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Not all cars sold in U.S. have parking lights. I was surprised!

Posted on 12/11/2010 7:04:09 PM PST by Sun

On our brand new 2011 Jetta, we just discovered a flaw,imo, no parking lights, only day-time FRONT lights (no lights rear of car). I was thinking that could be dangerous, because many people count on parking lights in the early dusk, and might think the day-time lights also have lights in the rear.

Some people also count on parking lights (with rear lighting) if they pull over to the side of the road, say with car trouble, and choose parking lights, rather than the hazard lights.

We thoroughly read the part on lights, so it won't be a problem for us, as we will only count on the regular headlights at night, but people who don't get a chance to read the vehicle's manual before they drive it might not know, so it seems to me it could be dangerous.

Otherwise, we really like the car, and it has lots of bang for the buck. We are on a tight budget, so got the least expensive Jetta, so the more expensive ones do have the parking light feature.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Travel
KEYWORDS: automobiles; autos; cars; jetta; vanity
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To: Elderberry

Yes!!!


41 posted on 12/11/2010 8:25:18 PM PST by dalereed
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To: Sun

Ask the dealer; they are probably broken. Seriously, I hate to break it to you, but you have made a monumental mistake in buying VW. They are without a doubt, the most laughably worst-built cars I could ever imagine. My wife drove one when me met, a Beetle. Re-engineered from the ground up means that they resolutely refused to do anything that common sense or 100 years of automotive history would tell any reasonable person to do. Changing a headlight lamp is normally a 2 minute procedure; in a VW Beetle, it’s about as much work as replacing a transmission.

They ran the electrical wires from the back of the car, through the middle of the car seats, right through the ash tray (which is in the back of the front seats, unaccessible to a front-seat passenger). Neither of us smoke, but any time anyone opened the ashtray for any reason (such as asking, “WTF is this the ash tray?), they’d pull out the wiring for the headlights. That’s right. The headlights’ wiring ran through the ashtray, which was in the back of the carseat.


42 posted on 12/11/2010 8:26:55 PM PST by dangus
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To: ConservativeChris

since i’ve never been to a drive up window and never will, you don’t have anything to worry about.

I don’t use them at the bank and I won’t eat at a fast food joint.


43 posted on 12/11/2010 8:26:55 PM PST by dalereed
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To: dangus

In all seriousness, it’s easier to change a battery in a Buick than a headlight in a VW. Let that sink in for a while.


44 posted on 12/11/2010 8:28:39 PM PST by dangus
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To: wally_bert
Never get behind (or anywhere near) a mini van with a woman driver w/ kids. Driving is the LAST thing she's thinking about or doing.

The only time I've seen a mini van do the speed limit, is on the back of a tow truck.

45 posted on 12/11/2010 8:35:47 PM PST by mountn man (The pleasure you get from life, is equal to the attitude you put into it.)
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To: dickmc

Building cars is about making money, not a good product.

Expensive parts are lucrative for manufacturers. Even V-belts of odd lengths. Crap.

There was a time when manufacturers made products that simply worked and parts were interchangeable between models.

No longer. It is just a scam now.


46 posted on 12/11/2010 8:35:57 PM PST by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.)
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To: qam1

Daytime running lights contribute to global warming.


47 posted on 12/11/2010 8:41:04 PM PST by idkfa
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To: mountn man

I have made the same observation many years back. When there is a traffic tie up/slowdown/annoyance, there is usually a minivan driver. Maybe someone could make a parody of the Beatles song Paperback Writer (which I like) and call in Minivan Driver.


48 posted on 12/11/2010 8:42:46 PM PST by wally_bert (It's sheer elegance in its simplicity! - The Middleman)
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To: bicyclerepair

Parking lights first appeared on cars in the late 30’s. Their original purpose was when parked or broken down on the side of the road to warn other traffic. People soon realized that they also offer slightly better visibility at dusk or dawn, as well as foggy and rainy conditions.


49 posted on 12/11/2010 8:43:18 PM PST by Impala64ssa
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To: hinckley buzzard

They’re catching up with honda then.


50 posted on 12/11/2010 8:47:20 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Conservative States of America has a nice ring to it.)
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It just drives me nuts when I see people driving at dusk with parking lights on. If you want to be seen turn on your flippin’ headlights!


51 posted on 12/11/2010 8:50:34 PM PST by white17x
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To: dalereed
I’ve never had an occasion to turn on “parking” lights in my 53 years of driving!

A total waste.

Night-time viewing program at Kitt Peak. When leaving, you have to drive the first few miles down the mountain without headlights. (to prevent interfering with ongoing observations) Fortunately I have a fair amount of experience driving in Mountains (day and night). Some of the other guest viewers were less than enthusiastic.

52 posted on 12/11/2010 8:51:47 PM PST by ThunderSleeps (Stop obama now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
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To: MarineBrat
The headlight switch in my cars have always had three positions. Off, Parking Lights, and On.
Unless of course we're talking about the old British sports cars, MG's, Truimphs, Austin Healeys, etc. The 3 positions on a Lucas headlight switch, flicker, dim and off. Ask anyone who restored one why they call Lucas the "Prince of Darkness".
53 posted on 12/11/2010 8:53:07 PM PST by Impala64ssa
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To: wally_bert

Try “Hey Little Minivan” by the Austin Lounge Lizards. Sung to the tune of “Hey Little Cobra.”


54 posted on 12/11/2010 8:54:15 PM PST by Clay Moore (The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2)
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To: wally_bert
Why is it the insist on driving in the left left?

10 mph BELOW the speed limit?

55 posted on 12/11/2010 8:55:04 PM PST by mountn man (The pleasure you get from life, is equal to the attitude you put into it.)
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To: wally_bert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wapkaBUaWlc


56 posted on 12/11/2010 8:59:51 PM PST by Clay Moore (The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2)
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To: Clay Moore; wally_bert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wapkaBUaWlc&feature=related


57 posted on 12/11/2010 9:01:35 PM PST by mountn man (The pleasure you get from life, is equal to the attitude you put into it.)
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To: Clay Moore; wally_bert

On Deadman’s Curve I used to shut ‘em down
I had the hottest muscle car in my hometown
I could burn rubber in all four gears
But I haven’t done that in a million years

Hey, little minivan, we’re goin’ to the grocery store

She’s got an automatic tranny with overdrive
And the radio’s tuned to Magic 95
She gets 30 miles on a gallon of gas
And I can schlep all the girls to gymnastics class
She’s got her headlights on both night and day
She’s the most practical value in the USA
She’s got cruise control, ABS and EFI
I keep her Michelins at 32 PSI

Hey, little minivan, we’re goin’ to the children’s museum

On icy mornings when I’m feeling my age
I’m protected and warm in my steel cage
Her climate control really pumps out the heat
And her dual air bags just can’t be beat
She’s rated real high by Consumer Reports
And her two front seats have got lumbar support
I’ve got the good driver rate and comprehensive insurance
And she’s loaded with electronic theft deterrents
Step away from the car, step away from the car
Step away from the car, step away from the car

We’re a wild and rowdy bunch when you pass us by
Bobby’s buggin’ baby sister and makin’ her cry
If I have to pull over someone’s gonna pay
And it was fun, fun, fun, till Bobby took her teether away
(Fun, fun, fun, fun)

Hey, little minivan, we’re goin’ to the pediatrician

Now the wife and I hardly ever date
‘Cause our baby sitter has to be home by 8
We hurry through dinner and go out and park
With the fold-down seats we can nap till dark
I dream of Barracudas and souped-up ‘Vettes
Crazy games of chicken and drag race bets
Then she wakes me up and says, “Honey, don’t be sad
Our van’s the classic Woody you never had”

Now if I ever get tired of my minivan
A red sports car will make me young again

Hey, little minivan, we’re goin’ to the grocery store
What did you do with the last one I gave you?
Hey, little minivan, we’re goin’ to the grocery store
Don’t make me come back there
Hey, little minivan, we’re goin’ to the grocery store
If Bobby jumped off a cliff, would you do that, too?
Hey, little minivan, we’re goin’ to the grocery store
Three kids, what were we thinking?

Go little Minnie Van Gogh
Little Minnie Van Gogh
Little Minnie Van Gogh


58 posted on 12/11/2010 9:03:36 PM PST by mountn man (The pleasure you get from life, is equal to the attitude you put into it.)
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To: Sun
don't all new cars have running lights on all the time???
59 posted on 12/11/2010 9:08:46 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: Impala64ssa

If it’s Lucas it’s total crap!!!


60 posted on 12/11/2010 9:09:38 PM PST by dalereed
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