Taillights provide vehicle safety on roads by keeping you in sight of other drivers in the evening or in harsh weather. They are required legally, too, as a car with a broken tail light can result in a fine.
This article will give you everything you need about tail lights, from a step-by-step replacement process to crafting tail lights, light types, customizations, and legality.
What is a Tail Light?
A tail light is a rear vehicle light that is turned on when you turn on your headlights. It helps other drivers see your car in low visibility and weather conditions.
Tail lights also serve as safety features; they prevent road accidents in fog, rain, or in the evening by making other drivers notice your vehicle.
Car tail lights: Functions and Features
Tail lights enable your car to be visible to other drivers in low light. Apart from being visible when driving in low light, tail lights are important in signalling.
Tail lights indicate when a car is slowing down, turning, or changing lanes to avoid collisions. As a basic part of a car’s light system, Fiber Optic tail lights are effective communicators between drivers and have a responsibility to make roads safer for everyone.
Types of Tail Light & Features
There are different types of tail lights available for cars. We have enlisted some of the famous Types of tail lights:
| Tail Light Type | Characteristics | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halogen Tail Lights | Uses a small filament that glows when powered | Cheap and easy to replace | Burns out quickly and is not very bright |
| LED Tail Lights | Bright, energy-saving, and long-lasting | Lasts long and uses less power | Costs more than halogen |
| HID (Xenon) Tail Lights | Uses gas to produce a strong, bright light | Very bright and improves visibility | Expensive and takes time to warm up |
| Laser Tail Lights | Super bright, high-tech, used in luxury cars | Extremely bright and modern | Very costly and not common |
| Sequential Tail Lights | Lights up in a flowing pattern for a stylish look | Looks stylish and makes signals clearer | Costs more and needs special wiring |
Difference Between Car Tail and Brake Lights
The brake and tail lights in a car share a similar nature but differ in functions. Tail lights emit light when you flip your headlight to be more visible in low light.
Your brake lights light up when you press your brake pedal. They are more visible than tail lights and give other drivers earlier notice that you are slowing or will be slowing in order to prevent collisions.
You can search for a complete guide on Tail lights vs. Brake lights on Google to learn more about both of them.
Laws and Regulations for Tail Lights
Turn signals, tail lights, and Brakes must meet legal safety standards. Failure to meet them can result in a fine or a traffic ticket.
It is Illegal To Have Tinted or Custom Incandescent Tail Lights.
Reflectors and taillights need to be red for visibility in most states. Tinted or smoked car tail lights will fade light and are illegal in any state.
Modifications can be made in all states as long as the light can still be visible from a distance, typically 500 feet. Additional reflectors or more powerful bulbs may be needed. Check your local laws before updating your taillights.
Brake Light and Turn Signal Regulations
Brake lights are mandated in all 50 states. A driver with a faulty brake light can be ticketed or warned. Turn signals can be amber or have red lights, although amber is legal in all states for increased visibility.
Common Legal Issues with Tail Lights
Broken car tail lights will result in a warning or a fix-it ticket. Dark-tint taillights can impair visibility and violate safety codes. States have laws about tint, and crossing them will result in a fine or a required inspection. Regular inspections on tail lights will avoid legal problems. Check out the regulations and guidelines about LED headlights.
A Step-by-Step Tutorial: Replacing a Tail Light Bulb
Replacing a tail light bulb will improve safety and prevent you from getting a ticket. This is how you replace a faulty bulb.
Materials Needed
- Screw
- Replacement Bulb
- Glow
- Socket Wrench (if necessary)
Step 1: Finding the Faulty Tail Light
First, you need to know which light is out: a brake light, a tail light, or a reverse light. Test with your brake pedal, and your car tail lights come on.
If your light will not turn on, you either have a wiring problem or an exhaust bulb. Look carefully to see whether or not the filament has broken or whether the glass has turned dark.
Step 2: Removing the Tail Light Assembly
You can pop your back panel or open your trunk to access your tail light assembly. Depending on your vehicle, you must unbolt your panel to access your tail light housing. Carefully remove the screws that hold in place your housing and then gently pull out your housing to check.
Step 3: Replacing the Old Bulb
Locate the bulb socket and turn it in an anti-clockwise direction to loosen it from the housing. Gently twist off or pull out the old bulb, whichever you prefer. When you use a halogen bulb, you should wear a pair of gloves to prevent oil from your hands, shortening your new bulb’s lifespan.
Step 4: Replace with a New Tail Light Bulb
Insert the new Tail Light bulb into the socket and twist until fully seated. When using LED tail lights, HID, or halogen replacements, use a replacement compatible with your car. Replace the socket with the housing and twist clockwise to tighten. Go through the complete guide on HID vs LED before replacing it.
Step 5: Reassemble and Test
Carefully place your tail light housing back onto your vehicle and tighten it with screws or bolts. Replace any panels you removed. Check to ensure your new bulb is working by turning on your lights and then using your brake to check that all is working correctly.
After you have followed all these steps and your lights still don’t work, then you may have a wiring issue. In this case, you will need professional mechanic service.
Maintenance and Replacement
Routine servicing is necessary to maintain tail lights in good working condition and maximize visibility. Cleaning lenses in tail lights eliminates dirt, dust, and insect splatters that interfere with light emission. Regular checking should also be done to prevent wiring faults from producing flicker or inoperable tail light lenses.
As a safety and legal precaution, a tail light should be replaced immediately if it malfunctions or is damaged. Replace it with replacement components compatible with your vehicle model for a good fit and functionality.
Customization and Upgrade
Customizing car tail lights adds aesthetic appeal and visibility to a vehicle. Stock bulbs are swapped out for more energy-efficient and brighter LED assemblies, which conserve energy and last longer.
An expert custom automotive tail light company can fit smooth, Euro-type lenses. Customized tail lights and brakes can be designed to meet your performance or visual wants. They are produced using advanced processes such as CNC machining, vacuum casting, and injection moulding to deliver high-grade designs and reliability.
Safety and Considerations
A tail light is a safety feature crucial to making a car visible to other drivers, especially in low visibility. Faulty or inoperative tail lights place a car in a more susceptible position and can result in a fine.
Replacing or swapping tail lights in a car also has safety implications. Bulbs should always be handled with a glove or a clean cloth to avoid transferring skin oils and reducing lifespan. Making sure all swaps are legal will avoid safety and legal issues on public roads.
FAQs
Q. How long do tail light bulbs last?
It will vary depending on the bulb. Halogen bulbs last for 1,000 hours, but LED tail light bulbs last 50,000 hours. It is a good idea to have them tested periodically to know whether or not they still work.
Q. Why My Tail Lights Still On When I Turn Off My Car?
The problem could have many different reasons. It may be a jammed brake light switch, a broken wire, or an electrical issue. If your vehicle’s tail lights fail to turn off, have a professional mechanic to fix them.
Q. Can I drive with a damaged tail light cover?
No, a broken or missing tail light cover is illegal in most states. It can reduce your visibility and destroy the bulb. Replace it as soon as you can to avoid a fine.
Conclusion
Tail lights are a crucial car safety feature, improving road visibility and communication. Maintenance, timely replacement, the car’s lighting system and legal conformity assure smooth operation and accident prevention.
Whether replacing LED lamps, changing for looks, or merely replacing a burned-out bulb, good tail lights are required for safe travel. Always refer to local regulations before making any custom automotive tail light upgrades, and install with proper procedures to assure reliability and longevity.
Advanced Automotive Lighting Solutions to Drive Business Success
At CarLightVision, we provide high-performance car lighting to enhance safety, visibility, and looks. Whether you need a tail light replacement, an LED replacement, or professional guidance, we have the best for you.
We provide a variety of materials and customize lights to meet your car’s needs, including D Series LEDs, 360 LEDs, High Lumen for efficient light emission, and Bi-LED for dual-beam high-intensity light output. Do not compromise your safety with low or dysfunctional tail lights. Contact us today for high-quality lighting and professional service.
