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Can You See the Light(s)?
Pete Candela is a AAA ASE-certified auto expert with over 30 years' experience.
I want to know what happened to the requirement some time ago that said all autos must have some variation of “Daylight Running Lights.”
–Rita K.
Thank you for your question, Rita. Unfortunately, there are no states that require vehicles to have or use daytime running lamps (DRLs). At this time, DRLs are only required in Canada and some areas of Europe. You can find more information on who requires DRLs at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s website (www.iihs.org).
Pete, I recently saw on the news a story about tires that are being sold several years after they have been manufactured. Isn’t this dangerous?
–Ruth M.
Ruth, it certainly can be dangerous! Tires are petroleum-based products that do, eventually, break down over time, even if they are sitting on a shelf. Some vehicle manufacturers cite six years and some cite 10 years as the tipping point for tire safety. While there currently is no regulation on how old a tire can be before it is considered unsafe, I would draw that line at six years. The birth date of the tire is usually part of the DOT stamp on its sidewall. It is a four-character number at the end of the series of numbers that start with DOT. For example, if the ending number is 1404, that means the tire was made the 14th week of 2004. Hope this helps!
I only use cruise control when I am on the highway and in good weather. My wife turns it on whenever she gets up to 35-40 mph driving around town. I say that this is not efficient and serves no purpose. Is it okay to use cruise control under these circumstances, and will it cause any harm to the car?
–David C.
I tend to agree that this is not an efficient use of cruise control. While it may not harm this “creature feature,” I would be more concerned with repeatedly giving up those milliseconds of vehicle control. Remember, when you move your foot from the gas to the brake, normal reaction time is three-quarters of a second in a panic stop. The instant you take your foot off the accelerator, the vehicle starts to slow. If you are traveling in city traffic, chances are you are keeping your foot somewhat near the brake anyway, but you are not regulating your speed as traffic conditions require. Save the cruise control for the open highway.
I’d like to give a special shout-out to Dick and Peggy, old friends and neighbors of mine who found me through this column! Dick and Peggy were my next door neighbors years ago when I lived in South Florida. Thank you, Dick and Peggy, for being loyal AAA members and avid readers of Going Places! It just goes to show that you never know who you’re going to run into around the next corner!
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AAA Going Places Magazine • Ask Pete
1515 N. Westshore Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607