What is the middle headlight setting for?

[FleshLight]

The one where the yellow lights are on and the dash is lighted. Is it for when your headlights die out or something?

 

[Scouzer]

...don't be too vague or anything

 

[FriedPixel]

parking lights??

 

[Skeeedunt]

showin' off

 

[crab]

To make people ask stupid questions.

 

[ohtwell]

They are parking lights! I guess you could use them if you were driving into a parking spot, but you didn't want to have your headlights shining in through someone's window. I'm not sure how well they work for this, but it makes sense!


: ) Amanda

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: ohtwell
They are parking lights! I guess you could use them if you were driving into a parking spot, but you didn't want to have your headlights shining in through someone's window. I'm not sure how well they work for this, but it makes sense!


: ) Amanda

The common sense is strong in this one.

The parking light is really not actually used as such in modern driving. This name is more of a throwback to days gone by. When originally named, the parking light was used to illuminate a vehicle when it was parked, because streetlights and special off the road parking areas had not yet become common. Leaving your car parked on the side of a dark road without some warning of its presence was a hazard to both your vehicle, and to other drivers. The parking light was entirely separate from the headlight system. They were not lit when the headlights were turned on as they are in modern vehicles. The purpose of the parking light has changed over the years. Wider roads allowing room for on street parking with no obstruction of the driving lanes have made their original purpose obsolete. The parking light still serves an important function in driving safety, used more as a marker light to make vehicles more visible at night, especially from the side view. Such marker lights became mandatory in 1968, to improve safety and vehicle visibility on the roads. The parking light can also be helpful as backup lighting if you have a headlight burn out during driving. The glow of the parking light can help your vehicle be more visible to oncoming drivers even with only one headlight, making it easier for others to determine that a car, not a motorcycle is approaching.