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New GM's and Reverse light rant

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:21 am
by AZViking
Since when do vehicles' reverse lights turn on after shutting the car off? This has been bothering me lately in parking lots. Seeing a car with its reverse lights on thinking the driver is wanting to back out, I stop. Me being polite, I wait patiently to let them out of their spot (half the time, wanting their parking spot) only to see the driver exit the vehicle while the lights are still on.What purpose does this serve? I've noticed it on GMC Sierras and Chevy Suburbans so far.

Re: New GM's and Reverse light rant (AZViking)

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:30 am
by Tubaryan12
Probably some safety feature to light the area around the car. My Rondo does this with the daytime running lights until I open the door. I don't get it either, but I do like the way it lights the garage at night.

Re: New GM's and Reverse light rant (Tubaryan12)

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:37 am
by Whelan
Precisely, same reason headlights come on when you hit the unlock button or they stay on after the car is off for a set amount of time. Think to yourself, unless the car is broken. If reverse lights are on and you don't see brake lights on too, the car should be moving. The exhaust would be making noises too.

Re: New GM's and Reverse light rant (Whelan)

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:48 am
by AZViking
I can understand the safety concerns with not having lights on (the dome lights on our 2000 neon come on automatically after the key is turned off, which I've always hated), but reverse lights in a parking lot send out the wrong signal to me. True, no brake lights associated with the reverse lights could be a good sign, but I've sat with my car in reverse in a parking lot before without the brakes on (incline) waiting for a chance to pull out of my space.If the designers wanted lights left on after shutting the engine off, why not use the brake lights instead? PS, too cold out to have the windows down to listen to the other car's engine, and a little windy this morning to look for the exhaust.

Re: New GM's and Reverse light rant (AZViking)

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:06 am
by jake75
Brake lights don't provide as much illumination as the white back up lights.

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:14 am
by 09vGT
I wish my vibe did it.. I hate when I get somewhere and turn off the key and.. BAM! Darkness.. all around.. The headlamps don't even stay lit!..

Re: New GM's and Reverse light rant (AZViking)

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:19 am
by scherry2
Quote, originally posted by AZViking »Seeing a car with its reverse lights on thinking the driver is wanting to back out, I stop. Me being polite, I wait patiently to let them out of their spot (half the time, wanting their parking spot) only to see the driver exit the vehicle while the lights are still on.couldn't agree more. and on a nice sunny hot day exhaust isn"t visible