Killboy failure Dragon Fest

[Tripped1]

Originally Posted by Roam

I'm pretty sure that my car's owners manual referred to them as driving lights. I checked my trucks manual and there they're referenced as parking lights.

It ued to be common for people to use their "driving lights" in the early evenings before headlights became necessary. I still do but I'm definitely in the minority.

I remember that vaguely.

Nowadays though, everyone has daytime running lights and or automatic lights.


I think I've used the lightswitch in my truck about 4 times in the last 6 months, usually if its pissing rain and its not quite dark enough to kick on the headlights, but I'll use the parking (I've always called them parking lights) lights if I'm using someone's driveway to turn around so I'm not blasting them with the main lights.

....and they aren't illegal to use pretty much anytime, they are federally required to be there that is why EVERY car/truck/van has a dedicated position on the switch ...at least not in the 8 or so states I've lived in since I got my license unless its dark enough that you are obligated by statute (usually visibility 300-500ft) to have your headlights on.

:edit

Wow Cali is special lol, I stand corrected.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24800.htm

[(none)]

Originally Posted by Tripped1

they are federally required to be there that is why EVERY car/truck/van has a dedicated position on the switch ..

Bzzzzt... You've obviously never owned a VW in the past 15+ years. They haven't had a "parking" light position in years.

The real park lamps are on european cars and are for when you leave your car on a dark alley. They have areas marked with signs designating that you need to leave lights on while parked there at night, probably something left from the days before reflectors. Just lights on one side of the car (the side facing the street) are left on. Usually turned on by the headlight switch or by just leaving the turn signal on after turning off the car. After activating it, i use it on my Golf on dark alleys around town when parked.

[orangebear]

well with my bike you cant turn the parking light on if the engine is running. as the starter key has three settings off parking light on. and to think i have never used the parking light onces on it.
i dont now about cars as the last car i owned did not have fog lights or reversing lights or spotlights fitted.

[BillR1150GS]

Originally Posted by Offcamber

I think he thought he was suppose to stay between the yellow lines....that's the motorcycle lane..

Just easing along but I agree, a little too close to the line. This one looks lioke I was heading for the woods.

[orangebear]

Originally Posted by BillR1150GS

Just easing along but I agree, a little too close to the line. This one looks lioke I was heading for the woods.

the rider should be over to the right of the lane to get a better view of the road.

[car94]

Every bike I have ever owned other than HD has a park light position just past the lock, They are for parking on the street not alleys in dimmly lit areas and in areas where you cannot get your vehicle off the road completley.

[Chromer]

Originally Posted by car94

Every bike I have ever owned other than HD has a park light position just past the lock, They are for parking on the street not alleys in dimmly lit areas and in areas where you cannot get your vehicle off the road completley.

And here I thought they were just a way to ensure you needed to buy a fresh battery every couple of years when you accidentally slipped the key past "lock".

[Alcan Rider]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

I remember years ago when I was taking my test to get my lisence in Alaska. It showed a picture of a car with them on and ask when is it OK to use them?
The answers were
1. At dawn
2. At Dusk
3. in poor light conditions.
4. When Parked

I answered #2 (wrong) and in big letters it told me WRONG... WHY DO YOU THINK THEY ARE CALLED PARK LIGHTS?

Yep. Became effective January 1 of '70 or '71 (no longer remember which) here in Alaska that parking lights alone were for parking, not for driving down the road. Yet you still see many, including professional truck drivers, who don't seem aware of that law.

[Ace100]

Originally Posted by Chromer

And here I thought they were just a way to ensure you needed to buy a fresh battery every couple of years when you accidentally slipped the key past "lock".

That's funny. I've found the exact same use for mine!

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

I remember years ago when I was taking my test to get my lisence in Alaska. It showed a picture of a car with them on and ask....

Originally Posted by Alcan Rider

Yep. Became effective January 1 of '70 or '71 (no longer remember which) here in Alaska that parking lights alone were for parking, not for driving down the road. Yet you still see many, including professional truck drivers, who don't seem aware of that law.

Many cars and trucks run them as a daytime running light. My Tundra runs them all the time and I can't turn them off. I'll look for some clarification.

[troidus]

I wish I could cut my main lights and leave the running lights lit when turning around in someone's driveway (or pulling into my own). What I have to do is turn off all my lights, instead. I don't like that.

I wish there were some kind of warning light on the dash indicating that the parking lights alone are illuminated. People will turn them on, then not switch over to full lights when it's fully dark, presumably because they can see their instrument lights and assume their headlights are on. Or they're completely clueless twits. Or both.

[troidus]

Originally Posted by Alcan Rider

Yep. Became effective January 1 of '70 or '71 (no longer remember which) here in Alaska that parking lights alone were for parking, not for driving down the road. Yet you still see many, including professional truck drivers, who don't seem aware of that law.

Yep. And now headlights are not just from sunset to sunrise, but also anytime visibility is less than 1000'. That doesn't mean people follow the law, even cops.

[spanky]

Originally Posted by PFFOG

N America , does not have more than a handful of paved switchbacks, by Europe definitions, and I don't think there is a single paved one in the Rockies, and none on the popular roads in the Smokies, you have to get off the beaten path to find anything close.

Not necessarily true. If you ever come out Colorado take state Hwy 67 out of the town of Florence and head towards Wetmore, CO, and then go over Wet Mountain Pass (short but incredible, you will thank me!) until you get to Hwy 165. Turn left onto 165 and head towards Rye, Colorado. The first twelve miles has two sets of paved switchbacks and many other sweet curves leading up to a quirky place called "Bishop Castle." That stretch of road reminds me of Europe, Germany in particular, and always satiates my need for twisty speed.

The rest of the road going into Rye is scenic and especially pleasant to ride in the Fall when the aspens are turning color.

[devo2002]

Am I the only one thinking "who gives a shit about parking/idling/daytime running lights on this thread"?

Somebody find me some killboy pics

[scmopar]

Originally Posted by lemieuxmc

What if you are parked in your driveway?

or driving down the parkway?