Honda Clarity & Lights: 11 Questions Answered (For Newbies)

When you think of an alternative fuel vehicle, Honda Clarity is one of the best clicks. 

The lights on a vehicle are sometimes as important as the vehicle.

In this article, we will be discussing the lights on the Honda Clarity.

Which Light Bulbs Sizes and Types Do Honda Claritys Use?

The light bulbs on the Honda Clarity are all LED lights.

The headlights, DRLs, marker lights, turn signals, tail lights, etc. are all LEDs. This is so for all models of the Clarity.

How to Turn Off Daytime Running Lights On a Honda Clarity?

The Daytime Running Light (DRL) cannot be turned off manually.

The light comes up whenever the headlights are switched off or set to automatic and the environment is dark. The light goes off when the headlights come on.

The DRL can, however, be kept off while the vehicle is running using this technique: you are to put off the engines, engage the parking brake and put the engine on again.

With this, the DRL goes off and continues to stay off until you disengage the parking brake.

Honda Clarity Light indicator Symbols Explained

The first sign that tells you that something is wrong is when a warning light comes up on your Honda Clarity’s dashboard. If any of the serious ones come on, it’s important to find a safe place to stop as soon as possible.

While others allow you to continue driving and get it checked by a professional when you get to a garage, the red warning lights on your Clarity dashboard need immediate attention.

The following are some of the most important warning lights to watch out for on your Honda Clarity:

1. Engine Oil or Oil Pressure Warning Light Symbols: This implies that the temperature of the oil is too high, the level of the oil is low or the pressure is too low. It is necessary to stop driving immediately and put the engine off when any of these happen. The engine can seriously get damaged if the oil pressure is entirely lost. You need to increase the level of the engine oil in that situation.

2. Brake Warning Light Symbols: This light normally comes on when the hand or emergency brake is engaged. There are no qualms in such a situation. If the light, however, comes on without engaging the hand or emergency brake, it means that there is a serious brake problem. The best thing is to check it immediately.

3. Temperature Warning Light Symbol: When this light comes on, it indicates that the temperature of the engine is too high. It is important that you put off the engine as soon as possible. It is likely that the coolant level is running low. Check the gauge on the side of the coolant tank and top it up if necessary.

4. Battery Charge Warning Light Symbols: This light would normally come on when you turn your car on. If it doesn’t go off a few seconds after your car has been turned on, it’s likely that there is a problem with the car’s electrical system. This can be as a result of a faulty alternator, a faulty battery, a bad connection or a damaged cable somewhere in the engine bay.

5. Airbag Warning Light Symbols: When this light comes on, it implies that there is a problem with one of the airbags in the vehicle. The car should be taken immediately to the dealer or any authorized service center.

6. Power Steering Warning Light Symbol: If this light comes on, it means that the power steering system is having a problem. If the power steering system fails, the steering could go heavy, and would require additional effort to change the direction of the car. It is important that you quickly take the car to an authorized dealer to get the problem fixed.

7. Tire Pressure Monitoring Symbol: This symbol implies that the inflation on one or more of the tires is too high or too low. If your car is at high speed, you need to reduce the speed and get the tire(s) gauged to the proper level.

How Do You Adjust the Light On a Honda Clarity?

Below is a step-by-step tutorial on how to adjust lights on your Honda Clarity:

1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface, about 25 feet away from a wall or garage door.
2. Put on the headlights and take note of how they project on the wall.
3. Tell someone to stay in the vehicle while you adjust the headlights.
4. Locate the headlight assembly under the hood and access the adjuster screws.
5. Turn the top adjusting screws clockwise to move the headlight beam downwards.
6. Do the same to the side adjusting screws to move the headlight beam sideways.
7. As the headlights are being adjusted, ensure to monitor how they project on the wall. With this, you can be assured that they are straightened enough.

How Does the Auto Light Sensitivity Work?

The auto light sensitivity works based on the ambient or environmental brightness.

The automatic headlamps will come on whenever the switch is set in the “auto” position and it’s dark enough to need them. They use a photoelectric sensor that’s usually mounted on top of the dash, or on the windshield near the rear-view mirror.

The sensitivity of the light sensor can, however, be adjusted by choosing one of five settings: Max (lights come on when it is still a bit light out), High, Mid, Low, and Min (lights won’t come on until it is somewhat very dark out).

What Can Cause the Drive Light to Blink?

When the drive light blinks, it is an indication that there is an issue with the transmission.

It could have resulted from something mechanical such as a shift solenoid, or possibly some electrical issue such as transmission speed sensor.

It can also mean that the transmission fluid is low. It is recommended that the vehicle should not be driven further until you get it checked by a qualified mechanic to avoid any potential further damage that may occur to the transmission.

Can I Use Headlight Covers On a Clarity?

There are various headlight covers you can get for your Honda Clarity.

It is, however, important for you to be sure if using headlight covers is legal in your locality, as some localities in the U.S. have declared the use of headlight covers illegal.

Related: Honda Clarity problems: 14 Common Issues (Explained)

The Dome/Interior Light Isn’t Working

The dome light in your car is expected to come on when you open any of the doors, as long as the light is properly set.

If the dome light does not come on when the door is opened, the switch may have been put in the wrong position or there is a problem with the vehicle. Common problems associated with dome lights and other interior lights are burned-out bulbs and blown fuses.

Follow these steps to fix a dome light that is not working:

1. Check the dome light switch. In most cases, dome lights have three settings: “off”, “on” and “door”. If the switch is set to the “door” option, the dome light will come on only when the door is opened.

2. Change the bulb if the dome light still does not come up. Take off the dome light cover to access the bulb. You need a flat-head screwdriver for that. The bulb should be pulled out of its socket and the replacement inserted. It is important that the new bulb installed should be the same as the former bulb. If you are not sure of the bulb, you can take the old bulb to an automotive store to get it replaced.

3. If replacing the bulb does not work, change the fuse. Check the fuse section of your vehicle owner’s manual to identify which fuse powers the dome light. A particular fuse can power just the dome light, or it may power all interior lights. Identify the fuse number, pull it out, and inspect it. A faulty fuse will have the metal parts in it broken. Change it with the same type of fuse. 

Honda Clarity Light Sensors Explained

The light sensor is usually mounted on top of the dash, or on the windshield near the rear-view mirror. It is a photoelectric sensor. When the sensor discovers it is dark enough outside, the headlights come on.

Related: 11 Honda Clarity Statistics You Should Know (Facts & Numbers)

Do Honda Claritys Have LED Lights? 

All models of Honda Clarity use LED lights

The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has a thorough range of LED exterior lighting. There are large, bright LED DRLs, and high-low beams in the front, with nine LEDs per side.

At the body corners, there are LED side marker lights, LED front turn signals and LED edge lights. At the back, LED tail lights, turn signals and wing-shaped brake combination lights provide high illumination.

The Clarity Electric uses a distinct combination of exterior LED lighting that differentiates it from the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Clarity Fuel Cell.

Peculiar to the Clarity Electric are large LED DRLs, ultrathin high-low beams with nine LEDs per side, LED side marker lights, LED front turn signals and LED edge lights.

LED tail lights, turn signals and wing-shaped brake combination lights with distinct clear lenses give a high illumination and differentiate the Clarity Electric at a glance.

Related: Honda Clarity & Keys: 12 Questions Answered

The Lights Come On But the Car Won’t Start

If your car won’t start though the lights come up, it could have resulted from one of several reasons. 

The battery is the first likely reason for such a situation.

It is likely that you have a dead or dying battery.

The fact that the lights come on does not mean that the battery cannot be faulty. Lights and some other electronics in the car need only 20 to 30 amps to power them.

However, engine starters need up to 300 amps of current all at once, which is too much power for a battery that is dying or has a low charge.

If the battery is really low, the problem is solved if a jump from another battery works and the vehicle starts. 

If the vehicle does not start, the problem might have been caused by a blown fuse, a broken ignition switch, or a bad starter. All these should be checked one at a time to find out the root cause of the problem.

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