Proper vehicle lighting vital to safety during shorter days

Proper vehicle lighting is vital to safety now that Daylight savings time has ended.

To prepare for fewer hours of daylight and the extra hours of darkness, Car Care Canada encourages motorists to take a few minutes to inspect their vehicles to ensure that all of the lights are working properly.

Car Care Canada recommends checking all vehicle lighting on a monthly basis, including the headlights, turn signals, brake lights, side lights, parking lights, tail lights, backup lights and license plate lights. Whether you do it yourself or visit a professional automotive technician, it is important to repair or replace nonfunctioning lights immediately.

Also remember that clean headlights help you see better at night and in poor weather conditions so make sure to brush them clean of snow in the winter and keep them clear of mud and muck during rainy seasons.

Don't wait for your headlights to dim and burn out before you replace them. Most headlights will dim over time. Replacing them every year will ensure the best lighting performance. Replace your headlights in pairs to avoid uneven illumination, which can diminish driving visibility. You might want to also consider replacing standard halogen headlights with high performance headlights that produce a light closer in color to natural daylight.

Studies have shown that whiter halogen lighting can improve reaction time, increase night time visibility and provide better roadside viewing. Remember that halogen lights are under pressure, and anything under pressure has the potential to explode if handled improperly.

Always wear safety glasses and gloves when changing your lighting. Do not touch the glass directly with your hands. The oils from your skin, when on the glass, will cause the bulb to over heat, resulting in shorter life.

Next time you bring your vehicle into a shop, ask your technician to check that your headlights are properly adjusted. Headlights can be knocked out of alignment by

rough driving and, if not properly aimed, can be distracting to other drivers.

Be Car Care Aware is a consumer education campaign about the benefits

of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. The goal of the Be Car Care Aware campaign is to build awareness and knowledge to prepare consumers to make

sensible decisions about their vehicles. Built around three key message areas of safety, the environment and protecting your vehicle investment, the campaign is spearheaded by Car Care Canada.

Car Care Canada is a non-profit advocacy group that is the leading source for research, education and communication about the automotive aftermarket industry in Canada. For more than 15 years, Car Care Canada has been recognized for its credibility among consumer media, the motoring public and the industry.

For more information about vehicle maintenance and safety, visit the Be Car Care Aware Web site at www.carcarecanada.ca.