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The functions of tail lights: all you need know

October 09, 2024
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When you are driving a vehicle, safety always comes first. As an important part of the lighting system, the tail lights of a car are very important for maintaining driving safety. At night or in bad weather conditions such as rain or fog, the taillights can provide visibility and signals to other drivers on the road, ensuring that they can see the vehicle and send them signals such as braking, turning, or changing lanes. If the taillight function fails, it will greatly increase the risk of traffic accidents such as vehicle collisions.

In this article, learn about the structure, function, and how to maintain the taillights, which is important for all drivers or automotive professionals.

Anatomy of tail lights

The tail light is one of the components of the vehicle lighting system, consisting of a housing, lens, bulb, and electrical connector.

Housing: Made of durable plastic or polycarbonate material that can withstand impact. It wraps around the bulb and wires, providing them with a protective barrier from moisture, dust, debris, etc.
Lens: Made of transparent or translucent colored plastic, generally red or amber. It can filter and scatter the light emitted by the bulb. Different colored lenses indicate different functions of the lights, red for brake lights and amber for turn signals.
Bulb: The light source inside the taillight assembly. It emits light when the vehicle needs it.
Electrical connector: Used to connect the bulb to the vehicle power supply. Provides a connection for powering the taillight, connecting the taillight to the car battery and the control system's wiring harness.

Understanding the structure of the taillight will help you understand the functions provided by the taillight and better protect your driving safety.

Functions of tail lights

The main functions of tail lights are as follows:

Providing Visibility

Driving after dark has many potential hazards, but when you have a lighting system that helps you see and tail lights that allow you to be seen by other drivers, you can drive with the same assurance as you would during the day. Tail lights provide vital visibility to other drivers, especially in low light or inclement weather conditions. The tail lights emit a steady red light, allowing drivers behind you to see the vehicle's presence, intentions, and position. This visibility can significantly reduce the number of rear-end collisions, as the tail lights alert other road users to the presence of a vehicle ahead. Taillights are particularly effective at night and in low visibility conditions and are a key factor in ensuring that other drivers can react on time.

Integration with lighting systems

Taillights are tightly integrated with the rest of the vehicle lighting system to form a collaborative whole, ensuring that the vehicle provides clear visual signals and conveys precise movements in different driving scenarios. The taillight integrated system includes:

Brake lights: When the driver applies the brakes, the taillights emit brighter light to signal to drivers behind to slow down or stop. Compared to the standard brightness during normal driving, the strong light during braking can quickly attract the attention of drivers behind, alerting them that the vehicle is slowing down or stopping. This signal greatly improves the driver's reaction time and reduces the risk of emergency braking or collisions.
Turn lights: The integration of taillights with turn lights ensures that the vehicle's intentions are communicated to other road users when turning or changing lanes. When the driver turns on the turn signal, the taillight flashes in the corresponding direction to alert other drivers that the vehicle is about to turn.
Reflector assemblies: In some models, the taillights also integrate reflector assemblies, which further improve the vehicle's visibility by reflecting ambient light, making the vehicle easier to spot at night or in low light conditions even when the taillights are not turned on.

This close integration with other lighting systems ensures that the vehicle can provide comprehensive signals in complex traffic environments, increasing driving safety.

Indicating vehicle position

One of the main functions of taillights is to indicate the vehicle's position on the road by continuously emitting light. They show the rear edge of the car, allowing other drivers to correctly gauge the shape and size of the vehicle, especially in low visibility conditions such as at night, in tunnels, or in bad weather. The red light emitted by the taillights can be seen by other drivers at a long distance, ensuring that they can accurately judge the vehicle's position and direction of travel. This continuous light signal is one of the foundations of ensuring road safety at night. When the vehicle ignition is turned on, the taillights will light up and continue to light up to show the vehicle's presence, especially in low-light conditions.

In addition to the standard taillight operating function, when the vehicle slows down or brakes, the brake lights will emit a stronger light signal, clearly informing the rear driver that the vehicle is slowing down, helping them to distinguish between stationary and moving vehicles, prompting them to take slowing down or evasive measures in advance.

Maintenance for tail light

The continued function of your taillights depends on our daily maintenance. Here are some tips for taillight maintenance listed by our experts:

Regular inspection: Most vehicles' taillights are very reliable, but they are also susceptible to weather conditions. Check your vehicle quarterly to detect any possible faults, including electrical connections, brake lights, turn signals, and reverse lights.
Regular cleaning: Clean your car's taillights regularly. Use a microfiber cloth and a mild soap solution to clean the lens. Over time, dust and dirt will accumulate and reduce visibility.
Use dielectric grease: Apply dielectric grease to the bulb socket to prevent corrosion and ensure a good electrical connection.

By following these taillight maintenance guidelines, you can keep your vehicle's advanced lighting system in optimal function, greatly improving your driving safety.

The difference between tail light and brake light

Many people cannot tell the difference between tail lights and brake lights. Here we can help you distinguish them from three aspects: function, brightness, and color.

Function

The main difference between brake lights and tail lights is in their functionality. Brake lights come on when the driver applies the brakes, whereas tail lights stay on when the headlights are on, signaling the presence of vehicles on the road. Imagine riding a bicycle at night and the red light behind the car stays on, signaling your presence. This is like the tail lights on a car. However, when you suddenly apply the brakes, the red light behind the bicycle starts flashing, warning the driver behind you. This works just like brake lights.

Brightness

Brake lights are usually brighter than tail lights, so they can be seen from farther away, even during the day, because it's important to alert other drivers of a sudden stop. Imagine walking down the street at night and seeing two houses with their porch lights on. One of the houses has a dim light, like a night light, while the other has a bright light, like a floodlight. The bright light is like the brake light on a car, while the dim light is like the tail light.

Color

Brake lights are red, while tail lights can be red or amber. This makes it easier to distinguish between the two types of lights and their respective functions. Imagine a car driving ahead of you: When the driver is not applying the brakes, the tail lights illuminate with a dim red glow, similar to a night light. However, when the driver applies the brakes, the brake lights illuminate with a bright, intense red glow, like a stop sign, signaling to you that the car is slowing down or stopping.

FAQs

How much for tail light replacement?

The price of tail lights varies widely depending on factors such as manufacturer, quality, vehicle make and model, and materials. A single bulb replacement costs about $10 to $30, while the entire tail light assembly can cost between $50 and $300. A repair shop replacement can cost between $200 and $800.