Are brake lights at junctions the new front fog lights?
Discussion
Liquid Knight said:
Good idea, I have suggested before that all drivers should be retested every five years. When I have made that suggestion some are very vocal about how much of a bad idea they think it is. Coincidentally they tend to be bad drivers. 
I'd love it if a retest required looking at a brake light and then immediately reading a numberplate at 20 yards. Anyone who fails that shouldn't be driving.jamei303 said:
Liquid Knight said:
Good idea, I have suggested before that all drivers should be retested every five years. When I have made that suggestion some are very vocal about how much of a bad idea they think it is. Coincidentally they tend to be bad drivers.
I'd love it if a retest required looking at a brake light and then immediately reading a numberplate at 20 yards. Anyone who fails that shouldn't be driving.I'd make the retest every 10 years to match the photocard though.
It has to be mixed with better transport options other than the car though, for those who's licence is removed.
Liquid Knight said:
I'd love it if a retest required looking at a brake light and then immediately reading a numberplate at 20 yards. Anyone who fails that shouldn't be driving.
Bearing in mind the eye reacts to red light and white light (rods/cones) in different ways I am not sure it would be relevant, could be wrong of course.Curious where 20 yards came from? Mind you it's close, guess you rounded it up. It's been said so many times about an eyesight test, but don't think it will happen, not enough opticians to cater for it for starters.
In my BMW auto if I hold my foot on the brake the stop/start kicks in, and I stop polluting the poor guy behind me. If I apply the handbrake and release the footbrake the engine kicks back in.
To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
meatballs said:
In my BMW auto if I hold my foot on the brake the stop/start kicks in, and I stop polluting the poor guy behind me. If I apply the handbrake and release the footbrake the engine kicks back in.
To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
Yep, that is how it actually works in many modern cars.To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
Yet according to the OP "people who fail to use their handbrake at junctions, traffic lights, roundabouts and so on also fail at other things." So I hope you have come to accept your failures in life due to your car selection!
meatballs said:
In my BMW auto if I hold my foot on the brake the stop/start kicks in, and I stop polluting the poor guy behind me. If I apply the handbrake and release the footbrake the engine kicks back in.
To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
Well you do have problems!To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
I have a BMW 335d and do the following, when I choose to.
Brake to a stop.
Press P
Pull handbrake lever up.
Release footbrake.
Engine is stopped (if stop/start decides it should be) and brake lights are off.
It is EVER SO EASY.
The issue about shunt from another car is a non-issue. You wait for the car to stop behind you, then carry out the procedure I have described. To repeat, it is easy.
Pica-Pica said:
meatballs said:
In my BMW auto if I hold my foot on the brake the stop/start kicks in, and I stop polluting the poor guy behind me. If I apply the handbrake and release the footbrake the engine kicks back in.
To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
Well you do have problems!To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
I have a BMW 335d and do the following, when I choose to.
Brake to a stop.
Press P
Pull handbrake lever up.
Release footbrake.
Engine is stopped (if stop/start decides it should be) and brake lights are off.
It is EVER SO EASY.
The issue about shunt from another car is a non-issue. You wait for the car to stop behind you, then carry out the procedure I have described. To repeat, it is easy.
Brake to a stop
Engine stops (if stop/start decides it should be)
Handbrake auto engaged
Release footbrake.
Press throttle to start engine and set off
EVEN EASIER!
By design (check the handbook) BUT...
...the brake lights are illuminated as a "safety feature" so other cars know you are stopped!
Tony33 said:
Pica-Pica said:
meatballs said:
In my BMW auto if I hold my foot on the brake the stop/start kicks in, and I stop polluting the poor guy behind me. If I apply the handbrake and release the footbrake the engine kicks back in.
To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
Well you do have problems!To release the footbrake and keep the engine off I have to put the car into Park (changing into neutral stars the engine). This isn't even documented in the owners manual - its not really intended by BMW to do it on the road.
To then set off again I have to put my foot back on the brake to engage drive, which if it was going to dazzle the person behind would be dazzling them just as we are setting off.
I'm aware, I wish the handbrake did leave the engine off, but part of the brake drum maintenance is to coast with the handbrake on slightly so maybe that prevented them from doing it?
N.b. you don't really want to be on the road in Park as the parking pawl isn't designed for a shunt from another vehicle and probably cause a lot more damage than a bumper.
I have a BMW 335d and do the following, when I choose to.
Brake to a stop.
Press P
Pull handbrake lever up.
Release footbrake.
Engine is stopped (if stop/start decides it should be) and brake lights are off.
It is EVER SO EASY.
The issue about shunt from another car is a non-issue. You wait for the car to stop behind you, then carry out the procedure I have described. To repeat, it is easy.
Brake to a stop
Engine stops (if stop/start decides it should be)
Handbrake auto engaged
Release footbrake.
Press throttle to start engine and set off
EVEN EASIER!
By design (check the handbook) BUT...
...the brake lights are illuminated as a "safety feature" so other cars know you are stopped!
Pica-Pica said:
..so easier on VAG, but does not fulfil the wish of not having brake lights on.
The point is that is how it is designed to be driven. The early VAG vehicles did not illuminate the brake lights when sat with the auto electronic brake applied. This was considered dangerous in the US and VAG changed its implementation worldwide and others have followed to avoid potential lawsuits.Unlike more recent BMWs there is no means of moving the lever to Park without defeating the start/stop system.
So people are simply driving these vehicles exactly as the manufacturer intended and as instructed in the handbook.
Pica-Pica said:
Well you do have problems!
I have a BMW 335d and do the following, when I choose to.
Brake to a stop.
Press P
Pull handbrake lever up.
Release footbrake.
Engine is stopped (if stop/start decides it should be) and brake lights are off.
It is EVER SO EASY.
The issue about shunt from another car is a non-issue. You wait for the car to stop behind you, then carry out the procedure I have described. To repeat, it is easy.
It is easy but fairly unnatural when you start driving automatics. Shifting into neutral would make more sense but that turns on the engine. You are also still blinding and potentially confusing whoever is behind you when you put it back into drive though so defeats half the point. I doubt it was BMW's intention to get people to engage park whilst not actually parking.I have a BMW 335d and do the following, when I choose to.
Brake to a stop.
Press P
Pull handbrake lever up.
Release footbrake.
Engine is stopped (if stop/start decides it should be) and brake lights are off.
It is EVER SO EASY.
The issue about shunt from another car is a non-issue. You wait for the car to stop behind you, then carry out the procedure I have described. To repeat, it is easy.
I have seen a few multicar collisions were a driver at the front of a queue has been shunted from an accident a couple of cars back. Unlikely/unlucky I'll concede
meatballs said:
Pica-Pica said:
Well you do have problems!
I have a BMW 335d and do the following, when I choose to.
Brake to a stop.
Press P
Pull handbrake lever up.
Release footbrake.
Engine is stopped (if stop/start decides it should be) and brake lights are off.
It is EVER SO EASY.
The issue about shunt from another car is a non-issue. You wait for the car to stop behind you, then carry out the procedure I have described. To repeat, it is easy.
It is easy but fairly unnatural when you start driving automatics. Shifting into neutral would make more sense but that turns on the engine. You are also still blinding and potentially confusing whoever is behind you when you put it back into drive though so defeats half the point. I doubt it was BMW's intention to get people to engage park whilst not actually parking.I have a BMW 335d and do the following, when I choose to.
Brake to a stop.
Press P
Pull handbrake lever up.
Release footbrake.
Engine is stopped (if stop/start decides it should be) and brake lights are off.
It is EVER SO EASY.
The issue about shunt from another car is a non-issue. You wait for the car to stop behind you, then carry out the procedure I have described. To repeat, it is easy.
I have seen a few multicar collisions were a driver at the front of a queue has been shunted from an accident a couple of cars back. Unlikely/unlucky I'll concede
If the complaint is blinding people with brake lights on at a stop, and I have to out my brake lights on at a stop then yes. 🤣
If you are saying brake lights aren't a problem at a stop then not sure why you are complaining 🥰
And yes if im at traffic lights and they go green and the car Infront brake lights start coming on im going to wonder what the clown is doing
If you are saying brake lights aren't a problem at a stop then not sure why you are complaining 🥰
And yes if im at traffic lights and they go green and the car Infront brake lights start coming on im going to wonder what the clown is doing
Even easier in my old (auto) car.
Brake to a stop,
Apply manual handbrake,
Foot off brake (when the car/driver behind has seen me).
Job done. No brake lights. No neutral. Engine stays on
(Don't want a knackered starter motor).
To move off, take manual handbrake off and press gas pedal. No stupid re-starting. No need to press brake again. Easy.
Brake to a stop,
Apply manual handbrake,
Foot off brake (when the car/driver behind has seen me).
Job done. No brake lights. No neutral. Engine stays on
(Don't want a knackered starter motor).To move off, take manual handbrake off and press gas pedal. No stupid re-starting. No need to press brake again. Easy.
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