Dark mornings and evenings Options

[Berkshirelad]

Autumn is definitely here and winter will follow closely along. These things are immutable.

But why-oh-why is it that when driving around the area, you can spot so many vehicles with defective headlights. It seems to average about one per mile travelled. I even saw an Ambulance with only a single dipped beam working.

Surely they can't all be "Sorry Officer, it must have just blown"

[On the edge]

Quite agree. Just as bad as the save electricity brigade who won't put their lights on when the day is overcast.

[Andy Capp]

I once tailed a Police car without lights on at night all the way long the A4 not too long ago, but another time I was also pulled over for having a defective light, but they were decent enough to say to me get it sorted as soon as possible.

[motormad]

I had great pleasure in flashing a policeman who left his lights off.
What a plonker.

Most modern cars have bulb out warning systems anyway so there's literally no excuse.

[Andy Capp]

I had great pleasure in flashing a policeman who left his lights off.
What a plonker.

Most modern cars have bulb out warning systems anyway so there's literally no excuse.

His dashboard was lit-up like a Christmas tree. I wonder if they might have some kinda different wiring.

[motormad]

Was it in an Astra?
The Vauxhalls all have dash lights (at least within the rev counter and what not) they are lit up all the time and then dim when lights are turned on.
Not forgetting all of their police gubbins which are probably very bright.

[Biker1]

Most modern cars have bulb out warning systems

Really?
For "modern" do you mean new?
Not everyone has, or can afford, a new car!
I agree there is no excuse, you should check your lights on a regular basis for your own, if not other's safety.

[Andy Capp]

In the old days, fast indicators could suggest a faulty bulb.

[Biker1]

In the old days, fast indicators could suggest a faulty bulb.

I think that still applies for indicator bulbs.
Whenever I have had a headlamp bulb go it hasn't taken me long to realise.
As soon as you drive in darkness the reduced beam is obvious.
So, as others have already said, there really is no excuse.

[spartacus]

However I did have car driving about 2ft up my exhaust pipe the other night who had those ultra bright xenon or 'ultra brilliance' bulbs burning into the back of my eyeballs... I wouldn't have minded if that had one or both bulbs out... In fact I felt like pulling up at the next traffic signals and reversing back into the thing and helping it along the way

[On the edge]

If you had, I suspect most of us would have gladly paid your defence costs!

[motormad]

Really?
For "modern" do you mean new?
Not everyone has, or can afford, a new car!
I agree there is no excuse, you should check your lights on a regular basis for your own, if not other's safety.

Uhh... no?

My old Golf had one.. 2004 / Mk5 model.
Many newer vehicles (past 2004.....) come with them.

Personally more than anything while I COULD drive with one light out I would feel such a dork that I would feel compelled to not drive the car until it was sorted.. I have spare brake light / sidelight bulbs galore. I do not carry a spare dipped beam bulb as, well.. D2S are not really easy to change on the side of the road and at £75 a bulb I'd buy one when it breaks, not if.

[Claude]

It's people who drive with their parking lights on that gets me. They're supposed to be used when you're parked, don't be afraid to turn two clicks and use your headlights like nearly everyone else.

[motormad]

Sidelights should be banned.
Although I definitely don't ever drive round with my sidelights and DRLs on...
#scenelife

[Andy Capp]

Sidelights save using battery power and help in areas with no street lamps.

[JeffG]

If your battery discharges with the headlights on while the engine is running, I think you need to get your alternator looked at.

[Claude]

Sidelights save using battery power and help in areas with no street lamps.

I assume you mean when parked, and not while driving at night?

[Andy Capp]

If your battery discharges with the headlights on while the engine is running, I think you need to get your alternator looked at.

I assume you mean when parked, and not while driving at night?

I meant exactly what I wrote.

[JeffG]

I meant exactly what I wrote.

Which it seems neither of us understood.

[motormad]

But what you wrote doesn't make sense.... ??