Conference terri::cars_uk

    I don't know if anyone else thinks this is a good/naff idea but here
    goes.

    A lot of cars these days have got a "lights on" warning buzzer if you
    have your lights on when you open the door. However, the one I drive
    doesn't (XR3i).

    After accidently leaving my lights on all day (All be it side lights),
    and subsequently draining the battery, I tried to think of a way that
    would remind me to turn the lights off if I had them on during the day.

    I came up with this, if you put your lights on during the day (ie bad
    light, rain, fog etc.), lock your drivers door. Then if you forget and
    go to get out , you notice the door is locked and aha ! you check the
    light switch.

    It never fails. It may be debateable on whether you should travel  with
    the door locked as in the event of an accident it may make it more
    difficult to get out. Also women may prefer to always lock their doors
    if travelling alone.

    Comments ?

    - Roy
     

but how will you remember to lock your door if you forget to switch
off your lights???


it won't work on all cars; on R5's you can still open the door from the 
inside without unlocking it (the door handle seems to take care of it itself)



....art

    Yuo can buy a little unit that wires between the sidelight and ignition
    circuits. If your lights are on, as you turn off the ignition you get a
    six second bleep. Enough to remind you, but if you intentionally want
    to leave them on it doesn't keep on. 
    
    Fitted one to both my previous BX's and to my wife's Visa. Magic!
    
    Richard

    RE: <how will you remember to lock your door>
    
    Sorry Art, I was not very clear.
    
    The thing to do is to lock your door _when_ you put your lights
    on. For instance I used to think when switching on the lights on
    the way to work "I must remember to switch the lights off", now
    I just lock the door.
    
    I agree that this method may not work on all cars. Indeed on my car
    when you go to open the locked door from the inside it automatically
    unlocks, but its the noise from the central locking that is the
    reminder for me. 
                                             
    - Roy

    Of course the real answer is to choose a make that fits lights on
    warnings as standard.  I wouldn't buy one that didn't - with my memory!
    
    Jeff.

    Well, lights go off when I turn ignition off, unless
    'parking lights' are enabled.
    
    My other car (also not a Ford :-) has a buzzer.
    
    Trouble with that, the door switch is getting unreliable
    and interior light/warning buzzer fail to come on frequently.
    This means that due to relying on ignition-off mode,
    I am getting more and more likely to get caught out...
    
    J.R.

	I always look at my car as I leave it, if the lights are still on, I
	notice it.  Additionally, I switch *all* switches to off after I 
	turn off the ignition.  I must admit that I hate cars that buzz me...

	Dave

    re; .26
    
    It would be a bit narrow minded to choose a car based only on whether
    it has a warning buzzer.
    

    Re .28
    
    Yes, but if you owned a Sierra would you want to look at it every time
    you got out? :^)
    
    Mark

    It would be a bit narrow minded to choose a car based only on whether
    it is, or is not, a Ford !

    
    I think this is probably the most stupid thing I've heard for a long
    time .....
    
    You assume that you will be capable of unlocking the door in the event
    of an accident????

I remember someone coming off the road on a Swiss pass. They had locked the
doors from the inside, and became unconscious in the accident. The passers-by
could not get them out - they even threw rocks at the back windows - but they
just bounced off. It took the rescue services to sort it out. I don't think
that I'd want to risk it personally.

Cheers

Steve

P.S. The car was a


VOLVO.

    I never lock my doors in case of being involved in an accident .
    
    However when I travel in built up areas late at night I always lock my
    car doors, I know someone who once stopped at a crossing and a drunk
    jumped into his car and threatened him with a knife.
    
    I have a warning buzzer and the times its saved me flat battery .
    
    
                              KR
                       
    

    
    Why don't manufacturers improve the technology behind light switches ?
    
    For example only provide a supply to the 'Main Beam' and 'Side Lights'
    IF the ignition key is inserted ? I can't see any problems with this.
    Why they could even fit this as a standard 8-} 
    
    Of course, drivers who forget to switch the lights off may be capable
    of forgetting to withdraw the key ! ;-)  
    
    FWIW, some manufacturers ( Merc 8^) already fit "warning" buzzers as
    standard and are developing a system that unlocks all car doors in a
    crash situation !
    

    Re.36
    Fiats are the same.
    
    Ian.

    
    I think this is a FIAT group trick.
    
    It's pretty confusing if you don't read the handbook first! :^)
    
    Mark

    Do Ferraris do it???
    
    Ian.
    

    
    I'll check tonight.
    
    Mark

    If not I`m cancelling my order.
    
    Ian.

    re: .39
    
    Yes