low beam symbol

High Beam vs Low Beam Symbol: What’s The Difference?

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Jeffrey
August 10, 2022
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A low beam symbol and a high beam are two distinct headlight settings that you can select from.

If you are familiar with their meanings, they are quite helpful. Users frequently underestimate them as being simply two lighting settings.

However, they have importance, and improper usage may have a significant impact on the driving experience for some people.

So, in this post, we will compare and contrast the high beam vs low beam symbol.

The high-beam light is beneficial in such circumstances because it penetrates through the fog.

You may need a light that allows you to see what is ahead of you with ease.

In the same situation, low beams were created.

So without any further ado, let’s get started.

Low Beam And High Beam – What Are They?

This essay will not make you wait until the middle or even the end of the article to give you the solution you are searching for, unlike other pieces.

We will start off this piece on the correct foot by defining the distinctions between both sorts of beams.

A low beam, as the name implies, points downwards rather than straight ahead, as opposed to a high beam that is perpendicular to the car.

If you have never heard of a high beam before, you have probably witnessed an oncoming vehicle’s lights dazzle your eyes for a second.

That is certainly a high beam.

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In a low-beam situation, you may see the car, but it will be visible at a greater distance than when the high beam is on.

A low beam is aimed towards the ground, as I previously stated.

The distinctions between these light settings are night and day, and they are very easy to tell apart.

The Low Beam Symbol

At night, the low beam must be switched on.

All motor vehicles must do so.

It is usually on a knob near the steering wheel if you want to turn it on but can not find it.

The symbol is lit with beams that are pointing downward and is light in color.

When Are The Low Beams Used?

Whichever type of vehicle you drive, at night it is always a good idea to have your headlights switched on.

However, there are times when low beams will be more useful than high beams.

The following conditions must all be met in order for low beam headlights to be used:

  • When you are on the highway
  • When there is traffic
  • When there is rain
  • When there is a light fog

In certain circumstances, low beams must not be utilized.

They can reduce the driver’s visibility in regions where there is dense fog or lots of snow.

As a result, you must distinguish between high beams and low beams when determining when to use each one.

I will get into that further down.

The High Beam Symbol

So, now that you know what a low beam looks like, what about the high beam?

The signal is the same apart from the rays.

They are directed forward.

If you do not have any problems with your eyesight, there should be no issue distinguishing between the two of them.

If you are still uncertain, the only way to determine which is correct is to turn on both beams and compare by turning.

The high-beam light indicates that you are driving in a more rural area (but not always).

When Are The High Beams Used?

Let’s speak about the big brother of the low beam, the high beam.

It has been built with severe conditions in mind.

Some locations where a high beam is used include:

  • When the rain is heavy
  • When the fog is too much

There are really few situations where a high beam is required.

You will need a light that can cut through the thick layer of snow or rain to see properly, so a high beam is ideal.

A high beam is excellent and perfect for this purpose.

It has the ability to cast light up to 100 feet ahead of you on the road.

When Not To Use The High Beam

A high beam should not be used in circumstances that might cause problems or limit other drivers’ driving abilities.

You may have been blinded a number of times as a result of an insane motorist who switched on the high beams instead of the low beams.

This is something you should avoid. It is suitable for use on roads near rural areas and when there is not much traffic.

Why Not The High Beams Used In Less Intense Scenarios

Now, this is a question that many of you may be wondering.

When the high beam light reflects in places with light rain and snow, it might give off a glare.

Because you will not look at the road correctly, visibility difficulties and accidents are possible.

As a result, using a low beam is advised in situations like this.

High Beam Symbol Light Flashing

When you switch on the high beam, an illuminated symbol appears on the instrument panel.

This informs you that the high beam has been switched on.

Some drivers reported that the high-beam symbol began blinking on their cars.

This indicates a problem with the high-beam switch, so it must be removed for repair.

It is best to allow a mechanic to take care of it since closing the module up is difficult.

When it is too late, you may find yourself in over your head.

As a result, having a professional finish the task for you is advised.

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The blinking light also indicates an electrical system problem.

There is either a faulty connection or a fault in the system.

You should have the problem investigated and corrected as soon as possible.

Other Uses Of The High Beam Light

Some of you reading this may be new drivers, unsure when and how to utilize these lights.

This is not something to be embarrassed about since all drivers have gone through the same stage as you.

A high-beam light can also be used as a flasher. When on the highway is perhaps the best example to use.

When you are in the passing lane and the driver ahead of you is taking too long, your high beams may be switched on to notify you that you are closing in.

To allow for simple passage, the highway code requires that you move out of the way.

I believe that this is superior to using a horn.

It works well, and there will be no noise at all.

All drivers are aware of this flashing, and if you did not know about it before, now you do.

My High Beam Works But The Low Beam Does Not

Headlights are prone to failing.

Because they are used so much, it is expected that after a few years of use, the headlights would run out.

Many vehicle owners reported that when the low beam stopped illuminating, the high beam still functioned properly.

There might be a variety of causes for this.

Let’s look at some of the most likely scenarios:

  1. It is possible that the socket has rusted. In an area with a lot of dampness, you may run into this problem. The corrosion will prevent the light from illuminating correctly.
  2. If the headlights have been exposed to severe weather, they will eventually corrode and need to be opened up and cleaned. The only way to repair this is to open the headlight and clean away the corrosion. Water or a damp cloth should not be used since it may make it worse.
  3. The wiring may become damaged with regular use and high vehicle temperature, resulting in the possibility that it will no longer function. The wiring of the headlights is also a potential hazard since it might short out or not operate. All you have to do in situations like these is to insulate or replace the wiring entirely.
  4. Users have complained about the headlight switches becoming faulty. Of course, this is unlikely to happen, but it is better to go through all possibilities until you discover the source of the problem.
  5. As soon as the headlights are linked to fuses, it is possible that they will burst. As a consequence, the low beams may not operate. In situations like these, all you have to do is find the faulty fuse and replace it. You should be ready after that.
  6. The most common reason for a low-beam failure is that the light has deteriorated to the point where it no longer illuminates the road in front of you adequately. This may occur because they were not made to endure a long time.

The High Beam Does Not Work While The Low Beam Is Fine

So, you are having the same problem I described above, yet it is the complete opposite of that.

The causes for the problem will be similar.

The only thing that varies is that the high beam operates at much higher temperatures.

As a result, you should change your bulb to resolve the issue.

It is a straightforward repair and should not cost much.

After changing a headlight, some people reported that their car’s high beam stopped functioning.

There is only one explanation for this problem.

You could have used the wrong fuses or installed incompatible light bulbs.

The incompatibility will result in the lights not working at all.

Keep this in mind when you take on a job on your own.

My Low Beam Lights Turn On Automatically While The High Beam Does Not

Sensors have evolved considerably in recent years, with one consequence being that they are now more useful than ever before.

Nothing has utilized them better than automobiles.

Tesla is one of the vehicles that makes the best use of sensors!

Many modern cars employ sensors that turn on the lights automatically as soon as it gets dark.

As a result, the low beams will come on automatically as soon as it gets dark.

There is no way to make the high beam turn on automatically when using it is a choice for drivers.

If the high beam were switched on at sunset, it would cause confusion among other motorists.

A system could be developed in which the high beam turns on if there is rain, but why bother?

All you have to do now is twist a knob, and you will be good to go.

H1 Light Vs. An H7 Light

Manufacturers make things difficult for customers, I do not know why.

They could just utilize the names of the two types of beams.

However, they were compelled to use H1 and H7 names.

The high beam, as the name implies, is brighter than the low beam, so it makes sense that it would be assigned a higher number.

Regardless, you should not be misled by the two since incorrect installation would result in them not functioning.

If they work, the low beam will go out as soon after installation because it was not intended to handle the voltage of a low beam.

Legal Color Of Headlights

Some individuals discover that a certain hue of headlights is required.

There are two possibilities: amber or white light.

You will be stopped by the first police officer if you use any other color because it may be interpreted as a signal for me to pull over and pay attention to my driving.

Some high-beam lights are blue in hue.

You should avoid them since you will be fined if you use them.

When choosing new headlights, you should be extra careful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Using The High Beam Illegal?

Yes and no.

Some of you may be perplexed by this response.

Let me clarify matters for you.

High-beam headlights were designed to be utilized in circumstances where visibility is at a minimum, such as when driving on the highway at night or during bad weather conditions.

If you use it excessively, there’s a good chance that an officer in blue will pull you over.

You will be alerted, but there is a low probability of you being fined as a result.

You should exercise greater caution in this regard.

How Can I Make My High Beams More Bright?

It is quite simple to make high beams brighter.

But, why would you want to do that?

I am a frequent automobile driver, and I know how distracting it is when a high-beam car passes you.

Regardless, the procedure is simple and straightforward.

Instead of using a halogen lamp, use an LED.

It is considerably brighter.

Other things you can try to make them more visible are:

  • Clean the headlights. Because they are not protected from dust or grime, they may easily settle on them. Furthermore, the headlights are the first to feel the air. As a result, you should clean them immediately. It can make a huge difference in light intensity.
  • Some headlights get so filthy that regular washing is ineffective. In situations like these, all you have to do is use a headlight restoration kit to restore them to brand new conditions.
  • You might also invest in premium halogen light bulbs. They cost more than LEDs, but they are well worth it.

I would advise getting your headlights cleaned.

Unless your car is extremely vintage, there is a good chance the headlights will fade enough to have an impact on your driving ability.

Can 100W Bulb Is Able To Melt The Headlights?

No, they won’t.

The headlight plastic has been designed to withstand high temperatures.

There will be a lot of heat, but you should not encounter any problems with melting or anything else.

Is 100W Light Bulb Illegal?

Yes, they are now.

It is incorrect to refer to 100 W light bulbs as illegal.

There aren’t any rules against using any sort of bulb in your headlights.

There is a minimum brightness requirement, but you can install a light that is as bright as you want it to be, and there should not be any issues.

How Many Lumens Of The Headlights Are Legal?

As previously mentioned, the headlights must meet a certain minimum standard.

It must be at least 2000 candelas bright.

You may anticipate paying a large penalty if you do not follow the rules and regulations if they are any lower.

While newer lights do not go as low as this, the only way they can attain this limit is by becoming weaker with time.

To avoid any trouble with the authorities, you must get them replaced at the proper moment.

Conclusion

When you searched for a solution to your question, low beam vs high beam symbol, you undoubtedly got more than you bargained for.

I made careful to resolve the issue in the opening of this essay so that you did not waste any of your time.

For those who stayed to the end of the blog, there’s a good possibility that you discovered something new.

Not everything is as simple as it looks.

You should have complete knowledge of all aspects of a car so you can avoid any problems and make an informed decision.

Jeffrey

Jeffrey Bryce is an experienced motorcycle rider with years of experience caring for motorcycles. His natural fondness for motorcycles have made him come up with LetsGoForARide.com, which is dedicated to answering and teaching you how to care for your bike with the care it requires. LetsGoForARide is the one of his important lifework in reaching out to communities of motorcycle enthusiasts on how to take care of their bike and choosing the correct spare part.