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Headlight problems with modern cars?


Terrylmt
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NOTE: I am required by MCF forum software to pick a "Related Car Brand" - and hence went with the one which I see the most regular occurrence of. This is by no means a flame or "axe-to-grind" post.
 

Do you ever notice, ever so often, that a car's headlights are not turned on even though it is pitch black as coal in the sky?

 

I certainly do, and I confirm this by looking at the most obvious tell-tale sign - their rear license plate lights. If you notice, when you do turn on your headlights meant for illuminating the road ahead of you, your rear license lights will turn on. They will not turn on if you are on DRL (or low light) mode.

 

So why am I raising this topic? Because I am finding that more and more modern models from Honda, Toyota, etc. are traveling on the roads at night with no headlights on! And I attribute this to the fact that the instrument clusters of these vehicles are lit up regardless whether the headlights are on or not.

 

Back in the not-so-long-ago times, the instrument cluster would only light up if you turned your headlights on. But with the new digital instrument clusters, or forever-light-up-like-Christmas analog clusters - careless drivers are driving around without any lights, and potentially might cause harm to themselves, and other unwary/unobservant road users.

 

I keenly remember that my aunt's old Corolla Altis from 2004 already has auto-headlights as a default setting in the light stalk. Is it really that difficult to swivel it over to "A" for safety's sake? Also, no matter how cool or bright your DRLs are - they do not replace the headlights.

 

What do YOU think? Let's talk about that.

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I already started this Topic a year ago....Yes...many People never switch the Light Switch to Auto...


But some Driver thought their DRL is bright enough [thumbsup] ,so never switch on Lights,never know the back of their Cars,are totally dark... [bigcry]

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Yes indeed. I blame this as a design failure (for keeping the instrument clusters illuminated) regardless the light switched is on or not. Lexus started this concept and it is something I never felt any premium or safe about it because it just gave the drivers the wrong impression and resulting drivers not to on the headlights.

 

Despite having a small icon to indicate whether the lights are on or not, it is still not obvious enough as compared to the entire instrumental cluster.

 

I still feel that the illumination of the cluster should go hand in hand with the exterior lightings because that is the best indication the driver will notice if he didn't switch on the headlights.

 

Some of the modern car equipments, like all time illuminated instrument cluster and white light, especially xenon and LEDs, and Audi's sequential signal lights not necessarily for safety, they are more for "premium" feel for humans. As far as colour of headlight is concern, white colour is known for glaring and useless on heavy downpour and fog. Yellow is the friendliest for the eyes, rain and fog but well... Some "safety" design actually contradicts the actual safety.

 

On a final note, our roads are really well lit to the point where drivers don't find any difficulties in visibility even when they forgot to on the lights until they reached low lighting areas.

Edited by Heartbreakid
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I have a feeling someone will jump in and say "Singapore road is so bright, no need to one also can see"

 

There are self centred drivers. Thinking only that on headlights meant for themselves to see what's on the road.

 

Forgotten about other drivers might need to filter which will not be able to gauge the approaching speed of cars without headlights on.

Edited by Atonchia
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Turbocharged

I already started this Topic a year ago....Yes...many People never switch the Light Switch to Auto...

 

But some Driver thought their DRL is bright enough [thumbsup] ,so never switch on Lights,never know the back of their Cars,are totally dark... [bigcry]

Ya, seen some weird design.. DRL only the front..

Maybe aftermarket

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Cos people think set to Auto, later headlights spoil faster. Anyway, who cares if cannot see them right? Knock from behind is not their taiji. This is the selfish sinkie mentality.

 

Some drivers dont even know what the symbols mean on the dashboard, they can be driving around with high beams on.

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Twincharged

I have a feeling someone will jump in and say "Singapore road is so bright, no need to one also can see"

 

There are self centred drivers. Thinking only that on headlights meant for themselves to see what's on the road.

 

Forgotten about other drivers might need to filter which will not be able to gauge the approaching speed of cars without headlights on.

It’s the same uneducated bunch who wonder why motorcycles need to have their headlights on during the day.
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Worse these ppl if i behind them i flash headlight, if in front of them i on and off my light

 

 

But they are still goondu

They will be thinking your car auto headlights spoilt still don't want to change.
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Itâs the same uneducated bunch who wonder why motorcycles need to have their headlights on during the day.

Yes, this is really for safety.

 

This is worst during sunrise or sunset when the sun is behind us. Basically impossible to see clearly vehicles behind approaching if they never on head lights.

 

Thus lane changes during these timing and specific roads need to take extra precaution.

 

Switching on headlights during such timing allow other road users to see.

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It all boils down to kuku drivers! My car is not the latest, but the instrument panel is lit without having to turn on the lights! 

When turning on the lights/head lamps, the icon on the panel will be lit. So, there is not reason for not turning on the lights when it is dark!


Worse these ppl if i behind them i flash headlight, if in front of them i on and off my light


But they are still goondu

I do that whenever I come across any vehicles failing to turn on the lights, but, very few respond!

Edited by Fitvip
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It all boils down to kuku drivers! My car is not the latest, but the instrument panel is lit without having to turn on the lights!

When turning on the lights/head lamps, the icon on the panel will be lit. So, there is not reason for not turning on the lights when it is dark!

 

I did that whenever I come across any vehicles failing to turn on the lights, but, very few responded!

Only like 1 out of 10 lol

 

But i will still do it

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Should be quite obvious when you look in front while driving without headlights on at night. So to me it's more of a user issue.

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