| hkgmdx |
New year and there are new traffic laws in California. One of them being the headlights have to be turn on whenever the windshield wipers are in use. Meanings, even it is bright out during rain, the hedlights have to be on.
Do anybody know if there is a relay that can turn on the headlights when using the wipers? |
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| nightguy |
| I'd love to have something that would turn the dashlights up automatically when the headlights are on during the day. |
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| mdxx3 |
quote:
Originally posted by hkgmdx
New year and there are new traffic laws in California. One of them being the headlights have to be turn on whenever the windshield wipers are in use. Meanings, even it is bright out during rain, the hedlights have to be on.
Do anybody know if there is a relay that can turn on the headlights when using the wipers?
Hmm... weird.... I always thought the lights-with-wipers is already a law here before this. Ok... who has an older CVC book handy??
(Probably need more than a relay but some kind of simple active circuitry or else the lights will keep going on/off when the wipers are in the intermittent mode...) |
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| DaleB |
| While I think it very wise to have lights on during rain and snow, having them automatically come on every time you use them like after a car wash or removing morning dew is ridiculous. |
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| G. COLTON |
| Daytime running lights using the low beams at reduced power (like many GMC vehicles) is the answer to this problem!!! |
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| hkgmdx |
I think it was just good practice before but now it is law; meanings they can give you ticket for it. :(
I don't really have problem with it because I always do that anyway. For other people, like my wife, it may be different story. Sometimes I wonder if she even know how to turn on the headlight manually? :rolleyes: Then many times she forgot to turn the light off even the reminder goes "bing, bing, bing..." :twak:
By the way, the new law requires to turn on the headlight, not just parking light or other kinds of light.
quote:
Originally posted by mdxx3
Hmm... weird.... I always thought the lights-with-wipers is already a law here before this. Ok... who has an older CVC book handy??
(Probably need more than a relay but some kind of simple active circuitry or else the lights will keep going on/off when the wipers are in the intermittent mode...)
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| eurohazard |
quote:
Daytime running lights using the low beams at reduced power (like many GMC vehicles) is the answer to this problem!!!
It is certainly "an" answer, but (and I'm not alone here) not "thee" answer. hkgmdx's post is inquiring about headlights being on in conjunction with the wipers, not all the time.
Also, GMC is a brand of the GM corporation, as is Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Saab. I am not picking on you G. COLTON, I think you are referring to all GM cars and trucks though right? |
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| Fabvsix |
| Its really "common sense" and a record of awareness and a good driver in my book ! I always turn my headlights on when it gloomy, raining, foggy or even on HOLIDAYS ! REMEMBER THAT ????????????:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: |
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| DaleB |
| I predict most tickets will be given to those who never think of putting on their lights during pouring rain, and those who don't know driving with only their parking lights on is not legal (in CA). A no-brainer in my book. |
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| tluong |
| Yep..no brainer....even if this law didn't exist, if you drive in heavy rain without your lights on, you deserve a ticket. |
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| mdxx3 |
...but I think they'll stop giving away tickets when it's raining(??!!) The officer will be terribly upset having to stand there in the rain and will probably start writing a 10-page list of infractions down to worn wipers if he actually has to give anyone a ticket in the rain... :) (Kidding ok - not that I'm asking to get flamed!)
Yeah... people should all turn on the lights during bad weather. |
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| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by hkgmdx
New year and there are new traffic laws in California. One of them being the headlights have to be turn on whenever the windshield wipers are in use.
Hah! We got you on that one. That's been the law in NY for several years.
Pretty soon you won't be able to talk on your cellphone and drive, either.
In exchange, do we have to put up all those stupid little signs "This restaurant contains chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer"? |
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| pisay87 |
| With this new law, what do you guys think of this product ? |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by pisay87
With this new law, what do you guys think of this product ?
Waste of $38 IMHO. Does not even do anything for the MDX's looks. :D |
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| TYP |
What we need is a new law that says those who drive 40 or 50 on the "passing lane" of the freeway while there's no one blocking them should be fined $500.
And during normal time, no car can drive slower then 50 in the left 2 lanes unless there's traffic and already can't go anywhere.
Most of highway acidents are cause by those very very slow driver who love to hug the left side of the freeway, then young people try to pass them.. and hit those who drive normaly.
I hate traffic..
Also, people should not be allowed to eat, drink, talking on the cell phone, while doing their make-up, or reading newspaper, when driving.
I think doing 2 things at once is already dangerous.. 4 or 5 at once just scares me..
:2: |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
I predict most tickets will be given to those who never think of putting on their lights during pouring rain, and those who don't know driving with only their parking lights on is not legal (in CA). A no-brainer in my book.
I've always wondered what parking lights are for? In my over 40 years of driving the only times I can recall using them was when leaving a drive-in theatre while the movie was still on.
I have noticed many drivers using them just before sunset and wonder what they are thinking. :8: |
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| dipersp |
The only thing I've ever heard about parking lights is that they were or are used in places such as Europe where there is very tight parking on streets and they leave them on. My mom's old Benz actually had two additional spots on the headlight switch, one for only turning on the right side parking lights, one for the left. This way, you only had to turn on the side that would be seen when parked.
The only other thing I can tell you is similar to truckers parking on the side of the road at night to catch some Zs. If I ever pulled off the road (WAYYYY off the road) to sleep, I'd leave mine on as well. Good practice I feel. |
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| hondacuraworld |
| We've had this law in NY for about 10 years. Becomes second nature after a while, just like seat belts. |
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| Lance Crowley |
| Same law in Minnesota for many years, and it's a good one. My Jeep GC had an option that would allow you to have the headlights come on with the wipers. If MBC can do it why can't Honda? Matter of fact the Jeep had about 15 options that could be set, like how long the headlights stayed on after turning off the key. Other than the off-road abilities this is the option I miss most about my X. |
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| soupy |
I agree. It would be nice to have the lights turn on automatically when its raining IF both lights and wipers are set to AUTO.
The lights wouldn't have to turn on right away. Maybe have a timer if the rain sensors detect water for more than 5 or 10 seconds, and auto turn off after 60 seconds after no more water is detected.
I'd also like to be increase the sensitivity for the automatic lights. |
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| mdxx3 |
| Yeah, the sensitivity for the automatic lights in the MDX isn't that great. It just doesn't automatically turn on when I expect it to. Have to look at the instrument panel to see if the green icon on the right side is lit to know if it's actually on. Maybe one of these days I'll have to find some (semi-transparent) tinted film/whatever and paste it over the light sensor (where ever it is located) and maybe that'll trick it into thinking it's already slightly darker out there and then it'll finally turn on these headlights... |
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| pisay87 |
mdxx3, I agree with your assessment of the sensitivity of the auto lights. It has been raining off and on in the Bay Area for more than 2 weeks now and my headlights don't turn on during the day even when it is pretty gloomy.
BTW, the light sensor is at the edge of the dash close to the bottom of the windshield. I might do the same experiment that you've mentioned. |
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| BlueStreak |
We have this same law in NC and it does make sense.
But what if you use Rain-X? You rarely need your wipers so then you aen't "required" to use your lights? Common sense aside... |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by BlueStreak
We have this same law in NC and it does make sense.
But what if you use Rain-X? You rarely need your wipers so then you aen't "required" to use your lights? Common sense aside...
I double-dipped this post.. sorry about that!:eek: |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by BlueStreak
We have this same law in NC and it does make sense.
But what if you use Rain-X? You rarely need your wipers so then you aen't "required" to use your lights? Common sense aside...
What's next? ... wipers that go on every time the headlights are turned on! :2: |
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| Fabvsix |
| Law makers don't know about Rain-X.......................;) ;) |
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| XStatic |
quote:
Originally posted by soupy
I agree. It would be nice to have the lights turn on automatically when its raining IF both lights and wipers are set to AUTO.
The lights wouldn't have to turn on right away. Maybe have a timer if the rain sensors detect water for more than 5 or 10 seconds, and auto turn off after 60 seconds after no more water is detected.
I'd also like to be increase the sensitivity for the automatic lights.
There should definately be some coupling when everything is set for auto. And the sensor needs some tweaking as well.
On immediately for sudden dark (Takes too long to come on in a tunnel) stay on if dark light pulsing (driving through the shadows of tall trees), and finally the main change (The others situations work fairly well) come on if a long period of semi dim (dusk, dawn, and tada rain storm). |
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| DaleB |
I don't agree. Fine with lights coming on at dusk, etc. but wipers should be manual control except for speed is ok.
Not a big fan of all this automode stuff. It's ok if you can overide it manually.
I believe too many auto controls make drivers too complacent and oblivious to conditions that need their undivided attention.
And then when something breaks, 30 minutes later it's "Oh...I guess I better turn that on myself..."
Not that driving should not be made easier, but driver involvement is still of too great importance to be overlooked. OK, OK, enough...
I will step down... :4:
:soapbox: |
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| BlueStreak |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
I don't agree. Fine with lights coming on at dusk, etc. but wipers should be manual control except for speed is ok.
Not a big fan of all this automode stuff. It's ok if you can overide it manually.
I believe too many auto controls make drivers too complacent and oblivious to conditions that need their undivided attention.
And then when something breaks, 30 minutes later it's "Oh...I guess I better turn that on myself..."
Not that driving should not be made easier, but driver involvement is still of too great importance to be overlooked. OK, OK, enough...
I will step down... :4:
:soapbox:
Dale,
We need all this automation so we can put our attention to the cell phone, satellite radio, and MP3 players. Forget the navigation system of course. When you can have the computer contol the wipers, headlights, volume adjust when you slow the vehicle, adaptive cruise control, etc. you'd think we would be BETTER drivers. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by BlueStreak
Dale,
We need all this automation so we can put our attention to the cell phone, satellite radio, and MP3 players. Forget the navigation system of course. When you can have the computer contol the wipers, headlights, volume adjust when you slow the vehicle, adaptive cruise control, etc. you'd think we would be BETTER drivers.
You left out those who need to put on their makeup while driving or read the newspaper! :cool: |
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