Side Lights!

[Paul.T]

Excellent rant further down on Fog Lights - what about side lights?
"It's only a bit dark - I'll just put my sidelights on" What's all that about?
Come to think of it - what the hell are side lights for anyway?
There - that's better. Have a good weekend boys.

 

[Nik_Endeavour]

"It's only a bit dark - I'll just put my sidelights on" What's all that about?

Well lets say that the sky is a bit overcast and is 3 PM. Visibility is good but the speedo is a bit dark. I put the sidelights on.

Come to think of it - what the hell are side lights for anyway?

In many european countries (Germany inc) when you are parked (to check a map, pick something from the shop) you supposed to switch off main beam so the car is not mistaken as a moving vehicle but dont switch off the lights so the vehicle is not visible to traffic.

Also the Germans have taken it a bit to far with left and right side lights to indicate which side of the road the vehicle is facing.

 

[Howard]

Sidelights ( and headlights ) keep you noticed ( especially if you are in a silver car and it's getting dark ) ...

Much less chance of someone pulling out on you if the lights are on.

 

[Frank O' Phile]

I've had Volvos and Saabs with side\driving lights on constantly. Eventually pulled the fuse on the Saab.

Well lets say that the sky is a bit overcast and is 3 PM. Visibility is good but the speedo is a bit dark. I put the sidelights on.

My old BX had permantantly illuminated dials. Clever idea, esp when going into a tunnel etc.

 

[jadefox]

I'm getting Alfie to fit me a Ipod kit into the car so I don't have to keep recording Cd's all the time - but while he's doing it, he's also gonna do the settings for me, one of which I have read is the cornering light function....but I told him, I'm not having it done at all if I have to have cornering lights
....I mean WTH is that all about - just plain freaky if you ask me?????

 

[seymansey]

Well get this, i'm seeing more and more useless twits on the roads in the pitch dark driving with JUST their fogs and sidelights on. Baffles me why you do it, it's even more obvious to plod that you are plain showing off.

 

[Swiss Toni]

Personal opinion is that we should all run on sidelights, though I am prepared to accept that the Homer Simpson logic may play a part here (everyone should have a ball on the top of their aerial to make the car easier to find in a large car park...) .


What should be law is dipped lights on motorcycles when the ignition comes on - in some parts of the country it is much more common practise than others and it beats the hell out of me that riders don't do it.

Failing that, organ doner cards.

 

[crockers]

My personal view is if one feels it is dark enough to put sidelights on to "read the speedo" then it is dark enough to run dip headlights.

Sidelights IMHO are parking lights........


But I have my headlights set to permanently on...

 

[jadefox]

Sidelights ( and headlights ) keep you noticed ( especially if you are in a silver car and it's getting dark ) ...

Much less chance of someone pulling out on you if the lights are on.

......but you have a maroon car

 

[3 phase]

Yes side lights are just marker lights IMHO, not much use for driving with. Baffles me why fog lights can be switched on in many vehicles with only sides on as well.

 

[MikeL]

Yes side lights are just marker lights IMHO, not much use for driving with. Baffles me why fog lights can be switched on in many vehicles with only sides on as well.

Because the fog could be low enough to dazzle (reflect) back main (higher) headlights, where as fog lights are lower down. Try the NE Scotland for a few years.

Mike

 

[215m3]

Well get this, i'm seeing more and more useless twits on the roads in the pitch dark driving with JUST their fogs and sidelights on. Baffles me why you do it, it's even more obvious to plod that you are plain showing off.

I see it as an advance warning stating 'watch out here comes me and i'm a c**k!'

 

[215m3]

I think side lights for moving cars are pointless as it hardly illuminates the car and to me makes not difference whatsoever.

I just use them on dipped whenever i'm out and it's not glorious sunshine, so most of the time then.

 

[Swiss Toni]

I think side lights for moving cars are pointless as it hardly illuminates the car and to me makes not difference whatsoever.

I just use them on dipped whenever i'm out and it's not glorious sunshine, so most of the time then.

To be fair, it probably depends on the manufacturer - the Swedes fit brighter bulbs to their marker lamps than most others do to their side (parking) lights).

 

[fuzzer]

My personal view is if one feels it is dark enough to put sidelights on to "read the speedo" then it is dark enough to run dip headlights.

Sidelights IMHO are parking lights........


But I have my headlights set to permanently on...

me too , have done for years

 

[Paul.T]

Oh good - it's not just me then.
And I agree with Crocker - if you need to put lights on you need to put dipped headlights on- period!

 

[3 phase]

Because the fog could be low enough to dazzle (reflect) back main (higher) headlights, where as fog lights are lower down. Try the NE Scotland for a few years.

Mike

I was referring to rear fogs, can't remember ever using fronts without headlights.

 

[whitenemesis]

I thought "side lights" was a description of their position , not their function.

To me they have always been Parking lights.

 

[kjay]

Am usually one of the first to put lights on, if it is anything but bright. No harm in been 'seen' at all.
Still amazes me how many plonkers forget to put headlights on at night!
.

 

[IMD]

To be honest, I often drive with my side lights on all the time and if its a bit of an overcast day, then I put my main beam on aswell.

I did a minibus driving test a few years ago and the instructor said that with lights on in the day, the statistics are that you are a third less likely to be involved in an accident.

No brainer to me.

Obviously not FOG LIGHTS though! Nothing that will glare or offend any of you!