Low Beams – Which Are They, How Are They Built, What Symbol Do They Have?

Low Beams – Which Are They?

Low beams are a component of a car’s exterior lighting. They are mounted at the front of the car and serve two functions. The primary task is to illuminate the road ahead of the car in such a way that ensures the driver has good visibility while not blinding other road users. They also need to make the vehicle visible while driving, so it can be seen from a distance by other drivers and road users. Low beams always have a white color.

Setting Low Beams

Low beams should illuminate the road at least 40 meters ahead of the car. They are not set straight but asymmetrically. What does this mean? For cars driving on Polish and European roads, the lights illuminate more on the right side of the road. Similarly, in countries where left-hand traffic prevails (Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and others), low beams illuminate more on the left side of the road.

Low beams are part of the car’s headlamp, together with high beams and turn signals.

• In the case of the latest cars with LED lighting, low beams can be a separate exterior lighting element, placed outside the headlamp (e.g., as a light strip).
• In the case of LED technology headlamps, one light element can perform both the low beam and turn signal functions. When the driver activates the turn signal, the light element changes color to orange and starts functioning as a turn signal.

Homologations and Regulations Concerning Low Beams

Low beams, like other exterior lighting elements of a car, are designed and installed in cars according to numerous regulations and homologations. They determine the maximum light intensity values at selected points, the arrangement of lights, and the type of light sources used.

Low beams are checked during the vehicle inspection at Vehicle Inspection Stations.

How to Turn On Low Beams? What Does the Low Beam Indicator Look Like?

Low beams are usually activated by a lever located near the steering wheel. You need to turn the appropriate part of the lever, usually twice (the first position is parking lights). In some cars, exterior lighting is activated by a button or knob located on the dashboard.

In modern cars with adaptive lighting, the system independently controls the intensity of the exterior lighting. It automatically switches from low beams to high beams. In such cars, you simply need to activate the exterior lighting, or it activates automatically.

When the low beams are turned on, a green, non-flashing indicator with a specific pattern appears on the dashboard.

How Are Low Beams Built?

It all depends on what type of light source is used in a given car.

• In standard headlamps, the light source is a halogen bulb, most often H7, with a power of 55W. It is located inside the headlamp. The light beam generated by the bulb is reflected by the reflector and directed onto the road.
• In xenon technology headlamps, the light source is a xenon bulb. The bulb is mounted inside the headlamp. The light beam generated by the bulb is reflected by the reflector and directed onto the road.
• In bi-xenon headlamps, one bulb serves as the light source for both high and low beams. When low beams are activated, the light beam is limited by a specific shutter.
• In LED technology headlamps, the light source is a module or several LED light modules. These are most often COB diodes. In the most modern vehicles, the light source can be a light strip. The diodes are directed forward, and reflectors are not used.

Low Beams vs. Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Are They the Same?

Low beams and daytime running lights (DRL) are not the same. DRL lights are an additional lighting element. They are mounted at the front of the car, according to regulations (placement, connection, etc.). They are usually used in cars that are standardly equipped with halogen bulb headlamps.

DRL lights can be used instead of low beams, but only during the day, with very good visibility and no rain.

High Beams vs. Low Beams

High beams have a much longer light beam range. That is why they are often popularly called “long lights.” High beams can only be used after dusk, on unlit roads. They can only be turned on when there is no possibility of blinding other drivers, whether in front or oncoming traffic.

High beams have a separate switch and a different indicator on the dashboard.