What Is a Tail Light?

The tail light on a car is an important safety component that helps other cars see the rear of the vehicle. It also helps improve visibility at night.

There are many different types of tail lights, and they are all designed to do a specific job. For example, some tail lights double as brake lights while others serve as turn signals.

Types of Lights

A tail light is a type of automotive lighting that lights up when the vehicle’s headlights are on. They are usually red and serve to help other drivers see the rear of the car.

In order to function properly, tail lights must be installed correctly and maintained. They also need to be bright enough to be visible to other vehicles, and they should be clean and clear of debris and dirt.

There are several types of tail lights, but the most common are LEDs and halogen lamps. Both of these are easy to install and have a long service life.

LEDs are a type of solid-state lighting technology that uses semiconductor materials to create a light source. They don’t heat up like traditional halogen bulbs do, and they offer several benefits for truck and SUV owners, including increased visibility and safety.

Compared to halogen bulbs, LEDs are more energy-efficient and last longer. They can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can customize the look of your vehicle.

The most basic types of tail lights use incandescent bulbs, which produce light when an electric current passes through them. They are often used in older cars and trucks that don’t have modern lighting systems.

Some tail lights have a reflective material inside of them, which can make them appear brighter and larger. They are also commonly colored to match the color of the vehicle’s tailgate or other parts of the body.

These lights are also used to reduce glare tail light from rain and snow, as well as for visibility during nighttime driving. They also provide a wider beam of light, which is useful when driving at low speeds.

In addition to being functional, tail lights are also beautiful and attractive. They come in a variety of styles, such as clear and smoked lenses, and can be customized to fit your personal style preferences.

LEDs are becoming a more popular alternative to halogen bulbs for taillights because they produce less heat and last longer. They are also more environmentally friendly, as they don’t require the use of batteries.

Lenses

Lenses are a key component of tail lights because they help transform white light into other colors, such as red for brake lights and amber for tail lights. This color change is critical for identifying your car at night, in low-light conditions and while you’re braking or turning.

Unlike headlights, which are made of glass and can last a lifetime, tail light lenses are made from polycarbonate plastic. This material is vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays and can eventually fade and discolor. This is why it’s so important to clean and restore your tail lights regularly.

A clear, glossy finish is the sign of a well-maintained lens. To achieve this, begin by cleaning your lenses with a microfiber cloth and warm water to remove any loose dirt or soils from the surfaces of your lenses. Once you’ve cleaned them, rinse them thoroughly and pat them dry with a fresh microfiber towel.

Next, use a microfiber cloth to apply a quarter-sized drop of your clear lens clarifying compound from your kit to the surface of each tail light, one lens at a time. Buff the compound into the surface of your lenses to remove any oxidation and light surface scratches that may be present. Repeat this process until all traces of oxidation and discoloration have been removed from each lens.

Once you’re satisfied with the clarity of your lenses, it’s time to seal them and give them a protective coating. The Speed Lens Restorer Kit contains two types of protective sealants that are designed to protect your tail lights from the elements and provide a glossy, crystal-clear finish. Using the acrylic base coat wipe, apply it to each taillight one at a time, allowing each to cure for a few minutes before applying the next coating.

Injection plastic molding is a highly effective method for producing high-quality lighting components that complement the design of the vehicle and the finish of the interior or exterior. The ability to produce precise, repeatable parts makes it the perfect solution for newer vehicles with distinctive lighting designs.

Sockets

Unlike their headlight counterparts, tail lights don’t require a separate bulb socket. This allows for easier access, and makes changing a bulb in the trunk of your car much more convenient. If your tail light socket has been damaged or in disrepair, it’s time to replace it. A replacement can be purchased at Pep Boys for around $3.99.

There are two different types of sockets used on many cars: the standard socket with ground contacts on the left and high and tail light low circuits on the right, and the CK type with both grounds on the top and high and low circuits below. Depending on the vehicle, you may need to test your socket to determine which it is.

For the best results, test your socket before you install any VLEDs. If you don’t, your new LED bulbs will not be able to work and they may even blow a fuse in your protection circuit! It’s also important to know what socket style your car has before purchasing the aforementioned VLED. This will ensure that you’re not buying the wrong LEDs for your vehicle and will save you from a potentially expensive headache. Good luck! You’ll soon be looking down the road with a brighter and safer tail light in no time.

Wiring

The wiring used in a tail light is important for the proper functioning of the light. This wire harness connects all the components of the lighting system. It ensures that the lights work properly, as well as helping you stay safe. You can find a wide range of wiring harnesses and cable assemblies from Cloom that are designed to meet all your car’s requirements.

The most common type of wiring is a three-wire system that sends the stop, turn and taillight signals along three separate wires. Some cars use a PWM system that combines all three lighting functions into one wire. This system allows the lights to change their intensity, depending on the driving conditions.

Some systems have the brake and taillight bulbs in one bulb, while others have a bulb for each function. If you want to know if your vehicle has a bulb for both lights, press the brake pedal and notice which bulb lights up in the tail light assembly. If the bulb doesn’t turn on, you need to trace the wires back to the main harness.

The wiring in a tail light may be complex, but it’s easy to understand. First, you need to determine the ground and tail wire colors of your 3-wire brake/tail light. Then, compare them to the wire colors in your turn signal wires. You’ll see that the black with yellow stripe in your brake light wire is the same color as ground, while the blue in the turn signal wires is the positive wire.