So, you may be wondering- why won’t my headlights turn off? If you’d like to find out, continue reading to see what I discovered!

Why Won’t My Headlights Turn Off?

If you have a headlight/s that won’t go out after you have shut off your vehicle, you need to address this problem immediately. There could be a bad headlight switch, relay, ground wire, headlight sensor, daytime running light module, or worse. Whatever the problem, you’ll eventually end up with a dead battery, so you need to get it fixed.

You turn off your vehicle, but your headlights stay on even past the usual time delay, what’s the problem? Here’s a list of problems that could cause this issue, and answers to some commonly asked questions!

What Is Causing My Headlights to Stay On?

#1 Headlight Relay:

This would, without a doubt, be one of the most common reasons your headlights won’t turn off.

A headlight relay works by a simple on/off function.

If your relay decides to stop working when the headlights are on, it would be stuck in the “on” position, preventing your headlights from shutting off.

If you can find your relay, which will be located in the fuse box, you could easily see if this is the problem with a real quick trick.

First, make sure your vehicle’s ignition and headlights are off. Next, locate the headlight relay in the fuse box and remove it.

If your headlights go out, then you are getting close to the problem.

The next thing you want to do is locate an unimportant matching relay in the fuse box, and put it in the place of the headlight relay.

If your headlights work like they always have, you have a bad relay.

#2 Headlight Switch:

A bad headlight switch is more commonly related to erratic behavior of headlights, and headlights that only work on certain functions like high beams and not low beams.

However, there is a chance that a bad headlight switch could cause your headlights to stay on.

If you ruled out the headlight relay, then you might have a headlight switch problem, and unless you have automotive repair experience, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

#3 Headlight Sensor:

Headlight sensors are used to turn on your automatic headlights when it gets dark or when it starts to rain.

If you have a bad headlight sensor, this is another problem you would not want to tackle on your own.

Headlight sensors pull information from different modules and working parts of the vehicle to determine if your headlights should be on.

Figuring out if your headlight sensor is bad takes a professional auto technician who has professional auto tech tools.

#4 Daytime Running Light Module (DRL):

Your DRL module may cause your lights to come on and stay on, even after the car is shut off.

The good news is that the issue is a little easier to fix than some of the above problems.

The biggest concern you would have here is locating your module, and the cost of the module can get up there in price – $20-$100 on average.

If you want to save some money and replace one on your own, it’s not that hard. A couple of screws and an easy wire clip have to come off and go back on.

When properly done, a half-hour of work will fix your DRL module problem.

Why Would Headlights Stay on When the Car Is Off?

For most newer vehicles, their headlights stay on to a predetermined amount of time after you have turned off your vehicle.

It’s usually long enough for you to get out of your vehicle at night and get moving on to your destination.

If you notice your headlights are not turning off like they usually do, then you have a problem that would need to be taken care of immediately.

Ignoring this problem will only leave you with a dead battery, probably at the most inconvenient place and time.

What If Your Car Lights Won’t Turn Off?

Since car problems seem to happen at the most inconvenient of times, it’s nice to know a few tricks that can get you by until you can have your vehicle fixed.

If you notice your car headlights won’t go off, and you need to fix that problem so the battery doesn’t run down, there is a solution.

Find your owner’s manual, look for the fuse box section, and locate the fuse that is linked to your headlights.

When you find it, pull the fuse out. This will shut off the headlights.

Important: Make sure you put your fuse in a safe place and don’t forget to replace it when you get back to the car.

Without a fuse, the vehicle’s headlights won’t work, and that could be very dangerous.

Why Is My Car Headlight Always On?

If your car headlights stay on all the time even after you turn off the ignition, then you might have a problem.

However, if you’re wondering why your car headlights are on all the time while you’re driving, you probably have Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

First, you will locate the doom light on/off switch in your vehicle. Then in a six-second window, you will turn on and off the dome light switch four times.

This will deactivate your automatic headlights and DRL. To reactivate them, just repeat the process.

In some cases, the headlights sensitivity can be adjusted at the dealership if you don’t want them on during the day.

Just remember, some states and countries have laws that require headlights to be on during the day.

How Do I Turn off My Automatic Headlights?

On certain vehicles like General Motors, there is an automatic headlight override trick to turning off your Daytime Running Lights and automatic headlights.

First, you will locate the doom light on/off switch in your vehicle. Then in a six-second window, you will hit the doom light switch four times.

This will deactivate your automatic headlights and DRL. To reactivate them, just repeat the process.

To find out if the vehicle you drive has an override trick for your automatic headlights and DRLs, contact your dealership.

To know more, you can also read our posts on headlights won’t turn on, what are OEM headlights, and what are adaptive headlights.

Conclusion

Having a set of headlights that don’t turn off when they should is a problem that just can’t be ignored. The best thing to do in this scenario is to pull the headlight fuse so the headlights turn off while your car is not running.

When you get back, plug the fuse back in and make sure you or your auto technician gets the problem fixed.

The post Headlights Won’t Turn Off (Try These Fixes) appeared first on Autoily |.

Unless you have a bad fuse or a bad relay, it’s practically impossible for all of your headlight bulbs to go out at the same time. So what’s causing this problem? If you’d like to find out, keep reading!

Why Won’t My Headlights Turn On?

When both your vehicle’s headlights won’t turn on, maybe you’ll get lucky and find that it’s just a fuse. But even so, something bigger usually makes a fuse blow. You could be looking at a bad headlight relay, dimmer, switch, or even some faulty wiring. Either way, be prepared to seek out an auto repair shop or dealership.

If your headlights won’t turn on, your vehicle is obviously in no condition to drive after dusk. Read this article for a list of things that might be causing the problem and what you can do to fix it!

What Should I Do If My Headlights Won’t Turn On?

#1 Check Headlight Bulbs:

Although it’s highly improbable that both of your headlights will go out at the same time, there is a situation where this can seem like it happened.

That is, you may have burned out one headlight a while back and never noticed it.

When the second headlight goes out, the difference is too hard to not notice the issue.

So, although highly improbable, check to see if the filaments on both of your headlights are still intact.

If they aren’t, replace the bulbs, and if they are, you have a bigger problem.

#2 Check Connections:

It’s possible that some heavy bumps or rough driving terrain have rattled a headlight wiring connection or a bulb socket out of place.

Therefore, make sure everything seems intact from the headlight bulb socket all the way to the fuse box.

Any further electrical diagnosis should be left to your technician/dealership.

Electrical problems can get very complicated and hard to deal with. Therefore, you might end up causing more harm than good by tackling the problem yourself.

#3 Check Fuses:

If both headlights went out at the same time, then more than likely, this will be your problem.

You can use your owner’s manual to find the fuse box and the provided diagram to find the fuse.

Most cars provide you with a fuse puller, which will help you get the headlight fuse out, so you can check it.

You should be able to tell if the headlight fuse is blown just by looking at it.

#4 Bad Relay:

A bad relay is much like having a bad fuse, you will even find the headlight relay in the same place you find the headlight fuse, in the fuse box.

The relay can either cause your headlights to not turn on or not turn off.

The best way to figure out if you have a bad relay is to replace it with another relay from the fuse box that matches it exactly.

If your headlights work properly, you know you have a bad relay, but if your headlights don’t, then you have another problem.

Important: If you use another relay from your fuse box, and your headlights work properly again, you still have to replace the relay.

The relay you borrowed to work your lights properly is used to work something else vital to your vehicle’s running condition.

#5 Headlight Switch: If you have no power reaching your relay in the fuse box, then you probably have a bad headlight switch.

This is another one of those problems you probably don’t want to tackle by yourself.

This job is a little more involved, especially if you have a headlight switch on the steering column.

This would be best to just have a professional take care of the problem for you.

Can a Fuse Stop Headlights From Working?

Fuses are designed to blow so that they can stop any dangerous high voltage electrical current from getting to a more expensive and important part of the vehicle.

When a fuse blows, it creates a break in the electrical current, not letting anything electrical past that point.

If your headlights are within the circuit where the fuse was blown, then yes, your headlights won’t work.

What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Headlight Relay?

When you have a bad headlight relay, you will either have headlights that won’t turn on, or headlights that won’t turn off.

Which situation you get will usually be determined by whether your headlights were on or off when the relay went bad.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Headlight Relay Switch?

Headlight relays don’t usually cost that much – anywhere from around $14-$40 for a normal vehicle and normal size relay.

This is something you can probably do on your own if you have an average vehicle.

However, if you can’t do it on your own or don’t want to, the cost of the relay will still be fairly cheap, but labor cost will get you for around $100 for a couple minutes of work.

Does Each Headlight Have Its Own Fuse?

On some more expensive or exotic vehicles, each headlight could have its own fuse.

However, for most vehicles, you will have a separate fuse for the high beams and one separate fuse for the low beams.

How Much Does a Headlight Fuse Cost?

The price for a headlight fuse for your vehicle will vary. It will all depend on what size fuse your vehicle uses for the particular circuit.

A headlight fuse could cost you anywhere from $5-$10, to $20-$45.

Important: It’s not uncommon to see the benefit in buying a smaller fuse to save money, but this is not a benefit at all.

Fuses are designed to help protect more expensive parts of your vehicle.

If you go too small, you will constantly have a fuse that blows, costing you more money.

Also, if you go too big, the fuse will let dangerous currents through the headlight circuit without blowing, costing you even more money.

To learn more, you can also see our posts on headlights won’t turn off, are LED headlights better, and how do automatic headlights work.

Conclusion

If your headlights go out at the same time, you most likely have a bad relay or a bad fuse. These are easy fixes that shouldn’t cost you too much and can be done by the most novice of car owners.

When you have one headlight out, this most likely means you have a blown bulb, and you can fix that problem by replacing the bulb. If you’re experiencing other problems like a headlight switch or an electrical problem, I would suggest you head to your auto repair shop or dealership to have it fixed.

The post Headlights Wont Turn On (Try These Fixes) appeared first on Autoily |.

It’s always important to know your driving laws for safety, and so you don’t get a traffic ticket. In this article, we’ll explain to you what you need to know and what you can and can’t do when it comes to flashing your headlights, so keep reading!

Is It Illegal to Flash Your Headlights?

At the federal level, flashing your headlights is a universal sign of communication, and is considered freedom of speech, making it a first amendment right. However, this doesn’t mean that the state you live in recognizes this law, and that law enforcement can’t come up with a different citation to cite you for the act of flashing your headlights.

Flashing your headlights while you’re driving may seem harmless, but not all police might see it that way. To avoid getting traffic fines for flashing your headlights, read on!

Is It Against the Law to Flash Your Headlights to Warn of Cops?

You may think of flashing your headlights as being a harmless warning to other drivers that there is a speed trap up ahead or a DUI checkpoint, fugitive checkpoints, etc.

However, police may not see it that way.

Also, while the actual flashing of headlights isn’t illegal, you could be ticketed for obstruction of justice, interfering with police business, road distraction, etc.

Police may look at this as a waste of law enforcement money and resources if they can’t catch anyone, because of early warnings set forth by civilians.

Is High-Beaming Someone Illegal?

Whether high-beaming someone is illegal depends on where you are at the time.

For example, you’re not allowed to high-beam anyone on multi-lane highways for passing reasons.

However, you are allowed to high-beam someone if you are going to pass them on the left when passing on the right is illegal.

When Can Drivers Flash Their Lights?

When you’re on the highway, you should only flash your lights to let other drivers know you’re there.

There should be no other reasons to flash your headlights, and that includes intimidating other drivers.

In fact, intimidating other drivers by flashing your headlights could get you in a lot of trouble, sometimes even more than just being issued a traffic citation.

In What Situation Are Other Drivers Allowed to Flash Their Headlights at You?

As mentioned above, flashing someone’s headlights would be like the equivalent of someone using their horn- it would be to let another driver be aware of your presence.

However, another reason someone might flash their headlights at you is to let you know that you either forgot to put your headlights on, or to turn your high beams off.

Furthermore, drivers use headlight flashing to do the following:

• Give a pedestrian or driver the right-a-way
• Fag down a cop
• Let someone know what vehicle they’re in when they’re sitting in a packed parking lot

What Does It Mean When a Cop Flashes His High Beams at You?

A cop will flash his high beams at you for the following reasons:

• If your headlights aren’t on and it’s getting dark
• You have your high beams on when you shouldn’t
• You are going slightly over the speed limit, and the cop doesn’t want to pull you over.

This can happen sometimes if a cop is too busy, or if they don’t see the need for a traffic stop. The warning is to let you know you need to get your driving habits in check.

Is It Illegal to Flash Your Brights at Someone Who Has Their Brights On?

Flashing your brights at someone to warn them they have their brights on is perfectly legal, and is also considered to be a gesture.

This lets the driver know they could get pulled over for their lapse in memory, but the gesture could also be considered a safety measure.

Having one’s brights on while driving in normal traffic conditions can blind oncoming traffic, and therefore it’s safer to let someone know when they’re driving with their brights on.

Can Cops Pull You Over for High Beams?

If a cop pulls you over for having your high beams on, it will generally be to make sure you’re okay to drive, especially if they warned you by flashing their high beams at you.

They will generally pull you over if you fail to turn off your high beams after a warning.

This is because they will assume the reason for not noticing the warning is that you are intoxicated or otherwise distracted.

Why Do Cops Flash Their Lights?

It’s a custom for cops to flash their lights if they need to let other drivers know that they need to proceed with caution as they pass through an area.

This could be anything from a broken-down car off to the side of a road, to a dead animal in the middle of the road.

As well, cops may flash their lights because some other police matter is going on that requires you to proceed with caution.

To learn more, you can also read our posts on when to turn on headlights, when to use high beam headlights, and how long do headlights last.

Conclusion

Flashing your headlights is technically not illegal in most states and countries around the world, but you should use this practice with caution.

Although it is recognized by the federal government as a universal sign of communication, you can still get pulled over and ticketed for other reasons if an officer doesn’t like the reason you were flashing your headlights.

The post Is It Illegal to Flash Your Headlights? (Be Aware) appeared first on Autoily |.

So, what are OEM headlights, and how do they differ from other headlights? If you’d like to find out, continue reading to see what I learned!

What Are OEM Headlights?

Before you can know what OEM headlights are, first you have to know what OEM parts mean. OEM parts stand for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means the parts to the vehicle are the originals that came on the vehicle from the factory. Or, in easier terms to understand, the part is a direct fitment to the vehicle.

Buying OEM headlights vs aftermarket headlights can get kind of confusing, depending on why you’re looking for new headlights, so here we’ll clear up a few commonly asked questions about OEM headlights!

How Do I Tell If My Headlights Are OEM?

The best way to find out if your headlights are Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) headlights is by finding the part number on one of the headlights.

Pick either side, and for almost all headlights, the part number will be on the backside of the headlight.

Unfortunately, you might have to unbolt the headlight and pull it out to see the number, because it could be located in a few different-hard to-read spots.

This should be the only number you’ll find on the headlight, which should start with a P or PA, and then is followed by a set of numbers.

You can then call the dealership that services vehicles like yours, and tell them the year/name/make/model of the vehicle and repeat the part number you found.

The dealership will look the information up in the computer and be able to tell you right away if you have an OEM headlight, an aftermarket headlight, or an incorrect headlight.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in OEM Headlights?

This will depend on if your OEM headlights, which means the headlights that came originally on the vehicle, had LED bulbs in them.

If they did, then LED headlight bulbs will fit.

If your car wasn’t originally fitted for LED headlights, you will probably have to do some converting to a LED headlight setup.

What Is an OEM Bulb?

An OEM bulb would be the exact same kind of bulb your vehicle would have left the factory with.

Other types of bulbs might fit into your OEM headlight setup, and they might not.

If you’re not looking to upgrade or downgrade your headlight setup, then get the exact OEM replacement bulb that your vehicle comes with.

these bulbs might fit, but they could cause you problems.

What Does OEM Mean in Sales?

When you tell a parts guy at the store, dealership, etc., you want to buy an OEM part for your vehicle, they will ask the year/make/model of the vehicle and part you need.

Afterward, they can get you the OEM part that will be the direct fit for your vehicle.

Even better, when you ask for an OEM part, 9 times out of ten they will have one in stock, or will be able to get you one at least by the next day.

If you are looking for an aftermarket part, sometimes it could take days to have one ordered and delivered.

What Does OEM Equivalent Mean?

Sometimes, a part might not be made from the factory any longer, making it hard to find OEM parts for certain vehicles, especially older vehicles.

Therefore, aftermarket companies will pick up the slack, and make parts that are OEM equivalent.

This would mean that, by most accounts, the part you get may not be OEM certified by the factory.

However, if you get it from a certified aftermarket dealer, the part you purchase will bolt right up as if it was an OEM part.

Which Is Better – OEM or Aftermarket?

OEM is always better if you’re looking for a part (i.e a headlight or headlight bulb) to match up to your vehicle perfectly.

If you are looking for an upgrade on a certain part of your car, then aftermarket is the only way to go.

No OEM parts for your car would be considered an upgrade.

However, if for some reason a certain part for your car just simply isn’t being made anymore, then you might have to go OEM aftermarket equivalent to get a part that is an exact match.

Note that there are some cases where private owners will sell OEM parts.

However, chances are that this is because the company knows the manufacturer has stopped making the part, and will sell it to you with a price markup.

To know more about headlights, you can also see our related posts on what are adaptive headlights, types of headlights, and how long do LED headlights last.

Conclusion

If your vehicle is quite new, then finding a direct match for a part for your vehicle should not be hard if you go with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). These parts would be the same that were used at the factory to build your vehicle.

However, if your vehicle is a few model years behind, you might end up finding it hard to find the correct OEM parts for your vehicle, and have to go with an aftermarket compromise.

The post What Are OEM Headlights? (All You Need To Know) appeared first on Autoily |.

However, the types of headlights and headlight bulbs that are used on vehicles have changed a lot since they were first used. If you’d like to learn more on this topic, keep reading!

Types of Headlights

The main different types of headlight bulbs are halogen, LED, HID, and laser. In this article, we’ll go over each of them, along with what types of headlight housings they go into: reflective, projector, and more. These are the types of things you’ll want to know when shopping for headlights for your vehicle.

Since the internet can be confusing, with different terms that describe the same car parts, we’ll break it down in section lists, with explanations of the different terms and their definitions, so keep reading!

Headlight Housings/Assemblies

There are three different main kinds of housings/assemblies. The housing/assemblies are not the light bulb itself, but what the light bulb sits in, which are listed as follows:

• Reflector/Sealed Beam Headlights
• Projector/Composite Headlights
• H4 Conversion/Semi-Sealed Beam Headlights

Reflector/Sealed Beam Headlights

Dating all the way back to 1937, a two-year designing process was started to create a headlight system that all vehicles on the public road would use in the U.S.

In 1939, that final product was introduced as the reflector/sealed beam headlight.

A bill was passed, and from 1940 and beyond, all vehicles on the road would have to use the reflector/sealed beam headlight.

This would ensure consistency, availability, and most importantly, safety.

This law stayed in place for some 45 years. Along the way, the design and sizes would change, but ultimately the product was the same until 1984.

After newer technology hit the market, the law was squashed when better working headlights came to the market.

These better-looking and performing headlights were mostly seen on only very high-end vehicles, until about the very late-90s – early-2000s.

Now more and more, reflector headlights are becoming a thing of the past.

However, they are still used today, and even come on brand new low-optioned vehicles straight from the factory.

What They Are: reflector/sealed beam headlights are a one-piece assembly part. If your headlight burns out, the whole assembly has to be changed.

Each assembly has a halogen bulb in them, either a glass or plastic lens, forward-facing reflectors, and are lower maintenance.

They are also stronger and more durable than the other headlight housings in this list.

The downside is that they illuminate more of the road around you instead of in front of you.

As well, these headlights are dimmer and have a greater tendency to shine in the eyes of oncoming traffic.

Projector/Composite Headlights

These are the headlights that are slowly taking the place of reflector/sealed beam headlights.

Projector/composite headlights use a series of more sophisticated reflectors and a magnifying lens to make sure you see more of what is in front of you than areas of the road you don’t need to see.

They also accept, not only halogen bulbs, but also LED and HID bulbs (which we’ll discuss further below).

Projector/composite headlights also offer two very important features that have made them the more used headlight option for automobile companies these days.

They are much more attractive than reflector/sealed beam headlights, and are designed as multi-part pieces.

This means that when you blow a bulb, the whole headlight assembly does not have to be replaced, just the bulb does.

H4 Conversion/Semi-Sealed Beam Headlights

This is an attractive option for people who want to upgrade to a multi-part headlight assembly from the reflector/sealed beam headlight without spending a lot of money.

If you still have the reflector/sealed beam headlight, you might not want to change the whole look of your front-end.

It could be too expensive to convert to a projector/composite headlight, and it probably won’t look right.

This H4 conversion kit allows you to use the same sized headlight that will fit into your OEM stock headlight spot, but with the perks of two things.

You would be able to choose what bulb you want to use in them i.e., halogen, LED, or HID, and you will be able to change just the bulb when it blows, not the whole headlight assembly.

Headlight Light Bulbs

Although there are many different brands and sizes of light bulbs that will all offer you a claim of a certain performance, there are only 4 major types of automobile light bulbs:

• Halogen
• LED
• HID/Xenon
• Laser

Halogen Headlights

These light bulbs are the least expensive, and have been around the longest.

They also offer the least amount of illuminated light, at 700 lumens at low beams and 1,200 lumens at high beams.

They also last the least amount of hours than the other three options at 500-1000 hours.

However, the upside to these light bulbs is you won’t break the bank buying them, and they are very trustworthy in performing their duties.

LED (Light-Emitting Diode)

LED lights have been around for a long time, but not till the turn of the 21st century have they become such a hot commodity for automotive headlights.

The reason for this is the automotive industry’s ultimate search for more efficiency out of their automobiles.

LEDs only flow current in one direction, and put a lot less stress on a vehicle’s battery and engine.

So, that’s why you see a lot of new vehicles using LED Daytime Running Lights (DLRs).

They come with a few other perks, like a lighting area of 2,000-4,000 lumens, and a life span of 10,000-50,000 hours!

With a reputation of oftentimes lasting up to 10 years, you might not feel so bad when you find out the prices on LED headlights are a little on the expensive side.

HID/Xenon Headlights (High-Intensity Discharge)

These lights send out a light-emitting plasma that is created from a combination of xenon gas and vaporized salt, creating an electrical arc between two poles.

To put it simply, they’re the bright blue-tinted headlights you see when you’re driving.

The HID headlights have a reputation to replicate the sunlight better than any other headlight on the market.

They light up 2,400-3,400 lumens, and last upwards of 2,000 hours, but have been known to last as long as 8,000 hours.

The upside to these headlights, compared to their LED competition, is that they are a little less money to purchase, but still more than a halogen bulb.

Laser Headlights

Laser headlights are a new thing that is coming to the US. President Biden signed a bill that removed the ban on laser headlights or adaptive headlights in late November 2021.

They have been active in other countries, especially on high-end vehicles, but they will now see their way here to America.

Although these headlights only appear in a very select few vehicles, you can expect this technology to expand.

What makes these lights so important to our future is they create up to 1,000 times more intensity than LED headlights, and use only half the power.

The lasers set back in the headlight assembly like the other bulbs.

Instead of pointing out at the road, a series of blue lasers point at a yellow phosphor, producing a very bright white light that would be bounced off into the road in front of you.

To know more about headlights, you can also read our posts on how long do LED headlights last, why do headlights flicker, and when to turn on headlights.

Conclusion

With all that headlight information, you’re probably wondering which way you should go, or if you should just stick with what you have.

Well, the best way to pick the headlight housing and headlight bulbs that best suit you is by understanding what your nighttime seeing situation is, and whether you feel safe the way things are or if you need to make a change.

The post Types of Headlights (All Types Listed) appeared first on Autoily |.

We went from seat belts to airbags, to having automatic braking, and now, adaptive headlights. And what does all that do for us? It keeps us safe. Adaptive headlights are a new technology here in the states, and in this article, we’ll explain what they’re all about!

What Are Adaptive Headlights?

Adaptive Headlights are exactly what they sound like- they adapt to the road and condition you are driving in. Adaptive Headlights can light up your road without blinding other drivers, can recognize curves and corners, and adjust to give you a better view, and by the time they come out, some speculate they will do much more.

In less than two years, we will start to see vehicles sold here in America with adaptive headlight technology. What does it do? How does it work? Read on to get those answers and more!

How Do I Know If My Car Has Adaptive Headlights?

Paying attention to your headlights and the way they react at night time will be the best way to tell if you have adaptive headlights.

If your headlights change angles when you start to turn or when oncoming traffic is coming your way, you have adaptive headlights.

Whether you have HID, LED, or halogen headlights, the only way non-adaptive headlights will change your line of sight is when they’re switched from low to high beam and vice versa.

What Car Models Have Adaptive Headlights?

Up until November 2021, cars were not allowed to have adaptive headlights in the states.

However, Biden recently signed a bill, allowing U.S. manufacturers to use this technology on new cars that will be produced in the future.

In as little as two years, tons of new cars are expected to come with adaptive headlights standard here in the U.S.

Also, this will allow aftermarket manufacturers to sell adaptive headlight kits for cars that don’t have them standard.

Are Adaptive Headlights Worth It?

Adaptive headlights might be hard to get used to at first. If you have driven your whole life with non-adaptive headlights, there will surely be a learning curve.

However, in the end, adaptive headlights will help with visibility and help see road hazards better.

What Is Adaptive Front Headlight System?

Better known as AFS for short, adaptive headlights are a fairly old technology that moves the headlights in the direction you are turning.

This technology is dated all the way back to the ‘50s.

The reason why you may be just now hearing about them is that they were never popular due to their inability to work efficiently.

They have been popular overseas recently, and are now about to make a big splash in the market here in the U.S.

With better technology and updated features, the adaptive front headlight system can adapt to keep headlights from blinding oncoming traffic, and can light up more of the road in the direction you are traveling.

Why Are Adaptive Headlights Illegal?

Adaptive headlights were declared illegal because of a law from 1967 that was long forgotten about.

This law required all headlights to have a separate high beam and low beam setup on the vehicle.

By the time this law was outdated, and there was new technology rendering it obsolete, it would take forever for that law to be revisited by government officials to decide whether it should remain in place.

Are Adaptive Headlights Reliable?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) believes that an estimated 90-percent of nighttime crashes that occur from going around a curve could be prevented.

There is also an estimate by big insurance companies that there is a 5-10-percent decrease in overall accidents in vehicles that have an adaptive headlight system.

Can You Turn off Adaptive Headlights?

There is always a way to turn off a function on a vehicle by pulling the fuse that is linked to the working electrical part/function.

However, as the future of adaptive headlights evolves, there will likely be a simpler way to disengage the function.

If you want to know more, you can also read our posts on what are automatic headlights, what headlights to use in fog, and why do headlights keep burning out.

Conclusion

Adaptive headlights have been legal in many other countries, but here in the U.S., they have just become legal as of Nov. 2021, thanks to a bill signed by President Biden.

They may seem kind of gimmicky, but with advanced technology, adaptive headlights look like they could be the wave of the future for all new vehicles.

The post What Are Adaptive Headlights? (All You Need To Know) appeared first on Autoily |.

However, the good news is that new technology has given drivers a way to forget to turn their headlights on and still stay safe through an automatic headlight function. So, what exactly are automatic headlights, and how do they work? Keep reading to learn more!

What Are Automatic Headlights?

Automatic headlights are hooked up to a sensor system that can detect when it’s dawn, dusk, or dark outside, and turn on the headlights for the driver when the key is turned on. Most automatic headlights can be turned off manually by the driver if they don’t want the headlights on while performing certain tasks. 

Automatic headlights are almost a necessary safety feature in this day and age, but how do you know if you have them or how to work them? Read on for answers to these commonly asked questions!

Is It Okay to Leave Headlights on Auto?

It’s actually more preferable that someone leave their headlights on automatic.

The automatic headlights are there as a safety function, and the more you depend on them, the more likely you will become used to not turning them on.

Unless you have a specific reason for turning them off, which some people do, it’s best that you leave the automatic headlight function on.

Are Automatic Headlights the Same as Daytime Running Lights?

Daytime running lights are automatic, but they automatically turn on when you put your vehicle in gear and start to move, day or night.

Automatic headlights will only turn on when the automatic headlight sensors recognize that there is not enough light.

Technically, your automatic headlights might kick on in a rainstorm, during heavy fog, or possibly in a parking garage while it’s daytime.

However, this is usually only on rare occasions.

Can You Turn Automatic Headlights Off?

Very few vehicles don’t give the driver the option to turn off the automatic headlight function.

Usually, off to the left-hand side of the steering, rather on the dashboard or on the steering column, all of your lighting options will be there.

Do Auto Lights Drain Your Battery?

Leaving your headlights on when your vehicle is not running will drain your battery. This is another great perk of the automatic headlight function.

As long as they’re turned on, they will also turn off for you when you turn your vehicle off.

Do Auto Lights Turn on Your Taillights?

Automatic headlights work with your whole driving light system, so not only will your headlights and parking lights come on, but so will your tail lights.

Do All New Cars Have Automatic Headlights?

Most well-optioned expensive vehicles will have automatic headlights as a standard, but base models will have to have them ordered for certain makes.

Automatic headlights are not required by law, so companies will often save money by making them an add-on option for lower-priced vehicles.

Can You Add Automatic Headlights to Your Car?

If you think this feature would be very useful to you, and you are sure your vehicle doesn’t have them, then there are kits that can be installed pretty easily that will give your vehicle automatic headlights.

If you have some patience and some automotive mechanical skills, you can install them yourself.

As well, any reputable stereo shop or glass repair shop will be able to do the installation for you.

How Long Do Automatic Headlights Stay On?

The timer for automatic headlights is set by the manufacturer.

However, if you are dissatisfied with how long the lights stay on, you can always take your vehicle to the dealer and have them adjust the timer to longer or shorter.

To know more, you can also read our posts on when to use high beam headlights, how long do headlights last, and why do headlights turn yellow.

Conclusion

Automatic headlights are a great safety feature to have, as they turn your lights on at night time by the use of sensors, and turn them off for you when the sunlight comes back out.

Another great feature they can offer you is that, as long as you have the function turned on, you don’t have to worry about draining your battery from accidentally forgetting to turn off your headlights.

The post What Are Automatic Headlights? (All You Need To Know) appeared first on Autoily |.

Projector headlights have been around since the ‘80s, mainly on luxury vehicles, these headlights have become more advanced, while at the same time more affordable, thus more available on the everyday vehicle for the average person.

What Are Projector Headlights?

Projector headlights are a semi-new style of headlights on the average vehicle. They are designed to utilize High-Intensity Discharge (HID) and Light-Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs. These headlights illuminate light much further down the road, and less off to the sides like the traditional reflector headlights. They also help keep lights out of the eyes of oncoming traffic.

If you don’t have projector headlights, you have probably seen them on the road, because they’re being used on tons of new vehicles these days. To learn more, read on!

Are Projector Headlights Legal?

Projector headlights are legal, and offer drivers plenty of benefits. They may be a little more on the expensive side, but the quality of light offered to you is amazing.

Having the ability to see better at night is a huge advantage.

When projector headlights are combined with HID bulbs, they illuminate a more significant amount of space than other headlight setups.

What Is the Use of Projector Headlamps?

One of the biggest benefits of the projector headlight is that it offers an ellipsoidal lens that illuminates an upward beam pattern straight ahead of you.

This technology still allows you to be able to see plenty in front of you, while also minimizing the light illuminated towards oncoming traffic.

The reflector headlight oftentimes blinds the driver that is coming in your direction.

What Kind of Bulb Goes in a Projector Headlight?

You can use a conventional halogen bulb in a projector headlight.

This headlight will help your halogen bulb shine a straighter beam that is designed to help you see more of the road.

Also, LED headlights can be used in a projector headlight, but they don’t work as well as a High Intensity-Discharge (HID) light.

The HID headlight bulb will benefit the most from a projector headlight, and will give you the most lighted area in front of you.

Why Are My Projector Headlights So Dim?

Condensation is a huge part of your headlights appearing to be dim.

However, if you cleared that matter up, and you still feel like you are not getting the same resolution you should be, then it could have something to do with the ground wire.

Cleaning up your ground wire sounds a little bit hazardous, but it really isn’t, and could be the cause of a dim headlight.

Find the headlight wire that goes to the fuse box and ignore that wire. Look for the wire that goes to the body,- that is your ground, and it should be clean.

To clean this ground, disconnect your battery ground wire, then follow that to the body and disconnect that end of the wire.

Any corrosion or other nasty-looking contaminants should be scraped clean from the bare metal and the wire connection.

Once you have done that, this means you have a good ground, and you can then reconnect the ground wire back to the body and reconnect the battery wire.

How Do I Make My Projector Lights Brighter?

The most feasible way of making your projector headlights brighter is to keep up on maintenance.

You need to keep up with the cleanliness of your headlight lens, and make sure that all of your headlights are always up to date.

Do I Need Special Bulbs for Projector Headlights?

A car doesn’t really need to upgrade to any special light bulb when the system is upgraded to projector headlights.

However, if you want the most out of your headlight setup, HID headlights would give you the most amount of visual upgrade.

To know more, you can also read our posts on types of headlights, when to turn on headlights, and what are headlights that pop up.

Conclusion

Projector headlights can help you see a brighter path much further in front of you instead of on the sides of you where it’s not needed.

These headlight setups still work great with LED and Halogen lights bulbs, but for the most impressive improvement on your visual abilities at night, you would want to go with High Density-Discharge (HID) bulbs.

The post What Are Projector Headlights? (All You Need To Know) appeared first on Autoily |.

One reason was for safety, efficiency, and consistency. Before ‘39, vehicles were using all sorts of options that just weren’t working. So, you may now wonder: what exactly are sealed beam headlights? If you’d like to find out, keep reading!

What Are Sealed Beam Headlights?

Sealed beam headlights are a complete one-piece assembly with a bulb sealed inside a glass or plastic lens. If a light bulb goes out, the whole assembly has to be changed. Although the law to use them was changed in 1984, they are still used, even on some brand new vehicles, and can be purchased from aftermarket dealers in [currentyear].

For the most part, sealed beam headlights are not installed on most newer cars, except for some that have low options. And although they are considered older tech, you can still purchase them today. To find out more, keep reading!

How Do I Know If I Have Sealed Beam Headlights?

Finding out if you have a sealed beam headlight vs the composite headlight, is as simple as recognizing if you can get to the light bulb inside the lens.

You can usually do this by opening up your hood and looking behind the headlight bezel/shell.

If you can decide if there is a way you can simply twist the headlight out of position, like it was meant to be pulled out, then you have a composite headlight.

If you open your hood and find that there is no access to the light bulb, not in the front of the headlight assembly or behind it, you have a sealed beam headlight.

Hint: To accomplish this task, you should not have to use tools or brute force, and if you do, then stop.

You have sealed beam headlights, and nothing you can do will make that headlight work again.

What Are the Advantages of Sealed Beam Headlights?

Although sealed beam headlights are older technology, they do have some advantages over new technology.

One of those advantages is that new composite headlights have a lot of problems with foggy lenses.

You don’t get this much with sealed beam headlights for two reasons. Since they are sealed, much less moisture tends to get inside, which causes oxidation/fogginess.

Also, when a bulb goes out, the whole unit gets replaced.

This gives you a new lens every time, so unlike composite headlights, you don’t have to scrub or clean the lens clear of the oxidation.

There is also another advantage, and that is price. Usually, older technology for anything tends to cost a little less, and sealed beam headlights are no different.

However, the biggest disadvantage you will notice is that new composite headlights tend to offer you more light bulb options that illuminate light much further and brighter than a sealed beam headlight can offer.

Are Sealed Beam Headlights Better?

If you are looking at the new technology that is available for your vehicle, then no, sealed beam headlights are not better.

However, if you look back to 1939 and what they replaced, then yes.

The law to implicate the standard headlight system made a huge difference in the following areas:

• Availability of headlights
• Replacing headlights
• Having headlights that were more efficient
• Headlights that did not blind other drivers, while still offering more visibility

However, the biggest disadvantage is that new composite headlights tend to offer you more light bulb options that illuminate light much further and brighter than a halogen sealed beam headlight can offer.

How Long Do Sealed Beam Headlights Last?

You would probably hope that, since you can’t change just the light bulb, your sealed beam headlights would last longer than they do.

Unfortunately, though, you will only get about 500-1000 hours out of your sealed beam headlights.

Can Sealed Beam Headlights Be Aligned?

All headlights can be aligned, but this type of task should not be taken on by a non-professional.

This type of project needs special tools and a know-how, and for good reason.

When headlights are adjusted by an amateur, someone may not only be adjusting them to hinder their own visibility at night, but also to impair other drivers or pedestrians’ vision.

How Do You Replace a Sealed Headlight Beam?

It’s pretty simple to replace a sealed headlight beam, since you will be replacing one full piece.

You can look for yourself and find whatever screws might be holding the headlight bezel/shell in place.

There could be some small ones in the front of the headlight, but there will be a retainer with a couple of screws in the back.

Once you are sure all screws or bolts that hold the light in place are taken out, use one hand, and slowly back the lighting fixture out.

When you get it out far enough that you can see what it’s connected to, use your other hand to separate the connection from the headlight fixture.

Next, clean off any corrosion that was left behind on the connection.

Then, the new sealed headlight beam should go in as easily as the old one came out.

Since this is a commonly replaced part, to get an idea and maybe even a visual, your owner’s manual should give you some more detailed information.

Are All Sealed Beam Headlights the Same?

Up until about the mid-1950s, all headlights were the same size, used the same lenses, and used the same three-prong electrical connectors.

As car companies wanted to give their consumers more options, headlights changed sizes, configures, and electrical connections.

However, to this day, the same general idea and workings stay the same for sealed beam headlights.

If you are looking to learn more, you can also see our posts on what are projector headlights, what are adaptive headlights, and what are OEM headlights.

Conclusion

Sealed headlight beams are older headlight technology that came into play when a law was implicated in 1939, that all car builders must implicate them on their new vehicles.

This law was an attempt to ratify all of the inefficient headlights that were being used at the time. The law stayed in effect until 1984, but the efficiency of the sealed beam headlight never died, and is still being used to this day.

The post What Are Sealed Beam Headlights? (All You Need to Know) appeared first on Autoily |.

However, you might have heard that toothpaste can be used to clean headlights, but before you take a shot with it, you may like to confirm if it’s true. If so, keep reading!

Does Toothpaste Clean Headlights?

You can use toothpaste to clean headlights, and it works in place of the costlier cleaning kits that are made specifically for headlights. How toothpaste works on your headlights is more or less the same as it works on your teeth, as the gentle abrasives it contains are effective against different types of buildup.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about using toothpaste to clean your headlights, including how to do it, other household items you can use and more!

How Do I Clean Headlights Using Toothpaste?

To clean your headlights using toothpaste, follow these steps:

1. Spray glass cleaner or warm soapy water on the headlights
2. Use a microfiber cloth to clean any excess dust, dirt and other grime from the headlights
3. Get a soft lint-free absorbent towel and use it to dry them. Using a lint-free towel ensures you don’t leave small fibers behind that could get stuck in the crevices, while being soft ensures you don’t create small scratches on the surface
4. Tape around the headlights so you don’t touch the paint when cleaning
5. Squeeze a small bit of toothpaste onto a sponge, cloth or directly onto the headlights
6. Polish the headlights using a microfiber cloth or sponge by spreading the toothpaste outwards in circles, and repeat this until the whole surface of each headlight is covered
7. If the headlights don’t clear up after your first few rounds, add some more toothpaste. You could also switch to a toothbrush with soft bristles so you can scrub harder
8. When they look clear enough, rinse them off with warm water. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear to know you’ve gotten everything out
9. Remove the tape gently so you don’t ruin your paint or leave any adhesive behind

During this process, keep the following in mind:

• As stated in the first section, the abrasives in toothpaste are what perform the cleaning, so you should avoid gel variants because they contain very abrasives
• Avoid toothpaste types that are made to be more delicate, such as those made for kids and people with cavities or tooth sensitivities because they are made with less abrasives
• You can add some baking soda to the toothpaste to make it more effective
• You don’t have to wipe down the headlights after you first clean them in step 1 You can apply the toothpaste to the wet surface so it lathers
• Your choice of tape should not be too strong, because if it is, it could leave behind some of its adhesive or even chip away your paint when you remove it. Avoid electrical and duct tape, use something weaker like painter’s or masking tape
• Make sure the tape is wide enough to keep any of your activity from moving beyond the headlights because the chemicals might be bad for your paint

After you’re done, you can apply a UV sealant to the headlights. Oxidation causes them to fog up on contact with UV rays, and the sealant protects them from exposure. Repeat this process every few months to ensure that your headlights stay clear.

What Kind Of Toothpaste Do You Need to Clean Headlights?

When using toothpaste to clean foggy headlights, you should go for something with a high concentration of abrasives, as those are what scrub away the impurities on the headlights.

Therefore, you should avoid toothpastes for kids, people with sensitive teeth or gums and gel types.

Does Crest Toothpaste Clean Headlights?

Crest, like most other toothpastes, can be used to clean headlights. If you choose this brand, you should go for one of their options with a higher amount of abrasives because those are what do most of the cleaning.

According to Crest, the ones with few abrasives include:

• Crest Gum and Enamel repair
• Crest Sensitivity Protection
• Crest Cavity Protection

Therefore, avoid these Crest tootpastes, because they would be less effective.

How Long Do You Let Toothpaste Stay On Your Headlights?

When using toothpaste to clean your headlights, you don’t have to leave it on after you apply it.

As soon as you get onto the headlights you should spread, scrub and rinse it off without needing to wait.

If anything, leaving the toothpaste on the headlights for too long will dry up and leave a cloudy film that you’ll have to clean off.

Does Toothpaste Work On Oxidized Headlights?

Toothpaste can clean oxidized headlights through its abrasives that buff out any impurities on their surface.

Does Toothpaste Clean Yellow Headlights?

Yellow headlights are caused by oxidation when they come into contact with UV light and you can clean them up using toothpaste.

Does Toothpaste and Baking Soda Clean Headlights?

When cleaning your headlights using toothpaste, you can add some baking soda to make it more effective as you’re scrubbing.

To know more, you can also see our posts on whether or not LED headlights are better, how long do headlights last, and when to turn on headlights.

Conclusion

Toothpaste can be used to clean headlights by doing a preliminary cleaning of the headlight. Use warm soapy water and masking tape to protect the paint before scrubbing them with a small amount of toothpaste.

This method works by using the small abrasives present in most toothpaste types so you should avoid the ones that have little amounts so the process is more effective, such as gel and children’s toothpaste.

The post Does Toothpaste Clean Headlights? (Yes, Here’s How) appeared first on Autoily |.