General public's ignorance on vehicle bulbs...

mhadden · 03-14-08, 07:50

Is it just me that notices, or are there a considerable amount of drivers that don't car or don't know about the proper bulbs for their vehicles? I can't go a day on the road without seeing at least 2 or 3 Buick Century's or Regals with white DRL's instead of the amber ones (remember that this also serves as the front turn signal). Then I usually see at least a couple cars a week that look like they skimped out and changed one headlight bulb but then can obviously see that the other is dimmer than the one they just replaced (instead of replacing both at the same time). Maybe I'm just OCD about that kind of small stuff; my wife thinks I'm crazy. So am I the only one that notices and/or cares? Sound off!

(BTW, this is my rant of the week

)

Luster · 03-14-08, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhadden

Is it just me that notices, or are there a considerable amount of drivers that don't car or don't know about the proper bulbs for their vehicles? (BTW, this is my rant of the week

)

Haha... I agree!!! Yeah, most people don't care about anything to do with their cars!

I've never seen so many nasty rags in my life as I have this winter... But my daily driver Red Firebird is always clean and perfect! (and BTW, I use the correct bulbs... LOL)

mhadden · 03-14-08, 08:26

Mine too. It's the OCD in me. Even though its a company car, I ONR it when I can't use water and I still polish, seal and wax it. Fortanutely, the president of my company notices and appreciates my efforts. The other two people that work for me don't do anything but drive thier cars. One doesn't even get washed, and the other, almost identical car to mine gets serviced and a wash every 2-3 weeks.

Setec Astronomy · 03-14-08, 09:41

Do you really think it's the drivers, or the place they brought the car to when the bulb went?

BigAl3 · 03-14-08, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhadden

Is it just me that notices, or are there a considerable amount of drivers that don't car or don't know about the proper bulbs for their vehicles?

(BTW, this is my rant of the week

)

or some drivers that don't even know that one of their head/tail lights are out...

cajunfirehawk · 03-14-08, 10:17

Quote:

Red Firebird is always clean and perfect!

Now your talking....

mhadden · 03-15-08, 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Do you really think it's the drivers, or the place they brought the car to when the bulb went?

I really think it's both, but more so the drivers fault for not caring or changing it. I will agree that it is wierd that the 3157/4157NALLs come in clear AND amber with no other designation to distinguish the two. I think most of the people will go, "hey its the same part number! and install it, thinking that the amber color comes from the tint or reflector in the housing (like taillights are usually red housings, etc).

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl3

or some drivers that don't even know that one of their head/tail lights are out...

Yeah that gets me too. This is one of the reasons I wish LED tails would become a requirement. Yes, they are more expensive to replace, but use less energy, emitt more light than the incandescent's, and at higher speeds (see highway), the instantaneous light equates to 7+ ft more reaction time...

Of course, this is just my opinion. As much as I hate government intervention, I really wish we'd have some stricter laws on vehicle standards ffor things like this that seem to be common sense (amber only turn signals (no red)), not to mention stricter requirements on getting drivers on the road (I'm getting sick of the asshat drivers that "drive" in the left lane). I'm not bitter about this subject at all

I've just put a lot of thought into it (since I'm a "precision driver"

)

Frankie_B · 03-15-08, 10:02

This ain't as bad as people who don't have a clue about proper use of high-beams. They drive around with the high-beams always on, blinding the crap out of you!

dublifecrisis · 03-15-08, 10:44

how many of you have noticed the amount of Chevy/GMC trucks and SUVs with one DRL out? No exags I see 5-10 everyday. It drives me nuts. This includes all tahoes, yukon, silverado, suburban and so on. I'm sure it's a GM issue but at least go by the $3 bulb and replace it.

thump_rrr · 03-15-08, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhadden

I really think it's both, but more so the drivers fault for not caring or changing it. I will agree that it is wierd that the 3157/4157NALLs come in clear AND amber with no other designation to distinguish the two. I think most of the people will go, "hey its the same part number! and install it, thinking that the amber color comes from the tint or reflector in the housing (like taillights are usually red housings, etc).

Yeah that gets me too. This is one of the reasons I wish LED tails would become a requirement. Yes, they are more expensive to replace, but use less energy, emitt more light than the incandescent's, and at higher speeds (see highway), the instantaneous light equates to 7+ ft more reaction time...

Of course, this is just my opinion. As much as I hate government intervention, I really wish we'd have some stricter laws on vehicle standards ffor things like this that seem to be common sense (amber only turn signals (no red)), not to mention stricter requirements on getting drivers on the road (I'm getting sick of the asshat drivers that "drive" in the left lane). I'm not bitter about this subject at all

I've just put a lot of thought into it (since I'm a "precision driver"

)

The problem with LED tailights is that they are so efficient that they emit no heat hence they cannot melt any snow that accumulates in colder climates making some cars driving at night virtually invisible.

mhadden · 03-15-08, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by thump_rrr

The problem with LED tailights is that they are so efficient that they emit no heat hence they cannot melt any snow that accumulates in colder climates making some cars driving at night virtually invisible.

The German's would just put a spray washer or small wiper on them

Quote:

Originally Posted by dublifecrisis

how many of you have noticed the amount of Chevy/GMC trucks and SUVs with one DRL out? No exags I see 5-10 everyday. It drives me nuts. This includes all tahoes, yukon, silverado, suburban and so on. I'm sure it's a GM issue but at least go by the $3 bulb and replace it.

I think its a GM problem in general. They were the ones that started the whole DRL BS back in the day, but I think you're right. Well, its either their design is faulty or the bulb supplier has crappy bulbs. Yes, a bulb that is constantly on will burn out faster, but you can see 2007-2008's with burned out bulbs already!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankieB

This ain't as bad as people who don't have a clue about proper use of high-beams. They drive around with the high-beams always on, blinding the crap out of you!

Yes, quite annoying as well. Diamler has the technology to automatically disable the highbeams if it senses oncoming traffic (I know Jeeps have this option)...I would hate to have a technology box telling me what I can and can't do...the solution is better driving practices and getting all the ignoramouses off the freakin' streets!

But that's another thread for another day!

cmartins1963 · 03-22-08, 07:39

Here we go...

What Bulb - Automotive Bulb Reference Guide