fog

[stuffedpike20]

It's foggy here today, but few drivers have any lights on.
I think some of the EV drivers don't want to drain their batteries.

[Bill_qaz]

The worst are cars with DRL and owners not realising they are fronts only, so no rear lights in poor visibility unless the lights are switched on. They then rely on automatic lighting that doesn't function in fog or rain as not dark enough to trigger the sensor.

[stuffedpike20]

The worst are cars with DRL and owners not realising they are fronts only, so no rear lights in poor visibility unless the lights are switched on. They then rely on automatic lighting that doesn't function in fog or rain as not dark enough to trigger the sensor.

I had to tell one of my neighbours that she was driving about in the dark with no lights at all on at the rear.

[geoberni]

The worst are cars with DRL and owners not realising they are fronts only, so no rear lights in poor visibility unless the lights are switched on. They then rely on automatic lighting that doesn't function in fog or rain as not dark enough to trigger the sensor.

That's only part of the issue, it's the permanently illuminated Dash that causes a lot of issues.

My 2010 Kuga doesn't have DLRs, but there have been occasions when I've pulled away in an illuminated car park and then remembered I haven't put the lights on. Usually within the first 20-30 seconds, before I actually get out on the road.

There's also the imbeciles that have DLRs, but then switch to just sidelights because it's foggy/misty/getting dark.......
Side lights are not for driving on.
I'll always remember the time I was taking driving lessons in 1974/5 and my Instructor had to use his brake pedal, the only time he did so.
I had almost pulled out in front of an A30/35 driving around at dusk with just those glowworms on top of the wings, when all other cars had headlight on...

[stuffedpike20]

The worst are cars with DRL and owners not realising they are fronts only, so no rear lights in poor visibility unless the lights are switched on. They then rely on automatic lighting that doesn't function in fog or rain as not dark enough to trigger the sensor.

That's only part of the issue, it's the permanently illuminated Dash that causes a lot of issues.

My 2010 Kuga doesn't have DLRs, but there have been occasions when I've pulled away in an illuminated car park and then remembered I haven't put the lights on. Usually within the first 20-30 seconds, before I actually get out on the road.

There's also the imbeciles that have DLRs, but then switch to just sidelights because it's foggy/misty/getting dark.......
Side lights are not for driving on.
I'll always remember the time I was taking driving lessons in 1974/5 and my Instructor had to use his brake pedal, the only time he did so.
I had almost pulled out in front of an A30/35 driving around at dusk with just those glowworms on top of the wings, when all other cars had headlight on...

Good story Berni.
Can I ask you a question please? My modern car, 1.4 petrol VW engine would only start on the second turn of the key. It had a 60ah battery fitted.
I changed the battery for a 55ah, and now it starts first time!
Why would a weaker battery make it a better starter?
Thanks in anticipation.

[Bill_qaz]

Lower ah doesn't make it weaker if its in better condition.
Or another possibility is in changing the battery you now have cleaner connections.

[stuffedpike20]

Lower ah doesn't make it weaker if its in better condition.
Or another possibility is in changing the battery you now have cleaner connections.

Thanks Bill.

[geoberni]

Good story Berni.
Can I ask you a question please? My modern car, 1.4 petrol VW engine would only start on the second turn of the key. It had a 60ah battery fitted.
I changed the battery for a 55ah, and now it starts first time!
Why would a weaker battery make it a better starter?
Thanks in anticipation.

It depends on what you mean by "would only start on the second turn of the key"
For example, did it require two cranks because you simply stopped trying after a few seconds, does the car automatically stop trying after a few seconds, did it try to start then stop once it disengaged from the starter.??

Your old battery was likely a little tired with age or terminals were not as good a connection as they could be and as Bill suggested, the new connections are tighter....
The proof of the pudding would be to put the old one back in and see if the problem reappears.....

[stuffedpike20]

Good story Berni.
Can I ask you a question please? My modern car, 1.4 petrol VW engine would only start on the second turn of the key. It had a 60ah battery fitted.
I changed the battery for a 55ah, and now it starts first time!
Why would a weaker battery make it a better starter?
Thanks in anticipation.

It depends on what you mean by "would only start on the second turn of the key"
For example, did it require two cranks because you simply stopped trying after a few seconds, does the car automatically stop trying after a few seconds, did it try to start then stop once it disengaged from the starter.??

Your old battery was likely a little tired with age or terminals were not as good a connection as they could be and as Bill suggested, the new connections are tighter....
The proof of the pudding would be to put the old one back in and see if the problem reappears.....

I weighed the old battery in....got £7.50 for it.

With the old battery, the car would crank and crank for a long time on the first turn of the key, but not start. Second turn of the key and it would start almost straight away.

[simmitc]

We're way off the topic of fog, but it's not only ah to consider - what are the cold cranking amps of the two batteries? One may be giving more starting power; but it's likely just the new battery in better condition with clean terminals.

Back on topic, I recall the "see and be seen" message about using headlamps.

[Bill_qaz]

Headlights Are Required

• Seriously Reduced Visibility (Rule 226): You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced—generally defined as when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). This applies day or night during heavy fog, severe rain, sleet, or snow.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway ... 226-to-237
But unfortunately cars don't have an inbuilt stupidity sensor

[geoberni]

I weighed the old battery in....got £7.50 for it.

With the old battery, the car would crank and crank for a long time on the first turn of the key, but not start. Second turn of the key and it would start almost straight away.

Oh well, one of life's little mysteries...

[stuffedpike20]

Thanks folks.

[michael4]

Now is the time to get out your collection of strange aftermarket fog lights for the Morris, yellow ones, blue ones, odd shaped ones etc.

[svenedin]

Around here, bicycles and mopeds with no lights are a serious problem. Both as a pedestrian and as a driver I have had numerous occasions to shout at cyclists, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?". It really annoys me that these extremely vulnerable road users are making themselves even more vulnerable. Almost all of them are delivering takeaways. No lights, no high-vis. I am sure if God forbid, I should have a collision with one of them that it would somehow be construed to be my fault!

Stephen

[Bill_qaz]

"Now is the time to get out your collection of strange aftermarket fog lights for the Morris, yellow ones, blue ones, odd shaped ones etc"

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