How many times have you thought the road ahead was clear and then, all of a sudden, you’re slamming on the brakes to avoid a rear-end collision with a car you never saw? And why didn’t you see the car? Because its tail lights weren’t working and the car’s owner didn’t take time to do a simple check of their vehicle’s lights.
The lights on your vehicle are one of its most important safety features. That’s right! Your car’s lights do more than show you the way on a dark night.
To avoid becoming a hazard on the road, check your car’s lights. That means all of them including the brake lights, headlight beams, taillights, turn signals and the license plate light! A burned out light can get you pulled over by a cop and while he’s got you stopped he’ll might look for other violations and give you a big fat ticket!
Testing The Lights on Your Vehicle:
The lights on your vehicle are one of its most important safety features. That’s right! Your car’s lights do more than show you the way on a dark night.
To avoid becoming a hazard on the road, check your car’s lights. That means all of them including the brake lights, headlight beams, taillights, turn signals and the license plate light! A burned out light can get you pulled over by a cop and while he’s got you stopped he’ll might look for other violations and give you a big fat ticket!
Testing The Lights on Your Vehicle:
- Headlights: Headlights are located in the front of the vehicle for the purpose of illuminating the road ahead. You don’t need a college degree to figure out if your headlights are working. Turn your low beams on, get out of the car and look to see if they’re on. For the best results, check bulb operation at night or in a dark garage. Repeat this process with your high beams, flashing them a few times to make sure they’re functioning properly as well. Both should shine with equal brightness. If they fail to do so it might mean a bad electrical supply or that your bulb needs to be replaced. Your headlights should be properly aimed – not too high or too low. You’re not searching for night crawlers or trying to find the “Big Dipper” in the night sky.
- Brake lights: Brake lights are usually an indication that a car is slowing down. Every so often you’ll find a driver who’s ‘riding the brake’ (definitely not a good practice). We’ve all been behind one of them at one time or another.
If you’re alone and can’t find anyone to help you check the brake lights, back your car into a garage or up close to a building. Turn your ignition switch to the ” on” position and look in the rear view mirror to see if they light up when the brake is depressed. Now try lightly depressing the brake. The light should come on immediately but if it doesn’t you might need to adjust your brake light switch. To test the backup lights, turn the ignition key to the "ON" position and put the transmission in reverse. Before you get out of the car to check the lights, make sure your parking brake is on. You don’t want to run yourself over!
- Turn Signals: Turn signals, also called "directionals” or "blinkers," are signals that flash to tell other drivers you intend to turn your car in a particular direction such as changing lanes, merging or turning.
To test your turn signals, turn them on and see if they’re flashing at a steady rate of between 60 - 120 blinks per minute. Listen for the "tick-tock" noise the turn signal makes.
Car manufacturers have conveniently placed the turn signals close to the steering wheel so they’re easy to use. If your movement is going to affect another car, please take advantage of their convenient location & use them! Be patient with those drivers who take it the extreme and forget to turn off their turn signals leaving you to follow for the next 10 miles with their left signal flashing!
At Eco Lube your entire lighting system will be checked so you’ll know that all your lights are in proper working order and providing the best illumination for your safe driving.
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