What are these use for?
Can you give me examples of situations where the may be needed or how you use them?

Thanks,

J

 

There are two forms of "Parking Lamps"

1. Traditional American style. Low wattage lights front and rear that stay on when the car is turned off to show show where the car is.

2. European Style. By Pushing the signal stalk to left turn or right turn it turns on only the parking lights on that side of the car.

The euro style is required in most of Europe when parking on the side of rural roads. I.E. along narrow farm roads etc. to show where the street side of the car is. Many Europeans use these even in large communities that do not have street lights to make sure that others can see the car during hours of darkness.

You probably will never have the use for the Euro Style, and i never remember ever using the American style either. At least for its intended purpose.

 

I use my parking lights in dawn/dusk situations where you can get away without headlights but want your taillights to come on to make you more noticeable.

 

i use the parking lights all the time. i personally don't like to be blinded by headlights so as a courtesy i switch down to parking lights only when pulling into driveways or in situations where i'm pointing straight at someone's house.

i also use them in dawn/dusk situations as well. especially when it's light out enough to see cars, but not the interior displays (speedo/tach)

 

"also use them in dawn/dusk situations as well. especially when it's light out enough to see cars, but not the interior displays (speedo/tach)"

Headlights are a good idea at dusk in order to be better able to see pedestrians, kids, cyclists etc. I understand your concern for courtesy, but safety should override and your headlights should be on.

 

Now I am not saying stop doing it but in most states it is illegal to be moving with only the parking lights on.

I.E. in Massachusetts the law states the at sundown you must turn on your driving lights, and that you may not use only your parking lights. Most cops will not stop you but beware in places like back woods Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky etc.

 

I understand we all have a use for the running lights which I use alot on dark raining / snowy days. Are there users of the parking lights that can only be activated when the vehicle is off and in park?

J

 

So there won't be an empty hole where the fog lights go (If you're a cheap s*** like me who didn't want to spend the money on fogs).

 

nope, since the new models integrate the fogs and the running lights into the same hole, it'll be filled in no matter what.

 

I have used parking lights (the European style) here in the US when parking in certain places. When my car 'sticks out' a bit further than other things/cars.

charlie

 

Where are you parking your MINI, with the skateboards?

 

One was where a fence did not stick out enough to protect the car from errant drivers. The other was when I took the only space left (which was probably not a legal parking place) and it was not as wide a space as the others.

Neither of these were with the Mini. One was a 240Z the other a WRX.

charlie