Re: Auto Lighting thread : Post all queries about automobile lighting here Hi
Most of us have noticied the general trend of auto manufactures of increasing the headlamps - both intensity of light as well as the number of headlamps. I have spent some time to observe in what direction OEMs have gone -
Cars such as Indigo, Ford Fiesta, and i20 have twin headlamps. Stock is 55/60 or 60/65 and if there are two of them then think of the illumination. In SUVs - Fortuner, XUV, Duster, Santa Fe, Pajero and Outlander have twin headlamps - in most cases one halogen and the other HID. Additionally these vehicles have a fog lamp. I am not even talking about Honda Accord/Passat/Skoda/BMW/Audi/Merc OEM lamps - most of them are stadium level lights. I mean just an amazing combination of lights and focus. All very nice, good to see technology taking its own momentum.
While we think about the march of technology lets spare a thought for some other users on the road - two wheelers - except Pulser 220 and R 15 no one has a comparable high beam. Where does our old trusted Bajaj Chetak stand in this? There would be a user who drives that as well. Probably has the rest of the family along too. All he cares about is to reach home safely and he probably won't be impressed with blinding lights - if all are on!
That makes me wonder that at least in city driving all of the headlamps are not even needed and will blind other users. Streets are mostly well lit besides light on the road from dozens of other users.
Let's shift to highway. The crown is taken by B9R Volvo. To the best of my knowledge there are projector 90/100 W x 3 plus a fog lamp on each side. In total 8 headlamps. Most of them also add 2 additional ones. Thankfully they don't ply much within city limits but on the highway their illumination can really light up a dark night. There are a few routes where they ply on 2 lane highways but rarely dip from hi beam. The hi-end cars and the SUVs - majority drive with all the lights on. I would be careful of not using all lights on a 2 lane highway though on a 4 or a 6 lane GQ as far as it does not blind on coming tracffic it is ok to illuminate a dark stretch. One has to use good judgement while using extra set of lights of any has been installed.
What about our Ashok Laylands, Tata and Eicher trucks. They have 4 headlamps plus an additional spot light. The hight of all of these trucks is at driver level for cars. I think AMW and Bharat Benz trucks have far better set of headlamps.
My appeal of all owners of vehicles with powerful OEM headlamps - please use only what is required in city. In any case there is so much other light available within the city. All the headlamps are certainly not needed and please bear in mind there are other users of the road. This, with particular reference to two wheelers.
An additional appeal to all users. Please make sure the rear lights are working and your vehicle is clearly visible to other users. This applies more to highway users. A quarter of vehicles don't have proper rear lights. Trucks, tractor trollies, dumpers and even state transport buses are the biggest culprits. At the very least a few reflectors will go a long way in relecting light back. For those who have driven in Rajasthan at night you may have noticed most camel carts have a lantern hanging at the rear. Even they understand that need.
And a final appeal is to pedestrians. Please wear something white at night and look out for vehicles turning a corner.
I travel extensively on highways and saying this with some experience. My Ertiga has additional Light Force. The additional lamps are always covered and never used in the city plus I always drive on low beam within the city. Some years ago I had a Hero Honda CD 100 and fully understand what it means to get oncoming blinding light.
Being considerate to other users is 'being human'.
Last edited by Rajain : 20th February 2013 at 00:36.
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