Tail Lights vs Brake Lights: Are They the Same Bulb?

Many people get confused and use the terms "tail light" and "brake light" interchangeably when referring to the rear lighting. Tail light vs brake light, are they the same bulbs? Well, technically speaking, they are not. These are separate types of rear lights and serve different safety functions. If your rear lights get broken, it's vital to tell which is which so that you can get it fixed properly and quickly.

In this article, we will talk about the differences between the tail light and brake light, what they are used for, and how to test them. Let's get started.

Tail lights light up immediately when the driver turn on the headlights, while the brake lights only trigger when the brake pedal is depressed. Although both lights are red, the brake lights tend to emit a much brighter red light.

It depends on the vehicle model. In many vehicles, the tail light and brake light share the same  bulb called dual-filament bulb. Here, each filament is on a different circuit. The thin filament light lights up as a tail light, and the thicker filament, which emits a brighter light, is used for brake lights. While in some cars, separate light bulbs are used for tail lights and brake lights.

To better understand the differences between the tail light vs brake light, let's take a look at what those lights are and what they do.

The tail lights are located at the rear end of your vehicle. They light up whenever the headlights are turned on. 

Tail lights mainly help other drivers or pedestrians to notice your presence and location in traffic or in poor visibility conditions. With tail lights, drivers behind you can know how big your car is and easily keep a safe distance from your car, thus reducing the risk of collisions.

Sometimes, the tail lights will also light up according to the vehicle and act as a stop light.

Brake lights trigger whenever you step on the brake pedal. And they go off immediately when the brake pedal is released. They are located in the same position as the tail lights but with a much brighter red light. 

The purpose of the brake lights is to alert other drivers that you are about to slow down or stop and give them enough time to prepare and respond. With brake lights, drivers behind you will be able to keep more distance between your car and theirs and avoid traffic accidents. In addition, the brighter red emitted by brake lights makes them visible in sunny as well as dark or rainy conditions.

The tail lights and brake lights of your vehicle are essential safety components for you and other drivers, so it is important to check whether they are working properly regularly.

The easiest way to test tail lights is to ask someone to stand behind your vehicle when you turn on  the lights. Here's what to do:

First, turn on the front lights. If the tail lights are working properly, they should be red when the headlights are on.

Next, check the brake lights. Lightly step on the brakes and ask your friend to confirm whether the brake lights are much brighter than the tail lights.

Tail light or brake light is not working properly? Here are some common reasons for this to happen:

Burned bulbs are one of the most common reasons tail lights and brake lights fail. When the filament breaks inside the bulb, it cannot illuminate the gas inside the bulb. However, a burnt out bulb does not affect the circuitry of the entire rear light system. If you find that your tail lights don’t work but brake lights do (and vice versa), changing your car bulb may help.

If the fuse blows, it prevents the circuit from completing, in this case preventing the tail lights from lighting. Sometimes when the tail light lens breaks, it can cause moisture to enter the lens and cause a short circuit, which can blow a fuse.

If the tail light is on but the brake light is not working properly, the brake light switch may be damaged.

If the brake light stays on after you stop pressing the brake pedal, it may be because the brake switch contact is stuck, causing the switch to continue powering the brake light. It may also be due to the brake light switch having slipped out of position, creating space between its plunger and pedal, thereby preventing the switch from closing.

If the brake lights don't come on at all, the switch may have been pushed out of place or improperly connected, so the brake pedal may not complete the circuit.

In addition, if you press the brake pedal but the brake light does not come on, it may also be because the brake pad is worn, which makes the brake light not recognize that you are pressing the brake pedal.

This article explains the difference between tail light vs brake light and shows you the practical way to test them. Like any other car part, brake lights, tail lights and their related accessories need to be repaired and replaced occasionally. If you find that your tail light or brake light does not light up, you should get it right as quickly as possible so that you can safely get on the road again. SuncentAuto.com has the top brands in the automotive aftermarket industry. Shop for high-quality brake light bulbs, backup light bulbs or headlight bulbs at SuncentAuto.com at discount prices.

If you are planning to replace your brake light bulbs, below are the two top options you can consider. 

Check the durable and ultra-bright brake light bulbs: