Wash your headlamps pls guys......

[Zak33]

.. its dirty out there and you'll be amazed what a clean up will do for your vision.

Message ends

[kalniel]

Yup - only takes a second with a damp cloth to make a huge difference. Legally you should check number plates too - mine got so bad before cleaning that my work's ANPR wouldn't let me onto the premises

[peterb]

I'm constantly amazed by people who only drive on sidelights or no lights in por weather in daylight, even in fog.

They don't seem to know that under those conditions lights are for them to be seen, rather than help them see.

[cheesemp]

It also kills bulbs I think. I used to do 70 miles a day over back roads past salisbury. Didn't spot how bad my lights had got from salt and both bulbs went at the same time... Too much light/heat reflected back I believe and the lights weren't that dirty (got use to cleaning them almost daily!).

[peterb]

Not just headlamps either, make sure tail and, brake and high vis rear fogs are clean too. Be visible!

[Guy]

I'm constantly amazed by people who only drive on sidelights or no lights in por weather in daylight, even in fog.

They don't seem to know that under those conditions lights are for them to be seen, rather than help them see.

I suspect partially having cabins that seem to light up regardless of light status doesn't help. Dash clocks should only illuminate when at the very least side lights are switched on. Sadly most manufacturers seem to believe differently.

That and DRL's which people seem to think are perfectly acceptable to use all day/every day regardless of conditions as the only source of light.

[wasabi]

That and DRL's which people seem to think are perfectly acceptable to use all day/every day regardless of conditions as the only source of light.

(Devil's advocate hat on) Isn't that what they're for?

[kalniel]

(Devil's advocate hat on) Isn't that what they're for?

To use at the only source of light as he mentioned? No - that's what headlights are for if the sun isn't doing the job.

[jonathan_phang]

I think a lot of the time now, people just leave lights on auto and then expect it to work flawlessly. Which isn't the case as we all know!

[Knoxville]

I think a lot of the time now, people just leave lights on auto and then expect it to work flawlessly. Which isn't the case as we all know!

This is one of those little things that nobody else cares about that bugs the hell out of me, like people leaving the front seats in their hatchbacks folded forwards when they get out instead of putting them back.

I'm forever seeing newer vehicles driving around with either an assortment of DLR's and lights on that don't need to be on, or vehicles driving around in twilight with no lights on because the sensors haven't kicked in. It seems with every iteration current vehicles are making the driver more and more of a passenger and more and more people are becoming reliant on what are arguably pointless features.

[Gerrard]

I think a lot of the time now, people just leave lights on auto and then expect it to work flawlessly. Which isn't the case as we all know!

I leave my lights on "Auto" because that's the position for "Off"! (Mercedes) I can override them to turn them on, but so far have only had to do that on one occasion when there was fog and it was daylight.

I cleaned my rear lights, number plate and reversing camera last week as it was starting to get covered with dirt; the front isn't anywhere near as bad but I do keep an eye on it.

[ik9000]

I don't have a car. I wiped my head torch over with a bit of damp kitchen roll, does that count?

[Guy]

(Devil's advocate hat on) Isn't that what they're for?

As the only source of light? I'd hope not!

Auto headlights I don't tend to have a problem with, as 99% of the time they do a good job. Especially as it seems the majority of the driving public can't even remember to switch them on.

DRL's are on regardless of headlight switch position as they're independent of the main lighting controls. I believe(?) that it's been mandatory for a couple of years for all new cars to be fitted with them so they're on by default? I know in my old BMW they could be switched off within the bowels of the i-Drive system, other manufacturers they required coding to be fully disabled.

[ik9000]

ok, I'm behind the times... what are DRLs?

[Guy]

ok, I'm behind the times... what are DRLs?

Daytime running lights.

Front facing usually LED lights that are on all the time whilst the car is moving. Separate from sidelights/headlights.

[Butcher]

I'm forever seeing newer vehicles driving around with either an assortment of DLR's and lights on that don't need to be on, or vehicles driving around in twilight with no lights on because the sensors haven't kicked in. It seems with every iteration current vehicles are making the driver more and more of a passenger and more and more people are becoming reliant on what are arguably pointless features.

Not sure why people with lights on is a problem? I'd rather that than them not having them on enough.
Also you can't turn DRLs off so that's an odd thing to complain about.
People driving in twilight with no lights probably don't have auto lights, rather than the sensors not kicking in; they tend to be very sensitive.