Technical I changed my stop lights with led but the warning light wont go away

[portland_bill]

which is exactly what many members here (and elsewhere) advocate in order to use the ‘hillhold’ feature

A phrase use by many driving instructors is: "When a pause becomes a wait, use the handbrake" Hill hold only holds for a few seconds, and is intended for those momentary stops. Sadly, so many people just hold the footbrake, and with most new cars now being automatic, some never use the handbrake at all.

 

[JayAre]

A phrase use by many driving instructors is: "When a pause becomes a wait, use the handbrake" Hill hold only holds for a few seconds, and is intended for those momentary stops. Sadly, so many people just hold the footbrake, and with most new cars now being automatic, some never use the handbrake at all.

the Highway Code makes it mandatory NOT to do this, making it an offence for which drivers can be prosecuted, which many on this forum (and elsewhere) seem completely unaware

and replacing brake lights with high intensity LEDs simply makes the problem worse and even more likely to be prosecuted

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

the Highway Code makes it mandatory NOT to do this, making it an offence for which drivers can be prosecuted, which many on this forum (and elsewhere) seem completely unaware

and replacing brake lights with high intensity LEDs simply makes the problem worse and even more likely to be prosecuted

Not quite.

The Highway Code makes careful and distinct use of the words 'should' and 'must' (sometimes followed by 'not'), and explains this in the introduction to the code.

Anything where it says 'You must' is a law and you can be fined for not obeying it. But, anything that says 'You should' is only guidance and you cannot be punished for failing to follow it. To reinforce this, whenever they say 'must' it is in capitals and bold, whereas 'should' is in normal type.

The section regarding brake lights is only a 'should'...
"In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again."
(Rule 114, here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-hig...-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158)

Automatic or full-electric cars make this difficult to enforce, which is why it's only a 'should'.

Hill Holder is only intended to help you when you need to make frequent but short stops on hills, such as creeping up them in slow traffic or during manoeuvres like parking. It is not a substitute for a 'proper' hill start using the handbrake after sitting stationary at a junction or lights. The handbrake should always be applied when the car is not in gear (and you should never sit with the car in gear and the clutch down from more than a few seconds, to avoid damage to the clutch release bearing, and to prevent the risk of suddenly moving if your foot slips from the pedal)

 

[JayAre]

The section regarding brake lights is only a 'should'...
"In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again."

No. Rule 114 is a ‘must’ (or rather ‘must not’):
“Rule 114
You MUST NOT
use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users”

and in the Highway Code, the word "must" indicates a legal requirement that must be followed. Breaking a "must" rule is an offence and can result in a fine and prosecution

Having established this, Rule 114 then continues with some further explanatory guidance: “In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again” but this further guidance does not override the mandatory requirement not to “dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users”.

As ever, it is for drivers to drive in such a way that ensures compliance. So, for example, holding on the footbrake, in neutral, on a hill at a junction in order to activate the ‘hillhold’ might be compliant on a bright summer’s day. But it would almost certainly not be compliant on a dark rainy night.

The Highway Code is not an instruction manual on how to drive, rather it contains legal requirements, information and guidance. Break those legal requirements at your peril.