"Submarine" lights

Resident · 30 Sep 2018 at 19:58

So the "Submarine" lights as fitted to some cars which shine a dim red/orange light at night on the centre console.

Does anyone know the legality of fitting them in the rear passenger seats?

Recently been travelling at night and taking my young daughter with me. I have a second mirror so I can keep an eye her but obviously in the dark I can't see her.

If I were to retrofit, angling them at the outer seats would I get any issues with the fuzz?

Rilot · 30 Sep 2018 at 20:13

I can't think of any reason why anyone would have a problem with this.

Jokester · 30 Sep 2018 at 20:16

It’s a myth that you’re not allowed to have lights on inside the car whilst driving.

233 · 30 Sep 2018 at 20:20

never had a problem with the lights in our minibuses. and thats properly bright LED lighting,

i'm sure some subtle lighting would be fine,

in fact a number of manufacturers do this as standard(Vectra C has a Red led light under the drivers mirror for example

Scania · 30 Sep 2018 at 20:37

The BMW e38 & e39’s have had this for years, and it’s a nice touch, I can’t see it being an issue retrofitted in the front nor rear and really wouldn’t worry about it.

Resident · 30 Sep 2018 at 20:39

Thanks guys. Now to build the loom and get them fitted.

233 said:
never had a problem with the lights in our minibuses. and thats properly bright LED lighting,

i'm sure some subtle lighting would be fine,

in fact a number of manufacturers do this as standard(Vectra C has a Red led light under the drivers mirror for example

Yeah. I've seen them in the front, BMW and Nissan fit them as standard too these days but never seen rear ones.

Rilot · 30 Sep 2018 at 21:19

My XJ had them in the back. So did my 750i.

Dis86 · 1 Oct 2018 at 00:38

Shouldn't you be paying attention to the road and not the child in the back? They're not exactly going anywhere are they?

Howard · 1 Oct 2018 at 08:09

Rilot said:
I can't think of any reason why anyone would have a problem with this.

Me neither. I fitted some orange LEDs in the rear courtesy light cluster in my car to match the factory-fit ones up front, but that was only because it looks nice and not for any particularly practical reason mind you!

-westy- · 1 Oct 2018 at 12:18

Dis86 said:
Shouldn't you be paying attention to the road and not the child in the back? They're not exactly going anywhere are they?

Fair point, but it's definitely reassuring to be able to glance back now and again. Certainly safer than having to turn your head.

skaif · 1 Oct 2018 at 12:48

Dis86 said:
Shouldn't you be paying attention to the road and not the child in the back? They're not exactly going anywhere are they?

You got kids?

I have the same issue at times and often just switch on the light at the back if I reallly need to have a quick look.

I think its more out of habit now as baby is old enough to not have to worry - when she was a newborn I could barely take my eyes off the mirrors!

robj20 · 1 Oct 2018 at 12:56

Mondeo has full interior ambient lighting, pick what ever colour you like. Turn red when a door is open then back to your chosen colour, i like blue, apparently blue light helps keep you awake.

Dis86 · 1 Oct 2018 at 13:10

skaif said:
You got kids?

Classic. The go to response for every irrational piece of parenting behaviour ever "you got kids?" "you don't know what it's like unless you've got kids".

When you're in charge of 1+ tonne of metal travelling in excess of 30mph your priority is ensuring you don't drive in a manner that could endanger someone else. You can't do that if you're swivelling your head to look in the back.

Look how little time this guy spent looking down, nevermind turning around.

skaif · 1 Oct 2018 at 13:14

Dis86 said:
Classic. The go to response for every irrational piece of parenting behaviour ever "you got kids?" "you don't know what it's like unless you've got kids".

When you're in charge of 1+ tonne of metal travelling in excess of 30mph your priority is ensuring you don't drive in a manner that could endanger someone else. You can't do that if you're swivelling your head to look in the back.

Look how little time this guy spent looking down, nevermind turning around.

Lol, comparing being on the phone to glancing back or in a mirror?

Reason why I asked if you had kids was you may get an idea of what its like to be a parent to a new born you are shuttling around. If anything I drive more carefully - glancing around when you have an opportune moment is not akin to staring at a phone. You never checked over your blind spot shoulder when driving/merging etc?

-westy- · 1 Oct 2018 at 13:20

Dis86 said:
When you're in charge of 1+ tonne of metal travelling in excess of 30mph your priority is ensuring you don't drive in a manner that could endanger someone else. You can't do that if you're swivelling your head to look in the back.

Which I'm sure OP would agree with, hence asking about lighting in the back of his car - he's already stated that he has a second mirror for the exactly purpose of avoiding swivelling his head.

Perhaps learn to read the OP before commenting, eh?

Dis86 · 1 Oct 2018 at 13:23

skaif said:
Lol, comparing being on the phone to glancing back or in a mirror?

Reason why I asked if you had kids was you may get an idea of what its like to be a parent to a new born you are shuttling around. If anything I drive more carefully - glancing around when you have an opportune moment is not akin to staring at a phone. You never checked over your blind spot shoulder when driving/merging etc?

Except he wasn't staring, he was glancing. If you are paying attention to a child, you are not paying attention to the road. Simple as. Checking a blind spot is part of driving.

Simon · 1 Oct 2018 at 13:41

Dis86 said:
Except he wasn't staring, he was glancing. If you are paying attention to a child, you are not paying attention to the road. Simple as. Checking a blind spot is part of driving.

So just ignore any noises until the next motorway junction ?

We should ban all buttons and screens in cars too whilst we are at it. Oh and no longer check your mirrors when changing direction as that’s also taking your eyes off the road.

Never read such rubbish in my life

d_brennen · 1 Oct 2018 at 13:44

Wow, so some people drive WITHOUT ever glancing over their shoulder, eh? Not sure what's worse, that or mobile use tbh

Simon · 1 Oct 2018 at 13:48

Dunno I’ve not seen many owls driving who can look over their shoulder, through the headrest and directly behind them

I guess we don’t need rear view mirrors either if not less dangerous to look over your shoulder.

skaif · 1 Oct 2018 at 14:00

Dis86 said:
Except he wasn't staring, he was glancing. If you are paying attention to a child, you are not paying attention to the road. Simple as. Checking a blind spot is part of driving.

Ban kids in cars then? If you are paying attention to the infotainment screen when changing songs or setting a nav destination or cycling through the many menus - does that mean you are not paying attention to the road?

This pretty much sums it up

Simon said:
So just ignore any noises until the next motorway junction ?

We should ban all buttons and screens in cars too whilst we are at it. Oh and no longer check your mirrors when changing direction as that’s also taking your eyes off the road.

Never read such rubbish in my life