-11-05T19:35:20","slug":"headlights-vs-taillights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/headlights-vs-taillights\/","title":{"rendered":"Headlights vs. Taillights: What\u2019s the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You can find headlights on nearly everything on or near the road. It is a part of your vehicle that you cannot go without. These sets of lights help you see at night in areas that are not well-lighted or lighted at all. You can even find headlights on some lawnmowers if cutting grass takes longer than you expected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headlights and taillights are not only different in use but also bulb shape, size, and function. It depends on the type of car or vehicle you have, but most work the same way.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While headlights and taillights are typically associated with motor vehicles, you may also find headlights and taillights on off-road or other kinds of vehicles. They make things a bit easier to see, and they make you easier to see. However, in some cases and in some places, you can get tickets if one is ever out in the vehicle you drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Headlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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In the front of your vehicle, there are two lights. In some areas, they are called headlamps; other areas call them headlights. No matter where you are from, they are meant to make the night brighter and safer for you to see in front of you. They also let the cars in front of you know you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Types of Headlights<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several types of headlights<\/a>. Depending on the make of your vehicle and what type of headlights it may have, or it may be able to be interchanged with, there are different types of headlights that need to be taken into consideration. This can include cost, installation, brightness, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Projector<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Projector<\/a> lights are high-performance lights originally found and available only on luxury vehicles. They are meant to make the roads brighter at greater distances. They use high-intensity discharge (HID) and Light-emitting diode (LED). With this combination, it is unsafe to use traditional reflector housing as the traditional reflectors have no specific direction on where the light goes. This can cause a loss of sight to other drivers on the road, which can pose a serious safety issue for you and the other drivers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Halo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Halo<\/a> lights are one of the highest sought headlights due to their appealing looks and excellent visibility that it provides on the roads. It allows a vehicle to have that slick custom look. Generally, projector headlights include Halo and LED capabilities. There are several types of Halo headlights, so be sure to do your research before purchasing them outright. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HID<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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HID<\/a> (high-intensity discharge) lights are also known as Xenon lights, known after the gasses that are inside the bulb. These headlights give off a \u201ccool\u201d or blue tint. The HID headlights are typically three times brighter than halogen. However, due to it creating gases inside the bulb, it does not take a lot of voltage to keep running. This makes it easier on your battery system. They are created to be able to be focused and prevent glare on oncoming traffic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LED<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n
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LED<\/a> (light-emitting diode) lights are most known for their 90% more energy efficiency. LEDs convert electric power into the light but do not create a whole bunch of heat.  They also come in different shapes besides just the standard headlight bulb shape. It is known to be used for headlights and taillights. This allows a cool, uniform look from front to back on nearly any vehicle. With the way LED lights work, they are typically known to last longer and are brighter and clearer. In the case of the headlights, this allows you to be able to see longer and clearer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Laser <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u200b<\/strong>When we think of a \u201claser<\/a> light\u201d, it is not usually in combination with a headlight. Laser lights are legal in Europe but not in the US. I found one light on Amazon.com that could be laser but for an off-road vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the combination of lasers, a set of mirrors, and a bit of focus, you can get a bright white light for a headlight. The laser lights also allow different shapes and designs while performing well.\u00a0“Laser lights can produce 1,000 times the intensity of LEDs, but consume only half as much power.” (blog.theretrofitsource.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Standard<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Standard headlights consist of a forward-facing bulb in a reflective case. Earlier vehicles had standard headlights that looked similar to your normal house light bulb. They are just like the normal bulb as they are heated and run by electricity. These types of bulbs are being replaced by energy-efficient bulbs. The standard headlights are not as bright or durable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Be Aware<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always be conscious of your lights and whether they are on high or low beams. This can affect other drivers on the road as well as yourself. If your bright lights are on, you may be able to see quite well; the individual in the other lane may not be able to see due to the brightness of your lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, make sure the position of your headlights is where they need to be as well. This can also affect other people who are sharing the road with you. Your safety is as important as their safety. Putting others at risk also potentially puts yourself at risk as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The History of the Headlights<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The headlight history came in the most obvious of ways with carriage lamps. The first horseless carriage actually used carriage lamps as well. Carriage lamps typically consisted of candles or even lanterns. Headlamps were originally fueled by acetylene or oil from around the eighteen hundreds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These lamps were very popular as they were able to be resistant to wind and rain, which allowed not only more but also safer travel at night. However, the first electric ones were introduced in 1898 in a Columbia Electric car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of these lamps did not stick as some conditions and challenges posed against the continuous use and manufacturing of these electric lamps. In 1908 electrical headlamps became standard; then 1912, Cadillac (GM) integrated their vehicles with an electrical ignition and lighting system. It was not until 1940 that a sealed version came to be. Then in 1957, the ability to have different-shaped headlights came to be.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Taillights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taillights are located at the rear of any vehicle. They are there to indicate where you are as opposed to other drivers. It is hard and nearly impossible to see another vehicle when it is very dark. However, taillights help locate you and help others not to hit you. They also help in the case of weather and passing. Make sure all of your taillights are in proper order. In some places, you can get a ticket for not having working lights.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Types of Taillights <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taillights are mostly standard, other than the few that are involved with LED, HID, and Halogen lights. It is important to know which bulbs properly fit your vehicle. You also still have to ensure that the voltage is the right fit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LED<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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LED<\/a> taillights give approximately three times more brightness than standard taillights. This helps it to be brighter for other drivers to see. Especially when it comes to harsh weather where visibility tends to falter, they can also help you be seen from further distances at night by other drivers. Many emergency vehicles run off of LED and smaller vehicles such as motorcycles. They are more durable, safer, and brighter.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HID <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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HID, again also called Xenon, taillights are used on many vehicles to catch the attention of drivers even during the day. They also have a very intense, stronger light than the standard lights. These are also used by motorcyclists as well to capture one\u2019s attention when on the roads both day and night.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halogen <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Halogen taillight bulbs again use less energy, which allows them to burn cooler, making it easier on your vehicle battery. They are bright and able to be seen from a good distance. Typically, most taillights come with Halogen taillights and often come with most vehicles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The History of the Taillights <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taillights, along with brake lights, were brought in around 1915. However, it was not until 1993 that the LED taillights were installed. However, the specific reason why they are red actually came from the way they ran trains<\/a> throughout our history. In a time of carriages, most lamps were white and yellow. So, \u201cgo\u201d started as white, green meant \u201ccaution,\u201d and red meant \u201cstop.\u201d However, a lens dropped a light one night, causing the light to be white, and the train went on instead of stopping. Therefore, we now have green, yellow, and red, which is why a warning is set in our taillights as a red light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Taillights VS Brake Lights<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do not confuse your taillights with your brake lights. Brake lights are a completely different system and only come on when the brake pedal is pushed. Brake lights being out can also cause you to get a ticket in some areas. Taillights should come on automatically when the headlights come on. If your headlights are automatic, then your taillights are also automatic; if they are manual, they will come on when you turn them on.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maintenance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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Maintenance<\/a> is important in every vehicle. It will help your vehicle last longer and strong. Everything needs to be frequently checked from top to bottom, front to back. All lights (headlights, taillights, and blinkers) need to be checked along with fluids (oil, transmission, brake (or clutch), and any other fluids that may be involved with your vehicle. Proper maintenance ensures that you are able to catch things that start going wrong early to prevent much larger things from happening.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cleaning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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Clean your headlights regularly. They can get extremely dirty with dirt, oil from the road, insects, and chemicals that can come from other vehicles. It is recommended that you use a microfiber cloth and do not use anything harsh that could scratch the cover of your headlights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Clouding<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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Clouding or yellowing can cause a headlight not to shine as brightly and can cause safety issues. The smallest things, such as oil and chemicals from your own car and other cars, can cause this to happen to headlights. Typically, the sunlight bears down on the plastics of the headlights. If cleaning and detailing do not help solve the problem, replacing them may need to be done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Check Brightness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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Typically if a headlight starts dimming, it is because it is close to going out or not getting enough power to shine as bright as it should. You can do this as a walk around your vehicle or shine your lights onto the side of a building, your home, or even your garage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Position<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=03fHzDEHVV4<\/a>