What Are Low Beams on a Car?
Low beams are the main headlights in your car. They help you see the road in front of you but are not so bright as blind oncoming traffic. Here’s what to know.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Your car's low beams are the primary headlights that you turn on when it becomes dark outside. They are the default lights that will come on when you turn the headlight switch in your vehicle and are designed to help you see the road ahead when visibility is low.
- Low beams are your car’s default headlights that help you see at night or in low-visibility conditions.
- They direct light at the ground, whereas high beams direct light straight in front of your vehicle.
- Use your low beams when you need extra visibility on city streets, you’re near another vehicle, or in rainy or snowy weather.
- Low beams are your car’s default headlights that help you see at night or in low-visibility conditions.
- They direct light at the ground, whereas high beams direct light straight in front of your vehicle.
- Use your low beams when you need extra visibility on city streets, you’re near another vehicle, or in rainy or snowy weather.
Most people know that their car has high and low beams, but many drivers aren't sure about the difference between the two—or they mistakenly think that the lights' intensity is the only difference. These two headlight settings differ in many ways, and there are situations when you should use one over the other.
If you aren't sure about the difference between low and high beams or when you should switch from one to the other, we'll explain everything you need to know about your car's low beams so you can cruise safely, day or night.
What are low-beam headlights?
Low-beam headlights are your car's main headlights. They are the lights that come on when you turn the headlight switch in your vehicle and are designed to help you see the road during low-visibility conditions or nighttime driving.
Low beams illuminate the road in front of your car up to 200 feet. And, contrary to what many motorists think, they do not provide symmetrical lighting. Instead, low beams cast asymmetrical light that is more intense on the right side—this is to help you see road markers and hazards while keeping the left-side intensity low enough to not blind oncoming drivers.
The low beam symbol is usually green and looks like a "D" with lines pointing toward the ground on the left-hand side. Check out your vehicle
owner's manual
for a complete list and explanation of all your instrument panel symbols. Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
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Low-beam vs. high-beam headlights
So, what's the difference between low-beam and high-beam headlights? For starters, high beams provide a much more intense light. They are designed to illuminate the road up to 400 feet in front of your car, and unlike low beams, this light is symmetrical.
High beams cast light straight in front of the car. That is in contrast to low beams, which direct their light at the ground in front of the vehicle.
While high beams can cast light much farther ahead of the vehicle, low beams provide a wider angle, allowing you to see not only in front of your car but to the sides as well.
How are low beams different from other car lights?
Sometimes, it's easy to confuse low beams with other low-wattage car lights, like daytime running lights (DRLs) and parking lights.
While DRLs and parking lights are both low-wattage lights, they are not the same thing as low beams.
Daytime running lights provide a significantly lower intensity light than low beams, and they are not intended to help you see the road. Instead, DRLs are designed to help oncoming traffic see your vehicle—they come on when you start your car and remain lit at all times when the vehicle is running.
Parking lights are also different from low beams. These lights are safety features designed to make your car visible when parked. They typically use the same light bulbs as your turn signals and illuminate the corners of your vehicle to make it noticeable to other drivers and road users.
What about fog lights? While low beams can sometimes serve the same purpose as fog lights, many cars have different light features dedicated to helping you see in foggy weather conditions. These lights cut through the tiny water particles without creating a blinding glare.
When should you use your low-beam lights?
So, when exactly should you be using your low-beam headlights? Under normal circumstances, your low beams should be on when driving between dusk and dawn. However, that's not the only time you'll want to use low beams—you should use your low beams when:
- Driving on city streets. If you're driving through an area with adequate street lighting, you should not need your high beams. Use your low beams in these areas to practice safe driving and notify your fellow road users of your presence.
- Following another vehicle. You should use your low beams when you're behind another car. Using your high beams in this situation is not only rude, but it can create a dangerous situation, as the driver in front of you may be unable to use their rearview mirrors properly.
- Driving toward oncoming traffic. If you're driving toward oncoming traffic, you should switch to your low beams to avoid blinding the other drivers.
- In low-visibility weather conditions. Even during daytime hours, you may need to use your low beams if the weather is harsh. Rain, fog, dust, and snow can reflect the light from your high beams, often resulting in worse visibility than if you weren't using lights at all. In these conditions, use your low beams—or fog lights if your car has them—to help you see the road directly in front of you.
When should you use high-beam lights?
You should use your high beams in fewer situations than your low beams.
High beams should be used when driving on desolate stretches of highway or on country roads through rural areas with little lighting.
You should use your high beams when driving through any area with minimal ambient lighting. However, remember to be aware of your surroundings, as you'll need to switch back to your low beams if you encounter other drivers or road users.
How to know if your car headlights are bad
These are the most common signs that indicate your headlights are bad or close to wearing out:
- The headlights are dim. If your headlights are dimmer than usual, it's a good sign that your bulbs are wearing out and will need to be replaced soon.
- The lights are flickering. Flickering lights are another good sign that the bulbs are about to go bad.
- The low beams work, but the high beams don't. Sometimes, cars have different bulbs for low and high beams. Other times, one bulb performs both duties using separate filaments. Regardless of the type of system your vehicle uses, if the high beams work and the low beams don't or vice-versa, it's a good sign that you need new bulbs.
- One side's lights work, but the other doesn't. If your car's lights work on the left side but not the right, you probably have a blown bulb.
An easy way to check your headlights is to park in front of a garage door or wall in a dark or dimly lit area. Then, point your car at the wall and turn on your headlights. Test the low beams, the high beams, and the turn signals—if one or more of those lights doesn't turn on, you most likely have a blown bulb.
How much does it cost to replace automotive headlight bulbs?
The cost to replace the headlight bulbs on your car will depend on its make and model, as well as your location.
You can generally expect a replacement halogen bulb to run between $15 and $20. However, a more expensive HID or LED bulb might cost upwards of $100.
If you replace your headlight bulbs yourself, you won't need to pay for any labor costs. But if you choose to hire a professional to install your new light bulbs, you'll most likely be looking at an additional $50 to $75.
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FAQs
Are low beams the same as headlights?
Yes—low beams are the same as headlights. Low beams are the primary headlights in your car, and these are the lights that come on by default when you switch on your car's headlights.
How do I know if I need a high-beam or low-beam light bulb?
One way to determine whether your car uses separate bulbs for low and high beams is to look at the front of the vehicle.
If there are two headlight units on each side, your car most likely uses separate bulbs for the low and high beams. In this case, you'll need to determine whether both your low and high beams function. If the high beams work, but the low beams don't, you'll need a low-beam bulb—if the low beams work, but the high beams don't, you'll need a high-beam bulb.
If there is only one headlight unit on each side, your car probably uses one bulb with two filaments for low and high beams. If this is the case, it doesn't matter if your low beams work and your high beams don't—if one doesn't work, you'll need to replace the entire bulb.
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