TL;DR
Daylight saving time ended Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, moving many DFW commutes home into darkness for the rest of the fall and winter. A five-minute check of headlights, lenses, wipers, washer fluid, windshield and mirrors helps you see and be seen. Jupiter Chevrolet in Garland checks lighting, wipers and fluids in the 151-point inspection on every service visit.
If you leave work around 5:30, your drive home on I-635 now starts with headlights on, and it will through the winter. Your lights and glass suddenly matter a lot more.
Here is a quick driveway check, plus what our service team looks at.
How Did Nov. 1 Change Your Commute?
Clocks fell back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, so the evening rush that ran in daylight in October has moved toward dusk and dark.
In April 2025 Senate testimony, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that crashes resulting in pedestrian or bicyclist deaths rose 13% in the five weeks after the fall time change (2010 to 2019 data). Separate IIHS research found good-rated headlights were associated with a 19% lower nighttime single-vehicle crash rate than poor-rated ones.
The clock change itself doesn't make your car any less safe. It moves more of your normal driving into the dark, which is when lights and clean glass do the most work.
Your 5-Minute Visibility Check
Park facing a wall or garage door, then:
- Headlights. Try low and high beams. Both sides should match in color and brightness.
- Lenses. In daylight, look for yellow or cloudy plastic.
- Wipers. Run them with fluid. Streaking, skipping or chattering means worn rubber. In North Texas it doesn't rain often enough to notice a cracked blade until the day you need it.
- Washer fluid. Top it off before evening glare hits a dusty windshield.
- Windshield. Look for chips or cracks in your line of sight. Clean the inside of the glass too.
- Mirrors. Clean all three and angle them so trailing headlights don't hit your eyes.
What Should You Do About Hazy Headlights?
Have them looked at. Most headlight lenses are polycarbonate plastic with a protective coating, and sunlight breaks that coating down over time. Years of strong sun exposure can speed that deterioration. In AAA testing, deteriorated headlights on low beam put out just 22% of the light of new ones. Not every hazy lens is that far gone, but if yours look yellow or dull, mention it to your service advisor. On the service drive, advisors look for fading, water inside the lens and lamps that aren't as bright as they should be. Jupiter can often correct the haze, though some headlights need to be replaced instead. Jupiter Collision Center or the Jupiter Custom Shop, both on the same Garland campus, handles the repair.
What Does Jupiter Check When You Come In?
Every service visit at Jupiter Chevrolet includes our 151-point inspection, which covers lighting, wipers and fluids. Results are graded green (good to go), yellow (take care of it soon) or red (needs attention now). You don't have to fix anything the same day. When you pull into the service drive, expect your service advisor to run your wipers and washer spray with you, so you can both see how they're working before winter rain and ice arrive. More in our standard service visit post.
In the service drive, our drive-over scanner captures 360-degree imagery and reads tire tread. You also get a free recall, tire, and alignment check with every service visit. Not due for service? In some cases, including for existing customers, Jupiter may offer a complimentary standalone inspection, so call the service department to ask.
"Basically, it's the vehicle's report card."
Jason Ashcroft, Fixed Operations Director, Jupiter Chevrolet
If your check turned up a dim bulb, a streaky wiper or a chipped windshield, bring it to Jupiter on I-635 in Garland before the drive home gets dark.
Schedule Service at Jupiter Chevrolet in Garland, or call 972-464-1093.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did daylight saving time end in 2026?
Daylight saving time ended Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 at 2 a.m. local time, when clocks fell back one hour, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. After that, many Garland and Dallas commuters drive home in the dark.
Why are my headlights yellow or cloudy?
Sunlight breaks down the protective coating on plastic headlight lenses until they turn yellow or cloudy. Years of strong sun exposure can speed that up. AAA found deteriorated headlights on low beam produced just 22% of the light of new ones. If yours look hazy, ask your Jupiter Chevrolet service advisor to take a look. When the haze can be corrected, Jupiter Collision Center or the Jupiter Custom Shop handles the restoration on the same Garland campus.
How often should I replace wiper blades in Texas?
AAA's rule of thumb is every 6 to 12 months, and it notes that intense sun and high heat wear the rubber out faster. Texas drivers often forget them because it doesn't rain much, so replace them sooner if they streak, skip or chatter. Jupiter Chevrolet checks wipers in the 151-point inspection on every service visit.
Does the Jupiter Advantage cover windshield damage?
The Jupiter Advantage includes a One-Year Protection Bundle that lists windshield repair. Eligibility depends on the written program terms, so check the Jupiter Advantage page or ask Jupiter Chevrolet in Garland whether your vehicle is covered.
Where can I get my headlights and wipers checked near Garland, TX?
Jupiter Chevrolet on I-635 in Garland checks lighting and wipers in the 151-point inspection on every service visit. Not due for service? In some cases, including for existing customers, Jupiter may offer a complimentary standalone inspection, so call the service department to ask. Call 972-464-1093 or schedule online. It's a short drive from Mesquite, Rowlett and East Dallas.
Bulb types, wiper sizes and maintenance needs vary by model and model year. Always follow your owner's manual. Jupiter Advantage eligibility, coverage, maintenance requirements, exclusions and claims are governed by the written program terms.
About the Author
Eric Fussell is the General Manager of Jupiter Chevrolet in Garland, Texas. He works with Jupiter's sales, service, parts, and collision teams to help customers understand their vehicles, their ownership options, and the programs that come with buying and owning a Chevrolet in North Texas.
Methodology
This article uses 2026 daylight saving time information from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, crash and headlight research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and headlight and wiper guidance from AAA, current as of October 2026. The AAA 22% figure describes the deteriorated headlights in that test, not every cloudy lens. Jupiter's inspection details come from Jupiter Chevrolet's General Manager and on-record interviews with Fixed Operations Director Jason Ashcroft.
Sources & Further Reading
- Testimony of David Harkey before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, IIHS (April 10, 2025) — 13% rise in pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes after the fall change.
- Good IIHS headlight ratings linked to lower crash rates, IIHS (Oct. 14, 2021) — 19% lower nighttime single-vehicle crash rate.
- Daylight Saving Time, NIST — DST ends Nov. 1, 2026 at 2 a.m.
- AAA Illuminates the Dangers of Driving with Cloudy Headlights, AAA (Dec. 11, 2018) — sunlight damage to lens coating; 22% light output.
- When to Replace Your Windshield Wipers and Why It Matters, AAA (Jan. 10, 2026) — 6 to 12 month wiper guideline; heat wear.
- The Jupiter Advantage, Jupiter Chevrolet — One-Year Protection Bundle; free checks.
- Schedule Service, Jupiter Chevrolet — booking.
Published: November 3, 2026 | Last updated: November 3, 2026