Should the Position Lights Be Kept On All the Time?

[DeSara]

When driving at night, the position lights should be kept on. Here are some precautions regarding the use of vehicle lights: 1. When a motor vehicle passes through an intersection controlled by traffic signals and turns left, the turn signal should be activated, and the low beam should be used at night. When a following vehicle is driving closely behind the vehicle in front in the same direction, the high beam should not be used. When a motor vehicle passes through sharp curves, slopes, arch bridges, crosswalks, or intersections without traffic signal control at night, it should alternately use the high and low beams as a signal. 2. High and low beams: Both are used for nighttime illumination. The high beam can improve visibility and expand the field of vision. On dark roads without streetlights, the visible range with the high beam is much greater than with just the low beam. The low beam is designed for close-range illumination, with a short irradiation distance and non-adjustable focus, covering approximately 30-40 meters. 3. On roads without central barriers or centerlines: When meeting another vehicle at night, switch to the low beam at least 150 meters before the oncoming vehicle. When meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or bridges, use the low beam. If a motor vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident on the road, obstructing traffic and making it difficult to move, the hazard warning flashers should be activated as required, and a warning sign should be placed 50 to 100 meters behind the vehicle. At night, the position lights and rear position lights should also be turned on simultaneously.

[SimonRose]

Having driven for over a decade, I genuinely feel that parking lights don't need to be kept on all the time. These lights, also known as position lights, are primarily meant for use during dusk, dawn, or overcast days when visibility is poor—helping other vehicles discern your car's outline. Keeping them on during broad daylight can actually dazzle other drivers, while at night you'll still need to switch to low beams for adequate illumination. I remember once driving on the highway during a heavy rain with just the parking lights on, and a truck behind me flashed its high beams—turned out I'd forgotten to turn on the headlights. Later observations showed that some cars automatically activate parking lights in tunnels, but if they're still on under bright sunlight, it's likely the driver forgot to turn them off. As a side note, battery maintenance is important too; prolonged use of parking lights drains power, so don't leave them on when parked roadside.

[DeclanMarie]

Last time I asked the mechanic at the repair shop, and he said parking lights really don't need to be on all the time. He described these lights like an outline pen for the car - only necessary to trace the edges when visibility is poor on cloudy or foggy days. We drivers need to be flexible with our eyes - just twist the light knob to the first position when the sun goes down, and turn them on two seconds before entering tunnels on highways, which is much more civilized than using high beams. But be careful not to confuse them with daytime running lights - DRLs can stay on during daytime, but keeping parking lights on constantly wastes electricity and easily burns out bulbs. Replacing a bulb often requires removing the front bumper, which is quite troublesome. Actually, with the popularity of automatic headlights, this problem has decreased significantly - they automatically turn on the parking lights when it gets dark.

[JuliannaMarie]

When I first got my new car, I studied the lighting system thoroughly. The daytime running lights (DRLs) absolutely don’t need to be kept on all the time. Their core function is to enhance vehicle visibility in low-light conditions, such as during heavy rain or at dusk. Keeping them on during the day not only increases fuel consumption but also shortens bulb lifespan. At night, they must be used in conjunction with low beams to provide proper illumination. I’ve seen cases where drivers were pulled over by traffic police for forgetting to turn on their lights on overcast days, as well as dangerous instances of people using DRLs as headlights at night. Most modern cars come equipped with automatic light sensors that can intelligently switch between DRLs and low beams, offering safer and more reliable operation than manual control. In short, flexible usage based on road conditions is the most reasonable approach.

[VonDawson]

As a road trip enthusiast who has driven on all kinds of roads, the timing of turning on the parking lights is quite particular. When encountering heavy fog on the winding mountain roads in western Sichuan, turning them on allows oncoming vehicles to spot you earlier. However, keeping them on during clear weather on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway is purely wasteful. Remember these key scenarios: they must be turned on within half an hour after sunset, during heavy rain even in daytime, and when temporarily parked on the roadside to prevent rear-end collisions. But in urban traffic jams, they don’t make much difference, and keeping them on under direct sunlight accelerates bulb aging. Now, my habit is to set them to automatic mode as soon as I get in the car—it’s both hassle-free and safe. Also, be careful when modifying car lights; improper wiring can easily burn out the parking light fuse.