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donv · 12-20-2004, 11:13 AM

Parking lights in the US were intended to help you keep your car safe back in the days when tail lights did not include reflectors. If you pulled over in a dark spot and wanted someone to be able to see your car (remember this was back when headlights were much dimmer too), you'd turn on the parking lights.

Because they didn't include the headlights' drain, you could leave them on for a while to have folks see your car but still have enough battery left to start the car when you wanted to go.

Now that we have 4-way hazard/warning lights, most folks seem to use them for the same purpose, although in a less refined way (FLASH-FLASH-FLASH "See me now" vs Glooowww "Just remember I'm here"...).

12-20-2004, 11:13 AM	#10
donv Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: NW of Boston, MA Posts: 697	Parking lights in the US were intended to help you keep your car safe back in the days when tail lights did not include reflectors. If you pulled over in a dark spot and wanted someone to be able to see your car (remember this was back when headlights were much dimmer too), you'd turn on the parking lights. Because they didn't include the headlights' drain, you could leave them on for a while to have folks see your car but still have enough battery left to start the car when you wanted to go. Now that we have 4-way hazard/warning lights, most folks seem to use them for the same purpose, although in a less refined way (FLASH-FLASH-FLASH "See me now" vs Glooowww "Just remember I'm here"...). __________________ 2001 Lapis/Black/Black, PSM, Rear Speaker Kit, Optima... Last edited by donv; 12-20-2004 at 11:17 AM.