Driving w headlights

[B92 8NW]

During daylight hours I drive with my parkers on almost all the time (esp this time of year). I just discovered that Mr. Copper might not be too happy with this arrangement - It seems that they think they can ping you for doing this.

So I'm thinking of installing the Narva daytime running lamps which run the low beams at 70% power all the time, unless someone who knows the Vic rules can tell me about headlight laws please:D.

Globes (http://www.narva.com.au/Globes_27.html)

[beforethevision]

I admit, when I do long drives I leave my low beam on. I consider it courtesy to other drivers, as my lights arent glare(ish), but allow identification from much further off...

cheers!

[p38arover]

The motor cycle industry was (is?) against it and has been for sometime. See Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety in Victoria (http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/1992cycle/mbch4.html) and Motorcycle Council of NSW - Daytime Running Lights (http://www.mccofnsw.org.au/a/136.html)

[Utemad]

Why don't you just leave your low beam on?
Why do you need it to be 70%?

I drive with my low beam lights on all the time as my Disco is dark grey and blends in with the road.

Telstra vehicles used to have their low beam wired so it came on with the ignition. Probably still do.

[UncleHo]

G'day Folks :)

In the 70's and 80's all Volvos had their park/tail wired to the ign switch, and all motorcycles had to have headlight/Ign wired on, it is also on all posties bikes, I think it would just be a :mad: copper

It is a proven fact that a light in daytime can be a better indicator of distance/speed than an unlit vehicle.

cheers

[p38arover]

Implementing DRL on my P38A is a simple software change I can do at home with my Rovacom

[beforethevision]

The motor cycle industry was (is?) against it and has been for sometime. See Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety in Victoria (http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/1992cycle/mbch4.html)

Without being picky, that article is only directed toward the daytime lights on the bike. Most of it represents visibility of the bike to others, for reasons that do not apply to cars (like size, maneuverability, etc). However some of the intensity parts are relevant, and cut-off angles have alot to do with it.

Cheers!

[p38arover]

Without being picky, that article is only directed toward the daytime lights on the bike. Most of it represents visibility of the bike to others, for reasons that do not apply to cars (like size, maneuverability, etc). However some of the intensity parts are relevant, and cut-off angles have alot to do with it.

Cheers!

Read the second link which refers to bikes being "lost in a sea of lights"


There is some concern that if cars are fitted with DRLs that motorcycles will be lost in a `sea of lights' increasing the number Sorry Mate I Didn't See You (SMIDSY) crashes where drivers miss seeing a motorcycle

[Turtle61]

I drive with my lights (low beam) on almost all the time and have for many years. Most, if not all, EU countries mandate DRLs during the winter months. Research in Switzerland has shown that driving with lights on during the day decreases accidents by 30%. The research compared similar Cantons with mandatory and non-mandatory DRLs.

DRLs increase visibility in all conditions and it is a mistake to think that on a clear sunny day it makes no difference. It does. Especially when driving into the sun oncoming traffic is significantly more visible with DRLs. The rear end of a car in front of you is more visible as well.

The high contrast of light and shadow on tree-lined country roads hides a lot of cars and DRLs do help significantly. Not to mention on dusty tracks.

AFAIK there are no rules against DRLs, however there are rules governing the use of fog lights and driving (incl. high beam) lights.

Getting lost in sea of lights? Lets get real here. Any light or lights moving through traffic regardless whether there is a 'sea of lights' or not will attract attention. Those who claim the excuse of not seeing a motorbike probably should not be driving in the first place.

[incisor]

It is a proven fact that a light in daytime can be a better indicator of distance/speed than an unlit vehicle.
and the "proven" facts are to be found where ?

[B92 8NW]

and the "proven" facts are to be found where ?

I know this has been stated by MUARC at some point... :D

[RoverOne]

I always drive with low beam on on long trips especially & certainly on off road tracks, helps bikes zapping around from nailing you head on.

I don't remember what roads, but I have seen road signage emploring you to turn on headlights to be seen in daylight on many country roads, I'll take carefull note next time I see a sign post.

[amtravic1]

I can never understand anyone driving with lights on during the day. If people cant see you/you see others without the need for lights then you should hand in your license due to having such poor eyesight.
I have ridden bikes on the road as well for 30 years and never use a light during the day. The glare from a light makes it much harder to tell the speed of an oncoming bike during the day. I say if you need lights during the day then get off the road.

Ian

[JDNSW]

........
I don't remember what roads, but I have seen road signage emploring you to turn on headlights to be seen in daylight on many country roads, I'll take carefull note next time I see a sign post.

The Newell Highway is one of them, and so are a number of other roads round here, including, I think, the Mitchell Highway. Certainly in this state there is no rule against driving with headlights on in daylight, it is encouraged, and is required in conditions of low visibility such as rain. But it is certainly an offence to drive in daylight with high beam on, or driving lights, or fog lights.

The only problem I have with them is that too many people drive with their headlights on high beam. I am sure they don't realise this, but it is an unfortunate fact that the high beam warning light on most cars is designed to be seen in the dark, not in bright sunlight (in fact many cars designed by northern hemisphere designers have all their warning lights unable to be seen in bright sunlight).

John

[sschmez]

Driving a dark coloured car on country roads, I often had oncoming overtakers pull out to pass at the last moment. Headlights on, and they stay in their place till its safer and I'm out of the way. My low beam lights generally get switched on in all daytime conditions on country roads.

Parkers??? they're just for parking aren't they

[isuzu110]

Seems to be some positive australian research here plus lots of links to other research: Daytime Running Lights (DRL) (http://users.tpg.com.au/users/mpaine/drl.html)

I run parkers during the day, especially on longer trips

[WildOne]

I always drive with low beam on on long trips especially & certainly on off road tracks, helps bikes zapping around from nailing you head on.
I don't remember what roads, but I have seen road signage emploring you to turn on headlights to be seen in daylight on many country roads, I'll take carefull note next time I see a sign post.

Nearly happened to us recently in the otways driving a very overgrown twisty track, with headlights on, we could hear the bikes coming and had nowhere to pull over, so drove hooting untill bikes came screaming around the corner. I didn't fancy a new KTM bullbar ornament:eek:

[Hucksta]

During daylight hours I drive with my parkers on almost all the time (esp this time of year). I just discovered that Mr. Copper might not be too happy with this arrangement - It seems that they think they can ping you for doing this.

So I'm thinking of installing the Narva daytime running lamps which run the low beams at 70% power all the time, unless someone who knows the Vic rules can tell me about headlight laws please:D.

Globes (http://www.narva.com.au/Globes_27.html)

Joel,

i can tell you that it is not illegal to drive with your low beams on during the day. There are offences in the Vic Road Rules that relate to the illegal usage of lights either day or night that cause or may DAZZLE other drivers.

I read in an earlier reply about motor bikes not liking cars using their lights during the day but I can tell you 100% it is not illegal, in fact, it would be quite appropriate in some occassions. Common sense would prevail. If you can be bothered check my replies to earlier thread about Vic - the nanny state yesterday .....
Cheers


Jason

[Grizzly_Adams]

I always drive with my lights on low-beam, not just parkers - have for a long time, even when 4wd'ing.

I have seen no evidence to show that it harms other drivers, in fact quite the contrary. My vehicle and I are a lot more visible to other traffic, be it pedestrian or vehicular.

Sure I can see the road fine and yes the lights are on for my benefit - but only because I don't trust the blighters coming the other way or out from side streets to see me or look properly. It goes back to a simple rule I was taught when learning to ride a motorbike - "treat everyone like they haven't seen you".

Could save your life.

In that case, how hard is it to turn on the lights? What price do you put on your life or the life of others?

... and no, I'm not talking about lights that DAZZLE or high-beam or fog lights or any other illegal lights during the day.. I'm just talking about simple low-beam headlights.

[rick130]

FWIW, all the Telstra Patrols and Mazda Bravo's/B50's are wired so that the low beam is on all the time too.
In the Blue Mt's west of Sydney, for years the RTA has been trying to encourage all vehicles to run with low beam on all the time due to low visibility.
In the country it can be helpful at certain times of the day IMO, particularly when there are long shadows across roads, fog, low light, low cloud, etc.

[waynep]

There seems to be a fad ( in Melbourne anyway) of people driving with those little bright lights in the bumper on all the time.
You seem them on a lot of "sporty" type cars WRX's, Commodore SS etc.

Not sure what the official name for them is is - I call them w*nker lights.
A really annoying, piercing bright bluish light.

Are those lights designed for daytime "see me" use ???? - if so the'yre way too bright and at the wrong angle.

EDIT : oops just saw the other thread "Victoria Nanny State" -sorry I'll go read it now :-)

[sclarke]

Depending on where i am, i drive with my Lows on all the time....

If it Vorks in Sveden, Zen it must be good

[p38arover]

Parkers??? they're just for parking aren't they

They were originally called side or clearance lights not parking lights and were to show the width of the vehicle at night.

On the P38A, one can switch on the LH sidelights, RH sidelights, or even all of them!

[p38arover]

Getting lost in sea of lights? Lets get real here. Any light or lights moving through traffic regardless whether there is a 'sea of lights' or not will attract attention. Those who claim the excuse of not seeing a motorbike probably should not be driving in the first place.

Well, I don't know how many times I've heard of drivers who claimed they didn't see the motorcyclist that they just hit or near missed. I've had it said to me by drivers, too.

[solmanic]

I can never understand anyone driving with lights on during the day. If people cant see you/you see others without the need for lights then you should hand in your license due to having such poor eyesight.

There was a study I read in the RACQ Road Ahead last year, or the year before, where they ranked the visibility of certain colours. It is a fact that some colours blend in more than others making visibility difficult.

Yellow cars live up to their reputation - Media Release - NRMA Insurance (http://www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/about_us/media_releases/20040722a.shtml)

Popular silver an unsafe car colour (ScienceAlert) (http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20073110-16519-2.html)

I drive a grey vehicle which, from experience (ie the number of people who have recently done manoeuvres like lane changing or pulling out at an intersection then having to jam on the brakes without seeing me) is harder to see. Consequently I have taken to driving with my lights on more often.

[UncleHo]

G'day Folks :)

I always run with headlights on when I am driving the drab olive 2a:)

cheers

[discomuzz]

I ride with my low beam on everywhere!

I drive with my low beam on everywhere on dull days and outside built-up areas/country roads all the time.

Its like seat belts and crash helmets, won't guarantee a result but anything to reduce risk is a good thing, AFIAC.

Cheers
Murray

[JamesH]

and the "proven" facts are to be found where ?

I must admit and read the exact opposite and it has been my personal experience too. Yes lights make it much easier to see oncoming vehicles but they inhibit your ability to assess the speed of that vehicle.

Don't have any citations to support my view or the opposite.

[Phred]

Driving with lights on in daytime does no harm but in certain conditions ie. long flat roads like newell highway from narrabri north , having them on is a nessessity. Even in bright sunny conditions it is extreemly difficult to pick out a car at the distance you need if you are driving a speed limited truck and attempting a passing manouver on a slower vehicle.As for bikes the one thing that always run true was wether i had lights on or not , if they aren't looking they will never see you.The answer to that is to TEACH THEM TO DRIVE CORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

[ATH]

I always drive with low beam on country roads or in wet weather conditions. Too many times when waiting to pull onto a road when it's raining I see what I think is a gap coming up in the traffic only to suddenly see a vehicle with no lights on sitting there!
It's stupid and dangerous and isn't confined only to the private motorist as I nearly collected a copper in just that sort of situation not long ago. He quickly turned his lights on after that.

Plenty of turkeys with their fog lights on (especially utes) mainly because they don't know any better or think it looks good and because there's no policing to advise them of the error of their ways.
Now the rains here for a while in Perth we'll see many accidents from drivers not seeing the other vehicle, or the idiots who drive even closer so they can see the car in front better!
Turn them on as it helps you be seen.
Alan.

[incisor]

I must admit and read the exact opposite and it has been my personal experience too. Yes lights make it much easier to see oncoming vehicles but they inhibit your ability to assess the speed of that vehicle.
sounds like the article i read also.

90% of the time i have my lights on ...

[loanrangie]

AKAIK all bike still have their low beam hard wired to come on as soon as the key in on ign, i would only put lights on and then only parkers when in a low light situation like winter or close to sunset. No point in driving around with lights on like those doof doof listening w#nkers with their illuminated wiper blades and coloured lights.

[JamesH]

One time they're really handy is at dusk when you are driving away from the sun. It's much easier for cars approaching you to see you. By easier I mean, possible. When driving into the sun following a car with its rear lights on is re-assuring as well.

[The Fish]

There must be some merit to running with your low beam on as it is required on mine sites and vehicles are wired so that once the ignition is switched on the lights are on. I always run with my lights on as I have to many close calls where other cars have pulled out in front of me and since I have run with lights it happens a lot less often.

[Grizzly_Adams]

i would only put lights on and then only parkers when in a low light situation like winter or close to sunset. No point in driving around with lights on like those doof doof listening w#nkers with their illuminated wiper blades and coloured lights.

Wow, have you read any of the other reasons people have put forth for having lights on all the time?

So what about when out on long flat roads or highways, or even long flat city streets in the middle of summer with a bit of heat haze shimmering off the bitumen. You don't think that having your lights on would be beneficial to anyone further down the road who:

A. Was oncoming and looking to overtake but couldn't see you because of the heat haze or distances involved (your vehicle colour just faded into the background trees)
OR
B. Was a pedestrian (be it child, cyclist, mother with children, man with his dog) looking to cross the street and didn't see you?

You put two vehicles in the same circumstances as above and a I guarantee you that the vehicle with the headlights on will be more easily visible.

I hadn't heard the argument before about the oncoming traffic not being able to judge distances properly when you have your lights on, but I'd much rather they couldn't judge the distance so erred on the side of caution instead of not seeing you at all and turning out in front of you.

As far as I'm concerned it's a safety feature and should be mandatory like on motorcycles... now THAT would get up people's noses and I'm thoroughly expecting to cop some flak about it by expressing that opinion on here (especially after this thread). Some people just absolutely hate the idea.. honestly I can't understand why.

What I hate is those ******* driving around with their fog-lights on, be it sunshine or rain - hello??! FOG Lights people!?!! If it's not foggy, DON'T USE THEM! DUH!

[Treads]

As far as I'm concerned it's a safety feature and should be mandatory like on motorcycles... now THAT would get up people's noses and I'm thoroughly expecting to cop some flak about it by expressing that opinion on here (especially after this thread). Some people just absolutely hate the idea.. honestly I can't understand why.



Nup, totally agree

My Subie had auto-off headlights. I just left the switch on so they would come on whilst the car was running; day, night, hail, shine, ....

If other people can see you, less chance there is of them doing something stupid in front of you

[Shonky]

I always turn my lights on when:
- it's raining / foggy
- I'm on a dirt road
- I'm in a tunnel
- The street lights are on
- I'm towing something big (caravan or car trailer etc)

[nesjules]

I have often wondered why people who drive on parkers never seem to realise that the low wattage bulbs in parking lights do NOT render the vehicle more visible. If you bother to observe a vehicle approaching with parking lights on you'll see that the vehicle becomes visible at about the same time as the lights. They are for - you guessed it - to make your vehicle more visible in the dark when parked.
If you need to use lights to make yourself more visible use low beam.

Cheers

Jules

[p38arover]

AKAIK all bike still have their low beam hard wired to come on as soon as the key in on ign,

That was dropped years ago. It was a requirement at one time.

[p38arover]

There must be some merit to running with your low beam on as it is required on mine sites and vehicles are wired so that once the ignition is switched on the lights are on.

I suspect there are a couple of reasons that don't necessarily apply on road.

1. The vehicles aren't necessarily on a defined road so other drivers may not see them. On road, you know where to look for cars.

2. OH&S has got them running scared.

[Graeme]

If other people can see you, less chance there is of them doing something stupid in front of you
I like to think that if I do something stupid then the other driver will see my lights and take evasive action, or put their lights on too so that I can see them.

[Jeff]

I only use lights if its dark, wet, dusty or foggy. I would hate to burn out a switch again.

The issue with compulsory lights on for bikes is also to do with liability, instead of I didnt see you it would be your light was out therefore its your fault. I hate the idea of over legislating, pollies trying to score points with the media.

The problem with judging distance is more of a problem with motorcycles because they are either a single light or two close enough to appear as one. Try following an army trailer with a single rear light and judge the speed or distance.

Jeff

:rocket:

[cjc_td5]

As a rule I always drive with low beam lights on at daytime. Our Disco is white, but when you have a good look, you will see that the bullbar, grill and windscreen are all black, only the front of the bonnet and roof present any "colour" to ongoing traffic. It is not much better than a black car.

As one who works in the road environment every day, IMO vehicles with lit headlights are much more visible than those not.

As posted by another earlier, our Subi Forester has auto-off headlights. This is a great feature, our headlight switch stays permanently on. ;)

[Barra1]

I can never understand anyone driving with lights on during the day. If people cant see you/you see others without the need for lights then you should hand in your license due to having such poor eyesight.
I have ridden bikes on the road as well for 30 years and never use a light during the day. The glare from a light makes it much harder to tell the speed of an oncoming bike during the day. I say if you need lights during the day then get off the road.

Ian

Sorry Ian - I'm having trouble coming to terms as to why if other people can't see me why I should hand in my licence.

Yep I can see other cars - however sometimes, just sometimes, the environmental conditions (read weather + vehicle color) camouflages the oncoming vehicle. This can be further enhanced by a black bullbar on a metallic grey smaller 4WD - Ian - such a vehicle merges into the landscape especially on overcast days.

Lights. Low beam.

I can't judge the speed of an oncoming vehicle if I don't can't see it. And it won't matter anymore if it is too late to judge the speed of the vehicle..........
the other driver and I will probably be having this discussion whilst waiting for Pete to open the Gates.

[Quarks]

My 'rules' for driving with lights are as follows:

Around town, daylight, good weather: no lights
When conditions deteriorate, low beam goes on.
Out of town, low beam on.

Haven't had to use high beam, yet, as I usually plan to avoid the need to drive on unlit roads at night.
(Although I may have bumped the switch once or twice :twisted::angel:)
I don't feel comfortable running parkers only.

I also happened to experience first hand just last night the impairment that lights make for judging speed/distance - I wanted to turn right, and there was a car that had just finished backing out of a driveway, starting to come toward me from a little further down the road. Now I know the road pretty well as I drive it regularly, but it was difficult to judge the distance & speed, especially as it was accelerating. I waited until it passed, and in the time I did, I could have turned, but better safe than sorry, I say.
:)

[CraigE]

I have always ridden bikes with low beam on. Enough people try to hit you as it is without them on.
Car lights are put on when weather and lighting conditions dictate.
Police believe they can book you for having them on, then you drive off to see a big sign with police asking you to drive with them on.
As for Commodores like the SS or HSV the small driving lights are hard wired to your low beam so you can not turn them off independently of your low beam. Me and my BIL got pulled cause he had his low beam on on a real dull ugly day. Like we said to the copper, then you can get s------d then I wont turn my lights on during the day. That easy.

[100I]

I have always ridden bikes with low beam on. Enough people try to hit you as it is without them on.
Car lights are put on when weather and lighting conditions dictate.
Police believe they can book you for having them on, then you drive off to see a big sign with police asking you to drive with them on.
As for Commodores like the SS or HSV the small driving lights are hard wired to your low beam so you can not turn them off independently of your low beam. Me and my BIL got pulled cause he had his low beam on on a real dull ugly day. Like we said to the copper, then you can get s------d then I wont turn my lights on during the day. That easy.

I'm calling BS on this. I see just as many SS without ******* lights on as I do with them on.

[DiscoTDI]

I have my low beams on most of the time, on the highway they are on all the time.

I think it is amazing how many people do not drive with lights on especially in low light and in the rain.


I'm calling BS on this. I see just as many SS without ******* lights on as I do with them on.

Thats only because they have been tampered with, when they came from the factory they are wired to only come on with a minimum of parkers on.

[Jamo]

What I don't like is people who drive with their fog lights on during the day. They're quite dazzling. In WA it's illegal to have them on if there's no fog.

I always had my light on when i had a bike.

[cookiesa]

No offence to anyone who rides but I have always put low beam on on the highway (usually around the 80km/h signs)

It is much easier to see our vehicle with the lights on (dark green) and if that may cause "confusion" or bikes to be "lost" in the lights, sorry but my families safety comes first (if you really believe it would cause more bike accidents, I don't)

[CraigE]

I'm calling BS on this. I see just as many SS without ******* lights on as I do with them on.
You can call it what you want but it is a fact many vehicles are hard wired. My BILs HSV Manta 98 model is an example of this. Our 2003 Statesman is another. Friends Imprezza. It also depends on model and year. There are many who have put a switch in, aftermarket lights with a switch, but a lot of factory units have no switch and they come on with the low beam. We had a wagon with a HSV front spoiler and spot to put them in, when looking at driving lights we could put in factory units that worked directly off the headlight switch, have the factory units put in with a modified sitch in the loom or aftermarket units witha switch. Its fog lights that are the issue and the ability of the copper to determine wether they are fog, driving or clearance lights.
If you want to categorically call it BS then I will take it that you are ascerting I am a liar.:p

[Michael2]

Hmmm,

I'm surprised at how many people here drive with lights on during the day.

I think they're useful in the country, escpecially on long glarry roads, where the vehicle would otherwise dissapppear in a mirage-like haze.

I think they're useful in poor weather & at night.

However, I think they actually increase risk of accident when they're on in the late afternoon in built up areas (with traffic congestion). By late afternoon, I mean, just before it gets dark, but when you still have clear visibility to the horizon. In these circumstances the glare from the lights makes it impossible to make eye contact with other (oncoming) drivers, and in a sea of lights & glare, it's also harder to judge the speed of oncoming cars, such as when doing a RH turn. The sea of glare on the road also makes it harder to see past it, and so pedestrians that would otherwise be visible aren't seen.

As for off road driving, they're useful in dusty, or overshadowed winding roads, convoy travel etc, but I have seen someone crack a headlight in a river crossing after driving with their lights on all day - so there's something to beware of.

[BigJon]

Park lights are for PARKING. Driving with park lights only turned on is illegal.

Fog lights are for low visibility conditions. They are to be used in conjunction with park lights (clearance lights) only. They are not to be used with either low beam or high beam headlights.

No Subarus have the foglights hard wired into the low beam circuit (ex factory). I would go as far to say that no cars do.

[cookiesa]

Some models of Volvo do/did. They had a system that measured the "load" on the circuit and would actually tell you if a globe was blown.

I think it was the 650? but others may well have.

[29dinosaur]

Drive with low beam on when on long country trips - have done fro 40+years.
Recent trip back from Qld - worst experience was driving in rain and in dark behind a new Range Rover - their tail lights are blinding. :mad::mad:

(I was in a subaru forester so pretty low in relation to RR. Also note I hate those ultra white lights in modern european cars and presumably in RR).

[cookiesa]

Just a question for those with the newer vehicles with the HID (or retro fitted ones!) how do you find the whiter light for glare in rainy/foggy conditions?

(Of course Defender drivers don't have this problem... they come standard with nice yellow fog lamps! Sorry couldn't resist!)

[moose]

I have a mid size jap car with retro fitted white (6000k) high beam HID's, in fog they are useless, but not many normal high beams are that good in fog anyways, so it doesn't bother me. Normal driving the high beams are awesome.:cool:
I believe one forum member has just got himself a (an?) HID kit for his 'fender. Look forward to an update.

[rangieman]

I have a mid size jap car with retro fitted white (6000k) high beam HID's, in fog they are useless, but not many normal high beams are that good in fog anyways, so it doesn't bother me. Normal driving the high beams are awesome.:cool:
I believe one forum member has just got himself a (an?) HID kit for his 'fender. Look forward to an update.
:rocket::censored: Dobber:angel:

[amtravic1]

Just a question for those with the newer vehicles with the HID (or retro fitted ones!) how do you find the whiter light for glare in rainy/foggy conditions?

(Of course Defender drivers don't have this problem... they come standard with nice yellow fog lamps! Sorry couldn't resist!)

I have retro fitted HID's to my headlights and driving lights. Just come back from a long weekend in the Vic Alps and found myself driving up Water Spur and along Tea Tree Range in the rain, snow, dark. (It snowed for most of Sunday where we where) and I found the use of HID in the snow, fog on low beam had little extra glare off the snow and fog compared to normal halogen lights. I would never go back to halogen after using HID.

Ian

[cookiesa]

I have driven a Cruiser with a set of HID driving lights (I asked the owner first!, a customer I had sold it to that wanted them fitting before picking it up) and they are definately the bees knees if you want too see!

I have thought of doing the upgrade too...... It was more of a curiosity than anything! Thanks for the replies

[rangieman]

Ok some of you know i bought the wife a brand new Suzuki Jimny in march ,well the only thing i did,nt like about it was the head lights on highbeam

This is a example of the head lights before and after the HID install , I have bought 2 sets of HID lights off ebay 1 set for the wifes car and the other for mine

They are a plug and play install job and cheap as .
These pics were tanken with dirty head light covers

(1) Normal halogen H4 (Lowbeam)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/04/23.jpg


(2)HID (Lowbeam)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/04/24.jpg

(3) H4 halogen H4 (Highbeam)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/04/25.jpg


(4)HID (Highbeam)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/04/26.jpg
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a210/rangieman/HiDLights002.jpg)Pics taken in the driveway

Im very impressed it has transfered the head lights mega time on lowbeam as well as highbeam , I have acheived what i wanted :D

Now to get to it and do my lights and then ill do the light force Driving lights

[B92 8NW]

What are the legalities of HID kits?

How cheap is cheap Chris? Got an ebay link... It sounds like a sound idea, but I want to be sure its legally sound...

[rangieman]

What are the legalities of HID kits?

How cheap is cheap Chris? Got an ebay link... It sounds like a sound idea, but I want to be sure its legally sound...
Straight from china , 6 days from the minute you pay till they land on your door step:D $258.00 For two 4300K KITS
BiXENON H4 9003 9004 9007 H13 9008 HID CONVERSION KIT - eBay Other Lights, Indicators, Lights, Indicators, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 30-Apr-08 18:03:40 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BiXENON-H4-9003-9004-9007-H13-9008-HID-CONVERSION-KIT_W0QQitemZ180236055075QQihZ008QQcategoryZ42613Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[moose]

Looks good!:cool:

[p38arover]

I was in a subaru forester so pretty low in relation to RR.

Our 2005 Forester has pretty poor lights in comparison to my P38A. I took up Subaru's recent headlight upgrade offer but I didn't notice any improvement.

I hope the lights in my wife's new 2009 MY Forester are better (we only put the deposit down today).

[Zute]

You dont have to have good eye site to pass the RTA eye test. In fact legally blind people can and have passed the tests.
I drive Semi's and B-Doubles and let me tell you, with misty rain on those vibrating mirrors, it can be very hard to see a silver car coming up beside me in the spray coming off all those wheels.:(

But my biggest pet hate are drivers who dont think they have to dip they're high beam, just because they cant see my headlights through the nature strip.
If you can see the lights across the top of the cab. We can see your lights. Thats where our eyes are.

Turn your lights on, and drive safe.;)

[p38arover]

If you can see the lights across the top of the cab. We can see your lights. Thats where our eyes are.

Yep, as soon as I see those lights, i dip - if not beforehand.

Some drivers don't have any nouse. If I can see a car is coming around the curve ahead from the reflection of his lights on the barriers or road, etc., I'll dip before I see him.

A lot of drivers need to have you in their sights before they dip. :mad:

[Zute]

The Fedral Hwy is probably the worst.
Got the Disco up into the Brindies on Sunday:banana: Love those new STT's:thumbsup:

[BMKal]

Im very impressed it has transfered the head lights mega time on lowbeam as well as highbeam , I have acheived what i wanted :D

Now to get to it and do my lights and then ill do the light force Driving lights

I've put the Chinese kit in the Disco as well Rangieman - very impressed with the result. Had to do something, as I'm also running Hella Predators and the blackout when I dipped back to low beam with the original lights was scary.

[RobHay]

.......and the defining authority.........The Army drive with their lights on...and whats good for the Green Machine is certainly good enough for me:D;):p

[29dinosaur]

But my biggest pet hate are drivers who dont think they have to dip they're high beam, just because they cant see my headlights through the nature strip.



One of the funniest things I witnessed years ago were two semi drivers who had wedged a car driver between them. The news must have got around by CB radio about a car driver who wasn't dimming his headlights when coming up behind trucks when heading north on the hume. They stopped outside my shop at about 3:00am (I was doing an after hours job inside)- this is when the Hume Highway went through my town - both of them went around to the car driver who had been forced to stop in the one lane highway and the truckies proceeded to give the car driver a verbal lesson on dipping his lights. Thank goodness it was only a verbal....... All my front business lights were off and so I just sneaked a peek through the window as to the raucous noise going on outside. I bet the driver never drove up behind a truck with his high beam on again.

[cookiesa]

And that sort of intimidation is what gives the good drivers a bad name, like those that drive B-Doubles and insist on sitting up the rear end of the B double in front with no room for another vehicle to drop between them for overtaking. (Yes it saves fuel but trucks on 100 versus trying to overtake and keep to 110 on the highway vertaking 2 becomes downright dangereous)

And it is quite common between adelaide and whyalla. (I also believe it is illegal)

Don't get me wrong the majority of truckies are responsible, considerate and doing a good job but then there are the ratbags.

[rangieman]

And that sort of intimidation is what gives the good drivers a bad name, like those that drive B-Doubles and insist on sitting up the rear end of the B double in front with no room for another vehicle to drop between them for overtaking. (Yes it saves fuel but trucks on 100 versus trying to overtake and keep to 110 on the highway vertaking 2 becomes downright dangereous)

And it is quite common between adelaide and whyalla. (I also believe it is illegal)

Don't get me wrong the majority of truckies are responsible, considerate and doing a good job but then there are the ratbags.
Sounds like the over nighters most of them are cow boys , When i did interstate years ago i used to pull off the highway at the time we called happy hour ,

That was when all the over nighters would be passing , and at times it was down right dangerous and also it was the time the cops were most active (funny):D