Driving etiquette - Another driver's lights are off

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#1783573 17-May-2017 10:37

nzkiwiman:

... this is not the case in the 2014 Mazda 3 - however having the lights on immediately dims the touch screen/reversing camera making it impossible to see in conditions where it might be good to have lights on - so I can understand not wanting to turn on the lights if you want to play with the touch screen (though of course Mazda says you shouldn't use the touch screen when driving)

On the similar era Mazda 6, the odometer reset button doubles as a dimmer control for all the instrument lights; turning it fully to the right (ie clockwise) restores all such lights to full brightness, and also most importantly un-dims the main screen. (I find this is necessary for the period approaching dusk, where the auto headlights have turned on, despite being on the most conservative setting, but it's still relatively bright so I can't read the screen properly.)

Is there not a similar control for the 3? (Perhaps not, as your 3 will no doubt have the newer control system.)

tripper1000

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#1783588 17-May-2017 10:51

I sometime wonder if automatic headlights are a bit lacking.

I have noticed that on gloomy-foggy or overcast-rainy days when all the sensible drivers have their lights on, tail-lights on cars with auto-headlights will come on as the car drives under a bridge and then switch back off a few seconds later. I'm sure some cars auto-lights are smarter than this, but there are a lot that don't come on during visibility compromising weather.

alasta

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#1783604 17-May-2017 11:40

tripper1000:

I sometime wonder if automatic headlights are a bit lacking.

I have noticed that on gloomy-foggy or overcast-rainy days when all the sensible drivers have their lights on, tail-lights on cars with auto-headlights will come on as the car drives under a bridge and then switch back off a few seconds later. I'm sure some cars auto-lights are smarter than this, but there are a lot that don't come on during visibility compromising weather.

The sensitivity can be adjusted, but one would assume that a lot of drivers can't be bothered.

trig42

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#1783622 17-May-2017 12:15

alasta:

tripper1000:

I sometime wonder if automatic headlights are a bit lacking.

I have noticed that on gloomy-foggy or overcast-rainy days when all the sensible drivers have their lights on, tail-lights on cars with auto-headlights will come on as the car drives under a bridge and then switch back off a few seconds later. I'm sure some cars auto-lights are smarter than this, but there are a lot that don't come on during visibility compromising weather.

The sensitivity can be adjusted, but one would assume that a lot of drivers can't be bothered.

Mine (on an 07 Mazda3) seem to be OK. In gloomy weather, they may not come on initially, but if I drive under a bridge, they will come on, and generally stay on (it's like they must be at the point where they are about to be triggered, and the bridge triggers them and they stay on). It seems like the system takes an average light reading, as they will not come on under a bridge on a sunny day. I do wish they would bypass the parking light phase of it though and go direct to headlights.

Bung

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#1783649 17-May-2017 12:49

Is it parking lights or headlights on reduced power? We struck a car on Sat night bowling along with no tail lights and the headlights appeared to be on but the light hardly made an impression on the road. Some vehicles did use pulse width modulated headlights as day time running lights.

trig42

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#1783654 17-May-2017 12:59

Headlights on low and no rear lights will be DRLs.

Coil

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#1783663 17-May-2017 13:15

Bung: Is it parking lights or headlights on reduced power? We struck a car on Sat night bowling along with no tail lights and the headlights appeared to be on but the light hardly made an impression on the road. Some vehicles did use pulse width modulated headlights as day time running lights.

These are LED daytime running lights.
Very bright lights that are not designed for vision at night. Also they do not have diffuses or directed beams. They are SUPER dangerous for oncoming traffic and also dont enable the rear taillights.

If i saw anyone doing that they would have a lecture and a half from me.

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nzkiwiman

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#1783667 17-May-2017 13:25

jonathan18:

nzkiwiman:

... this is not the case in the 2014 Mazda 3 - however having the lights on immediately dims the touch screen/reversing camera making it impossible to see in conditions where it might be good to have lights on - so I can understand not wanting to turn on the lights if you want to play with the touch screen (though of course Mazda says you shouldn't use the touch screen when driving)

On the similar era Mazda 6, the odometer reset button doubles as a dimmer control for all the instrument lights; turning it fully to the right (ie clockwise) restores all such lights to full brightness, and also most importantly un-dims the main screen. (I find this is necessary for the period approaching dusk, where the auto headlights have turned on, despite being on the most conservative setting, but it's still relatively bright so I can't read the screen properly.)

Is there not a similar control for the 3? (Perhaps not, as your 3 will no doubt have the newer control system.)

*rushes off to test*

I have twisted the odo reset knob, but it never seem to do anything .. so didn't think it was actually a feature (just a knob that I can twist, but shouldn't)

jonathan18

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#1783691 17-May-2017 13:55

nzkiwiman:

*rushes off to test*

And your findings?!

ScuL

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#1783696 17-May-2017 14:16

I drive a Euro car....

I've got automatic headlights + DLR.. fog lights front & rear. The fog lights are independent and I only use them in seriously bad weather. Front first, then rear if the spray / visibility is terrible.

To get back to the subject, the amount of people driving without their lights on in Auckland is staggering. Recently a friend and I drove around and within under 5 minutes we spotted 8 cars with their lights off. This was not during sunset, it was proper dark.

Then there are also the sheer amount of people who have broken lights. Either a missing head or tail light or sometimes both.

In my home country penalties for broken lights or bad use of lighting are up to €300. I'm sad to see that NZ Police do very little in this regard.

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Bung

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#1783700 17-May-2017 14:26

TimA:
These are LED daytime running lights.
Very bright lights that are not designed for vision at night. Also they do not have diffuses or directed beams. They are SUPER dangerous for oncoming traffic and also dont enable the rear taillights.

If i saw anyone doing that they would have a lecture and a half from me.

They were DRLs but not LED. Driver got the usual light treatment and a shouted lecture and a half from the other half that he ignored.

I've found a description of the Mazda system that confirms staged light auto turn on. Probably only legal if the position lights are turned on early before position + headlight legally required.

Bung

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#1783716 17-May-2017 14:38

ScuL: In my home country penalties for broken lights or bad use of lighting are up to €300. I'm sad to see that NZ Police do very little in this regard

Yet in Wellington there are regular organised stops around Oriental Bay targeting bikes. Cars don't get stopped unless it's the other regular breath testing stop.

MikeAqua

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#1783779 17-May-2017 16:48

If I see car driving in darkness with no lights on I turn my lights and and off. This usually works on male drivers.

I've given up on people who drive with their park lights on 'saving fuel'

Mike

nzkiwiman

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#1784099 18-May-2017 11:53

jonathan18:

And your findings?!

I didn't actually rush off instantly - I had to wait till I had finished work, and then wait for it to be dark

And then I forgot completely ..

I'll update when (or maybe if) I remember ..

ScuL

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#1784100 18-May-2017 11:57

A few hours after making my last post I spotted a vehicle on SH1 NB between the Harbour Bridge and Albany with no lights on whatsoever. This was around 8pm, fully dark.

I flashed the driver, no response.

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

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