Carvendo

In autumn and winter, driving is less and less about speed and more about visibility. Dark mornings, early nights, rain, fog and wet asphalt make the road surface unpredictable and the surroundings harder to read. In those circumstances, lighting is not just a technical function, but a form of communication: you show others where you are, how fast you are driving and which direction you are going. However, things go wrong all too often in practice. Every day, thousands of drivers drive around with incorrectly adjusted lights, incorrectly switched on lights or simply with the wrong trust in automatic systems. The result: dangerous situations and fines that are easy to prevent.

The right lighting

Many of these risks start with daytime running lights. DRL is designed to make you visible to others during the day, but most cars only have the front lights on. Rear lights stay off. In twilight, rain or fog, you will disappear completely before oncoming traffic. So turn on your low beam on time and don't blindly rely on an automatic mode that responds to light, not safety.

Fog lights are also structurally misused. They are intended for extremely low visibility, not light fog. Front fog lights may only be used when visibility is less than 200 metres, rear fog lights should only be used when visibility is questionable 50 metres. Abuse not only leads to glare, but also to heavy fines. And then there is a high beam: ideal on deserted roads, but dangerous when traffic is around. However, many people forget to switch back, often out of convenience or because the automatic system responds too late.

Even stationary traffic has rules. Parking lights are usually not mandatory in built-up areas, but outside the bowl, along dark roads, you should always use lights. And that's for a simple reason: in the dark, a driver doesn't see a stopped car until it's too late.But the story doesn't stop if misused. Modern cars have a variety of lighting techniques, each with their strengths and weaknesses. And it's those differences that determine how safe you are in the dark.

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Different types of lighting

Xenon lights

From the early 2000s, Xenon became the new standard in luxury cars. The bright, bluish light comes from a gas discharge instead of a glowing wire. Xenon produces a lot of light, with a wide beam and a good view on wet asphalt, something that halogen lamps had trouble with. The drawbacks? Xenon lights become less bright as they age, they sometimes take time to reach full power, and ballasts and detonators can be expensive when they break. Nevertheless, Xenon remains a big step forward compared to traditional lighting.

LED lighting

LED is now the new norm. They are more economical, brighter and often last a car's lifetime. The light is bright white, which increases visibility and reduces fatigue. In addition, LEDs can be precisely controlled, making advanced systems such as matrix headlights possible. They automatically switch off segments of the light beam when traffic approaches, so you can keep the high beam without dazzling anyone. The downside? In the event of a defect, the entire unit often has to be replaced, which can be costly.

Laser lighting

The latest generation, found in top models from BMW, Audi and Mercedes, is laser light. Lasers are not a light source on the road itself, but are used to project an extremely strong beam of light onto a phosphor lens. The result is an incredibly bright and far-reaching light that illuminates the road hundreds of meters away, ideal for highway use. The system switches back automatically to prevent glare. The disadvantages are mainly the cost and complexity. Laser lights are expensive to purchase and repair, and are therefore not yet widespread.

For drivers, this means that your light quality depends a lot on the technology in your car and how you use it. A powerful LED or laser beam is useless if your rear lights are off at dusk or if your fog lights dazzle others. Incorrectly adjusted lights, especially Xenon or LED, are also notorious for the MOT and can lead to rejection.

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Keeping your own attention remains the most important thing

That is why one rule remains more important than all technology: keep paying attention. When in doubt, check that your lights are on, front and rear. Manually switch on the dipped beam in case of poor visibility. Pay attention to the positions of your headlights when driving with heavy luggage. Small habits make the difference between coming home safely and dangerous situations.

In short: good lighting is not a luxury, but a necessity, especially in the dark months. Whether you have Xenon, LED, or laser light, it's ultimately about how you use it. At Carvendo, we know how important visibility is, not only for safety but also for comfort and confidence behind the wheel. By using your lights smartly, you can make every trip safer, for yourself and for everyone around you.

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