Daytime Running Lights and Automatic Headlights

[Upstream]

My wife just got a new Fusion, which she loves.

 

But ... on her old car, she kept the headlights on all the time (when she turned off the car, the headlights turned off automatically).

 

With her new Fusion, she has the automatic headlight feature which turns on the lights at dusk and when the wipers are activated. But she would prefer to have the headlights on all the time because she thinks it is safer in the daytime.

 

I've read on this forum that activating Daytime Running Lights is a simple procedure for the dealer.

 

If she activates DRLs, can that be used in conjunction with the Auto Lights feature? I.e., can she have the headlight switch in auto so she has DRLs during the day and full power head and tail lights at dusk and when it rains?

 

Thanks.

[bbf2530]

My wife just got a new Fusion, which she loves.

 

But ... on her old car, she kept the headlights on all the time (when she turned off the car, the headlights turned off automatically).

 

With her new Fusion, she has the automatic headlight feature which turns on the lights at dusk and when the wipers are activated. But she would prefer to have the headlights on all the time because she thinks it is safer in the daytime.

 

I've read on this forum that activating Daytime Running Lights is a simple procedure for the dealer.

 

If she activates DRLs, can that be used in conjunction with the Auto Lights feature? I.e., can she have the headlight switch in auto so she has DRLs during the day and full power head and tail lights at dusk and when it rains?

 

Thanks.

 

Hi Upstream. :D Yes. The Dealer can easily enable/disable the DRL's through the Smart Junction Box (SJB), although not all Dealer Techs know this. And both features, DRL's and Auto Headlights, are compatible.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited July 17, 2010 by bbf2530

[Moosehead]

That's how they work in Canada

 

I think you could also try blocking the light sensor so the car will always think it's night.

[Grey]

That's how they work in Canada

 

I think you could also try blocking the light sensor so the car will always think it's night.

 

Daytime running lights cut the power to the headlamps (if memory serves) and does not illuminate the tail lamps. Blocking the sensor would defeat these features of the DRL's and lead to earlier bulb failure. Better to program ON the DRL's.

Edited July 17, 2010 by Grey

[bbf2530]

Daytime running lights cut the power to the headlamps (if memory serves) and does not illuminate the tail lamps. Blocking the sensor would defeat these features of the DRL's and lead to earlier bulb failure. Better to program ON the DRL's.

 

Hi guys. :D Grey is correct (and his memory still serves him just fine :hysterical: ). DRL's run the headlights (the low-beams on the Fusion, the low-beams) at a reduced power and the tail lights are not illuminated at all. If you cover the Auto-headlight sensor on the dash, the headlights will always be on at full power and so will the taillights.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[Moosehead]

true enough, but Upstream said his wife was leaving them on in the old car anyway! :)

[Upstream]

Her old car didn't have DRLs or the nighttime sensor, so her only option was to leave the headlights on all the time. I suppose it caused the headlights to burn out faster (but I'm not really sure how much faster, since she only needed to replace her lights 2 or 3 times in ten years).

 

I'll have to check with her to see if she prefers DRLs (low power headlights without tail lights) or covering the sensor (full power headlights and tail lights).

 

My guess is that the DRLs is a better option, since it saves some life on the headlights and the tail lights don't add much visibility during the day. Also, with the DRLs, the remaining controls (such as dashboard lights) work with the right contrast for day and night.

 

 

Thanks for the information and options.

[xmech2k]

I found during the day with the headlights on, the dash lights were a bit dim even turned full bright, so you're right about that. Go with DRL. Just try to talk them into charging you maybe 30 minutes labor instead of a full hour, if they charge you at all. Depends on the dealer, I guess. Doesn't take that long for them to do.

[akirby]

Or convince your wife they're not really that much safer.

[drolds1]

Don't forget you might be entitled to an insurance discount for DRLs. You don't get a discount for covering the light sensor. ;)

[Waldo]

Or convince your wife they're not really that much safer.

 

That will be hard to do since it's not true.

[akirby]

That will be hard to do since it's not true.

 

We've been down that road already and we'll just have to agree to disagree (again). I realize there are some statistics that say there is a small measurable drop in accident rates but it's very small and I question the validity because there are so many other factors involved.

 

I also believe that people who pull out in front of other people just forget to look at all so DRLs won't help there. If you actually look and you can't see another car (motorcycles are a different story) in broad daylight then you shouldn't be driving.

 

Turning on headlamps automatically at dusk and when using the wipers (rain) is a real safety improvement. Make that mandatory instead of DRLs.

[Bob B.]

We've been down that road already and we'll just have to agree to disagree (again). I realize there are some statistics that say there is a small measurable drop in accident rates but it's very small and I question the validity because there are so many other factors involved.

 

I also believe that people who pull out in front of other people just forget to look at all so DRLs won't help there. If you actually look and you can't see another car (motorcycles are a different story) in broad daylight then you shouldn't be driving.

 

Turning on headlamps automatically at dusk and when using the wipers (rain) is a real safety improvement. Make that mandatory instead of DRLs.

 

Statistics aside.

When passing a slower moving vehicle (or a line of holiday trailers/motorhomes) going in the same direction, on a two lane highway, I find DRLs a great benefit in seeing oncoming traffic.

Drivers wake up real quickly when seeing oncoming lights in "their" lane.

Regards from Canada.

[Moosehead]

They've been implemented in most countries, but the thing holding them back in the US seems to be some concerns about glare. According to wikipedia anyway :)

[xmech2k]

They've been implemented in most countries, but the thing holding them back in the US seems to be some concerns about glare. According to wikipedia anyway :)

 

That's funny, considering all the poorly aimed lights, (Love driving in light rain at night and seeing how many cars have their searchlights aimed at the sky for the bomber formations.) blinding HID's, people who flick the high-beams on probably not knowing what they are and deciding they can see better and will just leave them on.........

[Oldguy16]

That's funny, considering all the poorly aimed lights, (Love driving in light rain at night and seeing how many cars have their searchlights aimed at the sky for the bomber formations.) blinding HID's, people who flick the high-beams on probably not knowing what they are and deciding they can see better and will just leave them on.........

LOL!!!! SO TRUE.

[drocpsu]

So DRL's can be enabled at the dealership relatively easily? I just assumed this car had them (I thought it was a requirement for all cars at this point, actually!). If its not, I may look into it.

 

I will say that the lack of automatic headlights is the one thing that REALLY annoys me about this car compared to my last. I really liked never having to worry about turning on/off the headlights. It had DRL's during the day and then would kick up to full at dusk.

 

Does anyone know if the headlights will turn off automatically if left on after the car has been shut off/locked? After not having to do it for years, I can see myself forgetting to do this, even with the door chime.

[akirby]

So DRL's can be enabled at the dealership relatively easily? I just assumed this car had them (I thought it was a requirement for all cars at this point, actually!). If its not, I may look into it.

 

I will say that the lack of automatic headlights is the one thing that REALLY annoys me about this car compared to my last. I really liked never having to worry about turning on/off the headlights. It had DRL's during the day and then would kick up to full at dusk.

 

Does anyone know if the headlights will turn off automatically if left on after the car has been shut off/locked? After not having to do it for years, I can see myself forgetting to do this, even with the door chime.

 

Yes they'll turn off automatically. And DRLs can be activated by the dealer. But if auto headlamps were so important why didn't you get them?

[drocpsu]

Yes they'll turn off automatically. And DRLs can be activated by the dealer. But if auto headlamps were so important why didn't you get them?

it wasn't enough of a detractor to keep me from buying the car, but it was one of those "oh....that sucks. I wish the car had that" type of features.

[Upstream]

it wasn't enough of a detractor to keep me from buying the car, but it was one of those "oh....that sucks. I wish the car had that" type of features.

 

I think Akirby was asking why you didn't select the autoheadlight option when selecting your Fusion. You can buy a Fusion with or without autoheadlights. Seems strange that someone who thinks it is important would select a Fusion without.

 

By the way, I had the dealer turn on the DRLs on my wife's Fusion. It took them about 10 minutes, but I had to explain to them how to do it, because they didn't know (Hook up diagnostic computer, go to external lighting menu, select DRLs).

[drocpsu]

I think Akirby was asking why you didn't select the autoheadlight option when selecting your Fusion. You can buy a Fusion with or without autoheadlights. Seems strange that someone who thinks it is important would select a Fusion without.

 

By the way, I had the dealer turn on the DRLs on my wife's Fusion. It took them about 10 minutes, but I had to explain to them how to do it, because they didn't know (Hook up diagnostic computer, go to external lighting menu, select DRLs).

oh, i just bought it off the lot, so I basically just got the options that were on it. If I would've been able to choose the option, I would've.

 

I'm planning to call/stop by the dealership to have them enable the DRLs as well, so we'll see how it goes.

Edited September 6, 2010 by drocpsu

[xmech2k]

I think Akirby was asking why you didn't select the autoheadlight option when selecting your Fusion. You can buy a Fusion with or without autoheadlights. Seems strange that someone who thinks it is important would select a Fusion without.

 

Not if you're picking one off the lot... Isn't that standard on SEL? Maybe he doesn't like leather or something. I don't recall seeing auto lights thrown on as an option in any cars in the dealers lot.

 

Edit: LOL! Drocpsu posted already while I was typing and sort of confirmed my thought!

 

PS Drocpsu, one dealer tried to charge me 1 hour labor for the DRL enable, but another did it for 30 minutes labor charge. Negotiate!

Edited September 6, 2010 by xmech2k

[akirby]

oh, i just bought it off the lot, so I basically just got the options that were on it. If I would've been able to choose the option, I would've.

 

So they put a gun to your head and forced you to buy that particular vehicle? You could have shopped around and found one with the options you wanted or ordered one if they were so important. Or did you just not think about it at the time?

[FFHdriver]

Not if you're picking one off the lot... Isn't that standard on SEL? Maybe he doesn't like leather or something. I don't recall seeing auto lights thrown on as an option in any cars in the dealers lot.

 

Edit: LOL! Drocpsu posted already while I was typing and sort of confirmed my thought!

 

PS Drocpsu, one dealer tried to charge me 1 hour labor for the DRL enable, but another did it for 30 minutes labor charge. Negotiate!

I have a great dealer. Mine did a free activation.

Edited September 6, 2010 by FFHdriver

[drocpsu]

So they put a gun to your head and forced you to buy that particular vehicle? You could have shopped around and found one with the options you wanted or ordered one if they were so important. Or did you just not think about it at the time?

 

there wasn't another 2010 SE w/ monochrome appearance package at any ford dealership within a 75 mile radius. Like I said...it wasn't a dealbreaker. Just a small inconvenience. It wasn't even something I noticed until right before I bought it because I had test driven it twice prior during the daytime and didn't think about the headlights.