What's the point?

[PatH]

OK, so I've had my BC for about a week now, and I have to ask. Why is there a switch for the parking lights on the steering column??? As far as I can tell the switch on the stalf perfoms the same function, so why did Subaru put a redundant switch on the column for it?

If anyone knows the reason, or has any conjecture on why it's there let me know.

Thanks

Pat

[Huffer]

When you are one with the bubu, you will know... :arrow: :?: :!:

[d1giPhux]

Doesnt one work when the key is in the ignition, and the other when there are no keys? :-?

[Superu264]

Doesnt one work when the key is in the ignition, and the other when there are no keys? :-?

ding ding ding!

But there's gotta be another reason. :mad:

[PatH]

Wow, I went out to check that the parking lights on the stalk didn't work with the ignition off and I'll be damned headlights and oarking lights are nonfunctional from the stalk with no key in. I didn't even think to check that, as every vehicle I've owned has the headlights, et al, functional with the ignition off.

As alluded to, that begs the question of why? If I were to hazard a guess, I would say to provide some lighting at night so you can see your way in, and if you forget to turn them off it won't drain your battery as quick as if you had left your headlights on. The only problem with this theory is that you'd still drain the battery either way, and there are far more elegant solutions in existance to deal with the issue of illumination, such as the timered courtesy lamps that leave the headlights on for a minute or so after you exit the vehicle. So I'd think there must be another explantion.

I will say that the headlights not being on unless the key is in the ignition will likely save me a number of AAA calls for dead batteries!

-Pat

[xcntrk75]

It’s simple and actually a feature IMHO. I love the fact that I can leave the switch on the stalk enabled with either driving or full headlights, then simply turn-off the ignition and have them go out. It makes running around at night more convenient as your lights are always on with the ignition. In fact, I always drive with at least my parking lights on using this feature. :cool:

The switch on the column is a bypass for safety I would imagine allowing you to keep the parking lights on with the ignition off (think drive-in theater or something)…

[shazapple]

Yeah, its a safety thing. Theyre not called 'parking' lights for nothing, and you cant always be with your car when parked somewhere unsafe.

I love not having to turn off the headlights in my car.

[Superu264]

I love not having to turn off the headlights in my car.

+1

Everyone is amazed when I turn on my car and the lights magically come on.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I love not having to turn off the headlights in my car.

+1

Everyone is amazed when I turn on my car and the lights magically come on.

+2(0,000)

I <3 not having to worry about the lights. No leaving them on, no annoying alarms when you open the door and they're still on, etc.

And I always keep them on- safety + convenience = teh win! :grin:

[d1giPhux]

^ Yea, this was also one of my favorite features when i first got my subaru! No more leaving lights on to drain my battery!! :twisted:

So does the 'parking light' on the console work for you when your key is not in the ignition? It should.. shoulndt it? I think mine does..

[Wiscon_Mark]

yes, the point is so that you have parking lights no matter the situation (provided your battery isn't dead).

[PatH]

Thanks so much for the information everyone! I figured there was a good reason for it, but I couldn't think of it my self. I was somewhat hesitant of asking, as I've been flamed for less on other forums. I'm really impressed with this forum and its knowledge base!

Thanks again!

Pat

[Wiscon_Mark]

glad to have you here :smile:

[warrior]

I've been flamed for less on other forums. I'm really impressed with this forum and its knowledge base!

Thanks again!

Pat

Flame? We don't flame! Another use for it is, just say there's a crazy blizzard or rain storm and you gotta run to the mall real quick.. the parking lot is empty, you can't really see infront of you, so you park your car and leave... with the parking lights on, it adds visiblity to your car for other cars..

but this can work with other cars too.. hmm.. maybe i really have no idea what im talking about :cry:

[Huffer]

Someone is now one with the bubu... ;)

[d1giPhux]

Flame? We don't flame! Another use for it is, just say there's a crazy blizzard or rain storm and you gotta run to the mall real quick.. the parking lot is empty, you can't really see infront of you, so you park your car and leave... with the parking lights on, it adds visiblity to your car for other cars..

but this can work with other cars too.. hmm.. maybe i really have no idea what im talking about Crying or Very sad

Thats actually what i use it for! When parking in areas where people MAY not see me in the bad weather conditions! Works great too... since i havent been hit yet. Knock on wood! lol[/quote]

[PatH]

I've been flamed for less on other forums. I'm really impressed with this forum and its knowledge base!

Thanks again!

Pat

Flame? We don't flame! Another use for it is, just say there's a crazy blizzard or rain storm and you gotta run to the mall real quick.. the parking lot is empty, you can't really see infront of you, so you park your car and leave... with the parking lights on, it adds visiblity to your car for other cars..

but this can work with other cars too.. hmm.. maybe i really have no idea what im talking about :cry:

I guess I blessed living in Oregon then. All we tend to get here is a constant drizzle from November thru April. No blizzards and not too many torrential downpours. Although I did think of one use for it, If you're broken down on the side of the road at night, it would lend an extra measure of visibility over the hazard lights. This would only be useful if you weren't leavaing it for an extended period of time, but it cetainly would be a boon in say foggy weather.

-Pat

[d1giPhux]

Wow, you guys dont get snow up in oregon? I thought you did! Haha, shows how much i know! LOL :lol:

[PatH]

Well, I live in the Willamette valley, so we will get a dusting of snow once or twice a year. But if I head up to the Cascades or eastern Oregon it snows there a lot more frequently. To be honest I wish it did snow here more often, since I origanly hail from California, where it snowed like once a decade :D

-Pat