Car Light Accessories and Upgrades for Safe and Stylish Driving

Reviewed by

Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Technical Reviewer at CarParts.com

Written by CarParts.com Research Team - Updated on October 14th, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Summary
  • If you want to upgrade your headlights, consider getting an LED conversion kit and a headlight protector kit.
  • Installing fog lights, off-road lights, and puddle lights are some of the best ways to upgrade your car’s lighting system.
  • Investing in high-quality car light accessories such as trunk lights, truck bed lights, and tailgate light bars can make driving at night so much more convenient.

Today, most modern vehicles are equipped with adaptive headlights, intelligent high beams, and other advanced lighting systems that make driving easier. Unfortunately, not all cars come with these neat features, especially older models. The good news is you can take matters into your own hands and upgrade your car lights for a better and safer driving experience.

LED Conversion Kits

Over the years, LED headlights have gradually increased in popularity. There’s no shortage of modern vehicles with LED headlights on the market, and even older cars have gotten an upgrade. It’s certainly no surprise, especially since LED lights offer several advantages, such as improved brightness, great energy efficiency, and a longer lifespan.

If your vehicle doesn’t come with LED headlights, you can easily make the switch, thanks to LED conversion kits. By getting an LED kit for your car, you can replace your old headlights by yourself.

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Headlight Protector Kit

Headlight protectors are covers specifically designed to protect the glass from damage

Headlight protectors are covers specifically designed to protect the glass from damage. They’re usually made of impact-resistant acrylic and are easy to install.

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The last thing you want is for your headlight lens to crack, leaving the bulb vulnerable to moisture, dirt, and other debris that can weaken its beam. Damaged headlights can limit your visibility in low-light conditions, increasing your risk of getting into an accident. Given how important your headlights are, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to invest in a high-quality headlight protector kit.

Fog Lights

Bright high-beam headlights won’t always cut it, especially in foggy weather. Bright lights will just flash back in your face, blinding you instead of improving your visibility. This is where fog lights come in. They’re low beams that are typically positioned below the front headlights. They’re specifically designed to help you see in murky conditions, making them a great addition to your car lighting system.

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Off-road Lights

If you’re looking for a new way to satisfy your adventurous spirit, why not try off-roading? It’s one of the best ways to explore the great outdoors while challenging yourself. Before you get behind the wheel, however, you’ll have to get yourself some off-road lights. Off-road lights illuminate safety hazards like objects hanging from trees, large rocks, and other obstacles that might not be easy to spot in the dark.

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Trunk Lights

Trunk lights make it easy to see the contents of your trunk when it’s dark. You might not use your trunk light as often as other car lights, but you’ll likely miss it when it suddenly stops working. Thankfully, trunk lights are relatively easy to replace and upgrade. All you need to do is get a high-quality trunk light that fits your vehicle.

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Truck Bed Lights

Truck bed lights come in a variety of colors, shapes, and types.

If you’re looking for a way to customize your truck, why not go for a colorful truck bed light? Truck bed lights come in a variety of colors, shapes, and types. You can go for a simple yet powerful white-light pod or a fun, colorful LED strip. Some truck bed lights also offer unique features, such as motion activation and detachable flashlights.

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Strip Lights

You can also get strip light kits that run along the underside of your vehicle. Strip lights can vary in color and length, so you can get creative and choose the best strip lights that fit your style. Keep it simple with white lights, or go for colored lights that give your car a nice glow.

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Tailgate Light Bars

Make yourself more visible to other drivers by installing a tailgate light bar on your truck or SUV. It’s a great way of making sure drivers know just how far you are from them, especially when driving at night. Some tailgate light bars also feature different colored lights for braking, signaling, and reversing.

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Puddle Lights

Stepping on a puddle and ruining your shoes can easily turn a good day into a bad one. Luckily, you can avoid this misfortune by investing in high-quality puddle lights. A puddle light is a small light fitted into the bottom of a vehicle’s side mirrors or doors to illuminate the ground underneath. It’s a stylish yet affordable upgrade that makes entering and exiting your vehicle much safer.

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Reviewed By Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Technical Reviewer at CarParts.com

Tony Harlin is a Master Gas and Diesel Diagnostic Technician with over 18 years of experience. He works full-time at a large independent automotive shop as a driveability and repair technician working on all types of vehicles with a focus on diesels. ASE certifications include A1-A9, L1 and L2, as well as X1.

Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

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Published by
CarParts.com Research Team and Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician