Lighting Chit Chat

[jml]

- even more with one foglight (if only they knew how silly that looks) .

Talking of which, what do people think of the automatic left or right fog light when turning ? Citroen first used it (can’t remember which model) over 10 years ago.

I know it’s alleged to give a better view of the kerb when turning but I’ve tried it on several cars and really can’t see that it makes any useful difference.

Just my opinion.

Cheers

Julian

[GiveMeABreak]

It's not as good as dedicated angular lighting, found on vehicles like the C5 X7. Mine light up the entire right or left hand side of the front corners and the units are contained int he headlamps. The fog lamps are left to do the job they were intended for.

I did convert my HP19W / PH19W (as they are referenced as both types) angular from the halogen type to LEDs so they matched the factory Xenon lights. Some pictures in my 'How To' thread, although the phone camera didn't do them justice to be honest:

viewtopic.php?t=58411

[van ordinaire]

Talking of which, what do people think of the automatic left or right fog light when turning ? Citroen first used it (can’t remember which model) over 10 years ago

That's a new one on me but it's another classic example of manufacturers not considering themselves bound by Construction & Use regs.

That in turn (whoops - sorry!) reminds of the 3rd generation DS's with the "steering" inner headlights that were disabled on NAS cars - & then the Yanks "invented" cornering lights! (somewhat ironically, disabled for this country)

[GiveMeABreak]

I have cornering headlights on my X7 and they work a treat.

[Hell Razor5543]

I have cornering headlights on my X7 and they work a treat.

You should let Ken Hom know. He is also pretty good with a wok!

[civvie]

I have the turning lights on my Hyundai, wondered what on earth was happening the first time they got used. They seem to be helpful on dark turns.

[Michel]

I think they're useless. My friend Lois had them on her 2008 Touran. She took it back to the dealer because she didn't know what they were, and why one light kept going off (bought it new).

The VW dealer replaced the lights and loom TWICE as they didn't know either!

[GiveMeABreak]

Well knowing what they're for helps. I've had these on 2 vehicles now and they are invaluable round these parts - seeing round corners gives you the edge on the country farm roads.

[RichardW]

You're talking about something different, Marc..... the others are on about normal halogens where one of the fog lights comes on when turning at low speed, whereas you have the HID directional lights which turn with the steering (and which I agree are great as I have them on the 3008, although I think I need new ballasts, as they're not as good as I think they should be!)

[GiveMeABreak]

That in turn (whoops - sorry!) reminds of the 3rd generation DS's with the "steering" inner headlights that were disabled on NAS cars - & then the Yanks "invented" cornering lights! (somewhat ironically, disabled for this country)

I was referring to Van's post Richard - specifically the bit he said about them being "somewhat ironically, disabled for this country. So maybe Michel was on about the static fog light ones.

[GiveMeABreak]

The MK II C5 had both the HID projector bulb, but additionally a main beam light too in the headlamp, whereas my X7 only has the HID projector now.

[van ordinaire]

Sorry for any confusion, I was referring to the days when the concept of cornering lights was unknown in Europe. I'm not sure when Detroit first embraced cornering lights but would hazard a guess around the late '70's & they were definitely a no no here then, so they were disabled & continued to be at least until the early 2000's. Never sure what provision of the Lighting Regs they fell foul of or whether it's been relaxed - or, more likely, simply ignored [same as amber sidelights, side markers, sequential indicators & conspicuity lights (look it up; we don't have DRL's in this country) that stay on with the headlights].

[GiveMeABreak]

Thanks for clarifying the previous.

Talking about today though, DRLs have been a legal requirement to be fitted to all European cars since 2011, so a legal requirement. The DRLs (depending on manufacturer and models will either stay on with the headlights - they just dim their output when the headlamps are switched on, or they will switch off when the headlamps are on.

And interestingly, what you say about the amber side repeaters (I appreciate the guillotine type James Bond indicators from the 60s / 70s that flew out the sides), but again these are back in fashion. Many of these are now on the rear view mirrors instead or on the wings.

The ones I am not liking are typically those in the Audis that streak on like flashing tree lights left to right - I find that very off putting and distracting being behind those.

[myglaren]

.

The ones I am not liking are typically those in the Audis that streak on like flashing tree lights left to right - I find that very off putting and distracting being behind those.

There were American cars doing that with incandescent bulbs years ago, seventies quite possibly.
There was one near here that used the same Shell station that was fitted with them.

It wasn't one of these but similar.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, that's a bit 'in yer face' Steve!