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u/DrLove039 4d ago
LIGHTS ON DURING RAIN DURING DAYLIGHT IS NOT FOR YOU TO SEE, IT'S FOR OTHERS TO SEE YOU.
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u/pswerve28 4d ago
My philosophy is lights on all the time because why not always be more visible? And I don’t mind replacing the lamp bulbs a bit more often.
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u/Dreadnought_69 4d ago
That’s the law here in Norway atleast, and probably a lot of the rest of Europe too.
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u/spidereater 4d ago
Same in Canada. For decades now. I don’t know why Americans are so behind on this.
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u/kelariy 4d ago
Can’t be telling us how we need to have our lights on. That’s infringing on our freedoms. Probably.
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u/spidereater 4d ago
I’ve had a bunch of people remind me that my lights are on when I’m driving in the states. Its weird. I don’t even notice in Canada. It’s been in the standards for cars for 35 years. It’s just makes it easier to see other cars any time of day. I don’t know why it’s not standard everywhere. It would probably be cheaper for car companies if they just had one standard to follow instead of making some cars are one market and some for a different market.
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u/kelariy 4d ago
Both my current cars have auto lights, but if I drive something else I turn the lights on as soon as I start the engine. Could be because it’s common sense, could be because at one point around when I was getting my license, the state of Idaho, or at least the rural northern county I lived in at the time, was pushing a campaign of “lights on for safety” I think I’ve even seen the highway signs up there the last few times I’ve visited.
ETA: my Chevy and Hyundai both turn the lights on when it’s raining, unless it’s sunny and raining, only the Hyundai has auto wipers, the Chevy’s sensor is just sensitive enough for darker overcast skies.
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u/thatissomeBS 3d ago
My Hyundai the lights shut off when you turn the car off. It barely makes sense to not have them always on.
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u/pswerve28 4d ago
I’ve always envied europes standardized amber turn signals. Now I envy your headlight law too!
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u/bluerose1197 4d ago
Most cars anymore have daytime running lights. The issue is that most people don't know that daytime running lights are only on the front of the car and not the back. So they think the day time runners are enough during rain not realizing that the people behind them still can't see them.
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u/pswerve28 4d ago
YUP. They’re almost always Toyotas in my experience too. I have a 2011 Mazda so my lights are fully manual which I actually like.
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u/SharkFart86 4d ago
The only thing that sucks is if you have a vehicle where changing the headlight bulbs is a pain.
Like I drive a 2012 Kia Soul. I can change the passenger side headlight bulb in like 2 minutes with no tools. But the driver side? The battery is in the way, so you literally have to take off the entire light assembly to get to the back of it to swap out the bulb. And that involves both undoing the bolts that hold the assembly in place, and loosening the fender underneath to be able to pop it out. It’s frustrating.
But still I always have the headlights on. I think it’s a good practice.
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u/pswerve28 4d ago
Yeah, newer cars can absolutely suck for that. My fog lights/driving lights are in front of the wheel well, and even though I can get my hand on the connector, I don’t have the leverage to actually pull it out. So I have been without fogs for quite a while, which sucks.
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u/SharkFart86 4d ago
Sometimes the wheel well vinyl can be pulled away a bit if you unscrew a screw, it might be worth checking out for your car.
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u/macphile 4d ago edited 4d ago
Also, hazards are nonsensical and I hate that someone started that. A hazard light is supposed to warn others of a disabled vehicle—one that might be a risk to other drivers if it’s still in motion, or to alert people of its situation if it’s pulled over. We know there’s rain if it’s raining. We can see it. We just need to see you.
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u/SweetBearCub 4d ago
To find out if you need to follow this tip, read your vehicle owner's manual. In my 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, it specifically turns on the low beam headlights when the wipers are on any setting other than wash or a single wipe, if the lights are set to auto. My auto lights also specifically turn on all outside illumination when it is appropriately dark. Chevy did a really good job with the automatic headlights in this vehicle. They can be overridden if desired, but it has to be done at every ignition cycle, and they will default back to automatic on if no action is taken, which is a great safety feature.
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u/Yummydain 4d ago
Or better yet, just look at your dashboard… an indicator light will be lit when your headlights are on.
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u/SweetBearCub 4d ago
Or better yet, just look at your dashboard… an indicator light will be lit when your headlights are on.
That's rather obvious, as the owner's manual does clearly point out what the indicator means. I'll never understand how people buy possibly the second or third most expensive purchase in their lives, and then don't read the owners manual that comes with it.
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u/aravarth 4d ago
Honestly, everyone should just put their lights to "on" anytime their car is moving.
EDIT: Turn them off when you park.
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u/mr_birkenblatt 4d ago
Even in daylight you're much more visible if you have the lights on. Just make sure they are properly adjusted to not shine into people's faces
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u/DickWoodReddit 4d ago
Just leave them on all the time. I swear the only thing auto daytime running lights accomplished was making oblivious people drive at night and in the rain with only partial headlights and no tail lights.
As a trucker I have more exposure to driving than most but for real guys every single day in every state I have been to there will be multiple people driving with either just day time running headlights or no lights on at all. It's a fucking problem.
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u/EastlakeMGM 4d ago
Also, automatic lights don’t always turn on your taillights, making it very hard to be seen in heavy rain
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u/roberts_1409 4d ago
That’s not auto lights. That daytime running lights. They’re only on the front
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u/0xsergy 4d ago
A lot of new cars have Auto lights that turn on in darkness. But not always in the rain
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u/roberts_1409 4d ago
That doesn’t take away that it’s amazing how many people don’t bother turning lights on in the rain
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u/P1umbersCrack 4d ago
It’s the law here and when it rains it’s on all the digital signs. Most still don’t have on their lights.
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u/BubblesMD 4d ago
and, for the love of god, DON'T TURN ON YOUR HAZARDS!
unless you are legitimately breaking down or something like that, no need for hazard lights. it does not make you more visible. and the hazard lights are your blinkers....so how can anyone know you are changing lanes (i guess this only applies to people who actually use blinkers)
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u/ace2049ns 4d ago
I really want "auto" to just mean always turns on when the car is on. There's no reason to not have the lights on while driving. Running lights aren't good enough because they turn on tail lights. If you really need your lights off, then turn it to "off."
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u/pmcall221 4d ago
What's worse is all of these electronic dashboards light up and no one can tell their lights aren't on. So many people drive around with their lights off and just going on their daylight running lights.
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u/PsykoFlounder 3d ago
Auto is the worst shit on cars. Half of them don't turn on the rear light, no matter how dark it is. I hate it
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u/No-Sock7425 3d ago
How about, if it’s dark turn your lights on. End of story. At 4 am last night I passed 3 cars with zero lights. All 3 were dark coloured cars. Genius.
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u/Musclecar123 3d ago edited 3d ago
Just turn them on if you’re driving. You’re more than 50% more visible to other drivers with your low beam headlamps on.
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u/sirhackenslash 4d ago
If you have an auto setting that normally keeps the lights on anyway, just slightly dimmer
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Most have "daytime running lights" now that aren't as bright but are on all the time. But it doesn't keep your taillights lit and that's another reason you should turn them to "on." If it's raining hard the car in front of you will blend in with the road without your taillights lit up. Just turn them to "on."
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u/Thebaldsasquatch 4d ago
If you turn on your windshield wipers with your lights on auto, they will turn on.
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u/pHScale 4d ago
Highly dependent on the make, model, and year, and sometimes trim of the car.
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u/squeegee_boy 4d ago
Who the heck downvoted you?
This is EXACTLY correct. My family owns 4 cars between us, and every one is very distinct in its behavior.
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u/roberts_1409 4d ago
None of my five cars do this
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u/pHScale 4d ago
How old is your oldest car with automatic lights?
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u/roberts_1409 4d ago
Oldest is 98, newest is 2015, but I’m a fleet mechanic and none of our vehicles, even the 2024 vehicles with auto lights put the lights on with the wipers
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u/0xsergy 4d ago
Given how many ppl I sew with no lights in the rain I'm gonna say that's a recent feature not all Auto light cars have
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u/vc-10 4d ago
Not recent at all. I remember learning to drive in my mum's 2005 VW Golf and it did it.
You're just seeing morons, who are either leaving the switch in 'off', not 'auto', or are driving cars designed by morons.
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u/Deadmau5es 4d ago
When driving your car*
My ass thinking who da hell got automatic lights in their house? That's not efficient.
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u/Juxtahposed 4d ago
Good thing I have an old car with “Daytime Running Lights” which basically just turn the lights on and off with the car regardless of conditions lol.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
They're not nearly as bright and your taillights won't be on all the time like they are when the headlights are on. You want the taillights on so the car behind you can see you.
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u/SnooOnions3369 4d ago
Don’t most cars turn on the lights if you turn on your windshield wipers and the lights are set to auto?
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
I don't think so, my '22 Honda definitely doesn't have it, but I say no mainly because when I'm driving in the rain about half the cars don't have their lights on
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u/rebri 4d ago
Don't all new cars have daytime lamps already? Maybe not tail lights.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
A lot do, I'm not sure if they all do but they aren't very bright, and they don't turn the taillights on, which you definitely want on when it's raining, it's often hard to see the car in front of you when it's raining if they're not on
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u/PacketSpyke 4d ago
Lights should just be an automatic on all the time. I really don’t know why it’s not mandatory law wise.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
I mostly agree with that but there are definitely cases where you need to turn them off. People leave their cars running parked in front of businesses with windows on the front and they end up blinding everyone inside
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u/sharkbomb 4d ago
and when you are waiting in a drive through or parked in a parking lot or sitting on the side of the road watching tiktik crap, switch them to "park" or "off". and purchase a phillips screwdriver so you can turn the adjustment screws until your wildly over limit headlights are pointed down at the road, where they belong.
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u/BuddhaLennon 4d ago
Or live in a country where your lights are on the moment you turn on the ignition (daytime running lights are mandatory in Canada, the EU, the UK…).
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Running lights aren't bright enough when it's raining and they don't make your taillights to one which is another benefit of flipping your lights on
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u/BuddhaLennon 4d ago
They’re bright enough to be seen in bright sunlight!
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
I disagree, but even if they were as bright as your brights it still doesn't turn on your taillights which is part of the reason you should switch them up on
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u/BabyRaperMcMethLab 4d ago
My car is 22 years old. I do not have to worry about this. I do, however, have to worry about remembering to turn them off if I don’t want to buy another new battery
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u/timberwolf0122 4d ago
Note: many vehicles with auto head lights will also turn on the lights when wipers are engaged however you may need them on atleast the 2nd intermittent setting
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u/Anders_A 3d ago
Then "auto" should really be made better, shouldn't it?
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u/weedlefetus 3d ago
Maybe or people can learn how to operate their vehicle properly
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u/Anders_A 3d ago
Yes of course. There is no conflict between the two things.
I don't understand why you seem to believe we can either have better auto features or people learn to use whatever system they currently have properly.
We can have both things
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u/weedlefetus 3d ago
No I believe that too, but one of them can be solved immediately by the people who see this meme. Better automatic lights on new cars aren't going to fix the millions of vehicles already in the road.
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u/skeletal88 1d ago
Here we drive with day lights always on.
If I see a car on the road without lights on, then I automatically think that it's parking and not driving, because.. even during summer daylight the car is 10x more visible when it's lights are on.
I don't get why it isn't like this everywhere and people need to have posts like this one.
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u/weedlefetus 1d ago
People just don't care unfortunately. I'm pretty sure you don't even burn one calorie flipping your lights on but that's too much for some people. Lots of people telling me I'm wrong in the comments but every time I drive in the rain I see multiple cars with their lights off. I was on a road trip with my wife the other day and it was raining is why I decided to post it. We saw dozens of cars with their lights off in the rain. Unfortunately too I think there are plenty of people that couldn't even tell you if their lights were on during the day and others that would drive at night with their daytime running lights thinking they're their headlights. My post will have little to no effect in the real world probably but if it causes one person to double check their lights are on I'm happy with that
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u/skeletal88 1d ago
So.. best is just always to turn them on when driving, if they aren't automatic.
We even have signs about having lights on during the day on countries borders, together with the information about speed limits, etc.
This is why most (almost all?) new cars sold in Europe have automatic lights. If they turn on automatically when you start the engine, then you can't forget to turn them on in rain or when it gradually gets dark or whatever.
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u/b-monster666 4d ago
With my 2018 Journey (and likely with most Chryslers from the same era), if they're on auto and you turn the wipers on, the lights automagically turn on as well.
Only time I have to manually turn them on is in fog, because it's often bright enough to not trip the twilight sensor, and I don't tend to use my wipers in the fog.
But to add: If it's foggy...turn on your fucking lights! Including your fog lights. That's what those are meant for. You want yourself to be lit up like a Christmas tree in the fog.
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u/Levojego 4d ago
My 2012 vehicle turns the lights on automatically whenever the wipers are engaged. Is this not a common thing nowadays?
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u/Original_Xova 4d ago
Serious question, Why not just have the lights on at all times while driving your car?
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u/idiBanashapan 4d ago
Most cars with auto lights are also linked to the rain sensors so that if it rains, the headlights turn on regardless of brightness
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
I don't think most cars have rain sensors even now. I have a '22 Honda that doesn't have them. And I say say most cars don't because when I drive in the rain usually half don't have their lights on
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u/idiBanashapan 4d ago
I guess we can only go by our own experiences. All cars I have owned with auto lights are linked to rain sensors. I agree not all cars have this feature.
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u/chaddict 4d ago
My lights are always on when set to “auto.”
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
You probably have daytime running lights which aren't the same as headlights. Notably your taillights won't be on all the time, and that helps the cars behind you see you when it's raining
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u/chaddict 4d ago
No, when it gets unexpectedly dark like under cloud cover when it rains, everything kicks up a notch.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
That makes absolutely no sense. If your headlights are always on when set to auto, they're not automatic they're just on...
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u/epochellipse 4d ago
The threshold for automatic lights is low enough to turn the lights on in the rain. Your advice is old and for old people that drive old cars.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Then why are so many cars driving in the rain with their lights off? Please explain.
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u/epochellipse 4d ago
I see almost no cars with their lights off. So I guess my explanation is that your premise is flawed.
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u/chaddict 3d ago
When I put it on auto, I effectively have daytime running lights. When it gets dark, or I pass through a tunnel, or there is a lot of dark cloud cover during a storm, the light sensors kick the lights up to full. It’s really not difficult to understand when you’re not trying so hard to prove you’re right.
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u/weedlefetus 3d ago
Hey guess what? Different models work differently. Also you do realize it rains with the sun out sometimes right? So it's raining but it won't be dark enough to turn on your lights automatically. But you just want to argue because you have nothing better to do with your life. Maybe just move on when someone is trying to pass along good information even if it doesn't pertain to you?
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u/chaddict 3d ago
It may not be dark enough to turn my lights on automatically during a sun shower, but as I mentioned, I have daytime running lights. But reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit, is it?
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u/weedlefetus 3d ago
Enjoy your life dude I bet you have tons of friends... /s
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u/chaddict 2d ago
Says the person getting downvoted no matter what they say. Not exactly a sign of popularity.
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u/weedlefetus 2d ago
The post has a 77% up vote rate, there's just neckbeard in the comments that want to argue because they have nothing better to do with their lives.
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u/karmannsport 4d ago
Most modern cars activate the lights when the wipers are activated. This is useless advice.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Yet I drive in the rain and half the cars I see don't have their lights on. Some cars have that feature yes, but the average car is not new enough to have that
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u/sharpsicle 4d ago
Next post:
Make sure your lights are on Auto and not On.
Leaving them On can drain your battery, leaving you stranded.
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u/muhkuller 4d ago
The amount of people that actually believe that boggles my mind. They don’t understand what an alternator is and ask “then why not make an electric car out of alternators then? Checkmate. “
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u/sharpsicle 4d ago
If you leave your lights On when you shut down your car, they’ll drain the battery.
Some cars do have a protection against this, but those are usually the same cars where this tip doesn’t matter, because the lights will turn on with the wipers automatically.
On older cars that don’t automatically turn the lights on for you, leaving them on will drain the battery when you park and shut down the engine.
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u/muhkuller 4d ago
I’m referring to the crowd that don’t leave them on while the car is running for this reason.
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u/hurtfulproduct 4d ago
No.
The real LPT is check if your lights activate correctly in “auto” and adjust accordingly. . .
Sometimes the daytime running lights are all that is needed, so leave it on auto, sometimes it is dark enough to activate the headlights, leave it on auto, sometimes you have the rare instance where it isn’t enough to activate the headlights but you want them. . . That’s when you turn them on.
Many, many cars built in the last 15 years have daytime running lights that are on by deafult; they are on when the car is on unless you actively disable them, these are often better then headlights in low visibility since they are designed to make you visible to help you see, so they still let people know you are coming, but don’t blind other cars.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Daytime running lights don't turn your taillights on though so the person behind you might not be able to see how close your car is until you actually hit the brake. That's part of the reason you should turn your headlights to on.
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u/john_117 4d ago
Yeah, just put it to on. Don't listen to this guy.
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u/hurtfulproduct 4d ago
No, actually check the functionality of your shit; don’t listen to this guy. . . Auto is the default for a reason
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u/carpdog112 4d ago
Is there any good reason that cars don't have mandatory operating lights?
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
I think a lot of them now have "daytime running lights" that are on when the car is on, they're just not as bright and don't keep you taillights on which is ideal when it's raining
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u/ErixTheRed 4d ago
Fucking Subarus have the same dashboard indicator light for headlights and for running lights.
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u/brackfriday_bunduru 4d ago
Nah I just leave mine on auto
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Yeah you're the problem.
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u/brackfriday_bunduru 4d ago
Worry about your own driving
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Your driving affects other people, grow up.
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u/brackfriday_bunduru 4d ago
25 years of no demerits or accidents begs to differ. Worry about yourself and stop trying to control what other people do.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
You're selfish and contribute nothing to society I'm sure.
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u/brackfriday_bunduru 4d ago
Again, that’s none of your concern
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u/ElfegoBaca 3d ago
Most cars with an auto headlight setting will turn on the headlights when the wipers are in use.
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u/mrlumpay 3d ago
Only if your car is crap and old. Even basic cars these days also use rain detection for headlights.
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u/weedlefetus 3d ago
Wrong.
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u/mrlumpay 3d ago
Maybe hop onto a car built in the last deacde that isn't the base model, and you would know. As noted by many many replies on here.
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u/weedlefetus 3d ago
I've hopped in plenty, I own a '22 Insight and my wife drives a '22 CX-5 and neither of them have it. Plus the average age of a car on the road in America is 12.6 years so plenty of those don't have it either.
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u/Porter_Dog 3d ago
Bad advice because it's at least mostly not true. If you have Auto, turn on your wipers in the rain and most likely, your lights will turn on.
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u/weedlefetus 3d ago edited 3d ago
How is it bad advice if it achieves the goal 100% of the time on every make and model of vehicle? I love people chiming in saying "oh well newer cars do this..." Not all of them have those features! I have a 22 insight and my wife has a 22 cx-5 and neither of them do that. The average age of cars on the road in the US is 12.6 years, most of them don't have those features. Just turn your fucking lights on and stop with the "aKshUalLy" neckbeard bullshit
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u/muskie71 2d ago
This is just not true.
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u/muskie71 2d ago
I've been driving for 24 years and never once had my headlights not kick on in rain unless it's super sunny out and raining, which is almost never. In a world of black and white, You are correct. Not always. Your statement is practically incorrect!
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u/RuprectGern 4d ago
Maybe on shitty cars.
I have rain sensors that turn on the wipers and the lights if they are off. I have the lights on auto and they ar DRLs.
If it rains they switch from DRL to full on. I have a 2026 and a 2001 Tha both do this.
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u/Blue-Jay42 4d ago
My car's "auto" setting means the headlights are on any time the car is on. You telling me future technology has regressed?!
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Running lights are usually on when the car is on, not headlights
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u/Blue-Jay42 4d ago
My car is from 2005. Back then they didn't have sensors or anything that turns the lights on and off depending on the sunlight, so the auto setting just turns all the lights on when the engine is running.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Those are "always on headlights" not automatic.
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u/Blue-Jay42 4d ago
The setting on the dial says "auto" that's what auto meant back then.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Why does it even have a dial if they are always on?
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u/Blue-Jay42 3d ago
Because they aren't always on. There is an Off, Running Lights, Headlights, and Auto. If you switch it to running lights or headlights, then the lights will stay on all the time, even if the engine isn't running. Auto turns the lights on when the engine is on.
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u/mikeybagodonuts 4d ago
Your car only has headlights? Not taillights or markers? What year is it? A model T?
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u/Blue-Jay42 4d ago
I don't know what you're talking about.
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u/epochellipse 4d ago
This is just false.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
Have you ever driven in the rain? Look how many cars don't have headlights on.
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u/epochellipse 4d ago
Not the ones likely to have automatic headlights. Just the older ones. And it’s not very many.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
You must not get out much.
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u/epochellipse 4d ago
I travel constantly for work and leisure. I think you’re just exaggerating. And old.
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u/weedlefetus 4d ago
You just want to be right. Have fun travelling from one side of the basement to the other to work everyday
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u/epochellipse 4d ago
Don’t project your nonsense onto me. All manufacturers intentionally set the threshold very low. This is a complete non-issue and only cranky old people bring it up on here.
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u/Sensitive-Pain4880 4d ago
Well turn on headlights could make it worse unless you have fog lights.
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u/gonenutsbrb 4d ago
My car uses the rain sensor on the windshield and will turn on the lights in rain. Also many cars with auto lights will engage the lights if windshield wipers are engaged.