Taillight question, please...

[Nicholas]

I noticed the other evening while wife was in her car that the taillights (brake lights) don't come on without the key being turned to the "on" position. In any other vehicle I've ever owned, the brake lights always worked even without a key being in the switch. Is this the norm or do we have problems? I would think that this could be a safety issue as that I have been know to be sitting along a dark roadside with the iginition system off...and if a vehicle approches froom the rear, I would touch the brake pedal to keep from possibly being struck. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated on this manner...Thanks all!!!

[jwight]

You are correct; just tried it in the garage - no brake lights. Did see a post on here about leaving the turn signal lever down when turning the car off and getting the parking lights on that side of the car. Haven't verified that.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by jwight

You are correct; just tried it in the garage - no brake lights. Did see a post on here about leaving the turn signal lever down when turning the car off and getting the parking lights on that side of the car. Haven't verified that.

Wasn't the post later corrected, saying that it was a MB feature?
I'd just use the hazard in such situation.

[jwight]

JPaul, could have been. Did have that feature on our 70s model BMW 2002s so thought it might have continued on into today's German (or European) cars. It was a handy feature anyway.

[Nicholas]

Thanks guys, just wanted to be sure it wasn't a problem with her car. Leaving now to run to town so I'll try the turn signal trick...

[Smart09]

that feature comes in almost any German car. that is for when parking on very dimmed small streets you leave the blinker stick to whatever side and the blinkers stay lit for the traffic to see your car. very handy in Germany but not so much here in the states unless your block dies of power

[PassionforPassionCT]

Not having the brake lights on without the key is certainly a german car feature, my BMW has this, but my Volvo doesn't. MB does have that side light feature (and suprisingly so does the new Saturn Astra, well its really an opel built in Belgium, so that makes sense) It wouldn't suprise me that smart would have this feature as well.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Nicholas

I noticed the other evening while wife was in her car that the taillights (brake lights) don't come on without the key being turned to the "on" position. In any other vehicle I've ever owned, the brake lights always worked even without a key being in the switch. Is this the norm or do we have problems? I would think that this could be a safety issue as that I have been know to be sitting along a dark roadside with the iginition system off...and if a vehicle approches froom the rear, I would touch the brake pedal to keep from possibly being struck. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated on this manner...Thanks all!!!

use your flashers to warn people you are stopped in an abnormal place
karl
no parking lights

[Evilution]

The 450 brake lights used to work with the ignition off, strange they should change it.