by "PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
Published 03/15/2017 at 11:50
by "PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
Published 03/15/2017 at 11:50
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STARS: 1
Few things on this list today
1) Snowblower not snowblowing. New belt installed recently... no bueno. I think it may be an inch too long. Worked for a bit... but started slipping. Have new belts in hand. Will do some wrenching today.
2) Not snow related. Daytime running lights. At first glance, they are great. Make light in front of car for driver to see better. HOWEVER, why are they not turning on tail lights? I can’t tell you how many cars I see driving around with just their headlights on thinking they are visible. Dashboard is illuminated which makes them think their lights are on, and yes, they are on at the front of the vehicle, but rear is darker than my soul. WHY?
3) Back to snow - Travel ban. No matter what capabilities my car has - 4wd, snow tires, winch, crane, inflatable raft, shring ray... no one cares. TRAVEL BAN
"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
03/15/2017 at 11:56, STARS: 0
The rear lights thing has perplexed me as well. I don’t think people realize their rears aren’t on, and just cruise along in inclement weather. And it can be quite difficult to see them.
"Svend" (svend)
03/15/2017 at 12:01, STARS: 1
If you’ve a VAG car you can code them to come on using VCDS.
But ye’, you’d think it would be standard.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
03/15/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 1
DRLs aren’t meant to use to see with, they’re meant to use to be seen with. (Which is why in many cars, they’re a separate light from the main one, or occasionally they’re reduced power high beams.)
I’d be OK with cars being mandated to follow motorcycle lighting rules, though - the only control you get is low vs. high beam, the headlight and taillight are always on.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
03/15/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 1
Another factor is that in older cars, even with DRLs, instrument cluster lighting wouldn’t come on, unless you had at least the parking lights on, if not everything.
In many modern cars, the instrument cluster is always lit. So, the ability to read the cluster no longer serves as a headlight status indicator.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
03/15/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 0
If they are meant so the user is seen, tail lights should be on too.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
03/15/2017 at 12:52, STARS: 0
In my new truck there is a cluster indicator of when the DRLs turn off and headlights turn on. A cursory search can’t find a pic, but it’s a green indicator of lights shining left and right (probably to indicate front and rear). We have auto lamps so I don’t even care one way or the other, but I do hope others are putting in a dash indicator for when lights are on like this truck has.
Alternatively, just mandate that all new cars have to have all lights on as default. Include a lights-off mode so people can still creep (or make their own goddamn decisions without the goddamn guvmint intervening, get off their property). At least that way people have to make a conscious decision to drive like a toolbag.
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"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/15/2017 at 14:46, STARS: 1
On #2, this is a pet peeve of mine also, ever since I got a TICKET for having no tail lights, driving a friend’s car in a city area where a) there was so much street lighting that I didn’t need headlights anyway (of course I thought they were on) b) the DRLs were, of course, ON, and c) the dash was illuminated so how would I know the lights weren’t fully on?
I also had a distant relative visiting who complained that his rental car’s high beams wouldn’t stay on for the ENTIRE 120 mile drive from Boston to our place. Push, pull, nothing. I said, I’ll bet you a million bucks your tail lights weren’t on this whole time. He said, “hey now that you mention it, a few people flashed me with high beams from behind and I didn’t know why.” He went out to his rental and sure enough, the headlight switch was OFF.
On #3 - this must be in an area that doesn’t get a lot of snow normally? I can’t imagine New Hampshire doing this. Hell, my wife works for the State and had to drive her normal ~100 mile commute to work yesterday. And no, she doesn’t work for DOT or anything like that.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
03/16/2017 at 06:12, STARS: 1
News broke late yesterday that politicians were told snow wasn’t going to be as fierce as initially thought. They decided to keep the travel ban in place and keep telling people it’s gonna be bad - so not to confuse public. Cuz we is duh umb. So 1) no one will listen to weather reports anymore. 2) no one will adhere to a travel ban anymore.
As for DRL - would it have been so hard to flip the tail lights on with DRL for manufacturers? I think not.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
03/16/2017 at 08:01, STARS: 0
Snowblower blowed again... until I ran into a doggo bone in the snow and bent an auger. fun times
"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/16/2017 at 09:37, STARS: 0
That’s what I don’t understand. My wife’s old Volvo had a setting on the lights that was just “ON” anytime the car was running. You could switch them off if you wanted to. My last several cars, including GMC and BMW have had just automatic lights. Dark out? Lights are on. Simple. WTF. DRLs are the most half-assed, half-baked idea. Let’s make ONLY the front of the car safer.