Reply With QuoteI use mine on rainy days, misty/foggy weather, early morning, sunset/rise/dusk. I don't use them in the middle of the day on a bright sunny day because I don't see the point when it doesn't make me any easier to see.
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I never knew about putting then on during the bright days - learnt that today (although I do put them on for long drives and if I can't see the dash clearly and near sunset/sunrise with the glare thing)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so may be slightly confusing
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I use mine on rainy days, misty/foggy weather, early morning, sunset/rise/dusk. I don't use them in the middle of the day on a bright sunny day because I don't see the point when it doesn't make me any easier to see.
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We have auto lights on our car. They turn on when our car deems it to be appropriate.
I suppose you could say we have an intelligent car
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It does make you easier to see on a bright sunny day especially if your car is dark grey or black (ie the same colour as the road). You can see headlights before you can see a car.
I love my car because it turns the lights on when I start it and turns them off when I turn the engine off but in the days that I drove cars that didn't take care of lights for me I switched them on and off every time I drove and I never got a flat battery. It was just habit - like using the seat-belt.
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But the thing is the auto lights don't come on in some situations where you wouldn't think you'd need it. I've nearly been a part of pileups when a car turns in an intersection, the sun is in their view a car is coming and the don't see it. They do last minute and break nearly causing an accident. I've seen it happen a lot. If the sun is bright and behind you put your lights on. Most motorcycles have their lights on permanently for this very reason.
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Yes that's true but when the sun is shining in someone's eyes they should be slowing down anyway as its become a hazard. A lot of people don't slow down which is silly.
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I drive with the anticipation that not everyone has the common sense or caution that I do. It's like slowing down at intersections with lights at night because people run lights when the streets are empty. I never assume.
Moderator
Last year in the EU it became mandatory for new cars to do the same thing. When you turn the ignition the daytime running lights have to come on.
It makes it easier for pedestrians to see you too
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I pulled over yesterday to let a car go past me as it had lights on in the middle of the day and was driving me mad distracting me in my mirrors. I don't know if it makes a difference but it was a new looking Audi and the headlights were a row of LED type things superbright white/bue light with 6 or 7 'spots' on each side. Was driving me batty.
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My car also has auto headlights. They never turn themselves on before I turn them on IYKWIM. If it becomes cloudy, I'll want them on & have to do it myself. They don't register early enough for me
I've seen new cars with the LED lights too. I do wonder weather they're parkers, or just for extra when needed? Like fog lights?
We were pulled over for having our fog lights on last year. It was my brothers car & we didn't know how to turn them off, & TBH didn't think it was a problem. It was night time. My bro had them on for the roo's.
Anyway, we got $100 fine for using them & were told that not only is it illegal to use them if there's no fog, but that if you have your fog lights on, your headlights have to be OFF. In my car when I tried it, the fog lights turned off with the headlights
Registered User
If you don't drive with your lights on, why not?
My father taught me to always turn the lights on when I got into the car and then lock the door (an older car with non-auto lights). When you go to get out you can't cause the door is locked and then you remember all the time. Has always worked for me
Moderator
We have wall to wall Audis around here and I've never found it hard to drive in front of them. I love their lights TBH excpet the rear indicators could do to stand out a bit more.
Fog lights can be pretty blinding. It's best if they're not wired to your headlights because your headlights can actually reduce visibility in fog by reflecting back at you - fog lights are best wired to your parking lights so that you can switch off your headlights and use the fog lights instead but if the manufacturer's hooked them up to your headlights and you can't turn them on without your headlights it's not like you have options.
Sorka, your Dad's a smart man.
Last edited by Phteven; May 18th, 2012 at 07:33 PM.
Registered User
Be seen - be safe
Registered User
I sometimes get distracted if someone has their lights on when no one else does though. And then can't see or pay attention to the other drivers as easily as if everyone has the lights off. (assuming its not raining or foggy or low light)
But I don't recall reading or geing taught to use them when it's very sunny. And I think my parents use to flash people with lifts on during the day as well.
Registered User
Another thing.... Car parks have lights.... Ive never needed to worry about visibility in a carpark. I just assume there will be someone driving around every corner and drive accordingly. So unless I can't see I don't use my lights in a carpark.
Registered User
Some newer cars have their lights on all the time the engine is running for safety (Volkswagons I believe) so you are just going to annoy them if you flash them for lights on in the day
2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
There are plenty of carparks around where I live with no lighting or very dim lighting.
Registered User
People do drive me nuts when they flash me when my lights are on. I always expect there to be an accident, or police or something ahead. I use flashing my lights either to warn people to use caution, or to warn people their high beams are on.
I only ever get distracted by lights on through the day if they are on high beam... some people musn't see their hb dash light on during the day.
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