Vehicles have several different types of automotive lighting. Automotive basics include exterior, interior, and control panel warning lighting. Drivers use each type of lighting in a different way. Exterior lighting helps drivers see outside of the vehicle. It also helps make others aware of the vehicle. Interior lighting allows drivers to see inside of the automobile. Control panel warning lighting indicates to the driver possible trouble with the car.

It is important for automotive lighting distributors to carry a variety of each type of automotive lighting. Customers often need information about increasing, improving, or replacing their automotive lighting. When thinking about how automotive lighting basics affect the sells at your auto store, think about the following:

1. Auto lighting bulbs often need replacing.

2. Some lighting for automobiles is more crucial to driving than others.

3. The options for automotive lighting are increasing rapidly.

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Top grade exterior automotive lighting enhances safety

Exterior automotive lighting is the most important type of lighting. Exterior auto lights include headlights, taillights, brake lights, signal lights, hazard lights, and fog lights. All of these lights are important for driving in any condition, day or night. Faulty exterior automotive lighting causes serious car accidents. Good quality exterior vehicle lighting is important to the driver as well as to others on the road. They let other drivers know when the car is stopping and turning. Headlights operate in both a bright and a dim state. Drivers should check and replace bulbs in all exterior automotive lights periodically.

I recommend: Read the article about power LEDs for exterior lights at SAE. Check Auto Recalls for recalls on brake lights.

Interior automotive lights aid in visibility inside the vehicle

Interior lights may be turned on and off inside the vehicle. Some interior lighting comes on automatically when the exterior lights are in use. These lights make the odometer, radio controls, heat and air controls, and gas gauge visible while driving at night. One interior light is typically located overhead in the interior of the car. This light comes on when one opens the doors. You also manually turn the light on and off. Some larger vehicles such as vans and SUVs have interior lights at each door and in the back that passengers turn on when needed.

I recommend: Learn about attractive interior lighting from Automotive Design Line. Understand how interior lights operate from CSG Network.

Control panel warning automobile lights prevent hazardous conditions

Control panel warning lights come on when the key turns in the ignition and any time the car detects trouble. Warning lights let the driver know when the vehicle is low on fuel, doors are open, oil is low, the car needs servicing, the car is overheated or other mechanical problems exist. Some manufacturers create cars where the light blinks when serious danger exists. Some lights also have a bell tone ring when they come on inside the car.

I recommend: Read about auto warning lights from The AA. View a responsed to a question about a "check engine" light at Trust My Mechanic.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When considering lighting for vehicles, also consider fashion lighting. Some manufacturers create special lighting to enhance the vehicle's appearance.

Automobile lights will burn out with time. When this happens, customers will need replacement bulbs. Being able to offer them the correct auto lights is essential. When you are purchasing replacement lighting for vehicles, you should make sure that you have a good selection that can meet the needs of at least the most popular makes and models in your area.

You may have customers who need custom lighting, such as neon undercarriage lighting or hyper color lighting. When these customers come to you for specialty automotive lighting, being able to offer them a wide variety of options will increase your chance of making a sale and gaining a repeat customer. Make sure that you keep the following suggestions in mind when you order your automotive lighting:

1. Keep replacement headlight bulbs and other exterior vehicle lighting in stock.

2. Make sure that you carry basic interior replacement lighting for vehicles.

3. Appeal to customers with customized vehicles by offering custom automobile lighting.

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Stock exterior automotive lights

Customers should replace their exterior automotive lights when they burn out or begin to dim. Stocking a variety of exterior lighting for vehicles will help you to accommodate almost any customer. Keep in mind that you need to stock at least headlights, signal lights and taillights. Other types of exterior automotive lighting are optional.

I recommend: Automotive Lighting USA offers exterior automotive lighting to fit any vehicle. They offer fog lamps, bumper lights, headlights, sealed beam conversion kits and accessories. Philips is an automotive lighting manufacturer. They have high quality lights for cars and trucks at wholesale prices. This company offers fast shipping.

Offer interior lighting for automobiles

Interior lights, such as map lights, dome lights and vanity lights can go out at any time. Offering replacement bulbs for these items can increase the number of customers who give you their business. Make sure that you are familiar with what bulbs go with what vehicle and part.

I recommend: Hardware and Tools Corp. offers interior lighting to fit glove box lights, map lights, dome lights and more. This company sells wholesale by the case. Tonnocover.com offers replacement bulbs for almost any vehicle. This company offers rapid shipping.

Supply your customers with custom vehicle lighting

Some customers will want to upgrade their automotive lighting or add custom accents to bring out certain features of the car. Neon accent automobile lights and hyper color lighting for cars are a couple of the options. You should find out what customized automobile lighting is legal in your area so that you can sell items that your customers can use legally.

I recommend: Audio Warehouse Express has a large selection of aftermarket lighting for cars and trucks. They also offer neon accent automotive lighting. At eAutoWorks.com, you can search for auto lights by vehicle make and model or by the desired auto lighting manufacturer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Lighting for automobiles can be either DOT/SAE approved or not DOT/SAE approved. You should tell your customer if the light he is buying is not DOT/SAE approved. This means that it may be illegal to use in some places.

Since every year there are new automobile lights and products available on the market, it's important to receive up-to-date information and training so that you and your staff can improve your business and meet customer needs. There are halogen, incandescent, HID (High Intensity Discharge) and LED (Light Emitting Diode)lights and since car manufacturers can use certain kinds of car lights, it’s important that you educate yourself about each kind. There are online classes, seminars, materials as well as conferences you can attend to get the education and training necessary to use automobile lights properly.

It’s also important take prep tests to complete or continue your auto lighting training. Here are some additional things to consider about automotive lighting education and training:

1. Learn about the different kinds of lighting for autos from automotive lighting manufacturers.

2. Prepare for the ASE auto lighting certification tests by doing self-study courses.

3. Obtain information about regulations for lighting of automobiles.

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Get information about different kinds of lighting for automobiles

There is more to learning about lighting for vehicles than simply how to change replacement headlight bulbs. An automotive lighting manufacturer can provide information about their products, but there are also organizations that offer information based on extensive research to help you receive up-to-date facts about safety issues and other important features of automotive lighting.

I recommend: Learn about the different kinds of vehicle lighting at OSRAM. This site offers training information for automotive lighting as well as a wide-range knowledge base. The Lighting Research Center provides information about the different kinds of automotive lights and safety issues so that you can educate yourself to be able to answer customer questions about automotive lighting.

Attend self-study programs and seminars to learn about auto lighting from professionals

While it can take time to attend courses and learn about car lighting, what you learn will be invaluable to your business. There are courses available at many colleges as well as self-study guides so that you and your employees get the information required to prepare for the ASE Certification Test. There are also seminars and events each year that you can attend to learn about automotive lighting technologies.

I recommend: Enroll yourself and your employees in automotive technology courses such as the ones offered by Midland College to receive information and training about auto lights. Purchase the automotive lighting and training self-study tests to prepare for ASE Certification Tests. Attend the International Flagship Event Intelligent Automotive Lighting events offered by the IQPC (International Quality & Productivity Center).

Take practice tests to prepare for the ASE Certification Test and learn regulations for auto lights

Prepare to take the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certification test by taking practice tests after you've received training. Some of the courses and training programs offer prep-tests and there are also online sites where you and your staff can sign up to take practice tests as well. well.

I recommend: Learn about the reasons why getting ASE Certification is important for you as a business professional from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence and then take one of the prep tests offered by AES Campus.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learning about regulations for vehicle lighting should be part of your automotive lighting education and training. Take the time to make sure that you and your staff stay current with this information to ensure that you are well-trained.

Anyone who has driven on a dark street at night knows the importance of automotive lighting. Automotive lighting has come a long way in recent years. There is no longer one single kind of lighting available. Each different kind of automotive lighting has different benefits.

Below, you will find information that will help you choose the proper automotive lighting for your vehicle, whether it's a company car or truck. With this information, you'll have a better idea of what automotive light will work well in certain situations.

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Halogen bulbs

Halogen bulbs for automotive lighting offer the driver long lasting bulbs. Halogen bulbs have filaments contained within a small quartz filled with a kind of halogen gas. As a result, these bulbs last longer and are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Halogen bulbs are different colors, such as blue, white, yellow and gold, and are extra-bright, allowing the vehicle to be easily seen while on the road.

I recommend: How Stuff Works explains in greater detail how the halogen bulb works.

HID Xenon

HID xenon is another type of automotive lighting. The bulb consists of a tube that contains xenon and noble gases that flow between two electrodes. Blue/white light emits when the electrodes activate, creating a light three times brighter than with halogen bulbs. HID Xenon bulbs are even more efficient than halogen bulbs, as they last longer and make your vehicle easier to see, while increasing visibility at night. The colors of the HID xenon lights are white/blue, white/yellow and gold.

I recommend: The Omega Xenon site is very helpful and contains good information about HID xenon automotive lighting.

Conversion lighting kits

A conversion lighting kit is necessary in some cases when you choose HID xenon bulbs as your automotive lighting. The kits include ballasts for the bulbs, as well as wiring, pads and instructions.

I recommend: SharpHID has helpful information about conversion lighting kits.

LED automotive lights

LED bulbs are bright, efficient bulbs that can serve various purposes: a dome light, illuminating tail lights, signal lights and head lights. LED bulbs are efficient and long lasting, though not as bright as the halogen or HID xenon forms of automotive lighting.

I recommend: Waytek has a very good site with information about LED automotive lights.

Mini or miniature bulbs

Mini or miniature bulbs are automotive lighting options used for various lights like dome lights, map lights, turn signals, reverse and parking lights. These lights are smaller than those used for headlights and tail lights. The lights can vary in color: white, yellow or blue.

I recommend: The Racing Lab has good information about mini lights.

Sealed beam

The sealed beam is an older form of automotive lighting. These lights are large, sealed units that screw into the sockets. The sealed beam bulbs are incandescent, and are for high-beam headlights. The life of these bulbs is 150 to 500 hours.

I recommend: GE Lighting has information about sealed beam bulbs.