reversing lights poor

[Brodick]

Originally Posted by pont

I am not questionning the highway code, just the practicalities of night reversing.

I am very grateful to wimorrison for his constructive inputs, which include confirming that the footwell lights do stay on (15 model yr) and that the "dash dimmer" is the only way to reduce the light, which I find an unwelcome distraction when driving on our very dark lanes around here.
The autodipping headlights are , for me, wonderful.

Reversing lights on my v70 and other cars I drive do assist with seeing where you are going, and Rory, I have the twin lights. What year is yours? I am wondering if the bulbs, which I am led to believe are now LED on mine, may unusually be less bright than the ordinary ones they replace, from what you say.

The new to me xc60 reversing lights are certainly bright enough to inform others that I am reversing, but cast no "flood" of light to show the way. For practical looking in the wing mirror purposes, none. There are two of them which I must admit surprised me, as that can be confused for distant headlights.

One last thought, I sat wondering how I was going to reverse in the pitch black last night, and gave up and drove forward to turn round. While writing this reply, I have started to wonder if the reversing lights brighten when either the handbrake goes off, or the vehicle moves. This would be typical of the new "even more clever" Volvo thinking.
An experiment tonight is in order. I will let you know if there is news.....

My post was made in the hope that someone may agree with me, and have found an improvement. I live in a world of no street lights and pitch black roads.
On a positive note - Wow, what a car!

I hope you take no offence from my replies. It was only when someone queried my post that I thought I should back up my statement!

I personally still wouldn't rely on reversing lights to provide enough light for manoeuvring though

[mfresh]

If the footwell lights weren't on, how would you be able to see where the pedals are when you want to use them?

[Redsun351]

Originally Posted by pont

There are two of them which I must admit surprised me, as that can be confused for distant headlights.!

Are you honestly being serious?
If you're saying you can't see anything behind because your reversing lights are not bright enough how on earth could they be confused as headlights in the distance when they would also be surrounded by bright red tail lights?

Reverse lights are only 21W at maximum so have never been designed to be a lighting aid. They are just a non compulsory warning aid and any lighting benefit is purely secondary.

[bobby2000]

I have reversing camera and I find my reversing lights to be quite good, certainly better than some of my previous cars.
I also have blacked out side and rear view windows and must admit that the do hinder a bit in the dark but again using wing mirrors help, I do tend to use my mirrors more than camera, old habits die hard especially being a x HGV driver.

[pont]

Dear Redsun,

FWIW It is not that many years ago that the percieved wisdom was to have one
reversing light and one rear fog, thus avoiding any confusion especially in very bad visability, so yes, in some small way it does surprise me that nowadays there are two.

Please be nice .

[chopper602]

You could always put your hazard lights on, at least that will illuminate your surroundings a little more (in an admittedly flashy manner!)

[Pchende]

Not really attemped to park the xc60 in the dark yet only had it four days, but the my14 v40 i had before certainly had decent light output from the reversing lights. You would expect the xc60 to have the same bulb setup.

Will comment later on as will be out in the car later.

[Redsun351]

Originally Posted by pont

Dear Redsun,

FWIW It is not that many years ago that the percieved wisdom was to have one
reversing light and one rear fog, thus avoiding any confusion especially in very bad visability, so yes, in some small way it does surprise me that nowadays there are two.

Please be nice .

It's not a case of not being nice it's a case of being utterly godsmacked by the comment!
I'm sorry but anyone who thinks 2 reverse lights at night at any distance could be confused as 2 headlights really have no business being on the roads in daylight or darkness. The taillights and probably reflectors would be visable long before the reverse lights.

One of each was nothing to do with avoiding confusion but was simply design driven and legislation at the time!
The reason for switching to 2 of each light is for LHD and RHD markets around the world using common lighting units and complying with or exceeding each countries law. We just happen to benefit from the additional benefits.

[RoyMacDonald]

I don't think the reversing lights would fool anybody into thinking they were headlights. The mass of red LED lights around them would be too much of a giveaway.

[Brodick]

Originally Posted by pont

Dear Redsun,

FWIW It is not that many years ago that the percieved wisdom was to have one
reversing light and one rear fog,

Please be nice .

No that's not the case. I have owned numerous vehicles over the past 22 years and have never owned one with just one reversing light. I think this is actually dangerous as dependent on its position it could be easily missed by pedestrians and other motorists.