response 91 of 120:

Nov 28 23:52 UTC 2003

I always thought amber foglamps helped me see better in fog.

response 93 of 120:

Nov 29 02:44 UTC 2003

There was a study several years ago that showed people who use their 
headlights all the time get in less accidents.  I've never been 
convinced the headlights made the difference.  People who do things 
like that are probably more careful drivers, and a car with headlights 
on in the daytime was unusual.  It seemed to me those things probably 
accounted for the safety difference.

Anyway, Canada passed a law saying all cars have to have headlights on 
all the time.  Maybe it's just for new cars; I'm not sure.  I think it 
was backed by GM.  GM came out with the marketing scheme of daytime 
running lights (DRL), and new GM cars have all had them for about 7 or 
8 years now.  The headlights aren't on; just the parking lights.  I 
don't know of any follow-up studies on whether DRLs make a 
difference.  I assume they don't when I'm driving.

I also turn on my headlights earlier than many, and leave them on 
later than many.  Headlights don't cost very much so I don't care if I 
wear them out faster.

Another thing I do, if I don't have my headlights on, but see a few 
other cars which do, I turn mine on too.  If other people think they 
need them, maybe they really do.

response 95 of 120:

Nov 29 18:29 UTC 2003

The idea of fog lights is to set the light low so there is not direct
return glare, and to use yellow lights as that is supposedly not reflected
as greatly. I have read that these effects are illusionary. However I
have found that trying to use high-beams in a snow storm is much worse
than using low-beams, so there are better and worse ways to use illumination.
(On some occasions I have opened the driver side door slightly so that
I can follow the centerline of the road, which was not visible in the
snow squall ahead.)

response 97 of 120:

Nov 30 04:23 UTC 2003

Re #96:  Depending on the car, the DRLs are just the parking
lights.  I believe the Corvette is one of them; anything
which meets the standard for brightness etc. will do.

The first-generation GM DRLs were horribly bright and aimed
way too high.  I wanted something which could fry those
things every time they got in my rear-view mirror.

response 99 of 120:

Nov 30 14:06 UTC 2003

My cars headlights automatically come on when it is dark, or when I put the
car in gear.

response 101 of 120:

Dec 1 00:24 UTC 2003

DRL = Daytime Running Lights.  I have 'em and I like 'em.

response 103 of 120:

Dec 1 16:09 UTC 2003

Subarus do have DRL - and they go off with the key. I have on occasion
failed to turn on my headlights at dusk because they are already on -
but the taillights aren't! The dash lights do come on with the headlights,
but I usually have the dash lights turned very low so may not notice
that until it gets much darker. 

response 105 of 120:

Dec 1 16:17 UTC 2003

According to my owner's manual, I only need to change the oil every 
7500 miles.  Mostly I drive on highways or 55 mph county roads.  
However, I've heard from some people I should ignore that and change 
the oil every 3000 miles.  Comments?

response 107 of 120:

Dec 1 16:31 UTC 2003

Subaru recommends service at 7,500 mile intervals (and also 6-month
intervals - which I ignore as 6-months always comes before 7,500
miles). My last Subaru went for 180,000 miles before rust made it
too dangerous to drive - and the engine was quite sound and used little
oil even at that mileage. I would say that if 7,500 miles is recommended
for your car, jep, that is what you should use. You are wasting money,
oil and your time to change oil more often (and it does "hurt" to create
more used oil needlessly). 

response 109 of 120:

Dec 1 17:56 UTC 2003

I would follow the manufacturer's instructions.  If you start driving on
dirt roads or on lots of short trips, switch to the "severe service"
recommendation, though.  Oil, oil filters, and engines have improved
since 3,000 miles was the universal rule -- back when that was being
recommended, some cars didn't even *have* an oil filter.  Some car
companies are recommending change intervals as long as 10,000 miles
these days.

If the manufacturer has special instructions for when the first oil
change is supposed to happen, be especially attentive to those.  The
first couple thousand miles are a "break-in" period for the engine, and
it's important to break it in properly to get the best life out of it. 
Sometimes the factory oil fill is a special break-in oil that's meant to
be left in for a specific number of miles.

(Incidentally, friction in the engine is higher during the break-in
period.  You'll probably find that your fuel economy gradually improves
over the next month or two.)

response 111 of 120:

Dec 1 21:05 UTC 2003

It'll probably get better as the car loosens up.  Also, I think the EPA
milage estimate is biased pretty heavily towards 55 mph driving, so you
may never quite reach their number if you're like me and spend a lot of
time up around 70 or 75.

response 113 of 120:

Dec 2 00:01 UTC 2003

I drive 30-35 miles to work, one way.  About 25 of it is in 55 mph 
speed zones.  Unfortunately it's not a straight shot; I have to stop or 
slow down greatly (90 degree turns) about a dozen times on my way.