^ Not good for parking lights since the LEDs don't fire radially. That would be okay for the front dome light, that's it.

 

i've never got the point of parking lights. they are on when low beams are on. they are off when highbeams/DRLs are on.


what real purpose do they serve?

 

^ Their primary purpose is to use them when parked (hence the name), particularly at night. That way people can see your car because it's lit up, but it won't kill your battery as quickly as headlights. It would be useful if you're waiting in your car for an extended period of time, and you wouldn't need to leave the engine running to power your headlights. It also has the cosmetic function of filling up your high beam housing with light at night when the lowbeams are on.