Parking lights are for what.?

George A

When the first automobiles were made, they were put on the vehicles just for that purpose. When you parked your vehicle at night, you were required to turn on your "parking lights" and the lights "were intended to mark the vehicle when it was parked".

Today, they are incorporated into the headlight system, & evolved into running lights.

For more detailed information of the parking lights, here is a link to Car Talk, & Tom & Ray do a pretty good job in the answers they provide.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1995/July/08.html

David B

They are intended to mark the outer perimeter of the vehicle. This is especially important to the sides since turn signals (and therefore hazard lights) are NOT required to show light beyond the front and rear of the vehicle. They are switched separately to allow them to be used to provide extra warning in situations where the use of headlights is not required, but hazards would be inappropriate (i.e. parked, overcast, etc). Also they don't convey the same slow/disabled message that hazard lights do so they are acceptable to use during all types of driving. The more appropriate and technical names are "running lights" or "marker lights".
They consist of-
- 2 forward facing amber lights
- 2 lights/side of amber (front) & red (rear)
- 2 rear facing red lights (AKA tail-lights)
- If >80" wide 3 forward facing amber and 3 rear facing red lights mounted on the center-line
(The front or rear facing light may be combined with the side light for that corner)

- David

Dick Skinner

They're used to let others SEE the car while driving at night... Or in fog.. All of the others: ie: break lights, turn signals, backup lights, etc are only on PART of the time... And head lights are designed to let the DRIVER see what's ahead of him/her.... Parking lights let others tell you're there, and gauge your speed, location, etc.

dirtytricksracing@sbcglobal.net

Many good answers and it is illegal to drive with them on.

UCANTCME

Parking lights, also called running lights, are automotive lamps designed to increase the visibility of a car in a variety of situations.

Although most nations no longer require the use of parking lights, they can be extremely useful.

Almost all cars are fitted with parking lights, although they are often linked with the headlights.

Formerly, parking lights were run on a different electrical system, and were intended for use when cars were parked along narrow, poorly lit roads, to alert oncoming drivers to the presence of the parked car.

In some regions of the world, parking lights still serve this function.

Silverstang

Basically they are there for you to be able to see the vehicle, more so when its about to get dark, and such.

Herfnerd

To park with

Hollywood Prod.

That's and old name there called runner lights now

Zelpher

To notify people that you are parked in the area or your having a emergency ( like someone got hurt or something ). THe point of parking lights is to notify the drivers behind you that your going park soon or now ( you usually see these in packed cities... if your in open areas its litttle to see those ).

Mikey The Comic

If you are parked in a dangerous spot and you think someone might hit your car, then you can turn on the parking lights so that as they drive around they see your car better.

Edit: No hazard lights are meant to be used if you are blocking the road and they flash. Parking lights just illuminate a light on the front and back of the car on one side, usually the side facing the road (you get to choose usually).

They are usually only in European cars.

mzdrea08

well they are supposed to be used for parking...they flash and people can see that you are parked and not moving. I see people riding around with them on when they are in car clubs showing out..pretty annoying if you ask me.

ruby_red

the are to warn other drivers that your backing up :)

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