brake-lights

The brake lights of every vehicle are the most important part. Find out more about the different types and how the brake lights are subject to strict legal regulations according to the StVZO

What are brake lights:

The vehicle's brake lights turn on when the driver applies the brake. These lights inform other drivers behind us that we are stopping or changing the speed of the vehicle to avoid accidents and confusion while driving.

In 1938, brake lights were first made mandatory in Germany. According to the StVZO, all types of cars and trailers must have two red lights near the tail lights or in combination with the tail lights that turn on when the driver applies the vehicle's brakes. These lights must also shine brighter than the rest of the car's tail lights.

In addition, EU law requires that all vehicles must have a third brake light, which is placed between and above two car brake lights, like a central red glowing strip. They play a crucial role in road safety and keep us from accidents. You can buy brake lights online in our online store.

How vehicle brake lights work:

For a long time, brake lights were used with an electromechanical switch. This switch is a button that forces the vehicle's brake lights to turn on when the driver presses the brake pedal.

Likewise, most vehicles use certain types of brake switches. When the driver applies pressure to the hydraulic braking system, these switches are activated and the lights come on.

In addition, modern vehicles are equipped with proximity switches that detect the presence of the metal brake pedal. Once detected, a specific signal is typically sent to a control unit, which turns on the vehicle's brake lights or forwards the signal to the appropriate control unit.

This approach is also used in vehicles' adaptive brake lights, where the automatic brake lights shine brighter than usual due to sudden braking or emergency braking to inform drivers behind the vehicle of the situation and prevent accidents.

Types of vehicle brake lights:

There are five types of car brake lights, each with unique features and functions. These brake lights help ensure road safety and prevent accidents.

LED brake lights for cars:

These auto brake lights contain light emitting diodes that provide bright and fast light. Nowadays, all kinds of modern vehicles use LEDs because they are energy-saving lights with longer lifespan. These car lights are durable and have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs.

Bulbs for car brake lights:

These are conventional types of automatic brake lights. When electricity passes through them, the filaments heat up and start to glow. Care bulbs provide stable and warm light. In addition, these bulbs have a short lifespan and consume more energy than new bulbs.

Neon brake lights for cars:

Neon brake lights for cars are a type of automatic brake lights that consist of a tiny glass capsule containing neon gas under low pressure, an electrode and a cathode. When a voltage is applied, the gas in the capsule becomes charged as current flows through the electrodes in the glass capsule.

As a result, this gas begins to glow and emits a steady stream of orange light. Neon brake lights for cars are famous for their colorful glow and uniqueness.

Halogen brake lights for cars:

Halogen brake lights for cars are the same as incandescent bulbs but use halogen gas. These bulbs are brighter and have a longer lifespan than incandescent car brake bulbs. These auto brake lights use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs but no less than LED bulbs.

3rd brake light:

The third brake light is CHMSL, which stands for Center High Mount Stop Lamp. It is mandatory for all modern vehicles built after 1998. The third brake light is mounted above and between the left and right sides of the car's brake lights. Some cars have third brake lights on the spoilers.

The third car light is usually installed in the upper or lower part of the rear window. The third brake lights are positioned at the point on the car where other drivers of the following vehicles will quickly notice them. Therefore, changes in speed are immediately noticed by the oncoming drivers, as these third traffic lights are installed at the eye level of the drivers behind the vehicles.

In this way, third brake lights reduce the risk of vehicle collisions caused by sudden braking or speed reductions. For this reason, vehicles in most countries must be equipped with a third brake light to ensure greater safety.

Factors to consider when purchasing a brake light car:

Brightness:

When purchasing a brake light for your car, consider getting one with a high lumen count. High lumens are directly proportional to the brightness of the light, so higher lumens mean higher brightness.

Please avoid using car brake lights whose brightness exceeds the permitted limits. If you exceed the permitted limits, drivers behind you will be dazzled, increasing the risk of a collision or serious accident.

compatibility

Before placing an order or purchasing car brake lights online, check whether the brake lights are compatible with the make, model and variant of your vehicle so that you do not encounter any compatibility issues after receiving them.

Durability and longevity

Always choose brake lights with solid construction and high-quality materials so that the vehicle lamps can withstand shock and vibration without any problem. Also, in terms of durability and longevity, LED brake lights for cars are the best option. LEDs can withstand shock and heat without any problem.

The LED brake lights for cars are expensive compared to others. Secondly, you can also use halogen brake lights which are not expensive but are easily damaged by impact, vibration and heat. Moreover, the lifespan of halogen brake lights is short.

Color temperature

The color temperature of brake lights is measured on a Kelvin scale, represented by the letter K. Color temperature calculates the warmth (yellow) and coolness (blue) of the light emitted by a particular source. As we increase the degrees of the Kelvin scale, we get a better light. As we decrease the degrees of the Kelvin scale, the light also becomes warmer.

In addition, K values ​​between 3000 K and 4000 K produce yellowish light. In addition, a color temperature between 5000 K and 6000 K provides pure white, bright light. Likewise, a color temperature between 7000 K and more produces a bluish light.

The above information is to show you that the color temperature with excellent and reasonable but permissible values ​​helps to improve visibility in extreme weather conditions or dark environments, allowing drivers behind our vehicle to easily see the brake lights.

Energy efficient:

When buying car brake lights, an energy efficient car brake light is the best option. These energy efficient lamps put less strain on the car's electrical system. That's why LED brake lights are considered the most energy efficient and you should go for LED lamps.

Buying Guide:

Where to buy:

If you want to buy brake lights cheap, go to reputable stores like https://express-teile.de/ or other shops, but make sure that the product you get is made of high-quality materials.

In addition, you should check the customer reviews of certain shops or online stores regarding the longevity and durability of the product. At https://express-teile.de/ we have an online store where you can buy brake lights at reasonable prices at any time.

Installation tips:

Step 1:

Before you begin, turn off the vehicle, engage the parking brake and remove the keys from the ignition.

Step 2:

Depending on the type of vehicle, you will need to open the trunk, tailgate or rear hatch. Now locate the vehicle brake light housing in the trunk section on the back of the cover.

Step 3:

Now carefully remove the cover that hides the vehicle's brake lights using a flathead screwdriver without damaging the cover.

Step 4:

After identifying the electrical connections, disconnect the wiring for the vehicle's brake lights. Please carefully release the wiring harness by pressing the release tab and disconnecting it.

Step 5:

After that, you need to remove the old brake light housing by using a socket wrench to remove the bolts that attach the brake light housing to the vehicle. Now carefully remove it from the body.

Step 6:

Now position the new brake light housing onto the vehicle's mounting brackets. Carefully attach and tighten the brake light housing with screws. Tighten the screws normally using a socket wrench.

Step 7:

Connecting Connect the electrical harness to the newly installed brake light housing and ensure that it clicks securely into place.

Step 8:

Now replace the inner cover that you removed at the beginning and fasten it carefully.

Step 9:

Now turn on the car. After that, you need to check the newly installed vehicle brake lights. For this, you need a person to press the brake pedal and observe whether the vehicle's brake lights are working or not.

Note 10:

If you need clarification on the installation steps or if the brake lights on your newly installed car need to be repaired, you should ask a professional for help.

Frequently asked Questions:

Q: How many brake lights are legal to have in a car?

According to the StVZO, all vehicles must have two red brake lights on the rear left and right. On January 1, 1998, the European Union stipulated that all cars and vehicles must be equipped with a third brake light. Therefore, a car should have three automatic brake lights.

Q: What is a high center mounted brake light?

The high mounted center brake light, also known as the third brake light, is mounted between and above the left and right brake lights of the vehicle. These car brake lights minimize the risk of an accident while providing additional signals to the vehicles driving behind the car.

Q: How do I check if my car's brake lights are working?

For this purpose, you need a companion. You press the brake pedal while the other person behind the vehicle watches whether the vehicle brake lights light up when the brake pedal is pressed.

Q: What is the purpose of car brake lights?

Car brake lights inform other drivers following behind that you are about to change the speed of your car or stop, minimizing the risk of a collision or accident.

Q: How long do car brake lights last?

The lifespan of automotive brake lights depends on driving conditions. If you are not driving in stop-and-go traffic, these bulbs can last 40,000 miles.

Q: How many types of automatic brake lights are there?

The automatic brake lights are available as incandescent lamps, halogen lamps and LED lamps.

Each has different advantages in terms of lifespan, energy efficiency and brightness.

Q: How do I check the compatibility of automatic brake lights?

To check if the car brake lights you have purchased are compatible with the make, model and year of your car, read the owner's manual. You can also use the database at www.express-teile.de/ to find compatible parts for your vehicle by entering the make, model and year of your vehicle.

Q: Why are LED brake lights better?

LED brake lights are better because of their long lifespan and fast, bright light. They are also more energy efficient and have high resistance to shock and vibration.