# Windshield wipers = headlights question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 15, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065 "2007-03-15T18:35:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/1 "2007-03-15T18:35:09Z")
Pennsylvania recently joined the list of states that have codified common sense, so you must now turn on your headlights whenever you are using your windshield wipers. I have searched but have not found anyone addressing the question of windshield treatments that make wipers unnecessary. > **[Find My Wiper Blades and Water Repellent Products - Rain-X](https://www.rainx.com/)** So, any thoughts? I can remember the first time I drove in a state (one of the Carolinas, IIRC) with a similar law. The signage used the phrase “must burn lights” which really left me puzzled. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FlyingCowOfDoom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyingcowofdoom/32/21776_2.png) [@FlyingCowOfDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingCowOfDoom)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/2 "2007-03-15T18:56:18Z")
> [@http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24400.htm](#): > > 1. (a) A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be: > > (1) ( )1 Equipped with at least two ( )2 headlamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, and, except as to vehicles registered prior to January 1, 1930, they shall be located directly above or in advance of the front axle of the vehicle. The headlamps and every light source in any headlamp unit shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 22 inches. > > (2) Operated during darkness, or inclement weather, or both, with at least two lighted headlamps that comply with paragraph (1). > > (b) As used in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), “inclement weather” is a weather condition that is either of the following: > > (1) A condition that prevents a driver of a motor vehicle from clearly discerning a person or another motor vehicle on the highway from a distance of 1,000 feet. > > (2) A condition requiring the windshield wipers to be in continuous use due to rain, mist, snow, fog, or other precipitation or atmospheric moisture.( )3 In California, it would seem that you don’t need to turn on your headlights as long as you can discern a person or another car from a distance of 1,000 feet. –FCOD ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/3 "2007-03-15T19:11:51Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] > **[Find My Wiper Blades and Water Repellent Products - Rain-X](https://www.rainx.com/)** > > Shop Rain-X® wiper blades, glass care, and water repellent products. Use the product finder to get the best solution for your vehicle and driving needs. [/QUOTE] Big fan of RainX. I use the product that goes into the windshield wiper fluid. 4oz of RainX into 1gal of wiper fluid. I’ve used the “rub on” product before, but it requires too many re-applications. I suppose you could treat with the rub-on product, then use the washer additive to maintain. It works best in heavy conditions, and not so much for light rain. In VERY heavy rain, I’ve often found it easier to just turn the wipers off. The water beads & runs so fast that it’s like having uber-wipers :D. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/4 "2007-03-15T19:17:21Z")
The maestro of my local pub quiz\* a few years ago had the OP as one of the questions one night. “By CA law, if you have your wipers on, you must also have these on.” The answer was headlights, and he informed us that he was pulled over & ticketed for exactly that earlier in the day. \*-I know, I know, but after attending for a few straight years, I’d trust him over Wikipedia any day. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingCowOfDoom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyingcowofdoom/32/21776_2.png) [@FlyingCowOfDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingCowOfDoom)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/5 "2007-03-15T19:22:26Z")
BTW I also use and love RainX. It’s true, with heavy rain (going at least 55mph) it’s better to just shut the wipers off and pretend you’re traveling at warp speed. –FCOD ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/6 "2007-03-15T20:41:17Z")
I love rainx. But beware: Once you use it you will be stuck using it. As it wears off it leaves a film that is worse than an untreated window. But a fresh coat make a rain storm much less dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/7 "2007-03-15T20:56:34Z")
hehehe. OK, we all love rain-x. I have found a “Law Enforcement Resource” where they are discussing this topic. Looks like even they aren’t sure. [http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=46473](http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=46473) ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/8 "2007-03-16T01:11:35Z")
Yes, NC does require you to burn headlights when using windshield wipers. The problem is, that not only do they not enforce this strictly enough, but when I’m out in the rain \*\*after dark \*\* I pass dozens of oncoming cars that are **not burning their headlights**. These rebels. Scary. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/9 "2007-03-16T03:05:57Z")
_ **"Burn"** _ headlights?! Are these signs 100+ years old?! Are they in front of signs proclaiming “Rendered Whale Blubber Ahead”? Seriously, which of the Rain-X products do you just add to washer fluid? The washer fluid products on their site seem to just be for bugs & ice. Do you just add the regular stuff to it? Because I tried the spray years ago and it seemed to work good, but just didn’t last long enough. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/10 "2007-03-16T03:11:52Z")
[QUOTE=FlyingCowOfDoom] In California, it would seem that you don’t need to turn on your headlights as long as you can discern a person or another car from a distance of 1,000 feet. –FCOD [/QUOTE] No. Even if you can see them at 1,000’, you still must use the lights if the weather conditions require use of wipers. The trouble with such laws is defining “requires the use of …” In whose judgment? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/11 "2007-03-16T14:08:29Z")
[QUOTE=Hail Ants] _ **“Burn”** _ headlights?! Are these signs 100+ years old?! Are they in front of signs proclaiming “Rendered Whale Blubber Ahead”? Seriously, which of the Rain-X products do you just add to washer fluid? The washer fluid products on their site seem to just be for bugs & ice. Do you just add the regular stuff to it? Because I tried the spray years ago and it seemed to work good, but just didn’t last long enough. [/QUOTE] [This is the additive product](http://www.amazon.com/RX11314-RainX-Windshield-Washer-Additive/dp/B000BKN13M) Oddly, I an’t find it on the actual Rainx website. It can be tough to find, but one 10oz bottle treats 2.5gal of wiper fluid, so I don’t need to buy it very often. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-headlights-question/396065/12 "2007-03-16T14:42:32Z")
Okay, what if it is a bright sunny day and you are using your windshield wiper fluid? Does the law require that your headlights be on when the wipers are running?