Volume 3   Issue  36                        November   2004

                 

Seeing Your Way Clear
Chicago Tribune By Bob Weber
November 14, 2004

Shorter days mean better lighting becomes crucial

We've gone over to the dark side. It wasn't our fault; we didn't volunteer. We awaken and it's dark, drive to work in semi-darkness and return home well after dark.

It's hard to see where we're going when it's dark, and we aren't easily seen. Experts tell us that at least 80 percent of driving is visual. Anyone who has taken a performance driving course from the likes of Skip Barber, Bertil Roos or Bob Bondurant knows that the car will go where you are looking. Look at the wall, and you will drive into the wall. Look for a clearing, and you will drive through it. Look as far as possible around the curve, and your car will follow.

To see where we are going in the dark, we need good lighting. Ditto for being seen in the dark.

So that brings us to our headlights. They have come a long way since the days of a candle or acetylene flame in a lantern-like enclosure.
Headlights have become more reliable and much brighter. Electric lights have gone from incandescent to halogen to high-intensity discharge. With each change they have become more like sunlight in their color intensity. In other words, they produce whiter light.

The Motor Vehicle Lighting Council reports that traffic death rates are three times greater at night, yet many of us are unaware of the hazards that night driving poses or effective ways to handle them.

At night, vision is severely limited. Drivers lose the advantage of color and contrast that is available during the day and depth perception and peripheral vision are also diminished, the MVLC said.

According to Philips Automotive Lighting, studies have shown that 60 percent of all auto accidents occur in poor lighting situations. There are ways to avoid them: Make sure all of your lights work; do not drive with a burned out light. Not only is it unsafe, it also is unlawful. If one of your headlights burns out, replace both.

According to the folks at Sylvania, which produces lighting for cars and homes, failure to replace the lamps in pairs leads to uneven illumination. Lauren Fix, spokesperson for the Be Car Care Aware program, said it is a good idea to change your headlights every two to three years because they dim with age. "If you have ever changed one headlight then noticed how much dimmer to old one is, you know what I mean," Fix said.

You may want to consider replacing standard halogen headlights with one of the new breed of performance headlights such as the Sylvania Silver Star or the Philips Vision Plus that are closer in color to daylight. Philips and Sylvania say these new lights can cast beams up to 50 feet farther down the road, depending on such things as the original headlight's lens and reflector. After you're fully illuminated, it's time to take aim. Headlight aiming is among the most underperformed maintenance on American cars.

According to the vehicle lighting council, the correct aim of a headlamp is important to the driver and oncoming traffic.
If aimed too high, your headlights will create excessive glare and look like high beams to oncoming drivers. Headlights that are aimed too low reduce visibility for you. Replacing bulbs doesn't usually affect a headline's aim, but we advice having it checked by a professional regularly.
Safe night driving tips

To improve your night vision and driving ability after sunset, the vehicle lighting council offers these tips:
- Use your lights courteously. Turn your headlights on at dusk to make it easier for other drivers to see you in early twilight.
- Refrain from flashing your high beams at a vehicle with its high beams on; this will only increase the chance that two drivers will not be able to see. In fog, use only your low-beam headlights; high beams reduce your ability to see and may temporarily blind other drivers.
- Make it easy for others to see you. Be sure all exterior vehicle lights work properly. In case of a vehicle breakdown, pull completely off the road beyond the end of the guardrail, if possible and turn on emergency flashers.
- Avoid glare. Instead of looking at oncoming headlights, look toward the right side of the road and watch the white line marking the outside edge of the traffic lane.
- When headlights from vehicles following you reflect in your rearview mirror, use the "day-night" feature on the mirror or adjust your mirror to cut out as much of the light as possible.
- Adjust your vehicle's interior lighting. If street lights cause a lot of glare, dim your dashboard lights and use your sun visor. Avoid using any other light inside your vehicle.
- Keep all windows and headlights clean. Dirty windows can increase glare, making it more difficult to see; dirty headlights can reduce efficiency by as much as 90 percent. When you clean your windshield, be sure to clean your headlights, too.
- Keep your eyes moving. Look for flashes of light at hilltops, curves and intersections that may indicate the headlights of other vehicles.
- Increase your following distance. Increasing your distance by four to five seconds can make it easier to spot potential problems on and along the roadway as well as give you more time to respond.
- Regulate speed. Driving too fast is more dangerous after dark than during the day because of reduced visibility. Traveling at high speeds doesn't give you enough time or distance to stop when you see something dangerous on the road.
- Prevent fatigue. Night driving can be tiring, so ensure good ventilation in the vehicle and take frequent refreshment breaks to give your eyes a chance to rest. Take a short nap or a brisk walk or have some caffeine to help you stay alert.
- Use vehicle mirrors to your advantage. Exterior mirrors that are properly aligned not only reduce blind spots, they also reduce glare from vehicles behind you.
- In addition, the rearview mirror can be flipped to its "day-night" setting, which changes the angle of the reflective surface and appears to dim the lights.

In addition also some general practices can help ensure safe night driving.
- Have your vision checked regularly. The American Optometric Association recommends that everyone younger than 40 have a thorough eye exam at least every three years, drivers 41-60 every two years, and drivers older than 60 every year.
- Age can make eyes more sensitive to glare. In addition, certain medical conditions, such as encroaching cataracts, will increase eye sensitivity.
- Look into anti-reflective eyeglass coating. Many eye-care professionals recommend eyeglasses that have an anti-reflective (AR) coating. This ultra-thin film reduces internal reflections in the lenses. AR-coated glasses transmit more light than regular lenses, which improves vision at night and helps you distinguish fine details during the day.

COLD WEATHER CHECKLIST
UNDER THE HOOD
The engine
Air filter: Replace according to owner's manual, more frequently in dusty conditions, or when dirty. A dirty filter will lower gas mileage and hurt performance. Hold it up to the light to see how dirty it is.
Power steering: Groaning noises or a rough feeling when you turn the wheel mean the system needs attention. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
Belts: Make sure drive belts are adjusted for a snug fit and are not cracked, glazed or frayed. They should not deflect more than a half-inch when pushed with your finger.
Spark plugs: If your car is approaching time for a tune-up, replace the spark plugs before the weather turns cold for improved starting.
PCV valve: A pollution-control device usually located in or near the valve cover. Remove hose from top and take out. Replace it at least as often as you replace the spark plugs.
Hoses: Check for leaks, bulges or cracks and make sure clamps are secure. This includes air intake hoses or ducts.
Battery: The terminals should be cleaned with a solution of baking soda and water. Make sure all connections are secure. Check for cracks or leaks.
Cooling system: Check the protection using a hydrometer or test strips. Change as required. If low, add a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water to protect to 35 degrees below zero. If your cooling system has been neglected, you may want to thoroughly clean before installing fresh antifreeze. There are several brands of cooling system flushes or cleansers. Follow the directions carefully.
Oil and filter: Oil and filter should be replaced. Use a winter-weight oil with the right rating such as API's SL rating. Look for the "energy conserving" starburst symbol as well.
Windshield washer: Keep your windshield washer reservoir full using the premixed blue stuff or mix your own from concentrate.
THE EXTERIOR
Windshield-wiper blades: Replace with winter blades, which keep ice and snow from building up to remain in contact with the glass.
Windows: Apply water repellent to windshield and all windows to keep them free of slush, salt and muck. This also makes ice easier to scrape off.
Doors,hatches and trunks: Apply silicone lube to all door, hatch and trunk-lid gaskets to preserve the rubber and prevent them from freezing shut.
Tires and brakes: Install winter tires (preferably on all four wheels) if you use them. Inspect the brake pads (disc) or shoes (drums) while tires are off. If they are scarred or worn, replace them. Check the air pressure on all tires, including the spare. In winter, tires lose 1 pound of pressure for each 10-degree drop in temperature. Look for worn or uneven treads.
Paint: Use professional touchup paint to seal any scratches or dings. After washing the car, protect it by waxing and polishing. Choose a shady location for easier buffing.
Locks and hinges: A graphite-based lubricant is recommended for locks, oil for hinges. Squirt on door, hood, trunk hinges and hood latch/release mechanism.
Lights and light bulbs: Turn the lights on and walk around the vehicle to check for burned-out bulbs. Have a friend sit inside and operate the brakes, turn signals and flashers. Don't forget to check the high beams. Make sure your headlights are aimed properly. Owner's manuals list replacement bulbs.
THE INTERIOR
Windows: Clean with vinegar and water or automotive glass cleaner to cut through the dirt; it may take a few times to end streaking. Check your defroster and rear window defogger.
Floor mats: Clean thoroughly. For winter, use carpet remnants, which can be placed under a tire for added traction.
Upholstery: Clean the seats top to bottom and apply protectant to all leather, vinyl and fabric.
Light bulbs and fuses: Check all dash lights and gauges when you turn key on. If all lights don't glow, replace necessary bulbs.
Cabin air filter: If your car is so-equipped, replace the cabin air filter.
IN THE TRUNK
Check spare tire for leaks. Make sure the jack is in good shape and all parts are accounted for. Lubricate with a lightweight oil. Squirt lightweight oil on the lock and hinges.
Emergency kit. Make an emergency kit containing things such as flashlight and batteries, candle, water, jumper cables, flares, blanket, chemical hand-warmer packs, shovel, sand, etc.
JUMP-STARTING AN ENGINE
Turn off the ignition. Check cells to be sure battery is not frozen.
1. Attach the ends of one cable to the positive posts of both batteries.
2. Attach one end of the second cable to the negative post of the charged battery. Ground the other end on a clean unpainted part of the disabled car.
3. Turn off all accessories on both cars and with the assisting car's engine running, start the engine.
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