Overall, clearance and high beam - what's the difference? The most important information

Parking lights are not the only variety worth paying attention to. You also need to learn more about types such as road, passage, or emergency. You will find the most important information on this topic in our article! See for yourself what you need to know about parking lights and other varieties.

When to use parking lights?

Use the parking lights when the vehicle is parked on the side of the road or in the emergency lane. They must also be turned on when towing, in a vehicle that cannot steer itself. 

Side lights should be turned on especially from dusk to dawn or when it is difficult to see on the road, for example, due to weather conditions. It is also worth remembering that the parking lights should turn on during an emergency stop in an unauthorized place, in the event that emergency lighting cannot be turned on. We will also dwell in more detail on other types of lamps that are installed in cars.

How can I enable them?

Side lights can be turned on in several ways - both lamps on both sides of the car, and only on the right or left can be active. In most vehicles, you need to turn on the left or right turn signal when the car's drive is active in order to turn on the parking lights. This makes it possible to turn on not all the lamps at once, but one at a time, for example, from the central axis of the road. 

Marker lights - characteristics

The next variety, which we will talk about in more detail, is marker lights. They are included after dark and, interestingly, not only in road, but also in rail, as well as water and air transport. Drivers prefer to use position lights to indicate their position to other road users and hiking trails. What characterizes the diversity installed in cars?

Lamps installed in cars - what you need to know

In this case, as in the case of the parking option, the lights must be white or yellow in front and red in the rear of the vehicle. In addition, it is worth knowing that vehicles with trailers longer than 6 meters, including the optional drawbar, must have additional amber side marker lights. 

On the other hand, those in a group less than 6 meters long may or may not have them. An important point is that the parking lights should be visible at night, with good air transparency, from a distance of at least 300 meters. This is due to the provisions of the Decree of the Minister of Infrastructure of December 31, 2002 on the technical condition of vehicles and the amount of their necessary equipment.

What is the difference between parking lights and position lights?

The characteristics of both varieties are very similar. So what exactly are the differences? Basically, they relate to the fact that side lights are not a mandatory element of car equipment. This option is installed only on cars of certain manufacturers. It should be made clear that it cannot be considered as a replacement for position lights. 

Differences also appear in the context of labelling. Side lights are indicated by a badge with two headlights facing backwards and emitting three beams of light in opposite directions. On the other hand, in the case of the parking option, the letter "P" is used, emitting three beams of light in one direction. Drivers should be aware that parking lights can be replaced by position lights, but not vice versa. 

High beam - what you need to know?

High beam is another well-known type of lamp installed in cars that are responsible for safety and comfort when driving off-road. They also function under the name "road lights" or "driving lights". 

The variety is designed to brighten up the track in front of the car. Unlike another popular type, low beam, the road type is symmetrical. The emitted light beam evenly illuminates both the right and left side of the road.

It is worth knowing that the use of high beams is legally permitted only from dusk to dawn and on an unlit roadway. They should not be used when there is a risk of blinding other road users - pedestrians and drivers.

What rules should be considered when turning on the high beam?

The driver must be aware that they cannot be activated when a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction.. High beams should also be switched off when the driver is aware of the high possibility of dazzling the vehicle being overtaken. The same principle applies to rail cars or waterways. This should be kept in mind when using high beam headlights. 

How much are the parking, position and high-beam lights?

The purchase of the first two varieties will not require large expenditures. The standard price of parking and clearance lights should vary from 5 zł to 30-5 euros. Of course, depending on the model. In turn, the road version costs from 100 to even 500-60 euros. The relatively low price means that having new and working headlights shouldn't be a problem for anyone.