I really should know this but it's confused me like offside and nearside...
Ok so headlights have main beam, dipped beam, sidelights and high beam, but there's only 3 settings...
Which is which? High beam and sidelights I know about but are the others just different terms for the standard lights you use when it's dark?
Um...........on mine main beam and high beam are the same ? So only three `settings` needed ?
I knew some were the same but I thought main beam was the one you'd use the most (hence "main" beam)
This is something I'm going to get written down because iirc you're supposed to use main beam all the time according to the highway code,
even on lit streets (unless someone's coming the other way of course)
Theres more reference to using dipped beam in the current on-lineHC http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070302
Interestingly I could'nt find any reference to using side lights
quote:
The Government sez
You MUST
* ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
* use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting.
No, you are supposed to use AT LEAST dipped beam when moving, even in well- lit streets.
You use main beam when there is no danger of blinding oncoming traffic, ie probably not in town.
Common sense really
Highway Code -
" You should also ..
Use dipped headlights, or dim-dipped if fitted, at night in built up areas and in dull daytime weather, to ensure that you can be seen "
[Edited on 8/2/09 by Macbeast]
quote:
Originally posted by Ninehigh
quote:
The Government sez
You MUST
* ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
* use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting.
So if there's street lighting using sidelights only is legal?
Well yeah I know there's 3 positions, but there's about 6 names!
1. Sidelights
2. Main Beam
3. High Beam
Then there's dipped, dim dip (new one) and now main beam is actually what I'd call high beam...
Went to get a new rear light lens once, the guy said "Offside or nearside?"
I told him "The left one..."
1-side/position lights
2-dip beam
3-main/high beam
Dim dip is something you don't need to worry about it just lowers the voltage to the dip beam when you are driving instead of using sidelights
No matter what you call them these are all you have in your headlights, some don't have sidelights in there and need a separate unit.
Near side-the side near the kerb when you are with the flow of traffic
Off side-the side not near the kerb
Now stop complicating things and get on with it
Brilliant that's sorted that out.
Now, port and starboard....
Starboard - where the steering board (ancient rudder) goes - almost always on the right of the ship, facing forwards.
Port - as you don't want to bang the steering board on the jetty, you put the other side into the port.
Port was originally Larboard - they changed it as it was easy to confuse with starboard.
When I recently insured the Furore F1 the guy asked is it left or right hand drive - I stayed quiet for a moment, then he said Ah! I see
.............. He had my website up on his computer at the time!
Port is Red and has the same number of letters as Left
Starboard is Green and has the same number of letters as Right
when viewed facing forward from the driving seat!
I always thought starboard had something to do with night time navigation... And I never knew ships were different colours on different sides
only the nav lights are 
Near side = side nearest the curb
Off side = side closest to centre line of road.
Side with the steering wheel
Unless you are driving a Right hand drive car in Europe.....
David
Port out Starboard home
Posh with a capital P.......
[Edited on 8/2/09 by dogwood]
I've just remembered another one I've not heard since I was learning to drive: Inside and outside (lane). I'm guessing (nearly 12 years
later) that corresponds to nearside and offside...
Don't ever teach anyone to drive from scratch
I always remember it a strange way.
In olden times you always wanted to sail so that your cabin faced the land - gave you more to look at. Therefore rich people got cabins on one side of
the ship out and the other side back..
This usually worked out to
Port
Out
Starboard
Home
hmmm, wonder where the expression POSH came from????
So i always think of someone sailing down African, Port must be to the left. Then Sailing back to Europe Starboard must be right.
I didn't say i remembered it a simple way
quote:
Originally posted by russbost
When I recently insured the Furore F1 the guy asked is it left or right hand drive - I stayed quiet for a moment, then he said Ah! I see .............. He had my website up on his computer at the time!
quote:
Originally posted by Ninehigh
I really should know this but it's confused me like offside and nearside...
Ok so headlights have main beam, dipped beam, sidelights and high beam, but there's only 3 settings...
Which is which? High beam and sidelights I know about but are the others just different terms for the standard lights you use when it's dark?