kosmo

I just learned something new today. I accidently hit the turn signal stalk to the left while exiting the car and noticed that the left side parking lights turned on. For a moment I thought something was wrong but then the dealer told me this was normal. The lights turned off when I returned the stalk back to default. I guess in this in the manual, but honestly I didnt really read it. Whats the logic behind this?

Marc Gelefsky

In Europe, all cars are equipped with the capability to leave the front and rear parking light turned on, on one side of the car only.
This capability is a safety standards requirement in Europe, and operation of this feature is standardized across all manufacturers
Every Porsche I have ever owned has this as well as many other European cars here in the US

KeninBlaine

Did you not get a chime alarm when you opened the door with the lever activated? The first time it happened to me, I couldn't figure out why it was giving a warning as if I had left the headlights on. Then I finally noticed that I had accidentally hit the turn signal lever out of its neutral position.

ADias

STD parking lights. Never been to Europe?

kosmo

interesting.But why? how is it safer when 1 side is lit while the other is not?

ADias

It's used in Europe on dark streets to identify the street side of the car when parking for a short time.

Fin Fever

it marks the side of the car at risk for being hit (the street side) while drawing 1/2 the amperage of leaving all 4 lights on

most of the european cars I have ever driven have had this feature

Edgy01

In Europe, due to the smaller, narrower streets, it is quite common to (temporarily) park a car straddling the sidewalk and street, with half the car in the street, etc. You are supposed to light up that side (left) so that approaching cars can more easily see the car sticking out into the roadway.

Years ago Porsches for the USA market did not have this capability. It was designed out. Over time, Porsche has adopted more globally standard functions like that, and the inclusion of rear fog lights as well. Handy at times, but limited utility to most. Often gets a comment from those less informed like, "you got a tail light out, mister."

kosmo

thanks!
I noticed that its also on my 02 bimmer but not a 07 vw passat.

Chris C.

It was standard on the 993 too..

uzj100

Passat made in US plant?

Minok

My VW's didn't have parking lights.. they had a significant enough US bound production path at VW that they can build more US dedicated models without EU features (especially as they are aiming at the lower cost end of the spectrum, yes even with the Passat).

The parking lights, though even in the US, have some utility if you are parallel parking on the street. Even with wider roads I would strongly consider using them if I was parallel street parking my 997 at night.

kosmo

Minok, i dont understand what you mean. When the keys in the ignition the one side only feature doesnt engage. It only works when the keys out of the car. tks

OldGuy

So is this why it bings at me saying the parking lights are on? I have never been able to figure that out
(its not rocket science) Everyonce in awhile when I have just turned into something (parking space) and turn off the car, it says my parking lights are on! SO THATS WHY!!

StickShift964

964 too...