Parking light?

[surcalation]

I was pulled over by the police last night and when I was at the side of the road they questioned my front lights. I said that it was a parkin light which was showing when the engine was off.

After I proved this point he then said that it was on the wrong side when turning on my engine and all my lights are on.

I then said it wouldnt if I was parked on the other side.

He then said that you had to park facing the line of traffic?

So my question is:

"Is the parking light meant to be on the drivers side or passengers side?"

and does anyone else's come on, on the passengers side?

 

[jcs356]

You turn on your parking light by leaving the indicator stalk down when the ignition is off. So if you park on the left of the road and indicate to the left as you park, don't cancel the indicator, turn off the ignition, it will illuminate the left hand side parking lights.

IMO this is the wrong parking lights to leave illuminated as you want to have your right hand lights showing - these are the ones sticking out into the road - you don't want the ones showing next to the kerb. So to show the correct parking lights, you flip the indicator stalk the other way (i.e. right hand indicator) and then your right hand side parking lights will work.

I thought the aim of parking lights was to illuminate the bit of the car sticking furthest into the road??

 

[C11PRA DC]

IIRC on my old polo the parking light was either side depending on the position of the Indicator stalk!

DC

 

[edc]

I believe the highway code stipulates that you should be parking in the same direction as traffic

 

[andyj]

I thought you only used the parking light when parked facing oncoming traffic....

If you park facing the direction of traffic, then your rear reflectors will ight up if a car approaches from behind....

but you don't have front reflectors, hence the reasoning behind parking lights......

 

[surcalation]

oh right so it depends on the indicator stalk.

I was indicating to the left when I pulled in.

Shall go and test it out.

Thanks for the swift replies!

 

[Brummy]

indicator stalk it is.. .. also you (theorectically ) should park *with* the flow of traffic.. Hence the reason why you have reflectors on the rear clusters , but none 'up front'.. you should only use youir parking lights when *FACING* on-coming traffic

 

[jenk]

I must be dumb, never knew such a thing existed

 

[C11PRA DC]

Is this a wind up!? Do Mk2's have parking lights?

DC

 

[Brummy]

 

[surcalation]

yes mk2 have parking lights

well just tried to get my parking light to work on my drivers side and if brummy's is right then it's never gonna work on the drivers side because it isnt on the on coming traffic's side of the road.

 

[Brummy]

can be.. if your parked like mine is.. in a cul-de-sac.. FACING incoming/oncoming traffic

 

[Fl@pper]

i'd be happier if they pulled the w****** who insist on parking up on whatever side with main beam on

not only can i see you but the car going round you looks like theres 2 in front of me blocking the road plus as you parked half on and half off the kerb with the front in the air in all honesty i cant even see that bike thats just gone around you even with its lights on - so next time instead of offering to vacate you from the vehicle i will insist on it

*rant over*

 

[surcalation]

flapper needs a hug

 

[Brummy]

ok,,...Flapper........... C'MERE............

 

[Fl@pper]

Thug more like about 6ft5 and built like a brick outhouse

i'm sweet calm and innocent ------------------ honest

 

[Brummy]

5'10 ... touch under 14 stone.. shaven head.. tattoos.... attitude adjusted a few times along the way... but really??........ Im a pussycat..

 

[Brummy]

But Ill STILL give ya a hug..

 

[ScottyDog]

if you had to park facing oncoming traffic, that means you would have to turn in the road, therefore causing more chance of an accident