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Daytime Running Lights

30 messages, Last post on Feb 17, 2008 at 3:54 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety

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#13 of 30 I like current GM practice... by john_324 Nov 13, 2006 (10:30 am)
...having the parking lights as DRLs. Looks elegant, and much better than the original version. I used to own a mid-1990s Chevy Beretta that came standard with DRLs. Problem was they were simply the high-beams illuminated at 50% power. It looked terrible I thought, and I would constantly get people telling me that "my lights were on" (which they were, of course). Even worse though was they were coupled to a sensor that automatically turned on the head lights to "normal" when it determined it was dark out. Being a typical GM product, the sensor was overly sensitive, so a cloud going over the sun briefly would result in the DRLs going out and the low beams coming on. Replies to this message: dtownfb (Nov 15, 2006 9:42 am)
#14 of 30 Re: I like current GM practice... [john_324] by dtownfb Nov 15, 2006 (9:42 am)
Replying to: john_324 (Nov 13, 2006 10:30 am) My Olds Intrigue uses the turn signals. I like it except they screwed up the design of the passenger side turn signal. Every few years you need to replace the socket.
#15 of 30 DRLs and tickets by bryan Dec 13, 2006 (12:02 pm)
I drive every weekend from Northern VA to the Delaware shore. Headlight usage is mandatory on Route 404, a two-lane highway that runs from Maryland through Delaware. I have DRLs on my current GM vehicles. However, my 95 Cutlass convertible did not have DLRs, so I routinely turned on the parking and fog lights. About four years ago I was stopped on Route 404 by the State Police because I did not have the headlights on, and when I said I thought the parking and fog lights would suffice, well, let's say that dog did not hunt! However, because all the car's occupants were seat-belted, I got off with a written warning. I think it was really a click it or ticket-type stop, and the "no headlights" was the excuse used to stop me. When I traded that car almost three years ago, it was mandatory the replacement had DLRs, and not the amber parking light type you see on the Caddy SRX and CTS. I bought a Pontiac instead of a Caddy for just that reason! I have encountered several state and county police on that road since, and never had another problem. I also can see their safety value. I have not had any headlight bulb burnouts either, so as far as I'm concerned, DLRs are fine.
#16 of 30 Re: I am in favor of daytime running lights [john500] by phastphil1 Dec 22, 2006 (6:12 am)
Replying to: john500 (Oct 31, 2006 11:36 am) John500, as a motorcyclist, I do not like DRL's. I can attest that drivers are less prone to seeing my lone headlight as more cars come with DRL's. I now ride with my high beam on during daylight hours, and people still miss me, and I'm not a small person, and I ride a 750cc bike. It's the same as when the center stop lamp came out. You noticed the few cars that had them until all the cars had them.
#17 of 30 dasytime running lights by kellerr Jan 05, 2007 (7:30 am)
Most states require lights on when it is raining. Driving down I95 during a recent downpour, I noticed that very many cars had no tail lights lit. Almost all of them had their front lights "on". I would guess that most of these drivers were unaware of the fact that daytime running lights do not turn on the rear lights. It is difficult enough to see cars ahead in heavy rain even with their rear lights lit. Of course the best answer to the problem is to require that rear lights be lit along with the front lights. Better yet are the rear fog lights found on a very few foreign cars. Replies to this message: john_324 (Jan 05, 2007 7:51 am) stmss (Jan 18, 2007 6:39 am) john_324 (Jan 18, 2007 7:20 am) and 5 more... seminole_kev (Jan 05, 2007 10:15 am)
#18 of 30 Re: dasytime running lights [kellerr] by john_324 Jan 05, 2007 (7:51 am)
Replying to: kellerr (Jan 05, 2007 7:30 am) The problem with the rear fog lights is the same problem with front fog lights: the average driver doesn't have a clue when to properly use them. On a given clear, dry evening, I see tons of people with all lights ablaze, even no there is no need to have fog lights of any kind illuminated. It's really annoying to be blasted with a wall of light from the front, or be behind a vehicle that you're unsure if it's braking... Replies to this message: stmss (Jan 18, 2007 6:39 am) john_324 (Jan 18, 2007 7:20 am) 210delray (Jan 18, 2007 7:25 am) stmss (Jan 18, 2007 11:05 am) and 2 more... oldfarmer50 (Feb 17, 2008 3:54 pm)
#19 of 30 Re: dasytime running lights [kellerr] by seminole_kev Jan 05, 2007 (10:15 am)
Replying to: kellerr (Jan 05, 2007 7:30 am) Kellerr touches on something that I hate about some DRL arrangements. I do not like the ones were the headlights only come on, but the tailights do not. Unfortunately my new VW GTI is in this boat. It isn't a problem for me as I'm pretty vigilant about having my lights on (er...all the way on I guess) but I've seen lots of people tooling around in low light situations with only the headlights on. Fog is the worst because there's enough scattered light that they can see their guages, and their headlights are on, but if you come up from behind, you don't see them until the last second because the tailights aren't on.
#20 of 30 Re: drl [dranoel] by joewalls Jan 17, 2007 (3:41 pm)
Replying to: dranoel (Nov 12, 2006 2:27 pm) RE DRL. I noted you saisd you've done 3 of them. I assume you've installed the DRL in 3 vehicles? Well, if you have here is my dilemna. I just bought a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe in the US and I mported it tp Canada where I reside. Why, because I save some U$5000+. In Canada the dealers have no competition. It's almost a cartel where MSRP prices are the rule of the day even if in the US rebate's of $1,000 are offered by the manufacturer via the dealer. Anyway, I cannot get any Hyundai dealer to install the required DRL to allow me to register here. Do you know where I can get some help or instruction how to do this and what I need? Appreciate hearing from you. Joe Replies to this message: 210delray (Jan 17, 2007 6:36 pm)
#21 of 30 Re: drl [joewalls] by 210delray Jan 17, 2007 (6:36 pm)
Replying to: joewalls (Jan 17, 2007 3:41 pm) Just wondering -- does the car have to be inspected? If not, I was thinking you could just always turn on your low-beam headlights every time you drive. There's no way to readily tell the difference during the daytime. If there is inspection, surely an independent shop could rig up the headlights to come on every time you turn on the car. I'd get recommendations from friends, relatives, or co-workers.
#22 of 30 Re: dasytime running lights [john_324] by stmss Jan 18, 2007 (6:39 am)
Replying to: john_324 (Jan 05, 2007 7:51 am) The rear fog light is the most useful of the fog lights. It is only on one side of the vehicle and shouldn't be confused with a brake light. I agree with front fogs - grossly over used. I am sure most people use them as they think they look cool! I live in Canada and DRLs are a great safety feature. But the rear lights not going on is a problem. I am not sure why more manufacturers are not just going with auto lights (front and rear). I have these in my 99Volvo (have not used the light switch for 7 yrs!) my former Saab and even my new Ford. Replies to this message: john_324 (Jan 18, 2007 7:20 am) 210delray (Jan 18, 2007 7:25 am) stmss (Jan 18, 2007 11:05 am) wale_bate1 (Jan 18, 2007 1:44 pm) and 1 more... oldfarmer50 (Feb 17, 2008 3:54 pm)

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