The goal of this paper is to study the exponential stabilization problem for autonomous discrete-time switched linear systems (SLSs), where only the discrete mode can be controlled. Our approach is based on periodic control Lyapunov functions whose value decreases periodically instead of at each time step as in the classical control Lyapunov functions. Using periodic control Lyapunov functions, we develop stabilizability analysis and controller synthesis conditions that are less conservative than existing results in that they apply to a larger class of SLSs. Utilizing recent results on the switched optimal control problems, a constructive way to find periodic control Lyapunov functions is presented.