The Smoking Tire Dec 9, 2025

We Won a Race! ft. Tommy Kendall and Jonny Lieberman!

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Term

backup camera

A backup camera is a small camera mounted on the back of a car that shows what's behind it when you're backing up. It's a safety feature to help drivers avoid hitting things or people.

Term

DRLs

DRLs stand for Daytime Running Lights, which are lights that turn on automatically when you drive during the day. They help other drivers see your car better.

LIVE

The number of cars driving around with

their lights turned off at night has

become alarming and dangerous. Uh, with

all the safety regulations required for

cars now, why aren't manufacturers

required to have an auto on for car

headlights? Um, yeah. I mean, I I don't

know. I mean, because we live in a

country that doesn't have laws, just

politeness [laughter] sometimes. Really?

I guess

>> they're all required to have a backup

camera now, right? Since 2015,

>> they are. Yeah. And DRLs also, you're

required to have DRLs.

>> I think this should be on their list.

like just make make the auto setting

mandatory on all the cars and and this

is definitely a problem in cities not

rural areas it's dark like you hit

something you remember to turn your

lights on

>> and and in going forward it'll be less

and less of a problem as everybody now

is the nighttime signature has become

like the thing that designers think

about so much but not the actual

headlight yeah so it should should be an

auto

>> cuz around here I do see cars where I

don't think they're doing a lot of valet

and they're still driving without their

lights on

>> it would add cost to cars for sure cuz

now you have to have the sensor But I

think it probably would be a good idea.

About this episode

A lively discussion with Tommy Kendall and Jonny Lieberman centers around the alarming trend of cars driving at night without their headlights on. The hosts debate why manufacturers aren't required to implement automatic headlights, despite the presence of other safety features like backup cameras. They explore the implications of making auto headlights mandatory and how design considerations are evolving. The conversation highlights the balance between safety, cost, and automotive regulations in today's vehicles.

backup camera DRLs

Original notes

Matt spent the weekend endurance racing with Jonny Lieberman, racing legend Tommy Kendall, and Super Trofeo ace, Mateo Siderman. The result was a surprise to all of them. A story not to be missed.

Plus Patreon questions include:

Should we regulate the speed of EVs?
How did Matt's laps compare to his time in the 750S?
When is the next race?
Are used R1S a good idea?
Should I get a CHEAP Cayenne for a daily?
How special does a special edition need be?
Why don't we consider "cash on the hood" incentives when we review cars?
Can my BMW shifter ever be as good as my GR86?
Should automatic lights be required?
And more!

Recorded December 8, 2025

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