How to Outfit Your Off-Road Vehicle with Lights For Winter

*All images featured in this article are from our winter photo contest submissions.

Certain winter weather conditions, such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain, can make it difficult to see the road and other vehicles while driving. You might have already upgraded your vehicle with helpful tools like ice scrapers or winter tires. However, you must not forget the importance of proper lighting for winter weather conditions. Reduced visibility, combined with slick roads, can significantly increase the risk of accidents. Outfitting your vehicle with the right lighting can help cut through the snow, rain, and fog, allowing you to better see hazards and other drivers. In this guide, we will provide our top picks for the best off-road lights for driving in winter weather and give some tips for selecting the best fixtures.

Fog lights are among the most popular LED light upgrades for driving in adverse winter weather. They are designed to cut through rain, sleet, snow, and freezing rain to improve visibility without causing a glare. Their beam pattern has a sharp cutoff to reduce reflections against water particles in the air. Most off-road fog lights are mounted on the front bumper for sufficient road coverage.

Our SL3 series yellow pod lights emit SAE fog and SAE driving beams, making them perfect for driving in low-visibility conditions. Some of these fog lights feature an amber backlight to maximize visibility in winter weather like snow and sleet. These lights are also offered in a selective yellow color that is ideal for cutting through snow at night.

In addition to off-road fog lights, we offer solutions for cars and SUVs from various vehicle makes including Lexus and Toyota; Acura, Ford, Honda, Nissan, and Subaru; and Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators.

Lights emitting a driving beam pattern are another great solution for driving in the winter. These lights provide a balance between spot beams and flood beams, making them suitable for general off-road driving. Available in both cool white and yellow/amber, these fixtures are suitable for year-round use.

Our SL3 series pod lights with SAE fog and SAE driving beams mentioned above are also available in cool white light and selective yellow - both with amber backlit options.

Pod lights are small, compact fixtures that emit a range of beam patterns and color options. As mentioned above, pod lights commonly emit fog and driving beams, as well as spot and flood beams. These lights can be mounted in various locations, including the front bumper, roof rack, A-pillar, or above the windshield. Our line of SL2 series 2” pod lights are perfect for versatile mounting and are offered in selective yellow. We also partner with Diode Dynamics to offer even moreselective yellow options that are ideal for maximizing visibility in winter weather like snow and sleet.

Light bars provide the maximum illumination for off-roading in low-visibility winter conditions. These lights are available in various lengths and rows and emit various beam patterns. Curved light bars provide increased light spread to clearly throw light to the surrounding roads and off-road trails. Bars 20” and under are generally installed on the front bumpers or brush guard, while bars 30” and above are installed on or underneath the roof. Our top pick for driving in snow, sleet, and rain is the Diode Dynamic amber light bar, available in a driving or combo beam pattern.

If you don’t want the hassle of adding off-road lights but still want to make your vehicle safer in winter weather, then an LED headlight upgrade might be the choice for you. LED headlights provide powerful illumination with minimal energy drawn and last significantly longer than OEM halogen or HID bulbs. Our HLAW Series headlights can cycle between cool white and selective yellow, making them the perfect option for driving in various seasonal conditions. Note that these upgrades are only street legal for off-road use in ATVs, snowmobiles, and off-road racing.

While it is important to have sufficient lighting to see the road in adverse conditions, it is equally essential to make your vehicle visible to other drivers on the road. Our last pick for proper winter vehicle lighting is tail and brake lights, which allow your vehicle to be seen from behind while braking due to icy conditions or reducing speed in inclement weather. Bright tail lighting can prevent accidents in low-visibility situations and make the roads safer overall.

One of the most commonly talked about characteristics of off-road light fixtures is the color or CCT of the light. For winter driving applications, an amber or yellow light is generally preferred because these outputs reduce eye strain from water particle reflections. Cool white light is thought to cause increased glare against water droplets, making driving uncomfortable when ice and snow accumulate on the road. Therefore, amber and yellow lights can take the strain off of your eyes while driving.

Vehicle owners in regions that see frequent snowfall or ice may opt for headlights with a warm white output or add yellow and amber fog lights to their vehicles to make driving in these conditions more tolerable.

Another thing to keep in mind is how to prevent ice build-up on headlight assemblies and auxiliary light fixtures. If you’ve chosen to upgrade to LED lights, note that these lights do not get as hot as their halogen or HID counterparts, so some off-road lights may be susceptible to collecting a layer of ice over the lens. Therefore, you may need to invest in an anti-freeze spray to keep your fixtures clear from ice and snow while driving in frigid conditions.

There are various areas around your vehicle where you can mount your off-road and auxiliary lights. If you live in an area that sees a lot of snow, you may consider mounting your lights higher on your vehicle instead of the bumper or undercarriage to allow for maximum visibility in high snowfall conditions. This will also decrease the overall wear and tear on your lights from roadway treatment chemicals, such as salt.

Rules and regulations for aftermarket vehicle lights vary by state. Before choosing off-road lights for your vehicle, verify with your local department of transportation that the lighting is legal. Most states do not allow auxiliary lights, such as light bars, to be used on public roadways, but they can typically be used for off-roading or on private property. When applicable, choose SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) rated lighting fixtures.

At Super Bright LEDs, we are here to help you with any vehicle lighting questions you may have. Consult one of our guides below for any other questions you may have about issues with your vehicle lighting:

• The Different Types of Beam Patterns for Off-Road Light Bars and Pods

• How to Outfit Your ATV, UTV, or SxS With Off-Road Lights

• A Guide to Snow Plow LED Lights

• How to Install a Light Bar