Driving lights V fog lights

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by 79F100

Biggest problem with all lights is adjustment.
Most people out on the open road at night are traveling a bit further than normal for them so are more likely to load up the boot. Worst offenders are normally 4x4 owners who seem to compensate for the added load by simply fitting brighter lights.

The amount of modern 4x4 vehicles that do not have even manually adjustable headlight height is unbelievable.
It's 2018, most cars should have auto adjustable ones by now.
I'm sure many people who do have manually adjustable headlights don't adjust them when they load up the back anyway.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by prydey

Are you sure they are factory?

They must dim to meet current ADR's. As mentioned, there are some technicalities with ways they can get around it depending on how the light functions, and its brightness, and how it's switched etc, but they still need to meet ADR's.

Originally Posted by Ben73

I couldn't care less about front fog lights. 99% of them are fine and 1% are a bit too bright.

I cannot stand rear fog lights on clear nights. It makes me want to throw my high beam on while driving behind them. especially new cars with LED rear fog lights.



I haven't noticed that. Do you recall what models? All the cars I drive with stock DRLs either dim to be parking lights, or completely black out ones the headlights are switched on.

Here is one model that does not dim DRL which is just as bright as the headlights, Nissan QASHQAI
Not sure about the Mitsubishi ASX but its DRL looked very bright with headlights on.


An interesting article from Vicroads website might explain why DRL's are not dimmed

Daytime running lights are designed to switch on automatically when the engine starts and switch off automatically when fog lights or headlights are switched on. Some vehicles have the ability to adjust daytime running lights to become part of the headlight system. They produce minimal glare in comparison to driving lights and fog lights when used correctly.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safe...driving-lights

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Officemanager

Here is one model that does not dim DRL which is just as bright as the headlights, Nissan QASHQAI
Not sure about the Mitsubishi ASX but its DRL looked very bright with headlights on.


An interesting article from Vicroads website might explain why DRL's are not dimmed

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safe...driving-lights

They should still dim. That's what the Vic roads quote is saying. Not all turn off, some adjust to be part of the headlight assembly. They should still dim.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by prydey

They should still dim. That's what the Vic roads quote is saying. Not all turn off, some adjust to be part of the headlight assembly. They should still dim.

I found no reference in the ADR to dimming but not disputing that but I've seen these two vehicles in the day and night and honestly if they do dim I cannot pick it.
With some oem DRL's on cars they are sure different to each other on their functions.


Cheers.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Officemanager

I found no reference in the ADR to dimming but not disputing that but I've seen these two vehicles in the day and night and honestly if they do dim I cannot pick it.
With some oem DRL's on cars they are sure different to each other on their functions.


Cheers.

Dimming is how the manufacturer gets around having them stay on. The ADR states they must turn off with headlights on. By dimming, they are no longer classed as a DRL. This is most cars that have them incorporated in the headlights.

[stig_3754]

Originally Posted by Officemanager

I found no reference in the ADR to dimming but not disputing that but I've seen these two vehicles in the day and night and honestly if they do dim I cannot pick it.
With some oem DRL's on cars they are sure different to each other on their functions.


Cheers.

Look at those cars at night without the headlights on and just the DRLs on and you'll see the difference. DRLs at night (fully powered, not dimmed) are dazzlingly bright.

[nstg8a]

Given the myriad of different lighting options these days I really think most cops just put the fog light/drl/driving light issue in the too hard basket unless you fail the attitude test.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by stig_3754

Look at those cars at night without the headlights on and just the DRLs on and you'll see the difference. DRLs at night (fully powered, not dimmed) are dazzlingly bright.

My pet hate is seeing people drive at night with DRLS only one ... thinking it's bright enough to not turn headlights on.

Not sure if they realise that tailights and numberplate lights do not light though ..... so on a dark road ... you don't see the back of said vehicle.

mainly new Honda Civics I see doing this.

[stig_3754]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

My pet hate is seeing people drive at night with DRLS only one ... thinking it's bright enough to not turn headlights on.

Not sure if they realise that tailights and numberplate lights do not light though ..... so on a dark road ... you don't see the back of said vehicle.

mainly new Honda Civics I see doing this.

Agreed. I shake my head every time I see this. Either they think their headlights are on automatically or they're just plain ignorant. I don't know which is worse.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by prydey

Dimming is how the manufacturer gets around having them stay on. The ADR states they must turn off with headlights on. By dimming, they are no longer classed as a DRL. This is most cars that have them incorporated in the headlights.

Originally Posted by stig_3754

Look at those cars at night without the headlights on and just the DRLs on and you'll see the difference. DRLs at night (fully powered, not dimmed) are dazzlingly bright.

Thanks guys I understand what your saying, I was under the impression DRL always switch off or dimmed real low.
Must admit when I looked the Nissan QASHQAI the DRL was positioned to compliment the headlights when I viewed it the other night.


Cheers.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by stig_3754

Agreed. I shake my head every time I see this. Either they think their headlights are on automatically or they're just plain ignorant. I don't know which is worse.

With modern cars, the dash lights are always on, as they come on with ignition, so there is a good chance these people aren't even aware they have no lights on. I realise most cars also have auto lights but it surprises me how many people clearly don't have them on that setting.

I do shift work and drive at night every day and I would see at least one car every day driving without lights on.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by stig_3754

Look at those cars at night without the headlights on and just the DRLs on and you'll see the difference. DRLs at night (fully powered, not dimmed) are dazzlingly bright.

I believe it's because they throw light forward in every direction, while headlights aim the whole light beam lower.
DRL's are probably no brighter than headlights overall.

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

My pet hate is seeing people drive at night with DRLS only one ... thinking it's bright enough to not turn headlights on.

Not sure if they realise that tailights and numberplate lights do not light though ..... so on a dark road ... you don't see the back of said vehicle.

mainly new Honda Civics I see doing this.

I have driven at least 5 different models of car with running lights and not one has been bright enough to compensate for a lack of headlights at night.
I can somewhat understand people not realizing around town on well lit roads, but I did see some brain dead idiot driving down a rural highway with no streets lights at 1am with nothing but DRLs on.
I flashed them multiple times while approaching behind, when in front of them I even quickly switched my headlights on and off.
I continue off into the distance and see another car coming up behind them flashing their lights. Some people have no hope no matter what you do.

I sometimes see cars that have one foglight come on when the indicator on that side it turned on. I wonder how much of a difference that actually makes whee turning at night.
Some look like they are next to the foglight so some sort of dedicated turn light I guess?

[Tonz]

this has been informative and interesting.

My question has been very clearly answered by local SA people. thanks.end of thread before we get into more of the usual nit picking, 'I said...you said' that often happens.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I believe it's because they throw light forward in every direction, while headlights aim the whole light beam lower.
DRL's are probably no brighter than headlights overall.

DRL's are designed to be seen, not for seeing, so they have very little by way of reflector, which is what projects the light away from its source.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I have driven at least 5 different models of car with running lights and not one has been bright enough to compensate for a lack of headlights at night.
I can somewhat understand people not realizing around town on well lit roads, but I did see some brain dead idiot driving down a rural highway with no streets lights at 1am with nothing but DRLs on.
I flashed them multiple times while approaching behind, when in front of them I even quickly switched my headlights on and off.
I continue off into the distance and see another car coming up behind them flashing their lights. Some people have no hope no matter what you do.

I sometimes see cars that have one foglight come on when the indicator on that side it turned on. I wonder how much of a difference that actually makes whee turning at night.
Some look like they are next to the foglight so some sort of dedicated turn light I guess?

You can easily drive at night with fgx daytime lights, in some ways they are better than the headlights on dark country roads.

[Smithy1987]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I sometimes see cars that have one foglight come on when the indicator on that side it turned on. I wonder how much of a difference that actually makes whee turning at night.
Some look like they are next to the foglight so some sort of dedicated turn light I guess?

My 97 Fairlane has dedicated cornering lights in place of fog lights in the bumper, they are nearly as effective as having a candle at each corner! Took me a while to realise what they actually were, I had to ask the previous owner as I thought they were fog lights but I couldn't find the switch to turn them on!

[brosk1s]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Given the myriad of different lighting options these days I really think most cops just put the fog light/drl/driving light issue in the too hard basket unless you fail the attitude test.

Really I think this is it. There's no part on the front of the car apart from the indicator that hasn't been used as a DRL legally somewhere by a manufacturer.

Low-beams: Ford's own DRL kit popular with Telstra, Volvo's standard headlights always being on etc.
High-beams (50% power): Older generation VW hatchbacks, etc.
Parking lights (200% power): Current low-trim VW hatchbacks, current Toyota Hilux, etc.
Fog-lights: Some low-trim Subarus and FM Mustangs, etc.

The fog light being on as cornering lights also makes a massive difference (like on our KL Cherokee), makes the ground immediately close to you more than twice as bright... pretty much artificial daylight at that point.