YADT: Sunset and headlights

[NiteWulf]

If you don't need your headlights to see, don't turn them on. Fine, fine, leave them on during the day if you want, but not when the sky is just starting to dim. When the sun is going down, the amount of ambient light is decreasing while yor headlights remain as bright as ever. It gets to the point of looking straight into a spotlight. That's a problem. If the sky is starting to dim, your lights should be off. If it is getting difficult to see other cars, your lights should be off. You should still be able to see the road, signs, pedestrians, etc. just fine. Cars tend to blend in with the road and shadows better for some reason, so turn on your yellows. Don't have yellows? That's fine, just make sure your headlights are properly adjusted. Properly adjusted means that they are pointed very slightly downward, not straight ahead.

If you have headlights and those low-slung lights (the kind that go beneath the bumper) use one or the other, not both. Two sets of lights is about the same as one set of brights. It's too bright for opposing traffic. Use them when you need them.

Don't use your brights when opposing traffic is present.


Cliff's:
1. If you don't need your headlights, don't use them.
2. Use your yellows (running lights)
3. Don't use your brights when opposing traffic is present.

 

[Viper GTS]

I happen to like my car to be as visible as possible.

My lights are on all the time, day or night.

And I'll be getting a wiring harness soon to make sure my Osram Silverstars get their full voltage.

I will, however, dim my brights for you.

Viper GTS

 

[rh71]

what about cars which have daytime running lights ?

 

[FeuerFrei]

I've noticed headlight glare makes it harder to detect cars that don't have their headlights on. You notice that more when it's dim and not everyone has their lights on yet.

 

[NiteWulf]

Originally posted by: rh71
what about cars which have daytime running lights ?

I am currently under the impression that daytime running lights run at half voltage, so they wouldn't be as bright (my mom's Saturn, which is the only DRL car I've driven, ran at half voltage). That's fine with me. If they run at full voltage, that can't be helped.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: NiteWulf

Originally posted by: rh71
what about cars which have daytime running lights ?

I am currently under the impression that daytime running lights run at half voltage, so they wouldn't be as bright (my mom's Saturn, which is the only DRL car I've driven, ran at half voltage). That's fine with me. If they run at full voltage, that can't be helped.

Yes, AFAIK DRLs run at about 40% output during the day.

 

[NogginBoink]

I hate people who drive with their parking lights on. I find it much harder to see those cars than cars with either no lights or headlights on.

These guys seem to agree.

 

[xgsound]

Lights are not only so you can see. They are also to be seen by others. In times of poor visibility (rain, dawn, dusk) it is commonly recommended to use headlights, and required in some (? New Hampshire ?) states. When you can't see cars in the shadows that sounds like the exact time people should turn thier headlights on.

Parking lights are supposed to indicate a parked vehicle, not a moving vehicle. In many states it is illegal (not inforced that I know of) to drive with parking lights on at any time.

I've never experienced the glare you speak of at dawn or dusk. At night , now that I'm older, it is becoming a problem particularly in the rain. The only solutions I've found is to keep the windows clean inside and out (cuts glare alot) and drive less at night.


Jim