Parking: The correct use of parking lights according to Hella

You know how to park your car? Good. But do you know how to use the parking lights properly? No? Then go ahead and read here.

Parklights, taillights, clearance lamps - all of these words refer to the same thing: The basic lighting of a car, lighting which among other things, is intended to make outlines clear. It shines whenever the low or high beam is switched on. In addition, it serves to provide lighting when parking in dark streets. Driving with parklights only is not allowed. This applies during the day as well. This does not however mean that low-beam or high-beam headlights must also always be on when driving with lights on.

There are namely two exceptions. One applies to driving with fog lights. Here, German road traffic regulations permit only the fog lights to shine together with the parklights. Low beam is then not necessary if the fog lights are fitted less than 40 centimetres from the outline of the car. As a rule, this is the case, and is the case anyway for all fog lights fitted ex works. Another exception applies to the use of daytime running lights. In accordance with the applicable legal position, these may be operated explicitly only without parklights or taillights. The special daytime running lights from Hella are connected in such a way that they are activated automatically with the ignition. When switching-on the parklights or when switching-off the ignition, the daytime running lights are deactivated.

Parklights on their own are a good choice when parking on unlit streets or at motorway car parks. German traffic regulations always require ?self-illumination? when stopping on roads outside built-up areas. In built-up areas, the light from street lamps is sufficient.

In comparison with headlights, parklights consume rather less current, between 25 and 45 watts. Nevertheless, it places a load on the battery. Depending on capacity, the battery will last for 10 to 15 hours before there is nothing left in reserve to start the car.

Aside from lighting for parking, front parklights fulfil another important safety function. If a headlight fails - such as due to a burnt-out bulb - it stops a ?one-eyed? car being confused with a motorcycle. The rule ?drive with low beam? applies throughout Europe. The advice, which is heard occasionally, that in French towns and cities one should drive with parklights, became outdated decades ago. Those who have tried it know anyway that parklights are far too weak for sufficient visibility.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Parking, Hella

Source: Fourtitude

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