Was following my wife yesterday, she was in the Volvo Wagon. I never noticed before, but looking at the tail lights got me wondering if they are operating properly. It seems the very top red portion serves as reflectors only, then the amber portion is the blinker(s), the next red portion is the brake lights. Do the lower portion of the tail lights (the 2 red portions surrounding the white reverse light) go on only when you put the headlights on? I called my wife on her cell phone and had her put the headlight switch to the on position and these lower red lights came on, but they never went bright when the brake was depressed. Seems only the red lenses below the amber blinkers serve as the brake lights other than the 3rd brake light in the window. Is this the correct operation of the tail lights?

Thanx.

Keith