PD Simplified : Are You Using Your Headlight's High Beam Enough?

Vehicle headlights are made up of two beams - low and high. Low beams light up a wide area immediately in front, while the high beams light up the distance. The general notion is to not use the high beams because they're blinding to others. But what about when there are no others to blind? If you're trying to be safer at night, you must use high beam (more light) as often as you can to see more and hence, to ride safer. All you have to do is be courteous and prompt in dipping the high beam when there is oncoming traffic. You'll do this often, but on the highway, the extra effort is worth making says Shumi. Don't get lazy-polite. Be prompt-courteous instead, it's safer.
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[@powerdriftofficial]

Hey #PDArmy, we hope this helped you understand how to use your highbeams! Do give the video a Like if did, and tell us below what more we should simplify.

[@roshan9090able]

Please take my question: WHEN A CAR IS COLD STARTED WHY THE RPM RISES TO 1500 AND GRADUALLY SETTLES AT 800?

[@madhusurya6052]

Thanks for making such a useful simplified episode which i requested and thought will help a lot of people. It will really educate a lot of people how to use their headlights effectively and will reduce a considerable risk of accidents in nights.

[@madhusurya6052]

@@roshan9090able It is because when the car is started it idles at 1500 rpm at the beginning to make the engine rise to a optimum temperature so that it can run effectively and settles down at a lower rpm later when the engine reaches a optimun temperature.

[@rajdeepchelsea]

Agreed that ethics and etiquette is needed while using high beam. It's strange that riders use high beam in a well lit city road condition.

[@roshan9090able]

@@madhusurya6052 is it okay to drive when the RPM is at 1500 or should wait till the RPM drops?

[@vyshu7]

4 types of people i hate on the road 1. People who turn suddenly without even using turn signals(especially auto drivers) 2. People who dont even look both ways before entering a road(especially elders and women and the blame in case of accidents will go on others, especially if they have an expensive car/fast bike) 3. People who cross the road in slow motion as if the road is their father's property 4. People who dont switch to low beam on traffic. Whenever i see such idiots, i instantly switch to high beam and make sure he/she is irritated by me as well.

[@vaibhavreddy4128]

Spot on! Yet learning to live with it

[@ric3061]

@vyshu7 - I am with you. I generally do the same 😅

[@SauvikRoy]

Yeah, high beam from wrong side too: imagine the confidence! Adding two more: driving in center lane at 30kmph and no response to horn or anything and these will be the first to overtake and cross your path after signal, forcing you to brake: sometimes may end up being hit from behind. Very annoying.😬

[@rrohannr]

also, honking and spitting out of windows.

[@shameerahamed247]

The 4 point😆.. I literally do the same not just to make the other driver feel the same, but switching to high beam in such situations will improve our visibility as well.

[@saimonsam6942]

This is exactly what I've been doing as I ride. Keep it on high-beam, but as soon as there is any sorta traffic, be it a pedestrian , I switch down to low-beam. No inconvenience to others.

[@ramrk9929]

True. I'm also like you. I put low beam for others but most of them will never do for me. 😩

[@freefirepro9661]

@@ramrk9929 is y hh

[@kulsumhabib3483]

@@ramrk9929 v.x V

[@Romit_sen]

Thank you Shumi, I have been telling this to everyone. It's all about driving ethics/ etiquette and now I can refer them to your video that's it's a conscious decision we all have to make for our own safety and others. Thank you again for making a video on this.

[@powerdriftofficial]

Now all you have to do is share this video with them! ;)

[@Romit_sen]

Absolutely.

[@Randomizeshorts]

Wish everyone knew this. But in india hardly anyone know about when to use high beams

[@emon3960]

Many of them dont even knw that vehicles have such things like low and high beam😂😂😂 if they are running on high then they will stay on high no matter what or how many times u signal them with ur dipper 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@vedanttiwari509]

🇸 🇴 🇫 🇺 🇨 * 🇮 🇳 🇬 🇹 🇷 🇺 🇪

[@arv1ndgr]

@@emon3960 haha true

[@Randomizeshorts]

@@emon3960 happens with me a lot😂😂😂

[@adityarathore4761]

I stopped riding after sunset because of morons using high beam all the time

[@ashishkumarraman4516]

Thanks alot sir for explaining this, as a rider with glasses i understand how inconvenient It can be to have vehicles on heigh beam coming up to you constantly....love this series, i try to apply what I learn here & so far I felt that m improving as a rider ❤️🙏

[@rakeshk426]

Great topic... I used to think I was being weird for switching the beams 3million times... Do speak about the roles of the lanes in a multi lane road... (Which one is for slow vehicles as sometimes they cruise very slowly in the fast lane which is risky)

[@indiangoodvideos7696]

@powerdrift this topic for simplified

[@abhinavsingh.92]

Yes, what seems like basic sense is followed only by a handful of people like us!

[@bharathk6058]

Thanks for these videos. I know many people who don't even know the difference between high beam and low beam. Some don't even know that such things exist. These videos should be added to the process of getting a learner's licence or actual license.

[@atozitoj6648]

I used to say the same to my friends but they laugh and don't agree They have their own logics but I have been following the same from many years. Thanks Shumi, people should really need driving test before they get their driving licence

[@shameerahamed247]

When I was blinded by the opposite vehicle's headlight at slow speed (10 - 20kmph) once, I switched off the low beam by leaving the parking lamp alone; this greatly improved my vision. NOTE: NEVER TRIED THIS WHILE I WAS CRUISING.

[@47.000]

That's why I always hate aux lamps. Most of the people install them without bothering about in what inclination they are being installed and that's why most of the aux lamps blind the oncoming trafic. It can be preventing by installing them as lower on your motorcycle as possible and taking care of the inclination. As usual, great video, Shumi.

[@anubhavborah7176]

Love this series! Unlike all the other automotive journos, it's only PD who really digs in deep with the basics. Keep it up!!

[@bishalroy4024]

The thing is most people are lazy to switch constantly between low and upper light. If you are lazy please drive on low always. The best to ride no doubt is switching between the two

[@iceman-1987]

People, like moths, tend to go towards the light. I mostly ride in the city and Kolkata is a well enough lit city, so I almost always use the low beam. But if I go on the highway at night, then I use the high beam and dim it whenever I see any vehicle. But, many people don't know how to dim a high beam and constantly dazzle everyone. The truckers are the best drivers, at least at night time. If they are coming up in front of me on a narrow road and I can't see due to their lights, I just press the pass button twice and they dim their lights until I pass. I just wish everyone knew the basics of light signals, using the pass light is not always asking them to get out of the way. It's always nice to have you educate us on these simple things @Shumi, thank you.

[@diptarkaghoshhajra5551]

Emphasis on the word Shumi used.. "Etiquette". That's what's missing these days. People just forget that they have switched on high beams. I have seen people running high beams inside the city AND in broad daylight.. 90% of the time I walk past a parked bike/scooter, the high beam switch is on there.. we need to make people understand and get rid of the "baki jae bhar me.. mujhe pura rasta achhe se dikhna chahiye" attitude. Let's not even start with retro fitted LEDs on older vehicles. Their low beams feel like high beams!! I'm sorry it's more of a rant than a comment... It's just that nobody speaks about this very etiquette and common sense that people lack so much today. Thanks for bringing this up! We need more people like Varun on the roads!!

[@JithinG]

This video should be a mandatory watch for everyone on the road, riders or drivers, regardless of the vehicle. In fact, the government should make everyone who can drive see this as a statutory warning, like how they show us cigarette warning videos before movies. Thanks, Shumi and PD, for making this video.

[@kushagraagrawal6248]

Thank you, power drift to make this point simpler. I have one more point if thats not covered in the past videos. "How to manager cars and bikes while riding on mountains. And to start the motion if you are on a steep slope"

[@Mr.Throttle_Happy]

It's just a matter of common sense, I've been riding for only 2 Years now, but I'm following all of these from the very beginning. But I've seen many people (some of my friends too) are too lazy / ignorant to follow these etiquette.

[@GauravJha05]

4:35 This is too polite for the Indian roads, people use much more adjectives in this situation XD... BTW nice video Shumi, you are doing a great job by educating all of us.

[@PratikKumar_blade]

Great video, I wish people understand this simple concept. But many people are even lazy to switch off the highbeam. Even I broad daylight I have seen people using high beam leave alone night. Also I feel many people don't know also that things like this exist in their vehicles (cars bikes or whatever).

[@mohammedmearajansari]

Great topic Shumi. Hope this helps people understand why high beams are needed and when exactly to dip them. The point on conscientious riding is so important. Thank you.

[@ChidanandMohapatra1725]

Great great vid ! Finally someone is speaking ABT it on the social media platform.. hope this reaches out to all those blithering idiots who don't have the basic driving etiquettes. Many tyms the oncoming traffic just don't switch to low beam even when you have been constantly signalling them by your own headlights... And only a very few do understand and actually switch to low beams.

[@Sachinedasseril]

I have one suggestion about this topic. If we are heading to a corner, use high beam to give your presence on the road for the oncoming traffics. On corners, Low beam lights have shorter light area; thus you have to respond even faster if the oncoming traffics are taking the corner through our side. But if we are using high beam; it's cover long distance thus it's shows our road presence also we got enough time to respond even the oncoming traffic is on wrong side too

[@johnjosephhhh1]

Interesting he says we don't use high beams enough. In Kerala, everyone just drives with high beams on and like 2/10 people even bother to switch to low beam. I even started to wonder if I was doing the right thing switching to low beam for incoming traffic at this point. Asking my friends, they all say that they began dimming for everyone but after seeing how nobody on the other side does the same, why should they. One thing I say to everyone who gives me that answer is that it's called courtesy and it's how you teach other people to do the same. Showing ego on the road changes nothing.

[@harish.g.l.k]

Same situation in Tamilnadu brother. Every mofo has high beam always and never dims it. Plus they come at us in the opposite lane

[@jakgt500]

I think there is a new problem. New BS6 bikes have their headlamp on low beam always on, I think people are unaware of this and still follow the practice of switching on their headlamps at night but they are actually turning on the high beam instead. People must be properly briefed before taking delivery of such vehicles.

[@debashmiyabhakta2620]

Thank God.. I've been using it the right way.. On my car.. As well as on my bike ❤ .. Thank you for this Video.. More people should know this.. That etiquette is everything.

[@vaibhavreddy4128]

Perfectly spoken. But wish more people had common sense about when to turn it off. Lots of the times in two way roads without dividers and lane reflectors, I've gravely been dazzled by on coming traffic and causing me to slow down due to the uncertainty of the path.

[@vaibhavverma1626]

Some guidance on how to deal with high beams and auxiliary lights, when one is on the receiving end, would be very helpful.

[@jinuvkumar9173]

Flickering the lights helps you get the dazzle out for a split second, helps you see better. Which should be enough to get you past that vehicle. Let me know if anyone else does this!

[@shubhambobhate4941]

I look down immediately and keep my eye on the path reflectors or painted lines.. gives you a fair idea of where the road is going... Also slowing down a bit just to be safe sometimes.

[@KetanHonagekar]

Hi Shumi, it was a very helpful video. I hope everyone watches this video and learns something from this. Also, I request you make a simplified video on different types of fuels(Unleaded Petrol, Power Petrol or Shell Unleaded Petrol, V-Power Petrol), their advantages, and which type of fuel is best for which category of bike. And also it would be great if you could make a video on how to use the horn or how to honk in traffic as many idiots just keep on honking for no reason.

[@Finn-jp6pn]

Lord Shumi, please enlighten us on the different types of suspension settings - load, preload, rebound, etc. I personally find them quite confusing. Thank you!

[@vijayvishnoi7482]

ऑलरेडी डन चेक आउट थे channel

[@powerdriftofficial]

+1 to Vijay

[@Finn-jp6pn]

My bad. Didn't notice there was already a 4-part series on this. Thanks, Vijay

[@vijayvishnoi7482]

@@powerdriftofficial thanks

[@AnkitBasakAB]

Thank you, Shumi. Hoping this gets wide circulation.

[@vishalk8008]

This is such a basic basic thing which everybody just does not seem to care on the road but thanks for actually doing this. Someone had to say it out loud

[@shabeeh7eskey]

Hey Shumi tell us more on things to take care while going on long rides from your experiences and people at pd this would really aid rookie tourers like me

[@thangarajj3616]

Most people esp in scooters, in my experience, just leave it on high beam, probably haven't switched to low beam in years :) Anyway they are not the people who will frequent powerdrift, unfortunately.. and are unlikely to see this video. Wonderful video as always!

[@saintofall3653]

Perhaps a guide for beginners on how to select good gear would be appropriate? Or a video every year listing the best beginner gear for different stuff?

[@karthikd03]

Upvote this

[@revyaanshu]

They have something like this on their IG Channel. A complete guide I believe.

[@RB15india]

I always use low beam, even on highway but I randomly tap the switch of high beam and it makes both the beam light up. It gives me the idea of what's ahead on the road along with what's on the ground. On curvy roads high beam is must.

[@johnmonsalve11]

this series is outstanding!! can you do an episode on the issue of valve adjustments? are they really needed? how much they should cost? how often should you do it? are there signs that your bike needs a valve adjustment? i am leery of giving my bike to a shop where the service requires the kind of tear down that a valve service takes.

[@koushikrajendran7230]

Teacher is backk!! Whenever i say this about high beams no one accepts it they make me as if im the one who doesn't know this

[@vighneshjoshi5873]

A video on night rides skills/tips to improve would be grt to see love each episode man really really love them can't wait for the nxt one

[@powerdriftofficial]

That's coming soon!

[@karanaklujkar5770]

A video on aux lights - pros, cons, when to use, when not to use, placement on the bike etc.

[@devdattashinde2969]

PD Simplified,so simple to lear, thanks sir.

[@thelongranger9906]

Great content, kept following this for all my driving/riding years.

[@shameerahamed247]

High beam is there for a reason and we should use it effectively whenever there is requirement.

[@El1te011]

Just got my license, and God damn the amount of times I've been blinded by cars running high beam.

[@nikhilsaini1045]

Simplify why going 10-15 % faster than traffic is the good rather than going slow

[@vrushabhbhosale7398]

Welcome to India Singham…where only 10 people out of 10 crore people know how to use the headlights!!!

[@akshayjuneja1987]

Finally a point very very well made! Couldn't be explained better!

[@jayadj1]

People are using auxiliary lights in my city for day to day use, continuously blinding incoming traffic.

[@raiprateek1005]

Lord shumi, you are the Harsha bhogle of automotive world Can't tell how much I have learnt from you. Thanks!!!

[@Dhaadikaaran]

Courtesy & Etiquette are FREE! Nailed. Thanks PD & Shumi 🙏

[@vivekkhongsti6759]

Wonderful @Shumi, using high beam etiquette you've mentioned has tremendous help in curvy hilly roads. Can you also simplify driving etiquettes in wet/foggy/rainy season especially in the areas receiving really heavy like Sohra (Meghalaya). Thanks PD.

[@chintamanimarathe5813]

I agree with Shumi, I do the same. N yes I shout on people who miss use it. Thanks to educate people guys. Doing great job

[@revzzrider]

Use low beam while someone is in front ! & Switch back to highbeam again, as simple as this But in India 1, Poopal use high beam constant 2, people use low beam always & bang due to low visibility . Keeping a balance is the key !!

[@vikramwadhwani6174]

Some very very valuable learning for me today 😊👍 thank you Shumi and definitely looking forward to much more.......

[@namesake8075]

At last you spoke about this. Hope now few people will change their perspective.

[@Itriknama]

I get your sentiment, but I somewhat agree. We have streetlights to illuminate area ahead of you, if not, if the road isn't properly lit, sure go ahead, use high beam, else, don't. Its more of a detturant than using. People don't understand the standards of signaling when to lower their beams either. So its better they dont rather than blinding the oncoming traffic

[@streetrider400]

Video on gaping in traffic

[@RajatKumar-nh4qf]

I have started this good habit of sharing simplified videos in our riding group in whatsapp and its appreciated there a lot 💚

[@VardhanShrivastava]

We need a video titled "why not to use high bean all the freaking time"! 😂 It feels like I am the only who follows beam etiquette in my area at least.

[@awenindoe]

Would love to have a video on target fixation and how to avoid it. Also, how to use your peripheral vision better to ride better.

[@shashankrao6202]

❤️❤️❤️ PowerDrift

[@prajwaln9257]

Happy to say that I’m following this from a long time and also not disturbing oncoming traffic. 🤘🏻

[@christalesofficial09]

Please make a video on whats should be the adject high beam and low beam length. That is, how far the high beam and low beam should be adjusted.

[@bigrai_xiii]

I have accepted the fact that most drivers and riders in our country where you can still obtain license by just paying the officials will always have these idiots who don't understand the basic traffic laws and proper road etiquette, until the issue of corruption is fixed and we have proper policing of traffic laws. The most confusing time for headlight use is during dawn and dusk though when half the people still have headlights on and the other half don't. It's not really dark but not really bright either so headlight use is always confusing during that time.

[@marshalldmello2423]

Can we please get a video with the information on types of brake pads? I've been thinking of changing my stock setup to sintered ones but don't know how that will affect my rotors.

[@uaeindi]

Bro. Sintered brakes are noisy and would work only after warm up. Go for organic or semi metallic

[@sanjeevdm]

Very interesting to know that some folks don't use the high beam, considering that most people are constantly on the high beam without a care........

[@deepakkachare3657]

Would also like to have your comments on people driving on brightly illuminated City roads, particularly the narrow ones without any medians.

[@saisurya7867]

I am doing the same, switching to low beam when oncoming traffic, but here no one bothers to switch to low beam, everyone will be always on high beam!

[@debrajja]

Thank you for making these things so simple to understand. PS Small Fan ❤️❤️

[@NaughtyElfFriends]

Perfectly explained - thank you 🙏🏻

[@praveen_dv]

Bygone days, a little less than half of the highlight used to be covered either in black or chrome. Perhaps, time to bring it back.

[@rishi_rissh]

Please make a video on "how to use pass lights" as well😊

[@deibakorbareh1752]

Next Simplified topic should be on LED lights then 😁. I always wanted to change my car's halogen bulbs to LEDs but I don't know why most shopkeepers don't encourage in doing so. Also some people say that for highways halogens are better than LEDs. Just confused whether I should get LEDs or not .

[@rohitthapa1680]

Hi Shumi/PowerDrift... It is always a pleasure to hear your suggestions for improving riding skills. My question is that I have an R15 V3 which does not come with a very good set of headlights as its high beam is as good as low beam only. Which makes it very difficult sometimes to ride at night, specially when there are high beam idiots coming the from front. It will be of much help if you guys could give any suggestions/tips for riding in such conditions.

[@pradippatil7803]

Some LED AOH (Bs5 -Bs6 )users usually kept there headlight on high Beam in day time which is irritating.

[@Shortvoyagestories]

All I wanted this someday discussed; as I habitually always do and was always criticised. Thank you 😀

[@kshitij2454]

I really wanna know about what's the correct way of using engine breaking. Please make a video about it if you haven't already.

[@tejaskesaria7175]

Your knowledge should be shown as a series of mandatory videos before getting a driving license.

[@rajkamals2134]

Thank you guys for making a video on this topic, I'm sharing this on all my social media.

[@anant_pmd13]

Hello sir, please enlighten us on the use of auxiliary lights.

[@virajpujari6021]

Great job team Powedrift... PODCASTS are very insightful... Can you make detailed video on Lane discipline too...

[@soleview]

I will say, this Video is a constructive step towards awareness.. However, people on roads always seen driving on high beams, making other Drivers Blind which leads to High Risk of meeting with Critical Accidents.. Irony is person who never learned the Traffic rules.. can have Driving License with an ease.. So what can be expected on roads.. It's SAD.. but true..

[@incorefoysal]

Can you please make a video on when to lean into a corner and when to counter lean. At low speeds i sometimes find it confusing if i should lean or counter lean. And also how to take u-turns properly at low speed/lesser space

[@tirtharajdas2165]

you are absolutely correct, usually i ride in the city most of the time, so I end up using low beam all the time because some one is always on the other side in a narrow galli.

[@Shemal.JustAnotherShrink]

Great explanation!

[@santoshpatil7818]

Thanks shumi for the video can you make video on Aux lights and how to use them properly in city and on highway?

[@Velocitysingh]

video should start with where the beam switch is and at what position the low and high beam is..... many people still dont know that how it works XD

[@rajasekhar9840]

@shumar, Don't use Baja Designs XL80 they are very bad for on coming traffic 😄 Try Diode Dynamics SS3 SAE driving beam pods, which act as auxiliary high beam is much less blinding to oncoming traffic

[@kshitij123ish]

"Most of them aren't!" Perfect! :D :D

[@darrenalfonso]

Dehhhyum I wished they touched up on headlight leveling on cars. Full car with luggage on low beam also hits you bad sometimes.

[@borkarms]

Thanks ...Great... Logical advice. Fully agree.

[@sarathsreesailam3078]

Quality content 😃

[@kishoreeytham3401]

This sounds good I drive in crazy roads mostly single roads and idiots use high beam 95% time and it gives me a scare everytime i cross them

[@gautamsohoni4408]

There is also a need to know what wattage of bulbs you are using along with the lumens of the bulb. White light is great but slightly yellowish light helps in good penitration during foggy or rainy situations. What's your suggestion?

[@madhunandanrajashekar2109]

We need more simplified videos

[@niranjanmcky8940]

I use High beem when there is no one in front and im not able to see the road further, but i dip as soon as somebody or some vechicles come in the way.

[@mahendrabhore8877]

Could you please do this on box swingarm Vs aluminium ones

[@shubh.jain1990]

YES !! Every rider or driver should be very responsible 😇😇😇👍👍👍

[@dionremedios7715]

I love this segment.... Very informative. 👍

[@ravikumar-qx2dn]

Pls do a video on wheel alignment and balancing, for both bike as well as car, will it effect shocks, steering wrack if we put extra widen tyre.

[@dritzdcool]

And they know fixing auxiliary lights will help but doesn't know in which direction to point the beam . . . Sharing this video Suggested topics: roundabouts n lane driving