Running and position lights: what is the difference between them
Many drivers do not think about the features of the different types of lighting system. These include running lights and parking lights - the difference between these options is significant and they cannot replace each other. It is important to understand what this equipment is used for and in what conditions it must be used.
What are parking and running lights
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) - external lighting equipment of vehicles of any type. Its purpose is to improve the visibility of the front of the car during daylight hours. The car is seen much better in all weathers, which increases traffic safety.
The dimensions are needed to highlight the car when parking in poor visibility conditions, as well as at night and in the twilight period. Their brightness is much lower, it is enough to indicate a standing car, in English this option is called "Parking Light".
In this case, different solutions can be used:
- Dipped beam headlights.. This option is most often used as an aftermarket light in the absence of them. Often in these cases, the lights are operated at low voltage, which saves energy and reduces the wear and tear on the lamps and reflectors, which can break down due to overheating. In some countries, the use of this option is prohibited.
![The parking and running lights: what is the difference between them]()
The low beam and fog lights are a legal alternative to the running lights. - High beam on low voltage. In North American countries this solution is widely used. The voltage is fed through a special resistor so that the light intensity does not exceed 1500 candelas. Many car manufacturers factory-installed this system, so it can be used without any restrictions.
- Fog lights.. In Russia, the traffic code allows to include fog lights as a substitute for running lights, it provides a good visibility of the vehicle. But in some countries, it is forbidden to turn on fog lights in normal weather conditions.
- Stationary parking lights.. Separately, this element began to be installed on a mandatory basis on cars from Scandinavia. Initially they were headlights with incandescent lamps, but now uses LED equipment with a bright white light, which is clearly visible even in the daytime. In this case, the consumption of electricity is minimal, which reduces the load on the electrical equipment.
As for the specifics of the location, there are several important points:
- The size of the lighting equipment should be from 25 to 200 square centimeters by European rules, and from 40 square centimeters in Russia.
- The brightness of the light - from 400 to 1200 Cd in Europe and from 400 to 800 candelas in Russia.
- The height of the lights is regulated and they shall be placed at the level from 25 to 150 cm.
Distance to the edge of the car should not exceed 40 cm, and between the elements the minimum gap is 60 cm.
Difference between parking and running lights
According to GOST R 41.48-2004 daytime running lights should start in automatic mode when the ignition is turned on. This is a mandatory requirement, which is valid in many countries. If there are no separate LEDs, you can use dipped beam headlights or fog lights. In this case, the light must be bright enough to provide good visibility in cloudy weather and on a clear day.
Also in accordance with GOST running lights must be turned off when you turn on low or high beam. But while driving, they work without fail, regardless of where the vehicle - in the city or on the highway. Daytime running lights are not installed on all cars. On older models, they do not have them at all, and most newer models already have this option.
The parking lights are installed on all cars and are used for other purposes. Most often it is a light bulb of small power, which is in the headlight of the dipped beam, but works separately from it. It is prohibited to use them as a substitute for the running lights because the brightness of the light is low and the purpose of this element is different.
In some older cars, most often Japanese-made, there were also side parking lights. They were white and worked both when parking and when changing lanes when parking, improving visibility and providing additional safety.
Some drivers put bright LED bulbs in the parking lights to use them as a substitute for the parking lights. This is forbidden by the regulations and will incur a fine.
When to turn on tail lights
Parking lights are often called the parking lights, according to the rules, they are used on vehicles standing still. They must be turned on at night (on sections of roads without lights necessarily) and in low visibility. It is necessary to make the car visible, to reduce the risk of collision.
The difference between parking lights and dipped beam not only in their function, but also in their brightness. A low-power bulb is used for the lights, which consumes much less power and does not drain the battery too quickly. The light is quite dim, but it is clearly visible in the dark.
While the front bulbs are usually white or yellow, the rear lights are always red. This is done to make it clear which side the car is facing. This type of light should also be on at all times of the day when towing trailers, semi-trailers or malfunctioning vehicles.
The parking lights are also switched on in case of snowfall and other weather conditions that reduce visibility. In this case, they are used in conjunction with dipped lights, fog lights, etc.
It is prohibited to install colored parking lights in the front, it may result in a fine or even deprivation of the driver's license. This also applies to the rear lights, there should be red parking lights.
To understand the differences in the daytime running lights and parking lights is not difficult. The main thing is to use each option correctly, so as not to violate the rules. If your car has no parking lights, you can put additional light sources designed for this purpose, it is not prohibited by law.