Using Side Lights on a Car Traffic Regulations Idea from the West

Creating the safest possible situation for all road users is one of our priorities. Sometimes moments arise when the visibility of the car becomes extremely limited, due to weather conditions or darkness. Therefore, in order to prevent accidents from occurring, every driver should clearly mark their vehicle. It is for these purposes that there is a special type of lighting technology called “side lights”.

Despite some similar characteristics with ordinary lamps, the mentioned devices have a lot of differences and must be used in accordance with strictly established rules of the legislation of the Russian Federation.

How to enable

When purchasing a new car, every motorist must not only check the technical condition of the vehicle, but also how all its options are turned on/off, including side lights. The reason is that in each car model, the switches are located in different parts of the control panel or on the steering column switches.

You should also figure out as soon as possible how different light bulbs are changed in order to understand whether it will be possible to carry out the replacement yourself in the event of a breakdown on the road. In some cars, the side light bulbs are located in a common headlight module, and replacing even the smallest bulb requires the services of service station specialists. In other machines this procedure is much simpler.

Reasons for replacing the side light bulbs

Replacing lamps in restyled and pre-restyled cars is different. As a rule, in the first case, replacement is somewhat more difficult. Nowadays, replacements do not need to be made so often because LEDs have replaced the old incandescent lamps. However, there are situations in which replacement is definitely worthwhile:

1. You want to improve the appearance of your car and get brighter bulbs. It is worth remembering that LEDs combine well with cold xenon.
2. You want to increase the life of your side lights. LEDs have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs.
3. You want to reduce the amount of electricity you consume or simply keep up with current technological trends.

The reasons for the lamp malfunction may lie in a manufacturing defect. Cheap Chinese lamps quite often fail before the stated end of their service life. Also, the malfunction may be hidden in the car’s electrical network or a leak in the headlight.

Fog light

1. If the car is equipped with a power button located on the center console (as, for example, in the VAZ 2109), then this button activates the side lights, as well as the low beam. To turn on the first, the button must be pressed once, and when the next mode is activated, the low beam is activated.
2. If you use a steering column switch, you need to work with it to control the optics. The switch should have a button that turns on the lights (the author of the video is the Rama rus channel).

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Use of external lighting devices and sound signals

19.1. In the dark and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of the road lighting, as well as in tunnels, the following lighting devices must be turned on on a moving vehicle:

• on all motor vehicles and mopeds - high or low beam headlights, on bicycles - headlights or lanterns, on horse-drawn carts - lanterns (if equipped);
• on trailers and towed motor vehicles - side lights.

19.2. High beam should be switched to low beam:

• in populated areas, if the road is illuminated;
• when passing oncoming traffic at a distance of at least 150 m from the vehicle, and also at a greater distance, if the driver of the oncoming vehicle periodically switching the headlights indicates the need for this;
• in any other cases to eliminate the possibility of blinding drivers of both oncoming and passing vehicles.

If blinded, the driver must turn on the hazard warning lights and, without changing lanes, reduce speed and stop.19.3. When stopping and parking at night on unlit sections of roads, as well as in conditions of insufficient visibility, the side lights on the vehicle must be turned on. In conditions of insufficient visibility, in addition to the side lights, low beam headlights, fog lights and rear fog lights can be turned on.19.4. Fog lights can be used:

• in conditions of poor visibility with low or high beam headlights;
• at night on unlit sections of roads in conjunction with low or high beam headlights;
• instead of low beam headlights in accordance with paragraph of the Rules.

19.5. During daylight hours, all moving vehicles must have low-beam headlights or daytime running lights on to indicate them.

19.6. The spotlight and searchlight may only be used outside populated areas in the absence of oncoming vehicles. In populated areas, only drivers of vehicles equipped in the prescribed manner with blue flashing lights and special sound signals can use such headlights when performing an urgent official task.19.7. Rear fog lights can only be used in conditions of poor visibility. It is prohibited to connect rear fog lights to brake lights.19.8. The identification sign “Road Train” must be turned on when the road train is moving, and in the dark and in conditions of insufficient visibility, in addition, while it is stopped or parked.19.10. Sound signals can only be used:

What is the fine for high beam headlights in 2022?

So, we have considered the requirements of the Rules. The turn of responsibility for their violation has come. And there may be several penalties, depending on the specific violation.

General fine for traffic violations

In particular, this penalty will be imposed on the driver in the following cases:

• driving with high beams on a lit section of road in the city,
• blinding oncoming traffic,
• distant blinking as a warning about the traffic police crew
• and other violations of traffic regulations for the use of this light.

If it doesn't light up, when is it required?

Please note that the distant one does not need to be turned on at all in any case. Then the Rules give you the right to turn it on in all cases except those prohibited

But you have no obligation to use it under any road or weather conditions.

Therefore, in principle, there cannot be a fine for failure to use high beams. Another thing is that... read below.

If it doesn't work, is the lamp burnt out?

For example, you are driving with a distant driver, and your car is seen from afar by an inspector standing on the road. But one light bulb is not on, so, for example, the left headlight shines on high beams, and the right one shines on low beams.

Side lights and daytime running lights: what's the difference?

If the indicators must be left active when stopped, then daytime running lights are needed to indicate the car while driving, even during the day. Neither the first nor the second category of illumination is an alternative to low beam at night.

If in the evening or during bad weather a road safety officer stops a vehicle traveling only on clearance, the driver will be issued a fine. You can drive either with DRLs or with the headlights on in low beam mode. The dimensions are used for parking purposes, and not to save battery resources when the car is driving.

The design of all cars is equipped with side or parking lights by default. As for running lights, in some models they are not used at all, but they can be placed near the headlights and connected through a separate button or together with the car’s lighting.

Old style parking lights

Some older domestic vehicles used another type of parking lights. For example, starting in 1968, Moskvich-408 cars received side parking lights installed on the rear body pillars. These lights were turned on by a special toggle switch in the car's interior. Later, Moskvich abandoned this type of parking lights.

Today, such parking lights are usually installed on buses, trucks and other special equipment.

What are the responsibilities for installing blue (or other color) marker lamps?

In accordance with the current legislation, established provisions of GOST, as well as in accordance with the requirements for the approval of vehicles for operation, for the use of red marker lamps in the front part (instead of white), as well as other colors (green, red, etc.), liability is provided for Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. Here is the text of the law:

• Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation “Driving a vehicle on the front of which are installed lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the operating mode of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to Operation and responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety

• entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of 6 months to 1 year with confiscation of the specified devices and accessories.”

In the rear, the side lights should be red. Accordingly, the use of lamps of a different color is also prohibited.

Device

Illumination of the front and rear dimensions is included in the design of the optics. So, the front light will be equipped with a lamp that will have a white light, and the rear light will have a red light.

Side lights are always yellow. Most cars have a white light bulb installed in the socket, but its glow depends on the color of the backlight element housing. However, there are car models in which each headlight is white, but the bulbs glow in accordance with the type of signal provided by the manufacturer:

• Turning and side lighting - yellow glow;
• Rear optics - red light, with the exception of turn signals in some models, as well as a reversing light;
• The front optics are white except for the turn signals.

Side parking lights

There is another type of side lights that were installed on old cars of the 80s and early 90s (mainly Japanese cars). We are talking about white side parking lights that turned on on the side of the intended turn or lane change when parking.

By the way, unlike the flashing turn signals, the white side lights were constantly on when parking.

Error codes on the Priora dashboard

When entering self-test mode, combinations of numbers and letters may appear on the display indicating the part of the circuit where a malfunction is detected.

Usually, after entering the service mode, one or more numbers appear on the device:

• 2 – a critical overvoltage was detected in the on-board network, caused by a short circuit or breakdown of the unit;
• 3 – an error has been detected in the fuel level sensor, a circuit break is possible;
• 4 – there is overheating of the cooling system, or the corresponding sensor is broken;
• 5 – the thermometer that determines the temperature outside is broken or there is an open circuit in versions before 2012, mounted optionally;
• 6 – the engine has boiled, you need to wait for cooling or check the serviceability of the sensors;
• 7 – the oil pressure in the crankcase of the power plant is too low, the sump may leak or the lubricant level has dropped significantly;
• 8 – breakdown of the brake line or units of the corresponding system;
• 9 – the battery is discharged or the element is faulty; it can also appear after the car has been idle for a long time in the cold;
• E – the firmware has failed or there is a critical error in the EEPROM data packet.

Traffic rules

The first to include the mandatory use of headlights in traffic regulations were the United States. The changes came into force in the 68th year of the last century. At the same time, such a resolution appeared in Canadian legislation. If the driver ignored these instructions, he was subject to a fine.

Moreover, these instructions applied to any type of mechanical device. Since the introduction of these changes, the number of accidents on the road has decreased by almost half.

If the car is stopped on the side of the road in the dark, be sure to leave the lights on. The rules do not prohibit the use of additional light, such as running lights. The main thing is that the car is clearly visible to other road users.

Side light color

As for the front dimensions, they should always be white. The rear ones are basically red. As for the side ones, the driver can use yellow, orange or blue light bulbs. Such strict restrictions are not the whim of law enforcement agencies. It’s just that the inconsistency in the car’s lighting confuses other road users. Especially if the driver “tunes” the front optics and installs red lights in them.

Fines

Although the details of the use of side lights are not strictly regulated in many rules (there is no separate fine for each violation), the driver may receive a warning or a receipt for payment for violating the rules in the following situations:

• The car is standing on the side of the road in the dark, there are passengers sitting in it, but the dimensions are not illuminated;
• The headlights are so dirty that their glow is hard to see;
• Driving in poor visibility only on clearance.

Some may regard strict rules in the use of car lighting as an infringement on self-expression. In fact, this is done solely for the sake of traffic safety.

Additional vehicle lighting symbols

Additional light markings for the body are required for trucks, since they are large, and in the dark it is necessary to accurately mark all the outer parts of the vehicle. By default, such vehicles must have the same lighting devices as passenger cars. Additionally, illumination of the side parts of the entire car is installed.

When installing such lighting, it is important that the bulbs do not differ in either brightness or color. The side lights of trucks must only be yellow or orange. Blue bulbs can be installed, but only as side markers.

An important condition when using additional illumination of dimensions is symmetrical installation. When using such lighting fixtures, you should purchase lamps made by the same manufacturer. Only if these two factors are observed can you be sure that large vehicles will be correctly marked at night. According to documents, some cars belong to the category of passenger transport; their dimensions are quite large. In such cases, owners of such vehicles install additional lights on the roof of the car. In addition to the fact that it looks beautiful, drivers of oncoming traffic can recognize the dimensions of the car. The main thing is that such lighting does not blind other road users.

Is it possible to make turn signals larger?

Quite recently, avid car owners came up with a unique method that allows their cars to stand out from the crowd - installing side lights in the cornering headlights. In fact, this is a fairly simple external tuning procedure. It is better to contact a specialist for these purposes, although sometimes you can redo the side turn signals yourself. You can do this as follows:

1. Open the hood and remove the corresponding lamp.
2. Take into account the design features of the car.
3. Carefully remove the damaged lamp.
4. Pull out the ground wire and connect it to the power cable.

It is always necessary to take into account that the dimensions in turn signals are considered violations by law. Therefore, if the side lights are converted to the type of optics considered, the driver may face a serious fine.

LEDs or halogens

Side marker lights Halogen bulbs are often used for side marker lights, but today manufacturers are increasingly using LED bulbs for car side marker lights. This choice is based on the functionality of the LEDs. LED side lights last much longer (up to 100,000 hours), the brightness of such bulbs is better, they consume less electricity, they are resistant to temperature fluctuations, vibration, and incorrect operation. Despite the increased cost of LEDs, their characteristics completely cover this disadvantage and quickly pay for themselves. The main thing, no matter what lights you choose for the parking lights, remember - they should not burn brighter than the brake lights.

Review of Chinese diodes

Many Chinese-made automobile parts enter the domestic market. Each modification is assigned its own brand, but this does not affect their performance at all. We offer to compare several types of w5w led in w5w dimensions.

Car parking lights w5w led

Thus, one can understand how large the differences are between the technical characteristics specified in the operating instructions and during use.

Device breakdowns

According to the traffic regulations (Chapter 19), it is prohibited to use a vehicle with damaged external lighting devices. It is also prohibited to drive a car at night with the headlights and sidelights turned off. If at least one device malfunctions, there is a high probability of receiving a fine, justified by the use of a car with breakdowns.

Like any other equipment, sidelights can fail. Novice drivers often wonder how to replace the side light bulb. The process is quite simple. To do this, you need to open the car hood, remove the cover from the inside of the lighting equipment, remove the base, and replace the lamp.

VIDEO: How to change the front side lights of a car

No less rare are cases when, when replacing a halogen part with an LED element, the control panel may display a malfunction of the sidelights. This is not scary, since the on-board computer is designed for high power of luminous components, and diodes consume significantly less watts, so the control panel simply does not see them. However, experts recommend not changing the classification of the source, since LED lights are not suitable for all vehicles.

Very often, drivers simply forget to turn off the sidelights, which leads to a rapid discharge of the battery. Some device manufacturers have been able to solve the current problem: when the dimensions are functioning and the door is open, the vehicle emits an audible signal, reminding the driver of a forgotten task. Also, new modifications of cars have already been “trained” to independently control the operation of the lighting device.

Often the installation has a long service life, but if a malfunction is detected or the need for urgent repairs arises, this procedure will not take much time.

VIDEO: Replacing the brake light bulb

Source

When to turn it on and off

All cars have different design solutions for external lighting.

To move on to using the dimensions, you need to clearly know how they turn on and where the controls for these devices are located. This information is detailed in the vehicle's owner's manual.

Sometimes they simply forget about including dimensions. In older cars, this option was turned on simultaneously with the backlight; it was technically impossible to forget.

In modern vehicles, everything is separate: both lighting and dimensions. Turning the optics on and off in certain situations needs to be controlled.

Clause 19.3 of the traffic rules provides for the driver’s obligation to turn on the side lights in the following cases:

1. When stopping (parking) at night on unlit road sections.
2. In conditions of poor visibility. Additionally, simultaneous activation of daytime running lights, low beam headlights, and fog lights (headlights and rear lights) is allowed.

A significant decrease in visibility occurs under the following conditions:

• in heavy fog;
• at night and at dusk;
• during precipitation, snow or rain;
• when driving in a tunnel.

In conditions of limited visibility when stopping and parking, the driver is given the right to independently decide how to make the car more visible, which lighting devices need to be turned on additionally.

At the same time, we must not forget: even in difficult weather conditions, the choice of a place to stop and park is regulated by the Traffic Rules.

It is believed that movement is most difficult in the dark and in heavy fog. Don't wait until the fog makes the road indistinguishable.

It is better to turn on the lights even in light fog.

When stopping at night on the side of the road, to improve visibility, in addition to the side lights, you should turn on the hazard warning lights.

It’s better to make a rule for yourself: if it becomes worse to see, you need to turn on the dimensions. Do not forget that all drivers have different vision. It is really necessary to indicate the dimensions of the car, because in the dark a car without dimensions is just a ghost.

And also, practical advice: if the low beam of the headlights becomes visible on the road, it’s time to use the side lights.

Advantages and disadvantages of lighting devices

Thanks to the presence of dimensional LED lamps, every motorist can easily indicate the dimensions of his own vehicle, as well as warn other road users that you are about to stop or make any maneuver. It is acceptable to use them as brake lights and parking lights. So, giving preference to LED headlights, you should count on the main advantages:

• compact dimensions with wide possibilities for tuning;
• ease of installation and operation (elementary replacement);
• more light than halogen and xenon bulbs;
• maximum efficiency and minimum fuel consumption;
• long service life, even without heating;
• reliable tightness (resistance to moisture);
• ability to flare up at full power after switching on.