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.
AFAIK, parking lights only are illegal at any time
That must be the reason. Good. People need illumination but run only parking lights, when they are not parked, think they are saving electricity. They probably put bricks in their tanks to save gas.
Daytime running lights are stupid
“it is clear that they don’t put turn signals in SUV’s any more.”
You woiuld think using a turn signal was hard labor, too many people don’t use them.
My husband turns his on too late, but he is getting better about that, due to my gentle reminding.
Just so I’m clear, let me verify what you mean. The headlight switch in my cars have always had three positions. Off, Parking Lights, and On.
1) Off=Off, or if there’s a sensor then it turns the headlights on automatically at night.
2) Parking Lights=Amber lights in the front and red lights in the back.
3) On=Headlights and amber lights in front and red lights in rear.
So are you saying that when you put the headlight switch into position # 2, “Parking Lights,” there’s amber lights in the front but no red lights in the back?
Parking lights? What for?
—
If you want to add it, I think this article should show you how. Evidently the wiring is already in place to make it work..
How to install a euroswitch on 2010 VW Golf, 2011 VW Jetta (and newer)
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a6/euroswitch-drl-vw-golf-jetta.htm
That being said, this may come as a shock to residents of Riverside, Illinois, who (the last time I checked) still have to have their parking lights on if they park on the street after dark.
“parking lights only are illegal at any time”
Then why do they put them on the more expensive cars?
I remeber that they didn’t start putting rear parking lights on VW Bugs until 1966. I had a ‘60. Never needed them.
Why are most indicator lights RED like brakes now? So now I have to wait ~1sec to tell if someone is indicating, or if they have a light error.
indicator lights should be ORANGE.
In conjunction with headlights, they’re fine, or if you are parked.
But you’re never supposed to drive with parking lights.
They don’t put gas pedals in mini vans.
Our car only has OFF and a symbol for headlights - only TWO choices. (We have no AUTO on this car).
If you’re driving with your parking lights on, does that make sense? I always thought it dumb.
Driving with only parking lights makes as much since as driving on a parkway or parking in a driveway.
P.S. The running lights (or daytime lights) come on whenever we start the car, but they ONLY light up in front, NOT the rear.
I’ve never had an occasion to turn on “parking” lights in my 53 years of driving!
A total waste.
58 years.
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