Ever come back to your car in the morning, parked up on Ulster St or out by the Base, and spotted a foggy look in your park lights? Maybe even seen little beads of water running down inside the lens? You’re not alone. We get heaps of folks – everyone from tradies in their Mazda Axelas to mums in their Honda Fits, even a lady from Morrinsville in her old Skoda Fabia – popping in asking why their park lights look half steamed up like the inside of a greenhouse. And yeah, it’s a pain, but normally it’s something that can be sorted without too much drama.
Quick refresher: What are park lights?
Alright, park lights (some call them position or side lights, tail lights, you name it) are those little lights on the front and back of your car that help other drivers spot you, especially when you’re crawling through Te Rapa Rd traffic on those dark winter evenings. Unlike brake lights, park lights are just steady little beams – not lighting up the road like headlights but making sure your car’s visible. Even those European imports from Japan – think Peugeot 308s or Audi A3s – need them sorted for their WoF in Hamilton.
Depending on what you drive – maybe a Corolla hatchback in Cambridge or a big old Ford Ranger from Ngaruawahia – the number and placement of park lights on your car will differ. Motorbikes are a bit different again, but everyone’s got some version of them. If you’re keen on the full nitty-gritty, NZTA’s got all the park light rules under ‘position lamps’ here.
How does water get into park lights?
That classic condensation
Most of the time, it’s condensation causing the fog – we see this heaps around Hamilton, especially after those damp, foggy mornings out in Hillcrest or during long spells parked under trees on River Rd. Lights get warm while you’re driving, then the cold overnight air sneaks inside through the park light seals when everything cools off. Bit of moisture in the air and bam, you’ve got foggy lenses. If it disappears after a bit of driving, it’s usually nothing to sweat about. Bit more common if your car’s just arrived from a dry country, or if some eager home mechanic hasn’t quite clicked the bulb boots in tight enough.
Worn or broken seals
If you’re seeing actual water droplets or, worse, a small swimming pool inside the lens (usually happens after smashing through potholes in Melville or after a heavy Waikato downpour), you’ve probably got a duff seal. Could be age and wear, or maybe your Toyota Mark X copped a knock from a runaway shopping trolley outside Chartwell. Either way, that seal needs fixing – you want to keep rainwater and Hamilton’s infamous humidity out of your park lights.
Why bother fixing moisture in the lights?
If it’s just a touch of mist and it goes away, don’t stress. But if your park lights stay fogged up or water is pooling, it’s not just ugly – it’ll cut down the brightness of your lights. That means less visibility for you and everyone else. Not great if you’re heading out to work in Pukete in winter or blasting over speed bumps in Frankton late at night. Plus, water in the lights can muck up the bulb holders and globes, and you’ll likely fail your next WOF Hamilton check with us if the tester reckons the beam isn’t up to scratch.
Need moisture fixed in your park lights in Hamilton?
Spotting fog or water droplets in your park lights? No worries, it’s a common job for us at Grimmer Motors. Whether you drive a Nissan X-Trail from Gordonton or a Suzuki Swift from Tamahere, our techs have seen it all – park lights leaking, dodgy seals, knackered sockets, you name it. We’ll find the issue, swap out any dodgy bits, make sure your car’s lighting is up to scratch for your next WoF, and get you back on the road looking sharp. Friendly service, no mucking about, no surprises.
Come see us at Grimmer Motors for any park light or light related issues. We sort hybrids, classics, and everything in between. Get your lights sorted for those Hamilton roads – you never know when another foggy morning will hit.