Know More About Car's Side Marker Light

Side marker light doesn’t refer to a single light. It refers to the lights that are present in the front and rear upper light. There are two upper lights in the front and rear and it is white colour in the front and red at the rear end. Therefore, they are a group of lights. These lights help the other drivers or pedestrians to know that there is a car so that they can be cautious and avoid accidents. Side marker lights are also present on the top of the car and sides of huge trucks.

The side marker lights are placed on the side of a vehicle and it is used to alert other drivers that you are present on the other side. You can find the side marker lights on the bumper, fender or the rear quarter panel of a car. In some models, the side marker lights will light up along with the headlights, whereas in other cars, these lights will be blinking along with the turn signal lights. Sometimes they perform both on some cars.

A car owner can choose the type of side marker light that he wants to install in his car.

• In 1962, Halogen light bulbs were introduced and it consists of a metal sheet that is present at the back of an incandescent bulb so that it can direct a beam of light in a specific direction. Even today, these bulbs are used in many automobiles.
• The brighter or long-lasting bulbs are the Xenon or HID light bulbs. They are typical of the incandescent or even halogen light bulb. This type of bulb was used by BMW in its tail light bulb in the 1991 line of cars.
• The new trend in the car lighting options are the light-emitting diodes or LED. You can find them, especially in the luxury class. These types of light bulbs are more luminous and last longer.

Side markers consist of one, single-element bulb, that is encased in a socket and small frame. The frame is fixed directly to the front fender and rear quarter panel of the vehicle with the help of screws or snap retainers.

Extra illumination is provided by the side marker lights at night and during times of poor visibility so as to help other drivers and pedestrians see the vehicle. These side marker lights are standard equipment that is present in buses, trailers, cars, trucks and some work and utility vehicles.

Side marker lights function as auxiliary safety lights that can be seen by other drivers as they turn on the headlights. The light bulbs that are used to light up the outer area of an automobile has to be extremely durable. If they are durable, they can withstand heavy vibrations, changes in temperature and possible exposure to the elements. The functioning side marker light bulbs should always be maintained to make sure that you are safe from sideswipe impacts.

Initially, when the side marker light bulbs were fixed along with all other exterior bulbs, they were incandescent and prone to breakage. This could be a similar type of sensitive lighting device you may use at home.

Are you thinking of repairing your Side Marker Light on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Side Marker Light. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work: - 

• New side marker part of the whole assembly
• Owner's manual
• Screwdrivers? flat or Philips depending on your need
• Jack(optional)? depends on the specific vehicle model 

When it comes to vehicle owners' choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands that are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related to the quality. So have a look at some top brands for Side Marker Light.

Till now you must have understood what car Side Marker Light actually is, but still, are you thinking that what is its associated parts? So, let’s just dig out what its components are: -

• Turn Signal Light
• Parking Lamps & Lights
• Marker Light
• Marker & Signal Lights

Here are a few steps and additional safety tips on how to change the side marker light:

Getting It Done:

Step 1

• You must remove the battery and wait for at least half an hour before you proceed to the next step.

Step 2

• Identify the side marker assembly that has to be changed

Step 3

• Now gain access to the side marker light that has to be changed.

NOTE: Based on whether it is front or rear side marker light, and based on the model of the vehicle, you will have to access the marker may by following a simple step such as opening the hood or trunk to doing something complex such as lifting the vehicle with the help of a jack. If you need guidance you can always check the owner’s manual.

Step 4

• In most vehicles, you will have to separate the bulb and socket assembly just by twisting the bulb in a counter-clockwise direction.

Step 5

• If there are any bolts or screws that hold the assembly in place, you will have to take them off and also remove the entire lighting fixture.

Step 6

• Fix if there are any additional replacements such as bulb socket, base, lens, trim-or all of them onto your vehicle and make sure they are in place.

Step 7

• Now you will have to connect the battery again and test the operation of side markers to make sure that the replacement was successful.
• Another important thing to note down is the condition of the lens cover. You must repair or replace the lens cover as soon as possible if it is loose or cracked. This can help you to avoid the water from entering the assembly and further damaging the electrical components.
• If there is no protection to your side marker light then you would be invisible to cars that are in an adjacent lane of traffic. Safeguard yourself and your car by always ensuring that the side marker light bulb is functioning exactly the way it should.

Safety Tips:

• It is always best to wear protective goggles, insulated gloves, and closed-toed shoes when you are carrying out any replacements and repairs.
• Park your vehicle on an even surface and make sure that the parking brake is engaged. The vehicle has to stay put and so bolster wheels with any pieces of wood or rock.