What does the parking light of a car mean?

[McKhloe]

Parking lights are warning lights that serve as a safety reminder for the vehicle, pedestrians, and the surrounding environment when the car is temporarily parked and turned off, provided that the car is equipped with parking lights. They are used to indicate the position of the car. When the parking lights are turned on, the headlights will illuminate with a relatively low intensity, and the taillights will also light up, serving as a safety warning. Parking lights are applicable in the following situations: 1. When temporarily parked in dark environments, to prevent passing pedestrians, bicycles, and other traffic participants from colliding with the car. Turning on the parking lights can effectively provide safety warnings and outline the vehicle. 2. When temporarily parked and leaving on narrow provincial, county, or rural roads at night, the parking lights have a significant effect.

[LeClaire]

I found this feature particularly useful during a self-drive trip in Europe. When parking on narrow streets at night, you must turn on the parking lights because local regulations require the vehicle's outline to be visible when parked. Simply put, it's a small light on one side—for example, if you're parked on the right side, you turn on the left parking light so that oncoming cars can see there's a vehicle from afar. Nowadays, for cars in China with automatic light switches, you can activate it by flicking the turn signal lever toward the parking direction after turning off the engine. These lights consume much less power than headlights, protecting the battery and avoiding the embarrassment of finding your car dead in the morning.

[CarsonAnn]

Parking lights are designed to make your car noticeable to other drivers at night, as if the car is saying 'Hey, I'm parked here.' Traditional models require turning the key to power on the lights, but most new cars can activate them by holding the turn signal lever to the left or right for three seconds. Once, while helping a neighbor move his car, I noticed yellow lights on the left front and right rear. Upon asking, I learned this feature is called 'cornering lamps.' Beginners might confuse them with position lights, but position lights stay on when the ignition is on, while parking lights are specifically designed for parking safety.

[AliyahLee]

Simply put, it's the one-sided parking light. Last time I drove my friend's Volkswagen Golf, I parked on an unlit roadside at night. After shifting to P gear, I pressed the turn signal lever downward, and the two yellow lights on the right side lit up. Some older Mercedes models are even cooler, featuring a dedicated rotary switch for the P gear position. This feature consumes only about 5 watts, so there's no worry about battery drain even if left on all night. It's especially recommended for use in unlit suburban areas, as it's more professional than using hazard lights. Note that some low-spec models in China may have this feature removed.