Perimeter Approach Lights (Everything You Must Know)

There is a growing rave about perimeter approach lights in the automotive industry, and for good reasons. But what are these perimeter lights?

And what purpose do these services in your vehicles? In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the automotive perimeter lighting system.

Therefore, I urge you to read on.

Perimeter lighting systems are those lights that turn on to welcome you when you approach your car. This function usually works with the remote keyless entry system, such as a key fob, and unlocks your vehicle’s doors. If your car has a perimeter lighting system and you approach your car at night, the lights turn on to illuminate.

What Are Perimeter Approach Lights 

Perimeter approach lights are a lighting feature on some cars. They find more use in the dark or at night when visibility is poor.

Perimeter lighting systems are lights that turn on when a car owner approaches the car with the remote keyless entry transmitter. 

Because the system can detect the presence of the remote keyless entry from a distance, the perimeter approach lights turn on.

They provide illumination for the car owner so that you can see where your car is parked and the immediate surrounding area.

That way, you can know if there’s potential danger around your car, like a robber standing by your car or possibly inside your car.

That gives you enough time to act before getting to your car. In addition, car manufacturers install perimeter lighting systems at various places on the car.

Some of these locations include:

• Puddle lamps
• Door mirror lamps
• Side mirrors lamps – commonly
• Door handle lamps
• License plate lights
• Rear lights
• Courtesy lights
• Interior lights

Innovations in automotive lighting technologies centered on improving comfort and safety are the key factors behind automotive perimeter lighting systems. 

How Does Perimeter Approach Light Work? The 

First, for the perimeter lighting system to work, it must be a feature of your car.

Most cars with perimeter approach lights have it either as a standard feature option or an upgrade to a trim-level model.

Here is a detailed description of how the perimeter lighting system works:

• This system works best at night and usually with a remote keyless entry – a key fob
• As you approach your car at night, the system detects the presence of your key fob
• As soon as the perimeter lighting system detects your key fob, it turns on the approach lights
• Those on the side mirrors illuminate the area around the driver’s door by casting light beams to the area below the driver’s doorway. This way, it provides not only illumination but also alerts you about the safety status of your doorway area.
• The perimeter approach light in front of the vehicle and behind may also turn on depending on the setup.
• Additionally, the interior lights should also turn on
• The system can also unlock your car doors and activate the headlights, interior lights, and all the various auxiliary lights as you approach your vehicle to enter inside
• Furthermore, when you exit your car and lock up, the system turns off the perimeter approach lights after a predetermined amount of time
• For some cars, the perimeter approach lights come on when you press the keyless remote starter to unlock your vehicle’s doors. It turns on the interior lights of the car, together with the puddle lights and the parking lights. Consequently, you can see if anything suspicious is happening around your vehicle, including someone standing near the vehicle or if anyone is inside your vehicle. Therefore, this system can scare people with the intent of harming you away before they act.

Therefore if your vehicle has a key fob with a push-button start, it should perform this feature.

You may need to enable it under the settings section of your car.

Ford and other Ford brands like Lincoln offer perimeter approach lights as a standard feature option or as an upgrade to some of the more advanced trim level vehicles.

You can find perimeter lighting systems on most newer cars, SUVs, and trucks. Does Cadillac XT4 Have Remote Start? (Let’s Find Out)

Benefits and Cons of Perimeter Approach Lights

Perimeter lighting systems have their advantages and attendant disadvantages as well.

In this section, we’ll quickly examine the pros and cons of perimeter approach lights.

#1. Benefits of Perimeter Approach Lights

1. By lighting, the system provides illumination for your car’s bed, including the car’s surrounding area.

This way, it helps you see your car well and have a good picture of the immediate vicinity, especially in areas with poor lighting like driveways, dark worksites, and camping grounds.

2. You can also find tools, cargo, and supplies easily during the night or in poorly lit areas which helps to save energy and time.

For example, you are approaching your car at night and accidentally drop your remote keyless entry transmitter, key fob, or anything else.

You don’t need to go about looking for it in the dark or bother removing your phone to access the flashlight.

With this feature, you’ll know exactly where you dropped it and reach down to pick it up easily.

Additionally, you can easily locate your car door handles at night, especially when your hands are full.

3. You can use your hands for other things as you don’t have to fumble around in the night looking for your vehicle bed while holding a flashlight

4. The system is automated, turning on as soon as it detects the remote keyless entry transmitter or when you unlock the car with the push button to start the vehicle.

5. The perimeter lighting system also increases safety by providing a clear vision of the surrounding vehicle area, informing you of the presence or absence of potential danger.

As a result, this feature enables you to pick up potential threats to your safety as you approach the vehicle.

Therefore, it provides an extra layer of security for car owners during the vehicle approach.

When you park in low-light conditions or at night, you cannot see anyone close to your vehicle or inside your vehicle before you get in.

However, with this feature, you can spot them long before you get to your vehicle.

#2. Cons of Perimeter Approach Lights

Because automotive perimeter lighting systems are built on LED lighting technologies, the following are the disadvantages of Perimeter Approach lights:

#1. Cost:

Vehicles with perimeter approach lights are more expensive than those without. The fact that it is only available for certain car trim models speaks volumes. 

#2. Heat:

With LED lights, you get more heat, especially in the interior. However, this isn’t much of an issue since the lights are only on for some time.

How Much Does Perimeter Approach Lights Cost?

The cost of perimeter approach lights is variable depending on the type you want to install, the brand, the number of lamps, and other factors.

However, on average, LED perimeter approach lights can go for $135 to $400.

Also read: Can Toyota Install Remote Start? (Let’s Find Out)

Conclusion

Perimeter lighting systems are lighting systems that provide car owners with illumination as they approach their vehicle with the remote keyless entry transmitter or a key fob.

Car manufacturers install perimeter approach lights in front, behind, and at the sides of vehicles.

They are either a standard feature option or an upgrade for higher-trim models.