r/AdviceAnimals • u/agbishop • 14h ago
Cars using only daytime running lights can’t be seen from behind
17
u/MiniAndretti 14h ago
The problem is two fold: 1) People not just selecting “A” for their lights. 2) Dashboards are bright and visible even with no light on.
Before auto lights, not being able to see your dashboard was a clue that your headlights were not on.
5
u/Saxong 13h ago
Every time I get an oil change they turn off my auto lights and it infuriates me
3
u/M8jrP8ne1975 13h ago
Same. I have to check for that every time my car goes in for service depending on where I take it to.
1
u/ace2049ns 8h ago
Why don't the tail lights just turn on as well. It's pretty stupid that the daytime running lights feature doesn't include them.
15
u/pine-cone-sundae 14h ago
Judging by the number of drivers I see with NO lights on during storms, heavy fog, snowfall, twilight, I think they might just not give a fuck. They don't get rear-ended when they play GTA, surely won't out here in meatspace?
3
u/tolacid 14h ago
Meatspace is my new favorite term for real life.
2
u/userhwon 11h ago
Um...it's a good 30-40 years old, now, so, maybe don't swing it around like it's something the kids are saying...
2
u/tolacid 11h ago
There will always be someone who hasn't yet encountered information that you think should be common knowledge. Instead of incredulity or ridicule, I recommend celebrating their newfound knowledge in the manner suggested by XKCD.
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u/crispyraccoon 12h ago
Almost got into a wreck with a car the exact color of the rain and fog around us because they didn't have headlights on. Fucking imbeciles.
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u/DickWoodReddit 14h ago
Also why in the fuck would car manufacturers have ur headlight turn off when you use your turn signal. This has to be one of the worst designs possible and multiple companies are doing this now. Like wtf if I only have one headlight when I turn I will have no headlights.
6
u/THEREALRATMAN 13h ago
I believe this has to do with carry over headlight / lighting laws. If your headlights are actually on they won't turn off with a signal but if the daytime running lights are on (some cars just use the headlights themselves for this) then they will turn off with a signal.
12
u/toothofjustice 14h ago
My old Grand Marquis had a turning headlight. When you turned on the blinker a small light to the side of the headlight would turn on and illuminated about 40' out to the side. Really useful when turning onto roads that didn't have street lights.
2
u/HodgeGodglin 14h ago
I want to say older caddies had this too
Edit- I think it was a Park Avenue
2
u/CaptainPunisher 13h ago
95 DeVille has it.
Source: I have a mob car with a La Cucaracha horn.
1
u/userhwon 11h ago
And the pink and purple tuck-and-roll?
2
u/CaptainPunisher 10h ago
No. I'm still rolling the OG burgundy velvet/velour interior. I know people that could do a good tuck and roll, though.
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u/Rampag169 13h ago
I had a 2000 Buick LeSaber Limited that had those corner illumination lights for when you used the blinker. That was soo nice to have.
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u/jpaw24 13h ago
They don’t, see issue mentioned in original post. Some vehicles turn off the daytime running light when signal on that side is used. The WK2 Grand Cherokees with HID headlights do this, among many others. I highly doubt there is any vehicle that turns off the headlight when a turn signals are used if the headlights are properly turned on at night (unless there’s use of additional lighting from fog lights, etc.).
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u/Buckus93 13h ago
It's only when the headlights are off. When the headlights are in the "on" position, they stay on even if the turn signal is illuminated.
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u/SH4ZB0T 14h ago
Someone told me it was because the stock headlights on some newer vehicles are so bright in relation to the turn indicators that they turn off or dim the headlight so the turn light can be noticed.
Why they do not just adjust the headlight or signal lighting itself is beyond me. Maybe it is cheaper to fix with software?
3
u/DickWoodReddit 14h ago
Sure but if you only have that one headlight and it gets turned off.. you now have no lights.
I firmly believe all vehicles should be mandated to have full time lights on. If you start the car headlights and taillights are on.
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u/vivalacamm 13h ago
It is weird and unique. It also prevents the signal light from being drowned out by the surrounding headlight.
It's not really an issue with LED's but it's more leaning towards the uniqueness of it. You notice it because it is different. It is designed so you see that person signaling.
1
u/Supermite 13h ago
It’s your responsibility as a vehicle owner to keep your vehicle in good repair. If you only have one headlight, then it’s your responsibility to get it fixed. A lightbulb is a lot cheaper than a ticket or a car accident because you were negligent in maintenance of your vehicle.
-1
u/DickWoodReddit 13h ago
Many newer vehicles require whole unit replacement and that is a lot more than 8 dollars for a bulb.
0
u/Supermite 13h ago
And if your insurance doesn’t pay out because you were in an “at fault” accident?
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u/DickWoodReddit 12h ago
Idk what your point is.. that being poor is an expensive trap? Definitely so. You seem to be responding in a way that makes me believe you think I'm advocating for people to not repair their headlights which I have not done.
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u/mcboogle 14h ago
Some vehicles, particularly ford vans, have automatic sensors for the headlights.... but don't turn on any other lights. It's bonkers. It's way more dangerous than not doing anything .
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u/RockerElvis 11h ago
Do Nissans have those? Every time I see a car with LED front lights on but no rear lights it’s a Nissan Murano or Rouge.
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u/SithLordDave 13h ago
I'll admit I've done it. I didn't meant to but realized when I got on the highway and it was really dark.
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u/chocolatelover420 10h ago
Got gas one day and pulled out in front of a cop without my lights on. He even flashed his lights at me. (I thought it was to signal for me to pull out LOL) nope. He was tryna tell me to turn my lights on and when he asked why i didn’t have the auto lights on… i told him i don’t want to be one of those idiots who only has their running lights on and cause an accident and that i usually turn them on right away.. i just didn’t notice cuz it was so bright at the gas station. He said he never thought of that before. He gave me verbal warning 🤣
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u/Jay18001 14h ago
I think the amount of people that take their lights out of auto is to dam high
1
u/mandy009 11h ago
I'm a simple person. I like mechanical knobs and switches, so I'll go out of my way to do things manually.
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u/Jay18001 11h ago
Most of the cars, not teslas, I’ve driven have had the light selector have a spot for auto then on and bright or whatever
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u/vivalacamm 13h ago
If you are someone who turns off their Automatic Headlights. FOR LITERALLY ANY REASON.
You are the problem.
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u/driftking428 14h ago
My last two vehicles turn the lights on and off for me. I can also manually override if needed.
All manufacturers should do this.
2
u/rantheman76 14h ago
Automatic lights are a disaster, they often don’t turn on if it rains and at dusk. The lack of shining rears is dangerous.
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u/1white26golf 14h ago
Automatic lights don't prevent you from manually turning them on. Better than all manual lights. Just think how many more vehicles wouldn't have lights on at all.
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u/classicpilar 13h ago
my 2018 hyundai, which can be stolen with a plastic cafeteria knife probably, has its light switch set to "ON" effectively permanently, regardless of daylight or weather condition.
the car shuts them off automatically after like... 2 minutes of killing the engine, and immediately once the key is removed from the ignition. i start the car, lights are on. i get out of the car, lights are off. no further intervention needed from me.
it's hard to believe that either more cars aren't equipped with equivalent functionality, or that drivers aren't using it.
1
u/userhwon 11h ago
Most will have more like a 5 minute delay. Because you may need that light after you're out of the car. Having it stay lit while you're sitting there doing nothing, but go dark as soon as you leave, is pretty mean.
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u/SinkHoleDeMayo 13h ago
Also, the number of people driving cars (like Teslas) that can't figure how the fucking auto high beam functions is too damn high.
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u/Acadia02 12h ago
My car just has its lights on whenever the car is on…I always thought that setting was my drls
1
u/Thendofreason 12h ago
I turn my lights on and off every time I get in the car. My hands just does it without thinking as if the car won't run without it
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u/crispyraccoon 12h ago
Where I live there's probably more people with high beams on all the time. Even during the day. Even on well lit streets. I just wanna throw rocks out my window when they go by.
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u/LeadingMaleficent470 10h ago
People are dumber and getting dumber. And if you don’t notice that, I’ve got bad news for you
1
u/Je3ter62 8h ago
Full lights all time, should be no option to turn them off or just day time runners
1
u/lacrosse1991 14h ago
I feel like It’s more just the drivers being idiots and turning off their automatic headlights. I’m sure people would be rioting in the streets if manufacturers took away the option to turn off automatic headlight functionality though, or at least made it require an override whenever the vehicle is restarted.
0
u/agbishop 14h ago
Our State has annual safety inspections which includes headlight tests. Occasionally, my car is returned to me with the headlight switched from Auto to OFF (probably because they had to flip it around during the test). I bet a lot of people never check that after the inspection.
4
u/madeformarch 14h ago
Mechanics will do the same thing, at least every time I've taken my car in I get it back with the lights set to OFF. For separate reasons, I've learned to do a self inspection of my vehicle any time I get it back from someone else's possession.
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u/agbishop 14h ago
good point. Maybe they don't want headlights shining in their eyes or other mechanics while working on the car. I can see that.
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u/madeformarch 14h ago
Yeah, can definitely be hazardous considering how bright the lights are. I come to expect it, now
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u/boondoggie42 14h ago
Part of the problem is dashboards that are always illuminated. It used to be that you'd notice your dash was dark as you pulled out of that well-lit parking lot... Now you have to look for a little hieroglyph somewhere on the dash to tell you the lights are on or off.