When do i turn on and off my head lights?

Question

is it 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sun rise? i get so confused?!?!! which is it!! help!!?!!

Answer 1

I turn them on any time I think they should be on to aid in visibility. I have a bright colored car, so I think that gives me a little more leeway than, say, a gray car would have in fog, but I still turn them on. If you are having trouble seeing other cars with their lights off, then yours for sure should be on. I think the 1/2 hour thing is a decent rule of thumb, but I don't necessarily know when sunrise/set should be and in some places there might be hills blocking the sun so it's darker longer. Most people's intuition is pretty good about know when to turn them on. If you need a general rule, I turn mine on about 15 minutes or so before I can actually see the light they produce on the ground (because it's still bright enough).

Actually, I'm kind of bad about driving with just my parking lights on longer than I should because my headlights are pop-ups that have horrible aerodynamics and act like speed brakes so my mileage drops like a rock. But do as I say, not as I do. ;)

Answer 2

1/2 hour BEFORE sunset and 1/2 hour AFTER sunrise is when they should be on.

Answer 3

You've got it right for an answer for the test. 1/2 hr Before sunset & 1/2 hr After sunrise.

Since this is a rule of thumb, just like the 3-4 second following distance, you may have to make adjustments due to adverse conditions in reality.

Edit:

SketchyB- FYI- Be careful, in a lot of states driving with only your parking lights on is a violation. Those states law goes back to the first types of motor vehicles, where it was the law to turn on your parking lights when you parked your car at night (Hence the term "parking lights")

So be careful, if your state has this law & you encounter an officer that is looking for something to pull someone over for. (Most officers in the US aren't like that, but you & I know there are some out there)

Answer 4

:\ What everyone else says lol.

Answer 5

1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise is when they should be on.

Answer 6

um...on when its dark and off when its light out?

Answer 7

yes, you have it right, but it can be advisable to turn them on earlier and turn them off later, depending on conditions.

Rain, storm clouds, fog etc can all make it darker or reduce visibility, so as a rule turn them on whenever it would make you more visible to other drivers. :)

Answer 8

30 minutes before and 30 minutes after, you are correct and good luck..