Last Updated on April 6, 2023
You’re driving at night and see a car coming up behind you with its headlights off. You want to be able to identify the make and model of the car so you can report it to the police. You might not be able to provide the authorities with enough information to help them find the driver without knowing what kind of vehicle it is.
While most drivers know to use them at night, not everyone knows how to identify a car by its tail lights. Once you learn to recognize a car by its tail lights, you’ll be able to quickly determine the manufacture of any type of vehicle, even in low brightness conditions. Knowing this information could help save lives.
A Guide on How to Identify a Car by Its Tail Lights
One of the most important parts of a car is its tail lights. Not only do they help drivers see at night, but they also serve as a warning to other drivers that a vehicle is stopping or turning. As a result, it is necessary to recognize a vehicle by its tail lights. If you’re trying to recognize a car based on its taillights, you can look for these things:
- Pay attention to the shape of the tail light. They come in all sorts of shapes, but they’re usually either round or rectangular. If the car has two round tail lights, it’s likely a truck or SUV. It’s likely a vehicle that is rectangular. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. So, if you’re not sure what kind of car it is, take a look at the rest of the vehicle.
- Check out the size. You can identify a vehicle by it as well. Thus if it is in small type, it’s likely a compact car. If it’s large, the car is likely a full-size one.
- Observe the color of the light. You can also recognize a car by the color of its illumination. For example, if it’s red, it’s likely a car. For white, it’s likely an SUV or truck.
- Finally, look at the tail light position. It is also possible to identify a vehicle based on the location. For instance, if it’s on the left side of the car, it’s likely a model from Europe or Asia. A car from North America is likely to have its taillight on the right side.
Try out your new skills next time you’re driving after learning how to identify a car’s tail lights.
An Overview of the Various Types of Tail Lights
While they may not be the most exciting element of your car, tail lights are vital components of safety. They help to warn drivers behind you of your intentions, and they also make your car more visible in the dark.
Tail lights are available in many different varieties, each with its own distinct look. Here are some of the most common types:
1. Incandescent Tail Lights:
They were once the most popular type of tail light, but they have largely been replaced by LEDs in recent years. However, you can still find some traditional lamps on older model cars. One way to tell if a car has incandescent bulbs is to look for a small metal filament inside the bulb.
When the brakes are applied, the filament becomes heated and glows, producing bright red light. Although they are not as efficient as LEDs, incandescent bulbs are still widely used because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.
2. LED Tail Lights:
It is a type of car bulb that uses light-emitting diodes as opposed to traditional incandescent bulbs. They are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than conventional fixtures, making them an increasingly popular option.
Although LEDs are becoming more common, they can still be difficult to identify. It is identified by its bright, even glow. Incandescent bulbs tend to produce a dimmer, flickering glow, so if they look especially bright, they’re likely LEDs.
3. Xenon Tail Lights:
These are the newest type of taillight on the market. It is made from a gas that glows when an electrical current is applied to it. These are much brighter than conventional bulbs, and they last significantly longer as well. As a result, they are becoming increasingly popular with car manufacturers and consumers alike. Not only do they provide better visibility in the dim light, but they also give your automobile a more modern look.
If you aren’t sure whether or not your car has xenon tail lights, the best way to find out is to inspect the bulbs themselves. They tend to be blue, as opposed to the yellowish hue of incandescent bulbs. If you see a vehicle with these types of lamps, it probably has xenon illumination.
4. Fiber optic Tail lights:
There are a few ways of determining whether a tail light is fiber optic. First, look at the overall design. It is likely to be sleek and thin. Secondly, take a close examination of the actual bulbs. These filaments are usually smaller and more delicate-looking than traditional ones. Fiber based lights have a distinctive glow that is similar to that of LEDs.
While they’re not yet as common as traditional tail lights, fiber optics are gradually becoming more popular. That’s because they offer several advantages over the old style. They’re usually brighter and more visible, which can make them safer. They also tend to last longer since there are no filaments to burn out.
5. Halogen Tail Lights:
It’s probably the most common tail light type to see on the road to be a halogen. These lamps use this type of bulb, which is a filament inside a small glass capsule that is filled with gas. The gas allows the filament to burn brighter for longer periods of time without burning out. Halogen bulbs come in many colors, but red is by far the most widely used for tail lights.
Now that you know the different kinds of tail lights, you can tell the several types of cars based on them.
Final Thoughts
As you now know how to identify a car by Its tail lights, it’s time to put your new skills to the test. Keep your eyes peeled the next time you’re out on the road, and try to spot any cars that match the description. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always better to turn them on just to be safe.
With this new knowledge in hand, you’ll be prepared for anything the road throws your way. We hope you found this article helpful.
