In a message dated 96-03-19 05:16:35 EST, des@teleport.com (David Schwarze)
writes:

>> 
>> >Anybody know why the headlights shut off when you shut off the engine,
but
>> >the parking lights don't??? This seems to me to be the height of
>silliness.
>> >Obviously, the headlights shut off so you won't find a dead car when you
>> >forget to shut them off yourself (don't you love it when car
manufacturers
>> >assume stupidity?). But the parking lights will run the battery down just
>> >as completely-- they just take longer to do it.
>> 
>> i believe in some countries in europe, when parking on the street, parking
>> lights live up to their name.  people are legally required to put on their
>> parking lights when parking at night, so when you turn off your vanagon in
>> europe, everything is done for you!

With a healthy battery, you should be able to run the parking lights for 8 to
10 hours and still start the van. A few weeks ago I tested my battery at
work.  11 hours, below freezing, to my surprise the van started on it's own.
 My battery is an Exide international series, group 41.

I used to own a porche 924.   It allowed you to operate the parking lights on
one side only if needed.

Dennis.