Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Roger-hatchy]

Tucker had swiveling headlight in 1948.

[emmerson]

This is one of my pet hates. In fact I'd say its number One pet hate.

But,( and this is not to excuse the brain-dead morons who drive without lights,) as my neighbour pointed out to me,on some modern cars, the dashboard lights up when you turn on the ignition. So, are drivers being fooled into thinking their lights are on when they're not?
As has been said, Volvo have had daytime lights since the sixties, so why can't everyone else?
Regarding new DRLs, which come on when the engine is running, we now have a new problem - cars with no REAR lights, because the DRLs are only on the front.
In 1958, when I passed my test, I remember the instructor telling me that if I need lights, then I need dipped headlights, not PARKING lights.
And as for the cars with only one headlight, well, I think I'd better go and lie down now, cos me blood pressures going through the roof just thinking about it!!

[Peter_L]

Emmerson: "as my neighbour pointed out to me,on some modern cars, the dashboard lights up when you turn on the ignition. So, are drivers being fooled into thinking their lights are on when they're not? "Our moderns all have that feature, but we have the light switch set to auto therefore no great problem. however... a note to the wise.

We were recently in Las Vegas and rented a 2013 Fusion, we don't have one so it is not a car we are familiar with.

It is dark as we leave the car hire, the rev/odo/gauge panel is lit up and the headlights are on, but as we proceed down the road and out of the parking lot lights I realise that the heater/gear/and switches are not illuminated. Also the light switch is not illuminated, and in the dark I can't find it. I turned into a nearby parking lot and located the switch, which is "OFF", it is not "Auto" and it is not "On".

The next evening we called the valet to bring up our car, and set out down the strip, after only a few hundred yards I noticed that once again only the instrument lights were lit, not the others. Switch is "OFF" ???

It happened again before realising that the valet parkers turn off the lights. This is because when they leave the vehicle, if the switch is in auto, the lights stay on for a minute or so, but rather than check if the switch is auto or manual, their instructions are to turn all lights to "OFF"

So what, once upon a time, was a simple function, has now become a multi choice operation. If we are going to have this technology. then maybe an extra step is required. Engine on + dark+ no lights, give me a bleep - bleep -bleep. I mean I get it for everything else. Low screen wash, low oil, oil change, seat belt, brake wear, door open, too close to guy in front or wall behind, service due, wife phoned, ... dinner is in the dog.

[Churchill Johnson]

[Roger-hatchy]

Essex Police have their own laws.

I reported someone completely blocking the pavement with their car and got threatend when I asking them to move.

When the police officer arrived I was informed it is not illigal to park on the pavement as she dose it all the time.

[Keith D]

Here in Western Australia we have the powers that be trying to get everybody to drive with headlamps on during the day. Bearing in mind that our summer days are REALLY bright to start with, it seems rather pointless. The cars certainly don't stand out any more than those without lights on.

Unfortunately the people that follow this suggestion mostly drive on main beam plus driving lights full on. They blind you even in bright sunshine!

Keith D

[Salopian]

[Roger-hatchy]

Willys Knight had a swiveling centre headlight in 1928.

[Churchill Johnson]