What headlight bulb does the Charger use?

The Replacement Bulbs section of the 2026 manual says to see an authorized dealer for LED bulb replacement. Its exterior bulb chart lists every lamp as LED:

The manual's Replacing Exterior Bulbs section gives no do-it-yourself steps for any exterior lamp. It says the front low and high beam headlamps use LED sources that are not serviceable and must be replaced as an assembly, and the front park and turn function is part of the headlamp assembly. The side markers, backup lamps, license lamp, center high mounted stop lamp and front fog lamps also use LED sources that are not serviceable separately and are replaced as an assembly by an authorized dealer.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Replacement Bulbs, Names, And Part Numbers; Replacing Exterior Bulbs), read November 8, 2026.

How the Charger headlight buttons work

The headlight switch is on the left side of the instrument panel. It controls the low beams, parking lights, automatic headlights, instrument panel lights and interior lights, with a Low Beam On/Off control, an AUTO headlight control, a parking lights control and an instrument panel dimmer control.

To turn on the low beams, press the low beam button. The parking lights, taillights, license plate light, instrument panel lights and side mirror and side marker lights also come on. Press the low beam control button again to turn the low beams off; the Daytime Running Lights stay on.

To turn on only the parking lights, marker lights and instrument panel lights, press the parking lights button.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Headlight Switch; Parking Lights), read November 8, 2026.

Automatic headlights and headlight delay

Automatic headlights turn the headlights on or off according to ambient light levels. The manual says the vehicle defaults to AUTO whenever it is turned on; to turn the system on, press the AUTO button, and to turn it off, press any other button on the headlight switch bank. The vehicle must be on before the headlights come on in automatic mode.

With the automatic system on, the headlight time delay is on too: the headlights stay on for up to 90 seconds after the Start button is placed in the OFF position. The delay can be programmed up to 90 seconds in Uconnect Settings.

Automatic Headlights On With Wipers (if equipped) turns the headlights on when the wipers are on, with the headlights in automatic mode and the vehicle running. Headlight Illumination On Approach turns on the headlights, exterior door handle pocket lights (if equipped) and interior lights when you push unlock on the key fob as you walk up; it can be set for up to 90 seconds in Uconnect Settings.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Automatic Headlights; Automatic Headlights On With Wipers; Headlight Illumination On Approach; Headlight Delay), read November 8, 2026.

High beams, automatic high beams and flash-to-pass

Push the multifunction lever (left side of the steering column) toward the instrument panel for high beams; the lever returns to the centered position. To return to low beams, pull or push the lever. Lightly pulling the lever toward you flashes the high beams until you release it.

Automatic High Beam (if equipped) uses a digital camera mounted on the inside rearview mirror to switch from high beams to low beams until an approaching vehicle is out of view. It can be turned on or off with Auto High Beam in Uconnect Settings, and by pressing the AUTO button.

The manual notes that dirt, film and other obstructions on the windshield or camera lens will make the system work improperly, and that if the windshield or the Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control mirror is replaced, the mirror must be re-aimed by an authorized dealer.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Multifunction Lever; High/Low Beam Switch; Automatic High Beam; Flash-To-Pass), read November 8, 2026.

Turn signals, Daytime Running Lights and the lights-on chime

If a turn signal light stays on and does not flash, or flashes very fast, the manual says to check for a defective outside light bulb. On the 2026 Charger the turn lamps are LED, so have the lamp checked by a dealer service department.

The Daytime Running Lights (if equipped) are activated with the switch in AUTO and in daylight conditions, and may be deactivated by applying the parking brake. Where allowed by law, they can be turned on and off in Uconnect Settings.

If the headlights or parking lights are on after the vehicle is placed in the OFF position, a chime sounds when the driver's door is opened.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Turn Signals; Daytime Running Lights; Lights-On Reminder), read November 8, 2026.

Cleaning the headlight lenses

The headlight lenses are plastic. The manual says plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass, so do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel wool or other abrasive materials, avoid wiping with a dry cloth, and remove road dirt with a mild soap solution followed by rinsing.

From the 2026 Dodge Charger owner's manual (Headlight Switch notes), read November 8, 2026.

Charger service at Elgin CDJR

If a headlight or other exterior lamp on your Charger is out, our Dodge service center can check it. Our service department is open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Elgin CDJR is at 1500 W. Lake St. in Streamwood. Get directions.