Daytime Running Lights
Question:
I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. Thanks in advance. DM
Response:
in most cases pulling the fuse will not work probably it will take something else with it Many of us go through the shock of having first car with DRL – but give yourself few weeks, you get used to them and they won’t bother you anymore 
www.fortunecity.com/campus/sociology/235 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >For anyone who wants to know, there is probably a fuse labeled DRL on the fuse >panel under the dash (or wherever it is in your vehicle). Just, and this may >shock some, pull the fuse to disable the DRLs. This is not breaking any laws >since DRLs are not required by any laws, but they are a nice feature, and I >run with my lights on all the time since I don’t have DRLs > I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other > off. > Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They > have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the > seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re > driving. > Superstar > >I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to > >disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. > >Thanks in advance. > >DM
Response:
Hi all, I’m curious, why would anyone want to disable the daytime running lights?? How do they bother the occupants of the car?? Again, just curious…could care less either way. — Dieter Wenzel http://pw2.netcom.com/~dieter2/dieter.html (personal page) http://www.alexxi.com/mtm/index.html (Michigan Transit Museum – Train stuff)
Response:
> I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other > off. > Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They > have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the > seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re > driving.
Yes, also wire your car horn so it blows all the time for safety. If they are not looking your way the horn will alert them that you are nearby!
Response:
I pulled the fuse on my 99 Intrigue, and I assume your Grand Am’s fuses are set up the same way. Just pull the one that controls only DRLs. The only side effect I noticed is with DRLs on, my headlights come on automatically at night, and with the fuse pulled, I just have to turn them on and off manually. No big deal 
Also, in response to some people who think DRLs should be left alone, I disconnected mine for two reasons. 1. I prefer to control whether my lights are on or off – with DRLs you have no choice – and 2. I think the car looks sharper w/o them. IMO DRLs are a good idea, especially on dark, rainy days for people who don’t have enough common sense to turn on their headlights, but I don’t appreciate GM saying if you want to drive an Intrigue (or Grand Am, Saturn, Century, etc…) you have to have them. OTOH, other than installing an on/off switch, they couldn’t have made it any easier to turn them off Just my opinion … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to > disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. > Thanks in advance. > DM
Response:
> Hi all, > I’m curious, why would anyone want to disable the daytime running > lights?? How do they bother the occupants of the car?? > Again, just curious…could care less either way. > — > Dieter Wenzel > http://pw2.netcom.com/~dieter2/dieter.html (personal page) > http://www.alexxi.com/mtm/index.html (Michigan Transit Museum – Train stuff)
I pulled the fuse and disabled the DRL’s on my Chevy S10 truck because the work I do requires me to idle around, and stgopping frequently, and in very hot weather the engine was running very warm, I thought that disabling the DRL’s might take a small load from the charging system.
Response:
We just bought a 99 Grand Am also, and I hate that automatic light system. I’ve located the fuses but haven’t pulled them yet. It won’t be long though! You can’t flash your lights at merging trucks , or warn others of hiding patrol cars. You can’t turn the lights off at all, and it sucks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hehe, good one….. >I know they are for safety, I just don’t like the lights on in the daytime >look. And I really don’t like the Automatic light feature. GM should’ve put >an on/off switch to give the owner the choice. >It’s just a personal preferance. > I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other > off. > Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They > have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the > seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re > driving. > Superstar > >I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to > >disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. > >Thanks in advance. > >DM
Response:
Hehe, good one….. I know they are for safety, I just don’t like the lights on in the daytime look. And I really don’t like the Automatic light feature. GM should’ve put an on/off switch to give the owner the choice. It’s just a personal preferance. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other > off. > Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They > have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the > seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re > driving. > Superstar >I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to >disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. >Thanks in advance. >DM
Response:
The next time I am in a communist country I will consider what you say….as for now last time I checked me not wearing my seatbelt has no way of endangering anyone BUT MYSELF so the govt has no business telling me I have to wear it..think about what is next like outlawing liquor (seems they have tried that once..hehe) and anything else you do that may harm noone but yourself….since when do we as human beings need to be protected form ourselves…so yes after 7 no seatbelt tickets (2 in the same day one time) I still refuse to wear it.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other >off. >Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They >have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the >seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re >driving. >Superstar >I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to >disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. >Thanks in advance. >DM
Response:
> You can’t flash your lights at merging trucks , or warn others of > hiding patrol cars.
Easy solution: turn the headlights on!!! You can then flash your high beams as need be. I think the idea of the DRLs is great, but I HATE GM’s idea of using the high-beams. What kind of idea was this? Yes, they are lower power, but still, half of the high-beam is where they are focused. Not to mention the idiots that drive at dusk/night with just the DRLs. Anyway, this has just been my 2 cents. AGONY: Not all pain is gain.
Response:
ahhh, hello? DRL’s don’t only help yourself, but they do help others. Imagine driving down the highway in a snowstorm during the day, and you get to see all the cars with their DRL’s on! Hey! I can see! But, wait, here comes some militia, anti-government moron coming towards me with no gee, I wish I saw him earlier, I would have easily avoided him, but now that I can’t walk anymore, I guess I’LL JUST SUE HIS ASS OFF!!! Get the picture yet?? Superstar! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >The next time I am in a communist country I will consider what you say….as >for now last time I checked me not wearing my seatbelt has no way of >endangering anyone BUT MYSELF so the govt has no business telling me I have >to wear it..think about what is next like outlawing liquor (seems they have >tried that once..hehe) and anything else you do that may harm noone but >yourself….since when do we as human beings need to be protected form >ourselves…so yes after 7 no seatbelt tickets (2 in the same day one time) >I still refuse to wear it. >I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other >off. >Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They >have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the >seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re >driving. >Superstar >>I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to >>disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. >>Thanks in advance. >>DM
Response:
My car has no fuses labeled with the DRL name. I’ve got Maxi-fuses under the hood labeled as such and when I pull it the Service Vehicle Soon light comes on. I notice a distinct difference in the sound of the engine also. Thanks for the reply…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > For anyone who wants to know, there is probably a fuse labeled DRL on the fuse > panel under the dash (or wherever it is in your vehicle). Just, and this may > shock some, pull the fuse to disable the DRLs. This is not breaking any laws > since DRLs are not required by any laws, but they are a nice feature, and I > run with my lights on all the time since I don’t have DRLs > I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other > off. > Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They > have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the > seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re > driving. > Superstar > >I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to > >disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. > >Thanks in advance. > >DM
Response:
>The next time I am in a communist country I will consider what you say….as >for now last time I checked me not wearing my seatbelt has no way of >endangering anyone BUT MYSELF so the govt has no business telling me I have
Not true my friend. I would assume you have insurance. When you get hurt, we all pay for it sooner or later. Unless, of course, you pay for it all yourself (unlikely)
Response:
Parts of the country that do have adverse weather conditions do warrant these devices. I live in Oklahoma where the amount of ambient light is quite sufficient. These devices were originally intentioned to supplant the amount of available light. The first countries that mandated drl’s were the scandanavian ones. Canada followed about ten years later. Except in the northern states, most of the US does not have this problem. Safety or not, I still want the choice to be able to turn my lights on or off when I want to. A simple switch would suffice. I know this may be a very small thing to some people, but I’m paying for my vehicle and I don’t like this feature. If this were indeed a safety feature the NHTSA would mandate it. It hasn’t. The push by GM made it possible for it to overide many of the state bans that were in place about drl’s. Many other manufacturers followed suit to sell along with the other safety features which are of questionable reliability, abs, air bags, now drl’s. Now I do believe in the former two although not completely. Still, I would prefer to have a choice. I didn’t think a question about my vehicle would set this off…freedom, I’m glad we’ve got it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > ahhh, hello? DRL’s don’t only help yourself, but they do help others. > Imagine driving down the highway in a snowstorm during the day, and you get > to see all the cars with their DRL’s on! Hey! I can see! But, wait, here > comes some militia, anti-government moron coming towards me with no > gee, I wish I saw him earlier, I would have easily avoided him, but now that > I can’t walk anymore, I guess I’LL JUST SUE HIS ASS OFF!!! > Get the picture yet?? > Superstar! >The next time I am in a communist country I will consider what you > say….as >for now last time I checked me not wearing my seatbelt has no way of >endangering anyone BUT MYSELF so the govt has no business telling me I have >to wear it..think about what is next like outlawing liquor (seems they have >tried that once..hehe) and anything else you do that may harm noone but >yourself….since when do we as human beings need to be protected form >ourselves…so yes after 7 no seatbelt tickets (2 in the same day one time) >I still refuse to wear it. >>I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other >>off. >>Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They >>have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the >>seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re >>driving. >>Superstar >>>I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to >>>disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. >>>Thanks in advance. >>>DM
Response:
What communism and seat belts have to do with each other, I don’t know. What you don’t know just might hurt you. jhh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The next time I am in a communist country I will consider what you say….as >for now last time I checked me not wearing my seatbelt has no way of >endangering anyone BUT MYSELF so the govt has no business telling me I have >to wear it..think about what is next like outlawing liquor (seems they have >tried that once..hehe) and anything else you do that may harm noone but >yourself….since when do we as human beings need to be protected form >ourselves…so yes after 7 no seatbelt tickets (2 in the same day one time) >I still refuse to wear it. >I swear some of you people bring up this stupid subject just to piss other >off. >Please, do not even bother messing around with the DRL’s of your car. They >have a purpose…..Safety!!! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the >seatbelts out of your car too, they’ll crinkle up your shirt while you’re >driving. >Superstar >>I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to >>disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. >>Thanks in advance. >>DM
// Jared Haddon Hockema
Response:
No don’t flash your high beams, last thing you want to do is piss off a trucker with oversensitive eyes from all the caffiene (or worse) Also in the daylight it is not very noticable to flash highbeams. Off/on at night on/off in day light works best. The system in our 99 G Am intensifies the lights from drl to regular including adding the taillights as it gets darker. You never need to touch the switch, It sucks The fog lights won’t come on in daylight either. I want control over the lighting system in my car, Is that so bad? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You can’t flash your lights at merging trucks , or warn others of > hiding patrol cars. >Easy solution: turn the headlights on!!! You can then flash your high >beams as need be. >I think the idea of the DRLs is great, but I HATE GM’s idea of using the >high-beams. What kind of idea was this? Yes, they are lower power, but >still, half of the high-beam is where they are focused. Not to mention the >idiots that drive at dusk/night with just the DRLs. >Anyway, this has just been my 2 cents. > AGONY: Not all pain is gain.
Response:
DRL execution varies tremendously between divisions, and even between models within the same division. Bonnevilles use low-beam headlight as the DRL, the newer front-drive vans (Venture/Montana/Silhouette) and the Intrigue/Century/Regal use turn-signal bulbs in bright mode, but the much-hyped new Alero takes a step backward and reverts to the stupid high-beam location. Darrell Sherrod Kokomo IN
Response:
the typical solution for you is to just click your parking brake down until the lights go off and leave it there. it should only take a click or two. No harm done to the brakes.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I too am annoyed by the DRL’s in my Safari van. Most bothersome is >when just idling in the driveway or a parking lot listening for the >end of a song or waiting for somebody with those lights on screaming >"look at me!!" Now, I have no intention of disabling the feature for >such a reason, but I have noticed that the lights go out when the >parking brake is set. If you’re at all handy it would probably be a >simple matter to locate which connection is being made by the brake >lever and add a switch parallel to it. >At least now that I’ve found the lights can be shut off I can start my >van in the driveway on cold mornings, unattended, without feeling that >the van is sitting there screaming "steal me!!" >Still, I would prefer to have a choice. >> >>>I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to >> >>>disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. >> >>>Thanks in advance. >> >>>DM
Response:
In alt.autos.gm >I think the idea of the DRLs is great, but I HATE GM’s idea of using the >high-beams. What kind of idea was this? Yes, they are lower power, but >still, half of the high-beam is where they are focused. Not to mention the >idiots that drive at dusk/night with just the DRLs.
Well, Camaros, TransAms, and Pickups don’t use the high beams. I have a 99 Lumina, and it does though. Please consider, when you call me an idiot, that I have NO control over my lights at all, as installed.
Response:
I too am annoyed by the DRL’s in my Safari van. Most bothersome is when just idling in the driveway or a parking lot listening for the end of a song or waiting for somebody with those lights on screaming "look at me!!" Now, I have no intention of disabling the feature for such a reason, but I have noticed that the lights go out when the parking brake is set. If you’re at all handy it would probably be a simple matter to locate which connection is being made by the brake lever and add a switch parallel to it. At least now that I’ve found the lights can be shut off I can start my van in the driveway on cold mornings, unattended, without feeling that the van is sitting there screaming "steal me!!" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Still, I would prefer to have a choice. > >>>I’ve got a ‘99 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Does anyone know of a way to > >>>disable the DRL’s without affecting anything else. > >>>Thanks in advance. > >>>DM
Response:
In alt.autos.gm > the typical solution for you is to just click your parking brake down >until the lights go off and leave it there. it should only take a click or >two. No harm done to the brakes.
If you have rear disk brakes, as I do, this doesn’t work. One click down and I’m dragging the rear wheels.
Response:
> Well, Camaros, TransAms, and Pickups don’t use the high beams. I have a 99 > Lumina, and it does though. Please consider, when you call me an idiot, > that I have NO control over my lights at all, as installed.
As for pickups, yes they do use the high beams. They have been switching over to a third light for ‘99, but most of GM pickups/SUVs on the road that have DRLs use the high beam lights. I know that each division of GM has its own use of DRLs, and I apologize for not being more specific. The DRLs that I dislike are the ones that use the high-beams, but all of the GMs that I have been in that use DRLs have a headlight switch, not to mention a high beam switch. You see, there is a way to turn off the DRLs, and also a way to control your lights. AGONY: Not all pain is gain.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, Camaros, TransAms, and Pickups don’t use the high beams. I have a 99 > Lumina, and it does though. Please consider, when you call me an idiot, > that I have NO control over my lights at all, as installed. > As for pickups, yes they do use the high beams. They have been switching > over to a third light for ‘99, but most of GM pickups/SUVs on the road > that have DRLs use the high beam lights. > I know that each division of GM has its own use of DRLs, and I > apologize for not being more specific. The DRLs that I dislike > are the ones that use the high-beams, but all of the GMs that I have been > in that use DRLs have a headlight switch, not to mention a high beam > switch. You see, there is a way to turn off the DRLs, and also a way to > control your lights. > AGONY: Not all pain is gain.
There is no "factory" option to control the DRLs on my 98 C2500…and they don’t use the high beam either. Manufacturer or govenmental mandation deployment of a "safety" item such as this is ridiculous. There should be an "override" of some sort available to the user. I do believe that using DRLs make you more visible to other traffic, but there are certain times that you need to turn them off. For instance, a courtesy flash to a big truck to let him know that he is safe to move back into your lane after he passes is impossible if you can’t trun the DRLs off. Pulling into an apartment complex at night and parking facing an apartment without blasting your lights into the downstairs residents bedroom window at 4:00 in the morning is impossible. The courteous flash of the lights to oncoming traffic notifying them of a radar trap is impossible. I know some of you think these reasons are laughable, but the fact remains, these are everyday occurrences in my part of the world and I don’t appreciate the manufacturers/gov’t mandating what I have control of in my own vehicle. Just putting a stupid little push button switch on the control panel to overrride the damn things would be good enough for me, and most everyone else I would guess. If they can put a swtich to disable an airbag in a car/truck, why can’t/won’t they do the same for DRLs?
Response:
Perhaps the nonfunctional light switch will be of use after I pull the DRL and lightcontrol fuses! Otherwise, why did i pay for the switch? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >In alt.autos.gm >but all of the GMs that I have been >in that use DRLs have a headlight switch, not to mention a high beam >switch. You see, there is a way to turn off the DRLs, and also a way to >control your lights. >My car is a 1999 Lumina. It has a completely useless, non-functional >headlight switch. I know from participating in this group, that lots of >other GM owners have the same deal.
Response:
In alt.autos.gm >but all of the GMs that I have been >in that use DRLs have a headlight switch, not to mention a high beam >switch. You see, there is a way to turn off the DRLs, and also a way to >control your lights.
My car is a 1999 Lumina. It has a completely useless, non-functional headlight switch. I know from participating in this group, that lots of other GM owners have the same deal.
Response:
DTRs are a great idea for avoiding accidents but there are a few flaws that get under my skin. The trouble with DTRs is that they usually lead me to forget to turn on the regular lights when it gets dark. I would really love it for the tail lights to come on too along with DRLs so if a real heavy rain hits I don’t have to be thinking about if the person can see me from behind. I don’t know how many people flash their lights at me from behind when it’s raining because I forgot to turn on the regular lights. Maybe the solution is just to do away with the "half-on" DTRs and have the regular lights on all the time and make a bulb that lasts =) Sure, DTRs avoid oncoming cars from hitting you but what about the people driving behind you? Mel
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I agree totally. Here in Canada all new cars have been required to have DRLs for quite some time now. I see many people driving around in bad weather or in the dark with no tail lights on and only the half normal intensity DRLs on. The regular lights on both rear and front system works for motorcycles, so why not for cars and trucks? Compared to lots of other car components light bulbs are not expensive and easy to replace. Also if you spend an extra dollar and buy a good quality bulb rather than the bottom end cheap ones at Wal-mart, they last quite a long time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> DTRs are a great idea for avoiding accidents but there are a few flaws that > get under my skin. The trouble with DTRs is that they usually lead me to > forget to turn on the regular lights when it gets dark. I would really love > it for the tail lights to come on too along with DRLs so if a real heavy > rain hits I don’t have to be thinking about if the person can see me from > behind. I don’t know how many people flash their lights at me from behind > when it’s raining because I forgot to turn on the regular lights. Maybe the > solution is just to do away with the "half-on" DTRs and have the regular > lights on all the time and make a bulb that lasts =) Sure, DTRs avoid > oncoming cars from hitting you but what about the people driving behind you? > Mel
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What kind of car and year are you driving? My ‘89 Pontiac 6000 has DTR lights, too. However, I never have to turn the regular lights on or off. There’s a sensor on top of the dashboard that does that for me. If I’m in daylight, I only have the front low-beam headlights on. If I go through a tunnel or darkness falls, my taillights come on automatically after a few seconds (a built in delay I assume) and don’t turn off until I shut off the engine. I can test this functionality by simply putting my finger on the sensor for a few seconds. John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > DTRs are a great idea for avoiding accidents but there are a few flaws that > get under my skin. The trouble with DTRs is that they usually lead me to > forget to turn on the regular lights when it gets dark. I would really love > it for the tail lights to come on too along with DRLs so if a real heavy > rain hits I don’t have to be thinking about if the person can see me from > behind. I don’t know how many people flash their lights at me from behind > when it’s raining because I forgot to turn on the regular lights. Maybe the > solution is just to do away with the "half-on" DTRs and have the regular > lights on all the time and make a bulb that lasts =) Sure, DTRs avoid > oncoming cars from hitting you but what about the people driving behind you? > Mel
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FWIW, I don’t think DRL’s were supposed to "solve" rear-end accidents, but head on, or "T-Bone" type accidents, by making oncoming traffic (head on or otherwise) more visible. You could have 3 million candlepower lights on the back of your car on all the time, and some bozo will still pop you when you slow down or are stopped. My DRLs are actually the parking lamps (Olds Intrigue). They are on a high intensity setting during the day, and when the sensor on the dash senses a low light condition (a tunnel, stopped under a bridge, a heavy shower, etc) the normal lights come on, including the taillights, dash lights, and the "parking lamps" go back to "normal" intensity. There seems to be a 30 second period or so where the ambient light has to be low enough to trigger the "auto-on", so passing under a bridge doesn’t trigger an "on" then "off" condition. All in all I prefer a car with DRL (our 2000 Bravada has them too). Whenever I get a rental, I forget to 1). turn on the lights since I usually don’t have to, and 2). forget to shut them off until I get out of the car, or am ready to. I probably won’t buy another car unless it has DRL, or an automatic system. I guess I’m trained now. As an aside, I would like to see the intensity of the brake lights increase as pedal pressure does, it would make the measure of how hard someone is braking more obvious, especially if you cannot see around/over the vehicle in front of you, and prevent "panic stops" by someone who doesn’t realize the guy in front of him has slightly braked, and is not locking them up. Dennis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > DTRs are a great idea for avoiding accidents but there are a few flaws that > get under my skin. The trouble with DTRs is that they usually lead me to > forget to turn on the regular lights when it gets dark. I would really love > it for the tail lights to come on too along with DRLs so if a real heavy > rain hits I don’t have to be thinking about if the person can see me from > behind. I don’t know how many people flash their lights at me from behind > when it’s raining because I forgot to turn on the regular lights. Maybe the > solution is just to do away with the "half-on" DTRs and have the regular > lights on all the time and make a bulb that lasts =) Sure, DTRs avoid > oncoming cars from hitting you but what about the people driving behind you? > Mel
Response:
Not all cars with DRLs have the auto headlight feature. GM has kindly put both systems on all their vehicles though… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > FWIW, I don’t think DRL’s were supposed to "solve" rear-end accidents, > but head on, or "T-Bone" type accidents, by making oncoming traffic > (head on or otherwise) more visible. You could have 3 million candlepower lights on the > back of your car on all the time, and some bozo will still pop you when you slow down or > are stopped. > My DRLs are actually the parking lamps (Olds Intrigue). They are on a high intensity setting > during the day, and when the sensor on the dash senses a low light condition > (a tunnel, stopped under a bridge, a heavy shower, etc) the normal > lights come on, including the taillights, dash lights, and the "parking lamps" go back > to "normal" intensity. There seems to be a 30 second period or so where the ambient > light has to be low enough to trigger the "auto-on", so passing under a bridge doesn’t trigger an > "on" then "off" condition. > All in all I prefer a car with DRL (our 2000 Bravada has them too). Whenever I get a rental, > I forget to 1). turn on the lights since I usually don’t have to, and 2). forget to shut them off until > I get out of the car, or am ready to. > I probably won’t buy another car unless it has DRL, or an automatic system. I guess I’m > trained now. > As an aside, I would like to see the intensity of the brake lights increase as pedal pressure does, > it would make the measure of how hard someone is braking more obvious, especially if you cannot see > around/over the vehicle in front of you, and prevent "panic stops" by someone who doesn’t realize the > guy in front of him has slightly braked, and is not locking them up. > Dennis >DTRs are a great idea for avoiding accidents but there are a few flaws that >get under my skin. The trouble with DTRs is that they usually lead me to >forget to turn on the regular lights when it gets dark. I would really love >it for the tail lights to come on too along with DRLs so if a real heavy >rain hits I don’t have to be thinking about if the person can see me from >behind. I don’t know how many people flash their lights at me from behind >when it’s raining because I forgot to turn on the regular lights. Maybe the >solution is just to do away with the "half-on" DTRs and have the regular >lights on all the time and make a bulb that lasts =) Sure, DTRs avoid >oncoming cars from hitting you but what about the people driving behind you? >Mel
Response:
> Not all cars with DRLs have the auto headlight feature. GM has kindly > put both systems on all their vehicles though…
Not on the Cavalier though, unless they did it with this model year.
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<snip> > To test for strategy 2, run your test leads from each socket to its > appropriate relay terminal, EXCEPT the one that would go to trigger > ground. Run that wire from its socket to +12V.
…VIA YOUR RESISTOR. DS
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> I find the discussion great, but I’m still waiting for an answer to my > original question (below from 12/27). :-) Obviously there are a lot of > opinions out there on DRLs, but does anyone have any technical knowledge on > how to turn them off they can pass along to me?
See http://www.lightsout.org/disable.html You may not find an entry specific to the Malibu, which has used the same DRL circuit since its introduction, but there are a great many entries for specific and generic GM DRL circuits, one of which will probably give you enough info about the setup to figure it out. Now, here’s what I remember from my experimentation with an ‘01 model: The Malibu runs the low-beam headlamps as DRLs, and this functionality is handled by a DRL relay in the relay box under the hood. Snapping-off the input lead for the DRLs does the job, but also turns on the "CHECK ENGINE" light on the dash. I don’t know which strategy is used to verify DRL operation. It is one of these three: 1) The computer looks for voltage downstream of the relay power contacts 2) The computer looks for voltage downstream of the relay trigger circuit, or 3) The computer looks for the anticipated resistance of the relay trigger coil. SOme experimentation will reveal which one it is. Suggest you make five or six test leads consisting of a length of 18ga wire with a 1/4" male blade terminal on one end and a 1/4" female blade terminal on the other end, so that you can remove the relay from its socket, run your test leads from socket to relay, and disconnect them one by one. Relay terminal pinout is: 30: Power input 85: Trigger input OR trigger ground 86: Trigger input OR trigger ground (relay trigger coils are usually polarity nonspecific, whichever one’s socket has continuity with battery negative is the trigger ground.) 87: Normally-open power output 87a: Normally-closed power output To test for strategy 3, measure the resistance across terminals 85 and 86 of the DRL relay. Obtain a resistor of similar value. Run your test leads from each socket to its appropriate relay terminal, EXCEPT the one that would go to trigger input (which you discerned from trigger ground with a continuity check, above.). Run that wire from its socket to ground it via your resistor. Start the car and release the handbrake. If your DRLs stay off, you don’t get a "CHECK ENGINE" light, and your low and high beam headlamps still work normally, make the arrangement permanent and off you go. To test for strategy 2, run your test leads from each socket to its appropriate relay terminal, EXCEPT the one that would go to trigger ground. Run that wire from its socket to +12V. Start the car and release the handbrake. If your DRLs stay off, you don’t get a "CHECK ENGINE" light, and your low and high beam headlamps still work normally, make the arrangement permanent and off you go. If you determine it’s neither strategy 3 nor strategy 2, GM is really playing "Big Brother" and is watching the headlamp power circuit. If that’s the case, you’ll have to give the factory circuit a rawhide bone to chew on in the form of a couple jumpers, and build a new headlamp circuit per http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/relays/relays.html Hope this helps. DS
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Thanks to all for your help. Ted- I became a bit concerned that I’d gotten into the ABS wiring 
I found time to check it out and luckily confirmed that the connector I located did not lead to the ABS at the front left wheel. I’m still unsure what the connector I did find is actually for and where the oval shaped DRL connector is. I’m hoping to con a Ford dealership mechanic into showing me where that connector is and explain what the connector I did find is used for …. that is as soon as I find one who is familiar with the topic. More later as the saga continues . . . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My 98 had the proper connector and I purchased the correct module to plug > in. At first, the parts dept. sold me the universal connector-claimed > that’s the only one that showed up on the computer. I provided them with > the part number for the module with the connector, which is F43Z15A272A, > price $46.01. The universal part number is F6SZ13B218AA with a list of > $41.83. > Do yourself a favor, return the universal and order the correct > module-you’ll be glad you did. > Rgds, > Jeff W. > <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> > >> Do you actually have the DRL module, squarish black with fins and an > >> oval shaped connector on one end? This unit is the best and easiest > >> way to go. Your ‘98 is setup to use the module I mentioned above. I > >> don’t have the part number handy
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Hey – Here’s the help I got on this one. FYI – I could get to the DRL plug without dropping the bumper or removing the fender liner. Just reached up from underneath the truck. Unplug the jumper plug, mount the DRL box, plug on the connector and viola!. No cutting or splicing into wires needed. The box looks like a giant black heat sink with an oval plug. There are no wires coming out of it. Just the oval plug. Do not use the generic FORD DRL box that is silver with lots of loose wires. And YES my autolamps still work fine with this installed. I have a 98 XLT 4Dr 4×4 SOHC Later. Jim Austin The part number your looking for is F43Z-15A272-A. It is my understanding that this is the DRL module for all Ford trucks from 1990 models on. I recently purchased one for my wife’s 96 Windstar. It plugged right in and worked as advertised. It took me longer to get to the DRL plug than it took to install the module (about 45 minutes total including dropping and reinstalling the front left fender liner.) The module is made in the UK for Ford and has an 8 pin oval plug. To install it you have to gain access to the DRL plug (usually on the front radiator support panel behind the front left headlight. This is best done by either dropping the bumper or the fender liner depending on the particular vehicle. Then you carefully remove the factory jumper plug (be careful not to damage the locking ears.) The DRL module plugs in and your done except for screwing it to the panel and putting things back together. When you mount the module to the steel panel try and get the maximum contact area between the module and the panel. It does get hot after a while and the panel helps to heat sink it. Take care, Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hey Gang… > I just purchased a module from Ford dealer that converts headlamps into > daytime running lights. Instructions are sketchy with regard to where to > located wires leading to headlamps, ignition, E brake etc. > Interested to know if auto headlamps will operate normally after the DRL > module is installed ?? Vehicle is a 98 LTD. > Thanks in advance for advice.
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Ray, i put the same module from ford on my 95 explorer. only need to hook up a single large plug that is behind the front bumper under and kinda behind the drivers headlight. module screws to the radiator wall under and behind the headlight. already has holes for it. plug is currently mounted to the same wall but has a dummy plug in the end. carefull with the plug clip – easily broken. Also, my autoheadlamps act normally – as they should. -Roy ‘95 xlt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hey Gang… >I just purchased a module from Ford dealer that converts headlamps into >daytime running lights. Instructions are sketchy with regard to where to >located wires leading to headlamps, ignition, E brake etc. >Interested to know if auto headlamps will operate normally after the DRL >module is installed ?? Vehicle is a 98 LTD. >Thanks in advance for advice.
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The connector you found is not the wheel end of the ABS sensor. You found the other end, upstream from the wheel sensor, the "component side" to "harness side" connector which leads from the wheel sensor to the ABS Electronic Control module. wrotf: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks to all for your help. >Ted- I became a bit concerned that I’d gotten into the ABS wiring >I found time to check it out and luckily confirmed that the connector I >located >did not lead to the ABS at the front left wheel. I’m still unsure what the >connector I did find is actually for and where the oval shaped DRL connector >is. >I’m hoping to con a Ford dealership mechanic into showing me where that >connector is and explain what the connector I did find is used for …. that >is as soon as I find one who is familiar with the topic. >More later as the saga continues . . . > My 98 had the proper connector and I purchased the correct module to plug > in. At first, the parts dept. sold me the universal connector-claimed > that’s the only one that showed up on the computer. I provided them with > the part number for the module with the connector, which is F43Z15A272A, > price $46.01. The universal part number is F6SZ13B218AA with a list of > $41.83. > Do yourself a favor, return the universal and order the correct > module-you’ll be glad you did. > Rgds, > Jeff W. > <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> > > >> Do you actually have the DRL module, squarish black with fins and an > > >> oval shaped connector on one end? This unit is the best and easiest > > >> way to go. Your ‘98 is setup to use the module I mentioned above. I > > >> don’t have the part number handy
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My 98 had the proper connector and I purchased the correct module to plug in. At first, the parts dept. sold me the universal connector-claimed that’s the only one that showed up on the computer. I provided them with the part number for the module with the connector, which is F43Z15A272A, price $46.01. The universal part number is F6SZ13B218AA with a list of $41.83. Do yourself a favor, return the universal and order the correct module-you’ll be glad you did. Rgds, Jeff W. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Do you actually have the DRL module, squarish black with fins and an >> oval shaped connector on one end? This unit is the best and easiest >> way to go. Your ‘98 is setup to use the module I mentioned above. I >> don’t have the part number handy
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The DRL connector I mentioned is a 8 pin connector (only 7 pins are used, pin five is not used) The connector plug itself is actually oval shaped black plastic. The round 2 pin connector you found sounds like the ABS wheel sensor connector. The fog lamp connector is mounted next to the ABS wheel sensor connector. Look to the left (if looking form the rear) of the connector you found the DRL connector should be with 2 inches of the ABS sensor connector and the fog lamp connector. It faces the front of the vehicle. look at the sheet metal just above and slightly left (if looking from the rear) of center of the fog lamp. Were are talking just a couple of inches here. I would be very surprised if your ‘98 Explorer does indeed not have the DRL connector. However, I know tha Ford took a lot of cost cutting measures on ’98s so I guess it is possible that your truck doesn’t have it. After all as far as Ford is concerned DRL it is a Canadian requirement. GM just went a put it on US vehicles standard in ‘96 Ted wrotf: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for the advice ! >As luck would have it, the dealer I went to did not mention a ’plug n play’ >DRL module. What they ordered and I received was the universal module; no >connector – just wires for about $55. >But, I just looked for the connector you mentioned and think I found it. There >is a connector in the exact location you mention. The connector cover was >brown plastic and for some reasons had threads and a point on one end. It was >clipped/secured to the frame. I removed the protective cover and found that >the connector is more round vs oval ? The connector has two female pins >inside. You think this is it ?? >I’ll bet this is it. It is wired into the harness with the fog lamps. There’s >only one thing that makes me doubt this. A a few weeks ago, before buying the >module myself, I asked a local dealer to install the DRL’s while vehicle was >in their shop for other servicing. They quoted about $150, but called back >later to say that I did not have the right wiring harness and could not >convert to DRL’s. That makes me think that I don’t have that connector you >mention. But, they’re also the same dealer that tried to charge me $98 for a >spare secure key. They did not know that you can program a 3rd secure key if >you have two programmed keys…so their credibility is not so good. >I’ll drop by the dealer that sold me the universal module and see what they >say. >Thanks again. I’ll keep you posted. > Do you actually have the DRL module, squarish black with fins and an > oval shaped connector on one end? This unit is the best and easiest > way to go. Your ‘98 is setup to use the module I mentioned above. I > don’t have the part number handy > Be careful there is another type of module out there and from what I > understand it is just a universal type that is more of a hassle to > install. > Your ‘98 Explorer Limited is already set up with the plug in type DRL > module and you don’t have to screwa around with any wiring or wiring > locations. > If you have the correct module then it is basically a mount it and > plug in solution. Your 98 Limited should have be all setup to just > plug in the module. Look for the connector on the front left side of > the vehicle, behind the bumper and above the fog lamps. The wiring > harness plug with jumper cover is mounted on the sheet metal. I > removed and lowered the fog lamp when I installed mine. > You have to carefully remove the jumper cover and save it, be careful > not to break off the locking tabs when you remove the plug cover. > There are already holes in the sheet metal for the screws. Just mount > the DRL module and and plug in the harness and check operation. > Hopes this helps, > Ted > wrotf: > >Hey Gang… > >I just purchased a module from Ford dealer that converts headlamps into > >daytime running lights. Instructions are sketchy with regard to where to > >located wires leading to headlamps, ignition, E brake etc. > >Interested to know if auto headlamps will operate normally after the DRL > >module is installed ?? Vehicle is a 98 LTD. > >Thanks in advance for advice.
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Thanks for the advice ! As luck would have it, the dealer I went to did not mention a ’plug n play’ DRL module. What they ordered and I received was the universal module; no connector – just wires for about $55. But, I just looked for the connector you mentioned and think I found it. There is a connector in the exact location you mention. The connector cover was brown plastic and for some reasons had threads and a point on one end. It was clipped/secured to the frame. I removed the protective cover and found that the connector is more round vs oval ? The connector has two female pins inside. You think this is it ?? I’ll bet this is it. It is wired into the harness with the fog lamps. There’s only one thing that makes me doubt this. A a few weeks ago, before buying the module myself, I asked a local dealer to install the DRL’s while vehicle was in their shop for other servicing. They quoted about $150, but called back later to say that I did not have the right wiring harness and could not convert to DRL’s. That makes me think that I don’t have that connector you mention. But, they’re also the same dealer that tried to charge me $98 for a spare secure key. They did not know that you can program a 3rd secure key if you have two programmed keys…so their credibility is not so good. I’ll drop by the dealer that sold me the universal module and see what they say. Thanks again. I’ll keep you posted. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Do you actually have the DRL module, squarish black with fins and an > oval shaped connector on one end? This unit is the best and easiest > way to go. Your ‘98 is setup to use the module I mentioned above. I > don’t have the part number handy > Be careful there is another type of module out there and from what I > understand it is just a universal type that is more of a hassle to > install. > Your ‘98 Explorer Limited is already set up with the plug in type DRL > module and you don’t have to screwa around with any wiring or wiring > locations. > If you have the correct module then it is basically a mount it and > plug in solution. Your 98 Limited should have be all setup to just > plug in the module. Look for the connector on the front left side of > the vehicle, behind the bumper and above the fog lamps. The wiring > harness plug with jumper cover is mounted on the sheet metal. I > removed and lowered the fog lamp when I installed mine. > You have to carefully remove the jumper cover and save it, be careful > not to break off the locking tabs when you remove the plug cover. > There are already holes in the sheet metal for the screws. Just mount > the DRL module and and plug in the harness and check operation. > Hopes this helps, > Ted > wrotf: >Hey Gang… >I just purchased a module from Ford dealer that converts headlamps into >daytime running lights. Instructions are sketchy with regard to where to >located wires leading to headlamps, ignition, E brake etc. >Interested to know if auto headlamps will operate normally after the DRL >module is installed ?? Vehicle is a 98 LTD. >Thanks in advance for advice.
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Do you actually have the DRL module, squarish black with fins and an oval shaped connector on one end? This unit is the best and easiest way to go. Your ‘98 is setup to use the module I mentioned above. I don’t have the part number handy Be careful there is another type of module out there and from what I understand it is just a universal type that is more of a hassle to install. Your ‘98 Explorer Limited is already set up with the plug in type DRL module and you don’t have to screwa around with any wiring or wiring locations. If you have the correct module then it is basically a mount it and plug in solution. Your 98 Limited should have be all setup to just plug in the module. Look for the connector on the front left side of the vehicle, behind the bumper and above the fog lamps. The wiring harness plug with jumper cover is mounted on the sheet metal. I removed and lowered the fog lamp when I installed mine. You have to carefully remove the jumper cover and save it, be careful not to break off the locking tabs when you remove the plug cover. There are already holes in the sheet metal for the screws. Just mount the DRL module and and plug in the harness and check operation. Hopes this helps, Ted wrotf: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hey Gang… >I just purchased a module from Ford dealer that converts headlamps into >daytime running lights. Instructions are sketchy with regard to where to >located wires leading to headlamps, ignition, E brake etc. >Interested to know if auto headlamps will operate normally after the DRL >module is installed ?? Vehicle is a 98 LTD. >Thanks in advance for advice.
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Hey Gang… I just purchased a module from Ford dealer that converts headlamps into daytime running lights. Instructions are sketchy with regard to where to located wires leading to headlamps, ignition, E brake etc. Interested to know if auto headlamps will operate normally after the DRL module is installed ?? Vehicle is a 98 LTD. Thanks in advance for advice.
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Anybody have information on installing daytime running lights on a 95 Explorer XLT? With the headlight switch in the ‘on’ position, this would turn on headlights when ignition is on, and turn them off when the ignition is off. Just like the Volvos work.
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> Anybody have information on installing daytime running lights on > a 95 Explorer XLT? With the headlight switch in the ‘on’ > position, this would turn on headlights when ignition is on, and > turn them off when the ignition is off. Just like the Volvos > work.
I have had the DRL module on my 95 Explorer since it was new. The Ford part number is F43Z-15A272-A (which I’m told is a Tempo part number, but will work with all Fords sold since DRL’s became mandatory in Canada – 1995?) The installation has been detailed in this newgroup before, but basically requires loosening the front bumper and dropping one side (the left?) to access a plug which receives the module.) I actually had the dealer install the module during the first maintenance. The module does work with the autolamp feature (which turns on the headlights automatically when it is dark out.) One note, the Ford module apparently works differently than the Volvo module you describe. The headlight switch remains in the off position and the DRL’s light. Turning the headlight switch to parking light position turns off the DRL’s and turns on the parking lights. Turning to headlight position turns on headlights and parkign lights (as you’d expect.) Depressing the parking brake will shut off the DRL’s while the car is running (and the headlight switch is in the off position.) While some have compalined that DRL’s would cause more burnt out bulbs, I have 75,000 miles on the vehicle with DRL’s installed and have never replaced the headlight bulbs.
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> > Anybody have information on installing daytime running lights on > a 95 Explorer XLT? With the headlight switch in the ‘on’ > position, this would turn on headlights when ignition is on, and > turn them off when the ignition is off. Just like the Volvos > work.
snip > One note, the Ford module apparently works differently than the Volvo > module you describe. The headlight switch remains in the off position > and the DRL’s light. Turning the headlight switch to parking light > position turns off the DRL’s and turns on the parking lights.
According to the TSB that my Ford technician showed me, the DRLs will be on even when the parking lights are switched on as it is illegal in most states to drive with parking lights only. They do go off if the parking brake is applied. Third party DRL systems may work differently. I will try to get the TSB number and post it. >Turning to headlight position turns on headlights and parkign lights (as you’d > expect.) Depressing the parking brake will shut off the DRL’s while the > car is running (and the headlight switch is in the off position.)
snip — Every morning in Africa when the sun comes up, a gazelle wakes up and realizes that he must outrun the fastest lion in order to survive. Every morning in Africa when the sun comes up, a lioness wakes up and realizes she must outrun the slowest gazelle or she will starve to death. When the sun comes up, you had better be running!
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I started up my 1999 Explorer and heard a pop sound. I found the daytime running headlights not working, everything else works fine. Would it be the control module? If so where is it and is it worth repairing? Thanks in advance for any replies!
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The info below might be of some help http://ourplaceusa.home.att.net/drl.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I started up my 1999 Explorer and heard a pop sound. I found the daytime >running headlights not working, everything else works fine. Would it be the >control module? If so where is it and is it worth repairing? Thanks in >advance for any replies!
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I also have a 1999 Explorer (Limited). I purchased the DRL control module, but can not find where to attach it. The wiring harness on the driver side behind my fog lamps looks very different from the one pictured in the site listed below. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where the module plug in may be located. Thanks, Bob
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The info below might be of some help > http://ourplaceusa.home.att.net/drl.htm >I started up my 1999 Explorer and heard a pop sound. I found the daytime >running headlights not working, everything else works fine. Would it be the >control module? If so where is it and is it worth repairing? Thanks in >advance for any replies!
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I heard that some later Explorers 98+? may not even have the harness preinstalled on the vehicle. My ‘96 had the harness preinstalled with the jumper cap in place (without the control module attached) the connector with oval shaped jumper cap was mounted to the sheet metal in the area where the module is normally mounted as in the photos at the website below. Do you see a harness with an oval shaped jumper in place mounted on the sheet metal? Also in the photos the connector is not behind the fog light, it is above the fog light, on the sheet metal that runs across the near the bottom of the radiator. http://ourplaceusa.home.att.net/drl.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I also have a 1999 Explorer (Limited). I purchased the DRL control module, >but can not find where to attach it. The wiring harness on the driver side >behind my fog lamps looks very different from the one pictured in the site >listed below. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where the module plug >in may be located. >Thanks, >Bob > The info below might be of some help > http://ourplaceusa.home.att.net/drl.htm > >I started up my 1999 Explorer and heard a pop sound. I found the daytime > >running headlights not working, everything else works fine. Would it be >the > >control module? If so where is it and is it worth repairing? Thanks in > >advance for any replies!
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> kinda curious about that myself . . . > >and–oh yes–did I forget mention the extra fuel consumption. > Please advise how it equates to extra fuel consumption ??????
Well, since there is no such thing as free energy, something has to create the power that goes to the lights. This would ultimately translate to fuel in your tank. Please don’t assume I support the original poster – I am just trying to answer a question here. I think the original poster is ‘way off in left field; but then I am used to seeing the DRLs since ‘91 or ‘92 when they were made mandatory up here. Vehicles are, in spite of what you may be told, one hellacious lot more visible, at any time of the day. If I was to move to a place without the DRL legislation, I would put them in quick like bunny rabbits. And damn the expense. TKS, HR. — wotthehell wotthehell archie wotthehell wotthehell {Take the 3 *** out of my return address to reply. My version of a SPAM PILL.}
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>WHY? I hate DRL’s!
I love them. And it saves on the insurance rate too. But then again, everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. What a country!
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WHY? I hate DRL’s!
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Had Daytime Running Lights added to my 97 Exploder XLT today. Cost was $44 for the module and half an hour labor to install. The automatic headlights still work as advertised with the DRLs on during the day. Warranty is still intact since it is a FoMoCo module and Ford did the install.
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> Did I miss something here. Day Time Running Lights comsume more fuel? > I haven’t had such a good laugh in weeks. I can only assume that you also > believe that playing your radio also burns more fuel too? It even uses it > up when your leave them on and with the engine turned off. HELLO! Have you > not heard of the car BATTERY?
Yes, your poor ol’ damaged brain (your own moniker, friend–at "mindless.com") did miss something, but not just here. First, what you evidently missed was paying attention in physics class. Something called thermodynamics? Roll your vehicle downhill, in gear, with the engine off and it’s a great way to generate electricity at virtually no cost. Is that your typical mode of driving? Otherwise, when driving with the engine running, the alternator _has to do extra work_ to supply power as the battery discharges–yes, even just to operate your radio! This shows up as extra "drag" on the engine. If you think the car’s engine produces "free" excess electricity at no cost to you, then you’re just the person I’d like to speak to about this really great bridge across the East River in New York City that I can sell to you for a really cheap price. Also, we all have some run-down batteries we’d like you to hook up to your alternator and charge for us while you drivin’ around anyway. Won’t cost you a thing, I guess. You might even put the power utilities out of business. Another thing you evidently missed is my earlier post in this thread which indicated that the per-vehicle DRL fuel cost is fairly modest–probably on the order of $5/yr for an average vehicle. The point was not that DRLs cost each person a significant amount–but just that they are _not_ cost-free to operate. Nationally a mere half-a-billion/yr? In fact it’s probably the _least_ significant issue concerning the pros and cons of DRLs if they really do all the good their proponents claim. Fuel cost is one of many factors to consider–along with initial hardware cost, maintenance and (as currently practiced in the USA) the possibility of negative effects on driving safety–for something of questionable effectiveness in accident prevention. Phil Rose — Phil Rose
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Did I miss something here. Day Time Running Lights comsume more fuel? > I haven’t had such a good laugh in weeks. I can only assume that you also > believe that playing your radio also burns more fuel too? It even uses it > up when your leave them on and with the engine turned off. HELLO! Have you > not heard of the car BATTERY? > Your car doesn’t just run on gassoline. It uses electricity too. You have > a battery that is hooked up basically to a dynamo, that takes the > rotational motion of the engine, and converts it back into electricity that > powers the spark plugs (and recharges the battery). But wait, the amount > of electricity generated is greater than that which is required, so with > all this surplus power that is going to waste, you can run your head lamps, > turn on your radio, have signal lights (that some people don’t use when > changing lanes).
Don’t Know where you got that, but it is a good laugh. > The people who say that DRL’s are dangerous becuase you forget to turn on > your headlights at night. Clue one, if you can’t read your dash board, you > might need to turn on the headlights becuase it is dark out. If everyone > else has there lights turned on, it might be a good idea if you did too.
It is a fact that people don’t pay attention to their dash lights. Many just look in front of them, and are oblivious to what is right below their nose. That is why many manufactures have thought about putting the gauges back lit onto the windshield. I for one have seen to many people forget to turn their headlights on, but it is especially prevalent when they have DRL’s. Maybe the intensity should be lowered. Maybe they should remove the DRL indicator light (since some people think that that is their High beam indicator) I don’t know. In my honest judgment, DRL’s should not be a safety device, since safety is not an added feature in my judgment. Let drivers who wish to have them, use them, but for those who don’t want them, just pull the fuse out and drive w/o them
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With DRLs, when one goes to signal oncoming traffic regarding a police vehicle, the traditional flashing of the lights takes on a new look, DLR to high beam via flash to pass. And w/auto lamp at night, is impossible to do w/o sliding and turning switches. So all this gadgetry just aids Smokey. And I did install the DLR module.
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Did I miss something here. Day Time Running Lights comsume more fuel? I haven’t had such a good laugh in weeks. I can only assume that you also believe that playing your radio also burns more fuel too? It even uses it up when your leave them on and with the engine turned off. HELLO! Have you not heard of the car BATTERY? Your car doesn’t just run on gassoline. It uses electricity too. You have a battery that is hooked up basically to a dynamo, that takes the rotational motion of the engine, and converts it back into electricity that powers the spark plugs (and recharges the battery). But wait, the amount of electricity generated is greater than that which is required, so with all this surplus power that is going to waste, you can run your head lamps, turn on your radio, have signal lights (that some people don’t use when changing lanes). The people who say that DRL’s are dangerous becuase you forget to turn on your headlights at night. Clue one, if you can’t read your dash board, you might need to turn on the headlights becuase it is dark out. If everyone else has there lights turned on, it might be a good idea if you did too. mjm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If DRLs are so adverse to fuel consumption versus their original safety > concerns, why not legislate against other factors that affect fuel economy > such as: > – air conditioning > – speed limits > – windows which open > – non streamlined design > Stephen > did I forget mention the extra fuel consumption > — > SK Suh Ottawa, ON Canada 1997 Explorer XL
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kinda curious about that myself . . . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->and–oh yes–did I forget mention the extra fuel consumption. > Please advise how it equates to extra fuel consumption ??????
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>and–oh yes–did I forget mention the extra fuel consumption.
Please advise how it equates to extra fuel consumption ??????
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If DRLs are so adverse to fuel consumption versus their original safety concerns, why not legislate against other factors that affect fuel economy such as: – air conditioning – speed limits – windows which open – non streamlined design Stephen > did I forget mention the extra fuel consumption
– SK Suh Ottawa, ON Canada 1997 Explorer XL
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> >and–oh yes–did I forget mention the extra fuel consumption. > Please advise how it equates to extra fuel consumption ??????
Energy for about 100 watts of lighting has to come from somewhere. You car’s engine requires _additional_ fuel to turn the alternator, which cranks out electrical power only as needed–since a vehicle doesn’t make electricity that it throws away if not used, as some folks appear to believe. Assuming no more than 100,000 BTU/gal for a gasoline engine, I estimate that fuel consumption is roughly 0.01 gallon/hr. So cost of fuel goes up on the order of 1/2 to 1% for typical vehicles and driving situations. The average vehicle owner thus might "spend" around $4 to $5 per year for DRL use (plus initial cost and maintenance). All this must be multiplied by around 100(?) million vehicles in the US to arrive at an eventual national cost/yr if DRLs were mandated. Lots of other safety-related improvements could be undertaken with that much annual funding BTW, I’d be in favor of the following: (a) Require DRL use by _all_ vehicles, rather than have the willy-nilly voluntarily approach now going on in the US. I and others have commented previously on how DRL use may put non-DRL drivers at _greater_ risk (see Dejanews for earlier postings). Universal DRL use–while still of questionable safety benefit–could at least minimize the negatives of partial use. (b) Lower the DRL’s (light) intensity, to reduce the (IMO) excessive glare common to many present DRL systems. DRL advocates may believe I haven’t "seen the light", but is it necessary to nearly blind me while driving in order to make the point? Phil — Phil Rose
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> I do agree that when the DRL’s are on, that the instrument panel > lights are off, but how many times do drivers forget to turn their > lights on when the leave a gas station? Quite a few. The DRL’s give > these people another reason to not turn them on, they see some sort of > light in fornt of their vehicle, causing them to assume that they > already have their lights on. Your Volvo also has a feature that senses > daytime and night, and if you don’t turn your lights on at night, it > turns them on for you. I owned a Volvo with this feature. Ithelps, but > it is not 100 percent affective either.
The Explorer has an option for "Autolamp" which, as in the Volvo, turns on the headlamps at dusk and shuts them off at dawn. I have the DLR module installed and the autolamp feature on my ‘95. Now my only problem is remembering to turn off lights in any other cars I drive!
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> DRLs are a proven safety device. Allows your vehicle to be seen by > others. My insurance company will discount by 6.50 per six months. My 2 > cents worth only.
I share 50% of your opinion: I believe that DRLs are merely a proven _device_. They also are a proven source of income for the dealers/car manufacturers. In addition they will assure more frequent need for headlight replacement, and–oh yes–did I forget mention the extra fuel consumption. As to safety: lower insurance premiums are not proof of a worthwhile safety benefit. I don’t wish to restart the flame wars that raged a couple of years ago on this subject. Suffice it to say that significant data exist which show _absence_ of benefit from DRL use. Admittedly, data also do appear to show the contrary. It’s not at all a clear-cut situation as far as I am aware. I personally never have felt the anxiety that some feel about not being seen in my 4000 lb vehicle in daylight. I agree there is a definite problem insofar as drivers do not uniformly show good sense about turning on headlights when visibility becomes poor. IMO, the haphazard, willy-nilly, voluntary adoption of DRLs in the US is not the best solution to problems of innattention to poor visibility and/or brain-dead drivers (who won’t notice your DRL-equipped vehicle, either). I give credit to those who do implement DRLs in the hope of improving safety. But I would hope they go into the endeavor aware of the questionable cost/benefit ratio, and give some thought to the negative consequences of daytime driving on roads with significant numbers of both DRL and non-DRL equipped vehicles. Phil — Phil Rose
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The headlight on my motorcycle is wired "on" permenantly, I have a choice of high or low beam. I use high beam all the time in the daytime. Doug
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Not a flame, but a comment. If you were distracted by the drl, > perhaps > the fact that your attention was focused on a car with them operating > is > evidence that they provide a little bit of safety by making the car > more > noticeable. > I often drive my 93 Explorer with my lights on low beam. Sometimes it > also helps encourage slow drivers parked in the passing lane move > over! > Assistant Principal > Center Grove High School > George Frampton > Center Grove High School > Work: 317-881-0581 > Netscape Conference Address > Netscape Conference DLS Server > Additional Information: > Last Name Frampton > First Name George > Version 2.1
That is very true, but when you attention is drawn to one spot for too long of a time, that is when problems ovvure. You should only have to spot something for a fraction of a second, then move on to other objects.
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I must disagree that they cause you to forget to turn on your headlights. I have a 95 Volvo 850 with DRLs. One glance at your instrument panel will tell you to turn them on. And I’m sure that DRLs was not the primary cause of the accident.
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> I must disagree that they cause you to forget to turn on your > headlights. > I have a 95 Volvo 850 with DRLs. One glance at your instrument panel > will > tell you to turn them on. > And I’m sure that DRLs was not the primary cause of the accident.
I do agree that when the DRL’s are on, that the instrument panel lights are off, but how many times do drivers forget to turn their lights on when the leave a gas station? Quite a few. The DRL’s give these people another reason to not turn them on, they see some sort of light in fornt of their vehicle, causing them to assume that they already have their lights on. Your Volvo also has a feature that senses daytime and night, and if you don’t turn your lights on at night, it turns them on for you. I owned a Volvo with this feature. Ithelps, but it is not 100 percent affective either.
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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Not a flame, but a comment. If you were distracted by the drl, perhaps the fact that your attention was focused on a car with them operating is evidence that they provide a little bit of safety by making the car more noticeable. I often drive my 93 Explorer with my lights on low beam. Sometimes it also helps encourage slow drivers parked in the passing lane move over! Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="vcard.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for George Frampton Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="vcard.vcf" begin: vcard fn: George Frampton n: Frampton;George org: Center Grove High School title: Assistant Principal tel;work: 317-881-0581 x-mozilla-cpt: ;0 x-mozilla-html: FALSE version: 2.1 end: vcard
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Anyone know the cost and/or feasibility of installing daytime running lights on a 97 Exploder XLT with automatic lights? Thinking of doing it if it’s possible and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Will save me about 6.50 per 6 months on insurance. Thanks
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I just had it done on my 97 XLT. The module is about 45 bucks and they should charge you about 1/2 hour labor to put it in. You can also put it in yourself. Any of the national auto chains sell a module for about 30 bucks. Reasonably easy, 5 wire hookup.
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>I just had it done on my 97 XLT. The module is about 45 bucks and they >should charge you about 1/2 hour labor to put it in. You can also put it >in yourself. Any of the national auto chains sell a module for about 30 >bucks. Reasonably easy, 5 wire hookup.
I had my friendly Ford dealer install the Ford accessory kit. No problem on warranty if your electrical system goes blooey. Same can’t be said with outsider or self installed.
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O.K. Guys, Please don’t flame me for this, but I really can’t see the purpose of the daytime running lights. In fact, they can really be annoying to oncoming traffic. I have found myself distracted by them quite a few times. Maybe if they were of a slightly lower intensity, it would be O.K. To me, it is like walking around in the daylight with a flashlight.
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> I just had it done on my 97 XLT. The module is about 45 bucks and > they > should charge you about 1/2 hour labor to put it in. You can also put > it > in yourself. Any of the national auto chains sell a module for about > 30 > bucks. Reasonably easy, 5 wire hookup.
Why do you want DRL’s? All they do is cause the driver to forget to turn on their lights on at night. I saw the worst accident of my life a week ago caused by a driver forgetting to turn on their lights, because the DRL’s caused enough light. It was a head on w/ an impact at 110 mph. Watch out for DRL’s all they do is cause headach in the long run.
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DRLs are a proven safety device. Allows your vehicle to be seen by others. My insurance company will discount by 6.50 per six months. My 2 cents worth only. >O.K. Guys, Please don’t flame me for this, but I really can’t see
the>purpose of the daytime running lights. In fact, they can really be annoying to oncoming traffic. I have found myself distracted by them quite a few times. Maybe if they were of a slightly lower intensity, it would be O.K. To me, it is like walking around in the daylight with a flashlight. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
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I had to remove the fuse for the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and fog lights on my 98 XLT because the DRL’s were flickering on and off during the day. One driver ahead of me pulled off to the side of the road because he thought I had an emergency. I suspect a faulty DRL relay module. Does anyone know where it is located?
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Look for it on the front sheet metal (same sheet metal that forms the radiator support) above the driver’side fog lamp at about the level where the bottom of the grill and the top of the bumper. It’s a black squarish metal box with an oval shaped connector that plugs into the oval shaped harness connector. The module itself is mounted to the sheet metal with 2 screws. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I had to remove the fuse for the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and fog lights >on my 98 XLT because the DRL’s were flickering on and off during the day. >One driver ahead of me pulled off to the side of the road because he thought >I had an emergency. I suspect a faulty DRL relay module. Does anyone know >where it is located?
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Am I missing something here? I’ve owned three Explorers…a ‘95, ‘97 and now a ‘99 and I’ve never seen Daytime Running Lights on them, or any Ford
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I had to remove the fuse for the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and fog lights > on my 98 XLT because the DRL’s were flickering on and off during the day. > One driver ahead of me pulled off to the side of the road because he thought > I had an emergency. I suspect a faulty DRL relay module. Does anyone know > where it is located?
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Canadien Ford vehicles would be equipped with Daytime Runnning Lamps. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Am I missing something here? I’ve owned three Explorers…a ‘95, ‘97 and now > a ‘99 and I’ve never seen Daytime Running Lights on them, or any Ford > I had to remove the fuse for the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and fog > lights > on my 98 XLT because the DRL’s were flickering on and off during the day. > One driver ahead of me pulled off to the side of the road because he > thought > I had an emergency. I suspect a faulty DRL relay module. Does anyone > know > where it is located?
– Friends don’t let freinds fish for bass. Check out the Pikemasters Mailing List at http://www.flash.net/~mushrat/pikemasters.htm
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Ah!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Canadien Ford vehicles would be equipped with Daytime Runnning Lamps. > Am I missing something here? I’ve owned three Explorers…a ‘95, ‘97 and now > a ‘99 and I’ve never seen Daytime Running Lights on them, or any Ford > > I had to remove the fuse for the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and fog > lights > > on my 98 XLT because the DRL’s were flickering on and off during the day. > > One driver ahead of me pulled off to the side of the road because he > thought > > I had an emergency. I suspect a faulty DRL relay module. Does anyone > know > > where it is located? > — > Friends don’t let freinds fish for bass. > Check out the Pikemasters Mailing List at > http://www.flash.net/~mushrat/pikemasters.htm
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I believe DRL’s were an option, available from the dealer or the factory, in all those model years. They are required in Canada and use a module which I think is located behind the grill on one side and which plugs into the wiring harness. I think it is just a plug-in affair (he said without bothering to look it up because of the late hour). =Vic= Bear Gap, PA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Am I missing something here? I’ve owned three Explorers…a ‘95, ‘97 and now > a ‘99 and I’ve never seen Daytime Running Lights on them, or any Ford > I had to remove the fuse for the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and fog > lights > on my 98 XLT because the DRL’s were flickering on and off during the day. > One driver ahead of me pulled off to the side of the road because he > thought > I had an emergency. I suspect a faulty DRL relay module. Does anyone > know > where it is located?
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DRL = gayness – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Daytime Running Lights": >>>Am I missing something here? I’ve owned three Explorers…a ‘95, ‘97 and now >>>a ‘99 and I’ve never seen Daytime Running Lights on them, or any Ford >>Canada, along with many U.S. states have required daytime running >>lights for some years now. California began requiring them on all >>vehicles beginning with the 2000 model year. In fact, that’s the way I >>can tell some cars and trucks apart from their identical 1999 models. > Since 1989 Canada has required that all new vehicles manufactured or > imported here be fitted with DRL systems; the lights go on automatically when > you turn on the ignition. The law applies to passenger cars, multi-purpose > vehicles, trucks, and buses. > If your vehicle isn’t equipped with DRLs, you can simply put on your > low-beams every time you start the car. It doesn’t take long to become just as > much of a habit as putting on your seatbelt. > As long as I can remember, (or care to remember) Greyhound Buses have run > with their headlights on. I’d say they were the "pioneers" of this practice. > Long before the DRL’s were mandatory on all new cars here, I never drove > anywhere without my headlights turned on, simply because I knew that I saw the > headlights on a Greyhound bus before I actually recognized the bus. This was an > obvious safety factor that I embraced years ago.
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Anything that lowers my chance of some stupid-ass like yourself from hitting me isn’t "gay" in my book. JS
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> DRL = gayness
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I’ve always felt that DRL would only be effective while the number of vehicles using it was small. I firmly believe that any effectiveness is due to awareness of "something different" in a driver’s field of view (nothing new here, this is basic behavioral science). Once the whole world has DRL, then why would it be effective? You are travelling is a sea of cars with headlights lit. Plus, you probably up the odds for motorcycle accidents because they no longer stand out from the cars. What then, whirlygigs on the grill spinning around in the wind? It used to be that, if you saw a bunch of cars coming your way with headlights blazing, it meant there probably was some limited-visibility situation a few miles up the road (like a squall line of heavy rain). This was my cue to be extra alert.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anything that lowers my chance of some stupid-ass like yourself from hitting > me isn’t "gay" in my book. > JS > DRL = gayness
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See url below for DRL images, location, and info http://ourplaceusa.home.att.net/drl.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I had to remove the fuse for the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and fog lights >on my 98 XLT because the DRL’s were flickering on and off during the day. >One driver ahead of me pulled off to the side of the road because he thought >I had an emergency. I suspect a faulty DRL relay module. Does anyone know >where it is located?
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have had the DRLs since I got the Explorer new in ‘92. The original >module only turned the lights on when the park brake was released; it >failed while the beast was still on extended warranty and with the new >module now the DRLs come on as soon as the motor is running. I therefore >suspect they are on the part of the ignition switch after you let go of it >(i.e., not part ofthe "Start" sequence), since the motor is running; it >can probably be wired through a set of N/O contacts in the park brake >location switch. >TKS, >HR. > I had Ford do mine. Works fine. Not sure what wires it is connected to. > haven’t looked. >– >wotthehell wotthehell archie wotthehell wotthehell >{Take the 3 *** out of my return address to reply. My version of a SPAM >PILL.}
Sorry but I did not write this.
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Has anyone installed the Daytime Running Light module on their 97 explorer? Either the one that Ford sells or the similar after market modules. I am having a problem of one headlight being dim and the other being full power. Is it possible that the unit got installed on the highbeam wire instead of the low beam wire and causing the problem. Mitch Trockman
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>Has anyone installed the Daytime Running Light module on their 97 >explorer? Either the one that Ford sells or the similar after market >modules. I am having a problem of one headlight being dim and the other >being full power. Is it possible that the unit got installed on the >highbeam wire instead of the low beam wire and causing the problem. > Mitch Trockman
Should be only on high beam wires. The factory module senses the current from the headlight circuits and disables the pulsing high beams for regular headlight use. At least that’s the way mine works… dr bob
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I had Ford do mine. Works fine. Not sure what wires it is connected to. haven’t looked.
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I have had the DRLs since I got the Explorer new in ‘92. The original module only turned the lights on when the park brake was released; it failed while the beast was still on extended warranty and with the new module now the DRLs come on as soon as the motor is running. I therefore suspect they are on the part of the ignition switch after you let go of it (i.e., not part ofthe "Start" sequence), since the motor is running; it can probably be wired through a set of N/O contacts in the park brake location switch. TKS, HR. > I had Ford do mine. Works fine. Not sure what wires it is connected to. > haven’t looked.
– wotthehell wotthehell archie wotthehell wotthehell {Take the 3 *** out of my return address to reply. My version of a SPAM PILL.}
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> I have had the DRLs since I got the Explorer new in ‘92. The original > module only turned the lights on when the park brake was released; it > failed while the beast was still on extended warranty and with the new > module now the DRLs come on as soon as the motor is running. > HR.
I don’t do DRLs (as some NG readers know) , but my experience with the ‘96 XLT’s dismally ineffective parking brake, makes me not at all surprised that Ford engineers realized a lot of folks would be driving their Explorers with the brake ON and would not realize a thing was amiss! So the change from the original DRL setup was a natural for Ford–and probably cheaper than fixing the brake Phil — Phil Rose
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> I replaced mine on my 2000 Silverado with amber bulbs
Why?? Just curious. Dave
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello, >I replaced one of the DRL’s in my 2001 Suburban today with a standard 3157 >bulb. I’ve seen several Chevy/GMC trucks on the road with one of these >lights out. Since I’ve only owned my vehicle for a few weeks now my >question is how often can I expect to change these? Should I have bought a >dozen bulbs? >Thanks, >Brown > I replaced mine on my 2000 Silverado with amber bulbs (4157 NALL). > these are the long life bulbs (there are also 3157 NALL long life > bulbs as well), and they have performed great the last 2 years. The > factory left light failed after about 9 months…
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>> I replaced mine on my 2000 Silverado with amber bulbs >Why?? Just curious. >Dave
To be different. No other real reason than that. Actually though, from a safety standpoint, the amber bulbs stand out much better than the normal white bulbs do, IMO. I also have a 2001 Suburban with the stock 3157 white bulbs and I much prefer the amber…
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>Hello, >I replaced one of the DRL’s in my 2001 Suburban today with a standard 3157 >bulb. I’ve seen several Chevy/GMC trucks on the road with one of these >lights out. Since I’ve only owned my vehicle for a few weeks now my >question is how often can I expect to change these? Should I have bought a >dozen bulbs? >Thanks, >Brown
I replaced mine on my 2000 Silverado with amber bulbs (4157 NALL). these are the long life bulbs (there are also 3157 NALL long life bulbs as well), and they have performed great the last 2 years. The factory left light failed after about 9 months…
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Hello, I replaced one of the DRL’s in my 2001 Suburban today with a standard 3157 bulb. I’ve seen several Chevy/GMC trucks on the road with one of these lights out. Since I’ve only owned my vehicle for a few weeks now my question is how often can I expect to change these? Should I have bought a dozen bulbs? Thanks, Brown
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I have a 2002 Silverado. Have had it since 11/01 and 40,000 miles and have changed one bulb. Bought a 2 bulb pack just in case, but haven’t needed it yet. Karl
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well i have a 2000 z71, and have replaced 2. you do know that there is a clip that allows the DRL assem. to pop out like the head light does. i didnt find this out til a friend showed me, the first time i replaced it it took me 4ever trying to blub out with the assem. in place. i know keep a spare on hand just in case
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its not as common as you might think but it happens they burn out but for most people it is no big deal i get maybe 2 or 3 a month in my shop states that do inspections dont even use the daytime running lights as a item for inspection so most people around here dont even care
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> Hello, > I replaced one of the DRL’s in my 2001 Suburban today with a standard 3157 > bulb. I’ve seen several Chevy/GMC trucks on the road with one of these > lights out. Since I’ve only owned my vehicle for a few weeks now my > question is how often can I expect to change these? Should I have bought a > dozen bulbs? > Thanks, > Brown
My ‘99 Z71 Sierra still has the originals, but many aren’t that lucky. Dave
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My 2000 Tahoe still has the originals… now watch one of em burn out because I posted
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > I replaced one of the DRL’s in my 2001 Suburban today with a standard 3157 > bulb. I’ve seen several Chevy/GMC trucks on the road with one of these > lights out. Since I’ve only owned my vehicle for a few weeks now my > question is how often can I expect to change these? Should I have bought a > dozen bulbs? > Thanks, > Brown
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I worked in an inspection station in PA. (Long time ago) Every light had to work. All of the factory installed lights had to work and if you installed any after market lights, they had to work, too. DRL’s are probably not a required inspection item and some people have disabled them. But (!) my bet is that if you go in with just one working, you have to make them both operate or disable them. I changed mine to amber 4157 bulbs about 6 months ago and haven’t had one out yet. I’m not sure why people don’t care if they work or not. I like my truck and make sure that all the lights operate. It doesn’t matter if its a DRL, headlight, or a taillight. I even like for my dash lights to work. I form opinions about other drivers (everyone does) – If you have a burned out bulb, that one thing. It can happen to anyone at anytime. Then add the mud, worn wipers, cracked windows, bent bumpers or dented fenders. I wonder why some guys are driving such expensive junk? .
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> its not as common as you might think but it happens they burn out but > for most people it is no big deal i get maybe 2 or 3 a month in my shop > states that do inspections dont even use the daytime running lights as a > item for inspection so most people around here dont even care
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You’re right George, if you have a light on the vehicle, whether factory or aftermarket, PA laws state that they must work to pass inspection. Some states (like NC) wave a magic wand and pass your vehicle on inspection (sometimes, they don’t even look at the vehcle).
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lol to the NC thingy. thats where i am at, and i USE to know places that did that, BUT USE to is what got there lisc. pulled
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<<< most people around here dont even care Steve, I don’t so much care about look or inspection, but from what I understand having DRL’s greatly increases safety. Brown
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> its not as common as you might think but it happens they burn out but > for most people it is no big deal i get maybe 2 or 3 a month in my shop > states that do inspections dont even use the daytime running lights as a > item for inspection so most people around here dont even care
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here in texas the drls dont have to work one burnt bulb or two we dont inspect them
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We have places in PA that ignore the laws too but here, if it gets bad enough, you go to jail. My daughter took me with her the last time she had her van inspected in NC and the ‘inspector" checked the headlights (took all of 3 minutes) and then put the sticker on. It takes about 30 minutes (or longer) to inspect a vehicle around here. There are other states that have very lax vehicle inspection laws too, it’s not just NC.
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Inspection here in NY is similar, lights, wipers, brakes, steering system, front suspension, seatbelts. Some places do "lick ‘n stick", others do it right, usually about 5-10 mins to do it right. Emissions get checked in NY if down by the city, but upstate, where I am, I think it’s just a visual… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >We have places in PA that ignore the laws too but here, if it gets bad >enough, you go to jail. My daughter took me with her the last time she >had her van inspected in NC and the ‘inspector" checked the headlights >(took all of 3 minutes) and then put the sticker on. It takes about 30 >minutes (or longer) to inspect a vehicle around here. There are other >states that have very lax vehicle inspection laws too, it’s not just NC.
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That black box could be the key-in-ignition warning buzzer…..
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> 1996 GMC Yukon. The dash indicator for DRL’s shows them working but > there are no lights on. Fuse 15 is in place and everything seems to be > OK. Dash indicator goes out with slight pressure on Emergency brake so > that swith is working. Underhood fuse box has only one diode in it. I > noticed a black box with ventilating holes in it about 1" x 3" x 2" on > the inside firewall about where the emergency brake is. This is on what > appears to be another fuse block that is not mentioned in the owners > manual as there are a couple of fuses and some relays. I don’t have > access to a wiring diagram and would like to have the DRL’s working. > Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated. > Thank you, > Robert
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>1996 GMC Yukon. The dash indicator for DRL’s shows them working but >there are no lights on. Fuse 15 is in place and everything seems to be >OK.
Probably the diode module. It’s under the dash, to the right of the column. Mounted to a bracket that’s screwed to the tube that runs across the cab. It’s a heat-sink looking item with a 2 wire connector. Easier to remove the heat sink from the bracket and slide the new one onto the old bracket instead of trying to unscrew the bracket. Old Crow ‘74 Sporty chop ASE Master Auto Tech; Chevy Master Tech Y2K TOMKAT SENS BS#133 DOF#51
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1996 GMC Yukon. The dash indicator for DRL’s shows them working but there are no lights on. Fuse 15 is in place and everything seems to be OK. Dash indicator goes out with slight pressure on Emergency brake so that swith is working. Underhood fuse box has only one diode in it. I noticed a black box with ventilating holes in it about 1" x 3" x 2" on the inside firewall about where the emergency brake is. This is on what appears to be another fuse block that is not mentioned in the owners manual as there are a couple of fuses and some relays. I don’t have access to a wiring diagram and would like to have the DRL’s working. Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Robert
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All, I have a 2003 A6 2.7T biturbo quattro, USA model. These cars do not have daytime running lights. Is it possible to tweak the car via a VAG setting or some other way to achieve DRL functionality? Thanks, DFE
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A dealership can program that in for you, your free option (of many) upon delivery when new. US models are programmable (and not permenantly disabled). Canadian ones are not programmable and require a relay.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> All, > I have a 2003 A6 2.7T biturbo quattro, USA model. > These cars do not have daytime running lights. Is it possible to tweak the > car via a VAG setting or some other way to achieve DRL functionality? > Thanks, > DFE
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Thanks. DFE
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A dealership can program that in for you, your free option (of many) upon > delivery when new. US models are programmable (and not permenantly > disabled). Canadian ones are not programmable and require a relay. > All, > I have a 2003 A6 2.7T biturbo quattro, USA model. > These cars do not have daytime running lights. Is it possible to tweak the > car via a VAG setting or some other way to achieve DRL functionality? > Thanks, > DFE
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> A dealership can program that in for you, your free option (of many) upon > delivery when new. US models are programmable (and not permenantly > disabled). Canadian ones are not programmable and require a relay.
Hmmm, I’m not too sure about that. All cars sold in Canada must have DRL’s. Even if they did require a relay. it’s of no concern to you because that car has to be sold before you can drive it around. Romy, 1998.5 Audi A4, (w/DRL’s) 2003 Chevy Impala, (w/DRL’s) 1990 Olds 88, (w/DRL’s)
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You are correct. Vehicles in Canada do require it by law. But I live in the US, and I chose not to have the DRL’s on….and after inquiring with the dealership about my choice, they stated Canadian marked vehicles are hard wired and not programmable like the US ones. So the only way to disable them was to remove a couple relays and add a bypass wire (per audiworld "how to" postings). The dealership here "imported" it so to speak. -mike
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A dealership can program that in for you, your free option (of many) upon > delivery when new. US models are programmable (and not permenantly > disabled). Canadian ones are not programmable and require a relay. > Hmmm, I’m not too sure about that. All cars sold in Canada must have DRL’s. > Even if they did require a relay. it’s of no concern to you because that car > has to be sold before you can drive it around. > Romy, > 1998.5 Audi A4, (w/DRL’s) > 2003 Chevy Impala, (w/DRL’s) > 1990 Olds 88, (w/DRL’s)
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Here’s an aspect of DRL’s that I haven’t seen anyone discussing: Suppose that DOT mandates DRL’s on cars manufactured after a certain date. Will this mean that the local cops and state troopers can pull you over on a bright, sunny day because you have a burned out light on your car? I think that I can see that day coming, folks. It’s gonna be another bigtime revenue enhancer for John Law. Don’t forget that DRL’s are being pushed by the same boneheads that railroaded us into driving 55 for the last 20 some odd years (while tire and suspension technology improved by leaps and bounds). And hey…Does anyone remember seatbelt/ignition interlocks (circa 1974, if my memory serves me right)? That was another brilliant idea from the Safety Nazis in Washington. Anyway, that’s my 2 cents worth. Happy motoring!!
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> Here’s an aspect of DRL’s that I haven’t seen anyone >discussing: Suppose that DOT mandates DRL’s on cars manufactured >after a certain date. Will this mean that the local cops and state >troopers can pull you over on a bright, sunny day because you have >a burned out light on your car? I think that I can see that day >coming, folks. It’s gonna be another bigtime revenue enhancer for >John Law. Don’t forget that DRL’s are being pushed by the same >boneheads that railroaded us into driving 55 for the last 20 some >odd years (while tire and suspension technology improved by leaps >and bounds). And hey…Does anyone remember seatbelt/ignition >interlocks (circa 1974, if my memory serves me right)? That was >another brilliant idea from the Safety Nazis in Washington. > Anyway, that’s my 2 cents worth. Happy motoring!!
Excellent point. Now I’m going to look at a motorcycle group to see what they think of DRLs. I would think they’d be worried that thier headlamp will just start to blend in with all the rest and not stand out. mike
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WHATS THE BIG DEAL! DRL’s have been on Canadian Cars since about 1990. After you do have these lights for a while you will curse the older cars that do not have them. They are great on 2 lane highways, you can very easily see oncoming traffic, particularly when you pull out to pass or someone oncoming pulls out to pass. They work well in daylight and are really great for all you assholes who insist on not using your headlights until you can’t see the road at all. have a great day — Existing order thrives upon ignorance and lies! Objective truth and individual reason are feared above all!
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Theoretical: I’m sitting in my car with my radio on. My car has has DRL’s. Are they on? I’m sorry if this was talking about already. I searched for old articles on this, but found nothing specifically answering my question. I was just reading Popular Mechanics, Nov. 95, where they say one of their complaints about the Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon was that they had to worry how long they had been sitting in the car with the radio on because the lights would stay on too. This seems really strange! I would think the engine has to be on. Like when you leave the lights on in a Camry, the don’t actually turn on until the engine starts running. In a DRL car, do the lights come on when you turn the key? If this has been talking about already, a simple e-mail reply (Yes/No) would be very appreciated. Thanks, Sheldon
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<<<Theoretical: I’m sitting in my car with my radio on. My car has has DRL’s. Are they on?>>> In my Cadillac Deville, the Daytime Running Lights do not come on unless the key is in "RUN" and the transmission is in any forward gear, therefore, they are not on when the radio is on, even if the ‘Retained Accessory Power" feature is activated. Max
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On some cars, the DRL go off when you pull the parking brake up… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I like to sneak out of my house in the middle of the night, and i >would like to go down my long long driveway without the headlights, or >else my parents notice. right now i push the car in neutral, so its a >pain. > Except maybe the guy riding motorcycles during the day. LOL > mike hunt > > <snip> > >. Why do you want to > > disable them anyway? They don’t hurt anything. > > > I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has > > > Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box > > > under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do > > > I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help > > > would be greatly appreciated.
MH "alot is not a word"
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> I like to sneak out of my house in the middle of the night, and i > would like to go down my long long driveway without the headlights, or > else my parents notice. right now i push the car in neutral, so its a > pain.
hmm back your car in, having the lights facing away from the house — -Chris http://www.ChrisGarcia.com <- My Homepage http://starwars.chrisgarcia.com <- Centerpoint Station http://www.chrisgarcia.com/ginger/ <- Ginger http://www.chrisgarcia.com/leia/ <- Leia "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent." – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars: Episode 1
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You may want to check your local laws before you do that. I know that in many Canadian provinces, it is illegal to disable a safety feature that was originally equipped on the vehicle. If your area has a similar law then you won’t be allowed to disable the daytime running lights. Why do you want to disable them anyway? They don’t hurt anything.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has > Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box > under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do > I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help > would be greatly appreciated.
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20 Jun 2003 with message > Why do you want to disable them anyway? They don’t hurt > anything.
my guess is to lengthen the life-span of his headlight bulbs. -shrugs- i personally wouldn’t mess with it. — -Chris http://www.ChrisGarcia.com <- My Homepage http://starwars.chrisgarcia.com <- Centerpoint Station http://www.chrisgarcia.com/ginger/ <- Ginger http://www.chrisgarcia.com/leia/ <- Leia "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent." – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars: Episode 1
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>20 Jun 2003 with message > Why do you want to disable them anyway? They don’t hurt > anything. >my guess is to lengthen the life-span of his headlight bulbs. -shrugs- i >personally wouldn’t mess with it.
They use high beams bulbs on low current and they last forever. LRM
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Except maybe the guy riding motorcycles during the day. LOL mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > <snip> >. Why do you want to > disable them anyway? They don’t hurt anything. > I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has > Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box > under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do > I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help > would be greatly appreciated.
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I like to sneak out of my house in the middle of the night, and i would like to go down my long long driveway without the headlights, or else my parents notice. right now i push the car in neutral, so its a pain. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Except maybe the guy riding motorcycles during the day. LOL > mike hunt > <snip> >. Why do you want to > disable them anyway? They don’t hurt anything. > > I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has > > Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box > > under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do > > I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help > > would be greatly appreciated.
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I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Remove the hi-beam bulbs. >I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has >Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box >under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do >I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help >would be greatly appreciated.
MH "alot is not a word"
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>How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not >a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws >power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. >No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel >economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner >because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor.
So an alternator requires no mechanical energy input? You just get it up to speed, remove the source of mechanical energy that rotates it, and you can continue to draw power for lights etc etc? If that were true we’d all have electriccity at 0 cents per kw hour. Trust me. It doesn’t work that way. On the other hand, DRL consumes a relatively small amount of energy compared to that which propels the car forward against wind resistance, mechanical friction etc. DRLs are proven to enable you to see a car that has DRL way before you’d ordinarily see it in — in many circumstances. All you need is one such set of circumstances to kill you when DRL might have saved you. Two decades ago, most car magazine writers were against seat belts: real men (careful drivers) don’t need seat belts. And it’s true. You don’t need seat belts 99.99999999999999% of the time. But, the one time in your life when you need them, you need them. If you take a group of say 1000 drivers, for sure 1 of them once in his life will be saved by seatbelts. If you could tell who that guy is beforehand, you could svae a lot of money by installing seatbelts in his car only. The rest of the guys will be fine. But, if you could do that you could make a fortune on the stock market and invest it in a seatbelt maker — and make even more money! Similarly, most of the time DRLs on the other guy’s car won’t help you. But it it’s (all of the time – most of the time) that kills you! I once had my life save by DRLs. I was driving on a 2 lane highway (in Quebec) which fortunately had a full shoulder lane. All of a sudden the oncoming guy drifted into my lane — and I could see fast it because his DRLs suddenly shone right in my eyes. I pulled to the right into the shoulder lane — and this action caused him to wake up and get back in his lane. It was pretty close. Without DRLs, you wouldn’t be getting this message now! Is your life worth maybe 1% of the energy in your gasoline? Mine is. LRM
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> Exactly. But it’s the battery that suffers, not the engine. The alternator > is connected to the belt so it spins with the engine. Increasing the > electrical load does not make the alternator spin faster since it’s can’t > alter it’s speed. Also, increasing the load doesn’t make it harder to spin > the alternator since it’s just a generator.
Lenz’s law says increasing the load (increasing the current drawn from the generator) will make it harder to spin the generator: a magnetic field is created opposing the motion, and will require additional effort to spin the rotor. — Vladimir
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Must have been the Honda, because the guy in the Mustang was so desperate as to cross the center divider to catch up. Anyway, the people at the scene detained the Mustang driver. Last time I read the article, they didn’t know whom the other driver was. Anyway, the loser was an old woman in a VW. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Who won the race amigo?
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You are certainly entitle to your opinion but that is not what > scientific report concluded. According to the report in > Congressional Record there were several reasons. Some that I > recall were while there is some advantage to having some light > with DRL’s rather than no light in sparse traffic, that advantage > in marginal at best in heavy traffic areas when all vehicles are > so equipped. On secondary two lane roads an approaching vehicle > equipped with DRL’s can appear to oncoming drivers as a vehicle > using headlamps that is at a greater distance, leading to > misjudged passing distances and head-on collisions, particularly > at times of lowered visibility.. A very high percentage of > drivers of DRL equipped vehicles have a tendency at sunset to run > too long on DRL’s before illuminating their headlamps, leading to > a much less visible vehicle. That is something I see Canadian > drivers doing all the time on I-81. The most damaging reason to > me was motorcycles virtually disappear in a sea of DRL’s during > daylight hours, leaving their riders extremely vulnerable. The > best policy for ones personal safety is to simply turn on the > headlamps when one needs to become extra visible. Pretty basic > stuff it seems to me, I do it all the time
Ya, so you know why DRLs ‘n safety is a crock. Now, what about all that free electricity the other poster’s car makes? We really need that explained. While you’re at it, maybe you can fill everyone in on those "pollution free" cars. You know the ones… they plug into an electrical outlet that supplies electricity generated by that environmentally friendly neighborhood coal fired plant down the road Back to this universe, I just received the oil lab’s report from the factory fill in my 2002 Civic Si. Yes, I barely managed to run it 5500 miles without toping off. I’ll post the results later…
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> Also, increasing the load doesn’t make it harder to spin > the alternator since it’s just a generator.
Yes, it does. Why do you think modern vehicles have electronic load detectors, and why does the ECU increase idle speed in response to a heavy load? You should have played with generators more when you were a kid.
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> I wonder than why race cars do not have an alternator? ;)
http://www.marelli.it/racing/products.htm#3
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Exactly. But it’s the battery that suffers, not the engine. The alternator is connected to the belt so it spins with the engine. Increasing the electrical load does not make the alternator spin faster since it’s can’t alter it’s speed. Also, increasing the load doesn’t make it harder to spin the alternator since it’s just a generator. All that happens is that more power is being used by the electronics so the battery will charge slower. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not > a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws > power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. > No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner > because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor. > I am not sure exactly how the alternator in the car works, but > wouldn’t additional electric load on the generator require > more torque from the engine to drive the generator (lenz’s law). > Something has to pay for the increased electrical load, either > the engine or the battery. > — > Vladimir
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I wonder than why race cars do not have an alternator? ;) mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not > a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws > power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. > No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner > because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor. > I turn on the headlights when it’s raining or snowing, and the hazard > lights > when going through fog. > The problem with DRL is that it waste gas and power, and require extra > money > to buy it, and cost more for maintenance. Most of us are to busy doing > something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high > beam and horn. > Even with massive tire smoke and squealing from braking, people still > squeeze into your lane. DRL has no benefit. > Trust me, nothing you do will save you from the idiots driving in Southern > California. Just last week, a 25 year old Hispanic male driving a Mustang > killed a woman on the other side of the street, even though there is a > center divider. He was racing a Honda. > > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > > — > > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > > –Dave
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> No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power.
Fascinating.
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> How would DRL waste gas and power? > Where do you suppose the alternator gets its power?
746 watts per horsepower 2 times 70 watt highbeams running at 50% is 70 watts .09 of a horsepower, using 100 efficiency. call it 0.2, if efficiency is under 50%. point two horsepower! Anything else on vehicle that might cause a 0.2 horsepower loss?
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Most people here, Southern California and Las Vegas, don’t yield to firetruck and ambulances with horn blowing and lights flashing. It’s a very disturbing sight. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ah.
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> How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not > a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws > power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. > No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner > because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor.
I am not sure exactly how the alternator in the car works, but wouldn’t additional electric load on the generator require more torque from the engine to drive the generator (lenz’s law). Something has to pay for the increased electrical load, either the engine or the battery. — Vladimir
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Who won the race amigo? mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I turn on the headlights when it’s raining or snowing, and the hazard lights > when going through fog. > The problem with DRL is that it waste gas and power, and require extra money > to buy it, and cost more for maintenance. Most of us are to busy doing > something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high > beam and horn. > Even with massive tire smoke and squealing from braking, people still > squeeze into your lane. DRL has no benefit. > Trust me, nothing you do will save you from the idiots driving in Southern > California. Just last week, a 25 year old Hispanic male driving a Mustang > killed a woman on the other side of the street, even though there is a > center divider. He was racing a Honda. > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave
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You are certainly entitle to your opinion but that is not what scientific report concluded. According to the report in Congressional Record there were several reasons. Some that I recall were while there is some advantage to having some light with DRL’s rather than no light in sparse traffic, that advantage in marginal at best in heavy traffic areas when all vehicles are so equipped. On secondary two lane roads an approaching vehicle equipped with DRL’s can appear to oncoming drivers as a vehicle using headlamps that is at a greater distance, leading to misjudged passing distances and head-on collisions, particularly at times of lowered visibility.. A very high percentage of drivers of DRL equipped vehicles have a tendency at sunset to run too long on DRL’s before illuminating their headlamps, leading to a much less visible vehicle. That is something I see Canadian drivers doing all the time on I-81. The most damaging reason to me was motorcycles virtually disappear in a sea of DRL’s during daylight hours, leaving their riders extremely vulnerable. The best policy for ones personal safety is to simply turn on the headlamps when one needs to become extra visible. Pretty basic stuff it seems to me, I do it all the time mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> No surprise DRL’s were proposed in the US several years ago, at > the request of GM. Test performed for the Senate committee by > several US universities determined the DRL’s caused more problems > for drivers than they prevented and decided against making them > mandatory. No state requires DRL’s. Pennsylvania like most > other states require headlamps to be used from sunset to sunrise > and other hours of limited vision. Some in addition require > headlamps when the wipers are being used. If one happen to drive > on I-81 in Pa it is quite common to see Canadian drivers along > the road being cited for driving with DRL at dusk, rather than > the required headlamps. The state collects $136 for each one. > > <snipped> > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave > No surprise DRL’s were proposed in the US several years ago, at > the request of GM. Test performed for the Senate committee by > several US universities determined the DRL’s caused more problems > for drivers than they prevented and decided against making them > mandatory. No state requires DRL’s. Pennsylvania like most > other states require headlamps to be used from sunset to sunrise > and other hours of limited vision. Some in addition require > headlamps when the wipers are being used. If one happen to drive > on I-81 in Pa it is quite common to see Canadian drivers along > the road being cited for driving with DRL at dusk, rather than > the required headlamps. The state collects $136 for each one. > > <snipped> > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave
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> Most of us are to busy doing > something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high > beam and horn.
Ah.
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How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I turn on the headlights when it’s raining or snowing, and the hazard lights > when going through fog. > The problem with DRL is that it waste gas and power, and require extra money > to buy it, and cost more for maintenance. Most of us are to busy doing > something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high > beam and horn. > Even with massive tire smoke and squealing from braking, people still > squeeze into your lane. DRL has no benefit. > Trust me, nothing you do will save you from the idiots driving in Southern > California. Just last week, a 25 year old Hispanic male driving a Mustang > killed a woman on the other side of the street, even though there is a > center divider. He was racing a Honda. > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave
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> How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not > a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws > power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. > No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner > because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor.
Where do you suppose the alternator gets its power? Andrew
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Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a USA 2002 Civic EX?
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Turn on your headlights. DRL is just a marketing gimmick. The only time that DRL is visible enough to be noticed is when the sun is setting. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a USA > 2002 Civic EX?
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Yes you can….. http://www.racerwheel.com/lighting-auxillary-lighting-harness-kits.html or… http://www.autoworldfx.com/products/productDetails.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Ep… 746889&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=3178059&affID=2980&bmUID=1052184893421 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a USA > 2002 Civic EX?
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Say what??? I guess American DRL must be different than the Canadian ones that ALL cars come with because up here, you can see the DRLs from many kilometers away even on the sunniest of days. I suspect you may be confusing DRL with the people who just turn on their parking lights when they drive. Sean
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Turn on your headlights. DRL is just a marketing gimmick. The only time that > DRL is visible enough to be noticed is when the sun is setting. > Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a USA > 2002 Civic EX?
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I’m surprised that it is not mandatory in US as it is here in Canada. DRL are well visible because in most case, if not all cases, they use the high beams at lower intensity, 40% I think.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Say what??? I guess American DRL must be different than the Canadian ones > that ALL cars come with because up here, you can see the DRLs from many > kilometers away even on the sunniest of days. > I suspect you may be confusing DRL with the people who just turn on their > parking lights when they drive. > Sean > Turn on your headlights. DRL is just a marketing gimmick. The only time > that > DRL is visible enough to be noticed is when the sun is setting. > > Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a > USA > > 2002 Civic EX?
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No surprise DRL’s were proposed in the US several years ago, at the request of GM. Test performed for the Senate committee by several US universities determined the DRL’s caused more problems for drivers than they prevented and decided against making them mandatory. No state requires DRL’s. Pennsylvania like most other states require headlamps to be used from sunset to sunrise and other hours of limited vision. Some in addition require headlamps when the wipers are being used. If one happen to drive on I-81 in Pa it is quite common to see Canadian drivers along the road being cited for driving with DRL at dusk, rather than the required headlamps. The state collects $136 for each one. mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m surprised that it is not mandatory in US as it is here in Canada. > DRL are well visible because in most case, if not all cases, they use the > high beams at lower intensity, 40% I think. > Say what??? I guess American DRL must be different than the Canadian ones > that ALL cars come with because up here, you can see the DRLs from many > kilometers away even on the sunniest of days. > I suspect you may be confusing DRL with the people who just turn on their > parking lights when they drive. > Sean > > Turn on your headlights. DRL is just a marketing gimmick. The only time > that > > DRL is visible enough to be noticed is when the sun is setting. > > > Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on > a > USA > > > 2002 Civic EX?
Response:
> No surprise DRL’s were proposed in the US several years ago, at > the request of GM. Test performed for the Senate committee by > several US universities determined the DRL’s caused more problems > for drivers than they prevented and decided against making them > mandatory. No state requires DRL’s. Pennsylvania like most > other states require headlamps to be used from sunset to sunrise > and other hours of limited vision. Some in addition require > headlamps when the wipers are being used. If one happen to drive > on I-81 in Pa it is quite common to see Canadian drivers along > the road being cited for driving with DRL at dusk, rather than > the required headlamps. The state collects $136 for each one. >
<snipped> They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be more of a problem/road hazard to me. — My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. –Dave
Response:
I turn on the headlights when it’s raining or snowing, and the hazard lights when going through fog. The problem with DRL is that it waste gas and power, and require extra money to buy it, and cost more for maintenance. Most of us are to busy doing something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high beam and horn. Even with massive tire smoke and squealing from braking, people still squeeze into your lane. DRL has no benefit. Trust me, nothing you do will save you from the idiots driving in Southern California. Just last week, a 25 year old Hispanic male driving a Mustang killed a woman on the other side of the street, even though there is a center divider. He was racing a Honda. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave
Response:
On some cars, the DRL go off when you pull the parking brake up… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I like to sneak out of my house in the middle of the night, and i >would like to go down my long long driveway without the headlights, or >else my parents notice. right now i push the car in neutral, so its a >pain. > Except maybe the guy riding motorcycles during the day. LOL > mike hunt > > <snip> > >. Why do you want to > > disable them anyway? They don’t hurt anything. > > > I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has > > > Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box > > > under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do > > > I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help > > > would be greatly appreciated.
MH "alot is not a word"
Response:
> I like to sneak out of my house in the middle of the night, and i > would like to go down my long long driveway without the headlights, or > else my parents notice. right now i push the car in neutral, so its a > pain.
hmm back your car in, having the lights facing away from the house — -Chris http://www.ChrisGarcia.com <- My Homepage http://starwars.chrisgarcia.com <- Centerpoint Station http://www.chrisgarcia.com/ginger/ <- Ginger http://www.chrisgarcia.com/leia/ <- Leia "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent." – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars: Episode 1
Response:
You may want to check your local laws before you do that. I know that in many Canadian provinces, it is illegal to disable a safety feature that was originally equipped on the vehicle. If your area has a similar law then you won’t be allowed to disable the daytime running lights. Why do you want to disable them anyway? They don’t hurt anything.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has > Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box > under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do > I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help > would be greatly appreciated.
Response:
20 Jun 2003 with message > Why do you want to disable them anyway? They don’t hurt > anything.
my guess is to lengthen the life-span of his headlight bulbs. -shrugs- i personally wouldn’t mess with it. — -Chris http://www.ChrisGarcia.com <- My Homepage http://starwars.chrisgarcia.com <- Centerpoint Station http://www.chrisgarcia.com/ginger/ <- Ginger http://www.chrisgarcia.com/leia/ <- Leia "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent." – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars: Episode 1
Response:
>20 Jun 2003 with message > Why do you want to disable them anyway? They don’t hurt > anything. >my guess is to lengthen the life-span of his headlight bulbs. -shrugs- i >personally wouldn’t mess with it.
They use high beams bulbs on low current and they last forever. LRM
Response:
Except maybe the guy riding motorcycles during the day. LOL mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > <snip> >. Why do you want to > disable them anyway? They don’t hurt anything. > I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has > Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box > under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do > I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help > would be greatly appreciated.
Response:
I like to sneak out of my house in the middle of the night, and i would like to go down my long long driveway without the headlights, or else my parents notice. right now i push the car in neutral, so its a pain. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Except maybe the guy riding motorcycles during the day. LOL > mike hunt > <snip> >. Why do you want to > disable them anyway? They don’t hurt anything. > > I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has > > Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box > > under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do > > I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help > > would be greatly appreciated.
Response:
I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Response:
Remove the hi-beam bulbs. >I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX, which is a USA model, and it still has >Daytime Running Lights. How do i put it off. i looked at the fuse box >under the steerin wheel, and there was NO fuse in the slot. So how do >I turn in it off. Is there another fuse box somewhere else ? Any help >would be greatly appreciated.
MH "alot is not a word"
Response:
>How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not >a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws >power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. >No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel >economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner >because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor.
So an alternator requires no mechanical energy input? You just get it up to speed, remove the source of mechanical energy that rotates it, and you can continue to draw power for lights etc etc? If that were true we’d all have electriccity at 0 cents per kw hour. Trust me. It doesn’t work that way. On the other hand, DRL consumes a relatively small amount of energy compared to that which propels the car forward against wind resistance, mechanical friction etc. DRLs are proven to enable you to see a car that has DRL way before you’d ordinarily see it in — in many circumstances. All you need is one such set of circumstances to kill you when DRL might have saved you. Two decades ago, most car magazine writers were against seat belts: real men (careful drivers) don’t need seat belts. And it’s true. You don’t need seat belts 99.99999999999999% of the time. But, the one time in your life when you need them, you need them. If you take a group of say 1000 drivers, for sure 1 of them once in his life will be saved by seatbelts. If you could tell who that guy is beforehand, you could svae a lot of money by installing seatbelts in his car only. The rest of the guys will be fine. But, if you could do that you could make a fortune on the stock market and invest it in a seatbelt maker — and make even more money! Similarly, most of the time DRLs on the other guy’s car won’t help you. But it it’s (all of the time – most of the time) that kills you! I once had my life save by DRLs. I was driving on a 2 lane highway (in Quebec) which fortunately had a full shoulder lane. All of a sudden the oncoming guy drifted into my lane — and I could see fast it because his DRLs suddenly shone right in my eyes. I pulled to the right into the shoulder lane — and this action caused him to wake up and get back in his lane. It was pretty close. Without DRLs, you wouldn’t be getting this message now! Is your life worth maybe 1% of the energy in your gasoline? Mine is. LRM
Response:
> Exactly. But it’s the battery that suffers, not the engine. The alternator > is connected to the belt so it spins with the engine. Increasing the > electrical load does not make the alternator spin faster since it’s can’t > alter it’s speed. Also, increasing the load doesn’t make it harder to spin > the alternator since it’s just a generator.
Lenz’s law says increasing the load (increasing the current drawn from the generator) will make it harder to spin the generator: a magnetic field is created opposing the motion, and will require additional effort to spin the rotor. — Vladimir
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Must have been the Honda, because the guy in the Mustang was so desperate as to cross the center divider to catch up. Anyway, the people at the scene detained the Mustang driver. Last time I read the article, they didn’t know whom the other driver was. Anyway, the loser was an old woman in a VW. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Who won the race amigo?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You are certainly entitle to your opinion but that is not what > scientific report concluded. According to the report in > Congressional Record there were several reasons. Some that I > recall were while there is some advantage to having some light > with DRL’s rather than no light in sparse traffic, that advantage > in marginal at best in heavy traffic areas when all vehicles are > so equipped. On secondary two lane roads an approaching vehicle > equipped with DRL’s can appear to oncoming drivers as a vehicle > using headlamps that is at a greater distance, leading to > misjudged passing distances and head-on collisions, particularly > at times of lowered visibility.. A very high percentage of > drivers of DRL equipped vehicles have a tendency at sunset to run > too long on DRL’s before illuminating their headlamps, leading to > a much less visible vehicle. That is something I see Canadian > drivers doing all the time on I-81. The most damaging reason to > me was motorcycles virtually disappear in a sea of DRL’s during > daylight hours, leaving their riders extremely vulnerable. The > best policy for ones personal safety is to simply turn on the > headlamps when one needs to become extra visible. Pretty basic > stuff it seems to me, I do it all the time
Ya, so you know why DRLs ‘n safety is a crock. Now, what about all that free electricity the other poster’s car makes? We really need that explained. While you’re at it, maybe you can fill everyone in on those "pollution free" cars. You know the ones… they plug into an electrical outlet that supplies electricity generated by that environmentally friendly neighborhood coal fired plant down the road Back to this universe, I just received the oil lab’s report from the factory fill in my 2002 Civic Si. Yes, I barely managed to run it 5500 miles without toping off. I’ll post the results later…
Response:
> Also, increasing the load doesn’t make it harder to spin > the alternator since it’s just a generator.
Yes, it does. Why do you think modern vehicles have electronic load detectors, and why does the ECU increase idle speed in response to a heavy load? You should have played with generators more when you were a kid.
Response:
> I wonder than why race cars do not have an alternator? ;)
http://www.marelli.it/racing/products.htm#3
Response:
Exactly. But it’s the battery that suffers, not the engine. The alternator is connected to the belt so it spins with the engine. Increasing the electrical load does not make the alternator spin faster since it’s can’t alter it’s speed. Also, increasing the load doesn’t make it harder to spin the alternator since it’s just a generator. All that happens is that more power is being used by the electronics so the battery will charge slower. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not > a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws > power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. > No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner > because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor. > I am not sure exactly how the alternator in the car works, but > wouldn’t additional electric load on the generator require > more torque from the engine to drive the generator (lenz’s law). > Something has to pay for the increased electrical load, either > the engine or the battery. > — > Vladimir
Response:
I wonder than why race cars do not have an alternator? ;) mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not > a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws > power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. > No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner > because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor. > I turn on the headlights when it’s raining or snowing, and the hazard > lights > when going through fog. > The problem with DRL is that it waste gas and power, and require extra > money > to buy it, and cost more for maintenance. Most of us are to busy doing > something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high > beam and horn. > Even with massive tire smoke and squealing from braking, people still > squeeze into your lane. DRL has no benefit. > Trust me, nothing you do will save you from the idiots driving in Southern > California. Just last week, a 25 year old Hispanic male driving a Mustang > killed a woman on the other side of the street, even though there is a > center divider. He was racing a Honda. > > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > > — > > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > > –Dave
Response:
> No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power.
Fascinating.
Response:
> How would DRL waste gas and power? > Where do you suppose the alternator gets its power?
746 watts per horsepower 2 times 70 watt highbeams running at 50% is 70 watts .09 of a horsepower, using 100 efficiency. call it 0.2, if efficiency is under 50%. point two horsepower! Anything else on vehicle that might cause a 0.2 horsepower loss?
Response:
Most people here, Southern California and Las Vegas, don’t yield to firetruck and ambulances with horn blowing and lights flashing. It’s a very disturbing sight. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ah.
Response:
> How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not > a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws > power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. > No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner > because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor.
I am not sure exactly how the alternator in the car works, but wouldn’t additional electric load on the generator require more torque from the engine to drive the generator (lenz’s law). Something has to pay for the increased electrical load, either the engine or the battery. — Vladimir
Response:
Who won the race amigo? mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I turn on the headlights when it’s raining or snowing, and the hazard lights > when going through fog. > The problem with DRL is that it waste gas and power, and require extra money > to buy it, and cost more for maintenance. Most of us are to busy doing > something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high > beam and horn. > Even with massive tire smoke and squealing from braking, people still > squeeze into your lane. DRL has no benefit. > Trust me, nothing you do will save you from the idiots driving in Southern > California. Just last week, a 25 year old Hispanic male driving a Mustang > killed a woman on the other side of the street, even though there is a > center divider. He was racing a Honda. > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave
Response:
You are certainly entitle to your opinion but that is not what scientific report concluded. According to the report in Congressional Record there were several reasons. Some that I recall were while there is some advantage to having some light with DRL’s rather than no light in sparse traffic, that advantage in marginal at best in heavy traffic areas when all vehicles are so equipped. On secondary two lane roads an approaching vehicle equipped with DRL’s can appear to oncoming drivers as a vehicle using headlamps that is at a greater distance, leading to misjudged passing distances and head-on collisions, particularly at times of lowered visibility.. A very high percentage of drivers of DRL equipped vehicles have a tendency at sunset to run too long on DRL’s before illuminating their headlamps, leading to a much less visible vehicle. That is something I see Canadian drivers doing all the time on I-81. The most damaging reason to me was motorcycles virtually disappear in a sea of DRL’s during daylight hours, leaving their riders extremely vulnerable. The best policy for ones personal safety is to simply turn on the headlamps when one needs to become extra visible. Pretty basic stuff it seems to me, I do it all the time mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> No surprise DRL’s were proposed in the US several years ago, at > the request of GM. Test performed for the Senate committee by > several US universities determined the DRL’s caused more problems > for drivers than they prevented and decided against making them > mandatory. No state requires DRL’s. Pennsylvania like most > other states require headlamps to be used from sunset to sunrise > and other hours of limited vision. Some in addition require > headlamps when the wipers are being used. If one happen to drive > on I-81 in Pa it is quite common to see Canadian drivers along > the road being cited for driving with DRL at dusk, rather than > the required headlamps. The state collects $136 for each one. > > <snipped> > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave > No surprise DRL’s were proposed in the US several years ago, at > the request of GM. Test performed for the Senate committee by > several US universities determined the DRL’s caused more problems > for drivers than they prevented and decided against making them > mandatory. No state requires DRL’s. Pennsylvania like most > other states require headlamps to be used from sunset to sunrise > and other hours of limited vision. Some in addition require > headlamps when the wipers are being used. If one happen to drive > on I-81 in Pa it is quite common to see Canadian drivers along > the road being cited for driving with DRL at dusk, rather than > the required headlamps. The state collects $136 for each one. > > <snipped> > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave
Response:
> Most of us are to busy doing > something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high > beam and horn.
Ah.
Response:
How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I turn on the headlights when it’s raining or snowing, and the hazard lights > when going through fog. > The problem with DRL is that it waste gas and power, and require extra money > to buy it, and cost more for maintenance. Most of us are to busy doing > something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high > beam and horn. > Even with massive tire smoke and squealing from braking, people still > squeeze into your lane. DRL has no benefit. > Trust me, nothing you do will save you from the idiots driving in Southern > California. Just last week, a 25 year old Hispanic male driving a Mustang > killed a woman on the other side of the street, even though there is a > center divider. He was racing a Honda. > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave
Response:
> How would DRL waste gas and power? It’s an eletrical burden on the car not > a mechanical one like the air conditioner. If you use DRL it just draws > power from the alternator, just like a stereo or an aftermarket amplifier. > No matter how much electrical stuff you have running, it doesn’t hurt fuel > economy or power. That only happens when you turn on the air conditioner > because of the mechanical strain the powering up the A/C compressor.
Where do you suppose the alternator gets its power? Andrew
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Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a USA 2002 Civic EX?
Response:
Turn on your headlights. DRL is just a marketing gimmick. The only time that DRL is visible enough to be noticed is when the sun is setting. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a USA > 2002 Civic EX?
Response:
Yes you can….. http://www.racerwheel.com/lighting-auxillary-lighting-harness-kits.html or… http://www.autoworldfx.com/products/productDetails.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Ep… 746889&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=3178059&affID=2980&bmUID=1052184893421 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a USA > 2002 Civic EX?
Response:
Say what??? I guess American DRL must be different than the Canadian ones that ALL cars come with because up here, you can see the DRLs from many kilometers away even on the sunniest of days. I suspect you may be confusing DRL with the people who just turn on their parking lights when they drive. Sean
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Turn on your headlights. DRL is just a marketing gimmick. The only time that > DRL is visible enough to be noticed is when the sun is setting. > Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a USA > 2002 Civic EX?
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I’m surprised that it is not mandatory in US as it is here in Canada. DRL are well visible because in most case, if not all cases, they use the high beams at lower intensity, 40% I think.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Say what??? I guess American DRL must be different than the Canadian ones > that ALL cars come with because up here, you can see the DRLs from many > kilometers away even on the sunniest of days. > I suspect you may be confusing DRL with the people who just turn on their > parking lights when they drive. > Sean > Turn on your headlights. DRL is just a marketing gimmick. The only time > that > DRL is visible enough to be noticed is when the sun is setting. > > Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on a > USA > > 2002 Civic EX?
Response:
No surprise DRL’s were proposed in the US several years ago, at the request of GM. Test performed for the Senate committee by several US universities determined the DRL’s caused more problems for drivers than they prevented and decided against making them mandatory. No state requires DRL’s. Pennsylvania like most other states require headlamps to be used from sunset to sunrise and other hours of limited vision. Some in addition require headlamps when the wipers are being used. If one happen to drive on I-81 in Pa it is quite common to see Canadian drivers along the road being cited for driving with DRL at dusk, rather than the required headlamps. The state collects $136 for each one. mike hunt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m surprised that it is not mandatory in US as it is here in Canada. > DRL are well visible because in most case, if not all cases, they use the > high beams at lower intensity, 40% I think. > Say what??? I guess American DRL must be different than the Canadian ones > that ALL cars come with because up here, you can see the DRLs from many > kilometers away even on the sunniest of days. > I suspect you may be confusing DRL with the people who just turn on their > parking lights when they drive. > Sean > > Turn on your headlights. DRL is just a marketing gimmick. The only time > that > > DRL is visible enough to be noticed is when the sun is setting. > > > Does anyone know if Daytime Running Lights can be easily installed on > a > USA > > > 2002 Civic EX?
Response:
> No surprise DRL’s were proposed in the US several years ago, at > the request of GM. Test performed for the Senate committee by > several US universities determined the DRL’s caused more problems > for drivers than they prevented and decided against making them > mandatory. No state requires DRL’s. Pennsylvania like most > other states require headlamps to be used from sunset to sunrise > and other hours of limited vision. Some in addition require > headlamps when the wipers are being used. If one happen to drive > on I-81 in Pa it is quite common to see Canadian drivers along > the road being cited for driving with DRL at dusk, rather than > the required headlamps. The state collects $136 for each one. >
<snipped> They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be more of a problem/road hazard to me. — My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. –Dave
Response:
I turn on the headlights when it’s raining or snowing, and the hazard lights when going through fog. The problem with DRL is that it waste gas and power, and require extra money to buy it, and cost more for maintenance. Most of us are to busy doing something else, so the only thing that we might pay attention to is high beam and horn. Even with massive tire smoke and squealing from braking, people still squeeze into your lane. DRL has no benefit. Trust me, nothing you do will save you from the idiots driving in Southern California. Just last week, a 25 year old Hispanic male driving a Mustang killed a woman on the other side of the street, even though there is a center divider. He was racing a Honda. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > They caused more problems for drivers? I have lived in Canada my whole > life, with DRL on every single car I’ve driven. I have never had any > problems with the DRLs of other cars (I can guess that problems mean > getting blinded? Being distracted from the road?). I can say that they > have been beneficial in many cases during the day, specifically when it > is raining or snowing. I believe we have a law too that states that if > the windshield wipers are on so must your lights, but not everyone obeys > that law. I still see quite a few older cars without DRLs (but not very > well) that don’t put on their lights when they should. That seems to be > more of a problem/road hazard to me. > — > My thoughts are mine, and mine alone. > –Dave
