Backup Lights On, Not in Reverse--BAD IDEA!

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What is the thinking behind many late model cars (seems to be GM) where the back up lights come on but the car is not in reverse, and in fact, nobody is even in the car? This if very confusing as you don't know if the car may back out or somebody just pushed their remote unlock button.
 
Agreed. I hate that late-model GM cars do this. Quite frequently I'll be walking through a parking lot and have to stop abruptly because I'll think someone is about to back into me. Happens when I'm driving through a parking lot, too
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I really don't know where GM was going with this one...
 
They are bright and light up the surroundings. Excellent in a dark parking lot.
 
GM dropped the ball on something? Huh! Thats a suprise! (actually,they have been dropping the ball since day one).
 
Originally Posted By: david_ES2
Sounds like something the DOT would have a problem with


One would think. Although DOT has some weird and comparitively deficient standards when it comes to automotive lighting.
 
Still better than cars that talk to you through honking.

Oh hey your new key fob is programmed. Beep beep.

You've locked it. Congratulations. Honk.

It can be turned off, but people don't read their manuals. And their narcissism shows when they lock their EXTREMELY IMPORTANT eleven year old Grand Am before going into Rite Aid for AA batteries for their "personal appliance".

With everyone driving SUVs or tinting windows, parking lots are scary places to back out of. I drive cautiously watching for backing out movement and am glad others do too.
 
I agree, very annoying. This "feature" made me and other people stop paying attention to back up lights anymore. Well done, GM!

What's next, flashing blue lights on the roof?
 
Originally Posted By: Klutch9
One would think. Although DOT has some weird and comparitively deficient standards when it comes to automotive lighting.


I don't recall the wording for sure, but the DOT standards prohibit the reverse lights from coming on (or any white light in the rear except the licence plate lights) when the vehicle is moving forward. So, when it's stationary, it doesn't matter, and that's how the GMs work. I don't like it, either.
 
I can't wait to pick up a Cadillac ATS. I hope GM continues this just so I can annoy all the haters. I hope it really grinds your gears.

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Originally Posted By: eljefino
And their narcissism shows when they lock their EXTREMELY IMPORTANT eleven year old Grand Am before going into Rite Aid for AA batteries for their "personal appliance".


It's probably the meth in the console that is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Or the Betty Boop seat covers.
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Originally Posted By: rjundi
Annoyed me twice in an overfilled parking garage too.



That's the best part! I love to see how many people sit and wait when I unlock my truck from a distance in a parking garage. Sometimes I'll just open the liftgate, pick something random out, give a wave, then walk away.
 
I've noticed this too and I hate it, can be very confusing.

Not a fan of the "honk to tell you it's locked" feature either. My Subaru has a chime that's different from the horn at least (less annoying) but the first thing I did when I found out about it was figure out how to disable it. Don't need to call attention to myself for no reason, and I can hear the doors lock without a beep.
 
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Originally Posted By: MrHorspwer
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Annoyed me twice in an overfilled parking garage too.



That's the best part! I love to see how many people sit and wait when I unlock my truck from a distance in a parking garage. Sometimes I'll just open the liftgate, pick something random out, give a wave, then walk away.


Sick and inconsiderate!
 
Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: MrHorspwer
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Annoyed me twice in an overfilled parking garage too.



That's the best part! I love to see how many people sit and wait when I unlock my truck from a distance in a parking garage. Sometimes I'll just open the liftgate, pick something random out, give a wave, then walk away.


Sick and inconsiderate!


Yes, apparently it's a crime to be looking for a parking spot. I saw one schlub who did this
suddenly develop a "loose" Schrader valve a bit later on. Ssssssssssssssssssssssss.
 
I haven't noticed this GM 'feature'; how long do the white reverse lights stay on? is this like headlights that stay on after you've parked? (causing everyone to yell at you "HEY! you left your lights on!")
 
It's called perimeter lighting guys and it is programmable on or off...people don't read the manual though.
 
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