MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Barrabart on July 05, 2012, 08:10:55 AM
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G'day all,
Just read becboo's post regarding safe driving on the PDR...... she mentions turning your lights on when travelling. Thought i'd raise the question to see how many on here actually make a habit of travelling with your headlights on during the day?
As for me i always do...... quite often i turn the headlights on out of habit even when driving around town, i don't realise i have them on till i pull into my garage.... I find it odd the amout of cars you pass during the day when out travelling who don't travel with lights on....... often wondered why?
Funnily enough, when i'm out and about with the family my mrs will often ask if i've turned the headlights on, even the kids from time to time ask...... maybe they think i need all the help i can get ;D.
Anyway, just wondering if you like to light up...... or if not, why??
:cheers:
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I always light up when ever i leave the metro area, or even when towing within the metro area, Not sure why, just something i have always done.
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If its overcast, wet crap day, yes i do,, long trips on country rd's, yes again,, but around the metro area i don't always have them on during daylight hours,,, but is a very good idea.. :cup:
BHG
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I always drive with my lights on, it is amazing how many people don't see a 2T white 4wd. It does get expensive when you use high end globes as I am lucky to get 6 months life out of them. I am trying to work out how to fit some ADR approved daytime running lights. Note I said ADR approved not the LED strips most rice boys fit.
US and EU have DRL fitted as mandatory
I am looking at these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110713799096 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110713799096)
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I always have my lights on.
When I stop the car and open my door the lights turn off automagically.
I dont really have a big reason why I do it, I just think I want to do everything I can to help other people see me.
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A great feature of the 100 series Cruisers is that you can leave your headlights turned on. When you turn the vehicle off and open the door the lights just go off. No chimes, they just go off. All vehicles should be configured like this.
This means I've hardly ever turned my headlights in 12 years. I believe they're a simple and effective safety measure.
More recently, since I fitted HID globes my behavior has changed. My RHS low beam doesn't fire properly so
I have to turn it off and on again to get it fired up.
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A great feature of the 100 series Cruisers is that you can leave your headlights turned on.
When you turn the vehicle off and open the door the lights just go off. No chimes, they just go off.
All vehicles should be configured like this. This means I've hardly ever turned my headlights in 12 years.
I believe they're a simple and effective safety measure.
Similar system is used with the Ssangyong Actyon SUV, when I start it the 'park' & fog lights (as in photo) come on, they go off when the diesel is turned off again.
The Ssangyong also has automatic night sensing head lights, so the head lights automatically turn on (if engine running) at night when it gets dark.
Like 'Jules' I never have to touch any lights, only the high/low beam selection lever, at night for the oncoming cars.
I also believe it's a safety measure that should be available as an option on all modern vehicles.
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A great feature of the 100 series Cruisers is that you can leave your headlights turned on. When you turn the vehicle off and open the door the lights just go off. No chimes, they just go off. All vehicles should be configured like this.
This^
My Commodore has the same feature, if in the future I get a car that doesn't I'm going to figure out how to make it do it.
I always have the lights on in other cars as well, increases visibility of my car without creating a distraction.
It also mentions it in all the training documentation for getting a licence in NSW as being safer. But I was doing it before that since my first car was a silvery colour, that blended in with overcast days and the parents car was charcoal.
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YES YES YES
The previous company that I worked for insisted that lights were to be used at all times. This was made very easy as the Subaru Forrester that I was provided with had the same feature as others, the lights turned off with the vehicle, so in effect I never turned them on for six years.
I think that when driving in the bush (and I spend most of my life driving around out there), it is an absolute must, when that drowsy feeling occasionally occurs (and lets face it, it does happen) seeing a set of head lights coming at you does alert your senses and keeps me going. I figure that if it does it for me, I hope same happens to the oncoming driver because my lights are on.
Cheers
Ray
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All the time
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My Commodore has the same feature, if in the future I get a car that doesn't I'm going to figure out how to make it do it.
My wife's FG Falcon has auto lights on, but I can't find out how to make them come on all the time. Regretably the headlights won't just go off when one locks the car and walks away if they're in the "on" position.
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I leave mine on all the time in the Prado it turns them off for me when I stop.
All my work cars have the lights hard wired so that when the engining running the lights are on.
But they are BMA complaint and they also need to have a 5 Star N Cap rating now as well.
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Regretably the headlights won't just go off when one locks the car and walks away if they're in the "on" position.
We regularly have to call out the RACV with our fleet of FG's because of this!
My old VX had a better system, a seperate "auto off" switch for the Headlights if left on. Much better than the ford system.
The only problem with auto on systems is that if your battery is a bit shonky, the reduced amount of current available may prevent you from starting the vehicle. My daughter found this out @ 5AM last (frosty) sunday morning in SHMBO's Aurion when departing a nightclub with a full load of mates. Lucky I wasnt the punter who had to go and rescue them ;D ;D Without the lights on, it may have had a chance of starting.
I dont rely on the auto on. I usually turn on my headlights when touring in areas I dont know or in reduced light conditions (overcast days). Caveat Emptor - I turn them on allways when travelling on dirt roads & 4x4 Trax.
I get really Pi$$ed off by others who dont put on any form of lighting in foggy/misty conditions. Even if youre only going 5 minutes down the road for the school run in the morning, put them on.
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Similar system is used with the Ssangyong Actyon SUV, when I start it the 'park' & fog lights (as in photo) come on, they go off when the diesel is turned off again.
The Ssangyong also has automatic night sensing head lights, so the head lights automatically turn on (if engine running) at night when it gets dark.
I also believe it's a safety measure that should be available as an option on all modern vehicles.
You may want to switch your fog lights off, as far as I'm aware it is not legal to use fog lights except in conditions of low visibility.
Like Jules I like the fact that the lights in my 100 series come on automatically with the ignition and are left on all the time, the GU patrol my wife drives does not and it's something I have am aware of when I drive it.
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Lights on is a good idea, we usually travel with them on out of town. But what pisses me off is those that drive around with their fog lights on when its not foggy. Not only are those bright lights really annoying but its also illegal. I also think HID lights should not be used for low beam.
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This is all very reassuring to hear......... like others have said i too have a 100 series..... i reckon the auto lights off when shutting down the vehicle and getting out is a great idea.... no reason to ever turn them off really. I reckon from now on i'm not turning them off again...... ;D
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You may want to switch your fog lights off, as far as I'm aware it is not legal to use fog lights except in conditions of low visibility.
It's standard with the Ssangyong Actyon SUV, so I would expect it obviously meets the Australian ADR's to be able to be registered in Australia ;D
Maybe they are not actually 'fog' lights but just driving lights, or bright parking lights ? ?
They are there, as seen in the photo, and come on when the 'parking' lights are switched on with-out the headlights, they remain on with the headlights too.
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Great idea, but I feel a lot have been burned by the old dead battery. Easy fix, turn your lights on, lock your door. Always reminds me. We have a 2001 camry wagon that turns off the lights when you turn the ignition off. Didn't take them long to link that up eh? It's grey/silver metallic so I usually drive with the lights on. the Triton has a light alarm but there is a batch of gremlins in it and half the time it doesn't sound, so it's the door lock on that one.
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Always......everything we drive or ride has Headlights on/off with the ignition key.
Cheers
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I don't use my headlights unless the law, circumstance or weather permits it.
Kit_e
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I make a habit of turning mine on when travelling.
Also my 80 makes that decision easy for me, as it was ex RTA it has the headlights wired up so they come on automatically after 10 seconds. If I want then off I just have to turn them on and then off via the switch.
I believe its better to be seen than T-Boned.
Regards
Jas
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I don't use my headlights unless the law, circumstance or weather permits it.
Kit_e
same
but its amazing how many people in dark cars early in the morning on wet days when theres tons of spray around CBF driving with their lights on.
even more suprising driving past Splingvale and seeing how many people drive the freeway without lights on or just parkers and wonder why they cant see.
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I have the reverse problem which is people driving in a residential area at night with their high beam on. If you can't see slow down don't put your high beam on >:(
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I have the reverse problem which is people driving in a residential area at night with their high beam on. If you can't see slow down don't put your high beam on >:(
Thats easy, pull in behind them and fire up every single light you have including your torch.
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Always on long drives the lights go on. Also in really low visibility like fog and heavy rain, the rear fog lamps come on (and only then). I've been in situations where you can't see the oncoming headlights of other cars, the weather's so thick, and some duffer has only put his parkers on.
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Yep, lights on for safety. Company policy at work is that headlights are to be on at all times. I drive a 22t truck & you would think it's invisible some days.
As for the personal car, as soon as we leave the town limits I throw the lights on. If the weather is crappy I turn them on as soon as I leave the house.
Cheers, Mike.
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I drive with my lights on all the time. The 80 had the auto off thing on all the time so I never really turned them off.
The Pootroll only has a chime to warn you they are on when the door is open and ignition off but I still have the lights on allllllll the time.
It pays to be seen. Every lil bit helps
Cheers
Nick
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Yep. I do. Like everyone else with a 100 series I leave them on. In the work ute I have to think about it.
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for around town stuff I dont bother, but out of the city most definatly. You can see a car coming a lot eariler with headlights on than off, which makes things much easier when your trying to overtake a road train
I cant figure out the fools who drive around the city at night with just parking lights on - what just because the road has street lighting means you dont need your headlights?
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I used to drive an 07 Toyota Hiace which had the odd feature of turning the dashlights on with ignition. I often thought I had my lights on when they weren't because the dash was lit up!
I'm a lights-on driver too.
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I cant figure out the fools who drive around the city at night with just parking lights on - what just because the road has street lighting means you dont need your headlights?
I can't understand people who drive around with their park lights on at all. PARK lights are for when you are PARKED. Thats why they're called that. They're not driving lights!
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I cant figure out the fools who drive around the city at night with just parking lights on - what just because the road has street lighting means you dont need your headlights?
People really do this? ??? ???
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I can't help think that if everybody drove with their lights on all the time, wouldn't this become the NORM & then we wouldn't see them? As it is, those with their lights on stand out.
That said, I do travel with them on as our BT is a dark colour.
HOWEVER, I do wish that those Numb Nuts that drive with their FOG lights on during the day would get more attention from the police.
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We do put the lights on all the time.... the Pulsar (town car) is quite small so gives us hope that we will be more easily seen most of the time and the Troll is Burgundy so its a must on that vehicle which seems to blend with the surrounds very easily.
I have the reverse problem which is people driving in a residential area at night with their high beam on. If you can't see slow down don't put your high beam on >:(
Briefly: In Victoria you can but must dip the headlights at the approach of another vehicle. In the more rural areas then must dip at 200 metres or when the approaching vehicle dips theirs... I'm sure Donuts will correct me if there has been a change in the legislation since I retired....
I also agree with the HID lights - mongrels for drivers of oncoming vehicles like the little pulsar!!!
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We always drive with our lights on, and if the dust is too bad, I will put my top spotlights on, allowing oncoming vehicles to see that someone is on the other side of the dust. I did have to go quickly off the road a couple of weeks ago, when a clown came through the dust of a road train, there is no way the driver could have seen through that dust.
Night driving around the Tanami at the moment is not a good idea, as the dust seems to be hanging around for a long time.
Tjupurula
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Our black Kia Sorento has the auto lights off feature so we tend to leave them on all the time.
In my old Hilux I had my fog lights set up with a 3 position switch, Park lights, off, High Beam. That way when I needed them in the fog they came on with the park lights & worked as they are meant to but out in the twisty windy roads I could have them on with high beam so they lit up the edges of the road & into corners better.
I quite often found the fog lights were better in city traffic as I had a lift kit on the Hilux & the normal low beam went straight in the back windows of most cars, flick the switch down to park & run the fogs & the problem disappeared.
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Briefly: In Victoria you can but must dip the headlights at the approach of another vehicle. In the more rural areas then must dip at 200 metres or when the approaching vehicle dips theirs...
No good if I am walking along the footpath. I took my P7 with me one night and returned fire. The driver stopped and said WTF, I said don't drive with your high beam on moron :)
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No good if I am walking along the footpath.
I took my P7 with me one night and returned fire.
The driver stopped and said WTF, I said don't drive with your high beam on moron :)
You were WALKING on the footpath, and you focused a P7 onto a car that's driving towards you
He possibly did not even see you on the footpath till you shone your light at him, no wonder he stopped and 'talked' to you
I'm impressed (not) >:D
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I have mine on 24/7.
Even during the day it is so much easier to spot someone if they have their lights on.
I think it should be compulsory - like it is in Sweden!
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Really is great to see all of us myswag members setting a great example on the road......... Light up and live!! :cup:
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In regards to WA use of fog lights, this is what the law says
ROAD TRAFFIC CODE 2000 - REG 183
183 . Using fog lights
(1) The driver of a vehicle fitted with a front or rear fog light shall not operate the front or the rear fog light unless the driver is driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility.
Points: 1 Modified penalty: 2 PU
(2) In fog or mist or in hazardous weather conditions restricting visibility, the display of light from a front fog light or front fog lights is sufficient compliance with any obligation to display a light from a head light or head lights under regulation 182.
(3) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, displaying light from a single front fog light, unless 2 lit lights, complying with the requirements of the Vehicle Standards, are fitted to the front of the vehicle.
Points: 1 Modified penalty: 2 PU
(4) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle displaying light from a front fog light or front fog lights, if any other light of a power exceeding 7 watts and capable of showing a white light to the front is alight.
Points: 1 Modified penalty: 2 PU
[Regulation 183 amended in Gazette 22 Dec 2006 p. 5820.]
So in relation to point 4 - use of fog lights is fine if you run them without the main headlights (thats the way I see it anyway)
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You were WALKING on the footpath, and you focused a P7 onto a car that's driving towards you
He possibly did not even see you on the footpath till you shone your light at him, no wonder he stopped and 'talked' to you
I'm impressed (not) >:D
x2
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In regards to WA use of fog lights, this is what the law saysSo in relation to point 4 - use of fog lights is fine if you run them without the main headlights (thats the way I see it anyway)
In my case. I really don't mind. Provided you are visible. That is the problem the majority don't have lights on up here. In dusty conditions it's best to have them on in daylight.
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Checked up on the Ssangyong website and the 'lights' in question are called "Integrated front fog lamps"
They do come on with-out the headlights being on, so maybe they are 'legal' :cheers:
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i too travel with lights on. the one thing that p!sses me off more than cars not using their lights during periods of low light is when TRUCKS do the same. i dont care how many LED clearance lights you have up the side, but if im coming toward you at 110km/h id like to see you. Where i am, if you drive around town at night, you need to use high beam. the young indigionab breatherand like to walk/ride bikes/play chicken/throw bottles in the middle of the road and WONT move. Its nice to see them first.
D4D, try some hi vis gear mate, or better still dont stare at the lights. :-*