Why do newer cars have separate controls for front and rear headlights?

EssexExile

Why is it so complicated now? In the good old days lights were on or off, you could tell when to turn them on because you couldn't see the dials on the dashboard (if the darkness wasn't a good enough clue). Then I got the Volvo, with lights switched off you had headlights & taillights on, switching the lights on also gave you dashbord lights & the possibility of main beam, so I just left the lights on all the time. Now I've got a Honda, whatever you do with the light switch you always have dashboard lights, if you switch to automatic lights then the lights go off & on several times on a journey.

Bring back the on/off switch, I can handle that (usually).

AdrianC

KingS6 wrote: »

I can see the advantages nontheless. Sidelights on my old focus are quite dim.

Since you aren't meant to be driving on sidelights anyway, it's academic.

neilmcl

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

So I suspect that the cars you have seen had drivers who failed to switch on any form of headlight and a running at night with the just the DRLs. Separate switches for front and rear would be a nonsense.

^^This absolutely.

iolanthe07

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

The Kia Picanto sat outside my office which belongs to our cleaner categorically does not have separate controls for the front and rear lights.

Nor does my wife's Picanto.

Car_54

Iceweasel wrote: »

Why useless?

Because in those situations where lights are required by law when parked, that law requires side and tail lights on both sides (and a rear number plate lamp).

Iceweasel

[quote=[Deleted User];71315162]Because in those situations where lights are required by law when parked, that law requires side and tail lights on both sides (and a rear number plate lamp).[/QUOTE]

Be that as it may - I use them frequently in situations where they may not be legally required, but where I consider them an extra safety feature.

There are too many poorly lit suburban streets in my area.

So not useless in my opinion.

knightstyle

I am guilty as charged! I hired a Toyota Yaris a couple of years ago and it was dark when I picked it up, the car was brought round to the front of the office and the engine was running as I checked it, got in and drove off. Dashboard lights on, front dipped lights on but no lights at the back!!!!
I didn't realise this till many miles later when I stopped and someone following me told me.
Very dangerous and when I rang Toyota UK they didn't want to know!
You cannot switch the daytime running lights off either!

Iceweasel

knightstyle wrote: »

I am guilty as charged! I hired a Toyota Yaris a couple of years ago and it was dark when I picked it up, the car was brought round to the front of the office and the engine was running as I checked it, got in and drove off. Dashboard lights on, front dipped lights on but no lights at the back!!!!
I didn't realise this till many miles later when I stopped and someone following me told me.
Very dangerous and when I rang Toyota UK they didn't want to know!
You cannot switch the daytime running lights off either!

I cannot believe this!

I reckon you thought the dipped headlights were on.

I agree that DRLs cannot be switched off in so much that the driver cannot switch them off and leave no lights at all - DRLs are wired so that they switch off automatically when you select any other lights - side-lights or headlights.

neilmcl

I'm happy to be corrected but I don't know of any make of car that has separate controls for front and rear lights nor can I see any reason to have such controls. As already mentioned the OP must have been seeing cars with DRLs.

Also I believe the legislation (EU possibly) that brought in DRLs on all new cars prevents them from being manually switched off.

Iceweasel

neilmcl wrote: »

Also I believe the legislation (EU possibly) that brought in DRLs on all new cars prevents them from being manually switched off.

Unfortunately it seems that same legislation didn't include anything to prevent numpties buying lookee-likee DRLs and wire them up on their older car so that they don't go out when the side-lights or head lights are switched on.

There would be no problem if they were wired up correctly - but if they remain on they can cause dazzle and confusion.