Why do cars still have parking lights?

Since 1968, parking lights have been produced on the same wiring system as headlights and used concurrently with them as an additional means of illuminating a vehicle. Their main purpose is to make cars more visible from the side.

Are parking lights and reverse lights the same?

One can and should leave them on if parked alongside an unlit road/street (they won’t drain the battery too much), hence their name. Reverse lights are white lights that come on when the driver is engaging the reverse gear. This indicates the vehicle is going or soon going to go backwards.

Why do my reverse lights come on in park?

GM’s reason behind the feature is to illuminate the surrounding area for drivers to avoid various things on the ground, be it a spill, puddles, holes, you name it. In GM vehicles, the lights meet all of these regulations, and when the illuminate while parked, they’re not breaking any rules, either.

Why do new cars have one reverse light?

Therefore there are two reverse lights to maintain symmetry. European law says that there must be one reverse light and one rear fog light. Car companies either have to give 2*2 reverse and fog light. So to save the cost car companies have one reverse light and one rear fog light which fullfills the law also.

Which lights are parking lights?

Parking lights are located at the front and back of your vehicles; they are white or amber in the front and red on the back.

Is a reversing light a legal requirement?

By law a reversing light is classed as an optional light and not an obligatory light, therefore there is no requirment to have oner at all. However it goes on to state that if you do have an optional light fitted then it must comply with regulations which merely state, 1.

Are reverse lights required by law?

Reverse lights are required by law, so have a mechanic properly install the light for you to ensure everything goes smoothly.

What does a reverse light switch do?

The reverse light switch is a mechanical device used to control operation of the vehicle reverse lights. The switch is designed to complete the circuit when reverse gear is selected allowing reverse light operation (manual transmission only).

Why do German cars only have one reverse light?

The reason why many cars have only one reversing light is cheapness of conversion from LHD to RHD. It is mandatory to have a single rear foglight either in the middle of the vehicle or on the offside – thus a single foglight has to be moved from LHD to RHD.

Is one reverse light legal?

What is the purpose of a parking light?

Formerly, parking lights were run on a different electrical system, and were intended for use when cars were parked along narrow, poorly lit roads, to alert oncoming drivers to the presence of the parked car. In some regions of the world, they still serve this function.

Why do people leave their parking lights on at night?

Therefore, it became absolutely essential to keep the parking lights of one’s car switched on whenever it was parked on the side of a narrow road at night, so as to ensure that it was visible to other drivers passing by. During those days, the wiring of the parking lights, also known as sidelights, was independent of the headlamps of the car.

Should you turn your parking lights on when it’s dark?

Before switching on the parking lights, or in fact any lights of your car, always make sure you are familiar with the local driving norms. Apart from being charged a fine if you break the law, you will also be putting your precious car as well as your own self at risk especially if it is dark outside.

Why do GM cars have lights when parked?

In GM vehicles, the lights meet all of these regulations, and when the illuminate while parked, they’re not breaking any rules, either. Perhaps some owners like the feature, which can also help identify the car in a parking lot at night, but it’s understandable how frustrating it might be for other drivers.