Lighting

Your vehicle has lighting for nearly every use. Some, like your headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights (also called DRLs), came with it from the factory. A headlight works as both a high beam and a low beam. High beams are for when it's very dark. Low beams are for normal, everyday driving. A tail light indicates your position on the road and off, as does a DRL.

Any headlamp, like any tail lamp, also works as a hazard light; put them together, and you get "flashers" that tell other drivers that there's danger nearby or that you need help. You've also got signal lights that indicate you're changing lanes or turning. They're called "blinkers," for short. That's not to mention brake lights, which show slowdowns and stops.

You may even have other types of lighting, too, like fog lights and puddle lights. The former are low-glare and shine low and brightly for better visibility in bad weather. The latter illuminate the area below your vehicle doors, so you and your passengers can avoid rainwater and other obstacles as you get in and out. You might even have specialty lights. They show off license plate frames and other exterior accessories.

Types of Car Light Bulbs

Most car lights are either LED, high-intensity discharge (HID, for short; also called Xenon), or halogen. What lighting does your vehicle need? That depends on its model and body style, so consult your owner's manual for the best answer.

When to change a car light bulb, however, isn't model- or body style-dependent. It varies only by what kind of light you've got.

• Change LED lights if either their electronics fail or the lights themselves go out.
• Change Xenon or HID lights every few years, especially if they dim.
• Change halogen lights every two years or so.

Our auto parts store has the genuine OEM lighting you need, and you can order it online. Buy now and save -- and be sure to pick up the light assembly kit you need to install, too!