V90 Reversing Lights

[Bernard F]

Originally Posted by dghdgh

Now I always thought reversing lights were to make other motorists aware of your actions not to light your way.

The correct answer is both. How would you reverse in the dark without them.

[lalith16]

I too always thought reversing lights are mainly there to warn other road users. Some cars have only one reversing light on one side; you would think ALL cars would have two lights if the main purpose is also to enable the driver to see the road in the dark. I think being able to see the road in the dark whilst reversing the car is an added-invaluable-benefit whilst the main purpose is to warn others.

[cassell]

Here's the exact wording from the Construction and Use Regulations 1989 - Road Vehicles Lighting:

“Reversing lamp” A lamp used to illuminate the road to the rear of a vehicle for the purpose of reversing and to warn other road users that the vehicle is reversing or about to reverse.

So yes, two purposes, all I am saying is that for purpose 1 'illuminating the road', the V90 ones are rubbish!

[SuffolkBoy]

Accordingly to my manual, the reversing lights on the XC60 are LED - really surprised that the S/V90 are not the same.

Having said that they are LED, still not that bright - think the dark tinted rear windows don’t help though!!

[nu11eaf]

Poor reverse lights might be some thing to do with not shining bright white lights towards oncoming traffic, I wish they were a little better or Volvo should improve the rear camera for night vision as it is not very good in the dark.

[dghdgh]

SCHEDULE 14
requirements relating to optional reversing lamps

1. Number:

Not more than two
2. Position:

No requirement
3. Angles of visibility:

No requirement
4. Alignment:

To the rear
5. Markings–

(a) A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured on or after 1st October 1985:
An approval mark
(b) A motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1986 and a trailer manufactured before 1st October 1985:
No requirement
6. Size of illuminated area:

No requirement
7. Colour:

White
8. Wattage–

(a) A reversing lamp bearing an approval mark:
No requirement
(b) A reversing lamp not bearing an approval mark:
The total wattage of any one reversing lamp shall not exceed 24 watts
9. Intensity:

No requirement
10. Electrical connections:

No requirement
11. Tell-tale–

(a) A motor vehicle first used on or after 1st July 1954, provided that the electrical connections are such that the reversing lamp or lamps cannot be illuminated other than automatically by the selection of the reverse gear of the vehicle:
No requirement
(b) Any other motor vehicle first used on or after 1st July 1954:
A circuit-closed tell-tale shall be fitted
(c) A motor vehicle first used before 1st July 1954:
No requirement
(d) Any vehicle which is not a motor vehicle:
No requirement

[dghdgh]

The text above shows the requirement, as you can see there is no minimum wattage but a maximum of 25wts. Basically its a mandatory positional lamp.

[Bernard F]

Originally Posted by dghdgh

The text above shows the requirement, as you can see there is no minimum wattage but a maximum of 25wts. Basically its a mandatory positional lamp.

I think a 25 Watt led would light the street up and satisfy all of us. Expect to see a change in the regs some time.

[Boatie]

Having followed a V90 along a motorway (daytime) I can't say I'm that impressed by the rear indicators either. Struck me as small compared with other similar vehicles eg VW, BMW, and Audi with which I'm particularly impressed. Fronts are good but the back, nah!


Frank

[cassell]

Originally Posted by Boatie

Having followed a V90 along a motorway (daytime) I can't say I'm that impressed by the rear indicators either. Struck me as small compared with other similar vehicles eg VW, BMW, and Audi with which I'm particularly impressed. Fronts are good but the back, nah!


Frank

Agreed Frank,

I reckon the bloke in Gothenburg who was responsible for designing rear indicators and reversing lights was having a bad day when the V90 appeared on his CAD computer!!

Paul