Daytime Running lights?

[rjent]

I haven't read through all 22 pages of this, but I have a question. Why is it so important to have automatic Daytime Driving/Running Lights?

 

I am just curious?

[corncobs]

I haven't read through all 22 pages of this, but I have a question. Why is it so important to have automatic Daytime Driving/Running Lights?

 

I am just curious?

LOL that's a good one :)

 

Let's start from the beginning.... ;)

 

For me it's two things. First since you can't adjust the light sensitivity for the automatic headlamps they turn on quite late for my taste.

Secondly driving thru rural areas on single lane highways especially going north into WI I just feel much better. It's way easy to miss a car without headlights (DRL's) and I don't wanna be the missed one.

[GrySql]

I haven't read through all 22 pages of this, but I have a question. Why is it so important to have automatic Daytime Driving/Running Lights?

 

I am just curious?

I just wanted them so I look cool. ;)

[Texasota]

I haven't read through all 22 pages of this, but I have a question. Why is it so important to have automatic Daytime Driving/Running Lights?

 

I am just curious?

And don't forget the powerful motivator of being told you cannot have someting... ;)

[TonyHzNV]

I just wanted them so I look cool. ;)

And I just wanted the insurance discount!?

Edited December 25, 2014 by TonyHzNV

[Easy Rider]

And in addition to all of that, at one time a study was done that showed a small but significant drop in some types of crashes when DRLs were in use.

 

Motorcycles are still REQUIRED to have a headlight on during the day.

 

They are still required in Canada and reportedly in some states in the US.

 

I personally believe that the recent "change of heart" by the US regulators was mostly due to pressure (money) from special interests (auto makers) so that they can save $2 per vehicle by leaving that off.

 

The change DID NOT PROHIBIT DRL's in the US; it makes them optional.

I choose to option mine ON. If there is any chance that they help reduce accidents I want to do it.

 

When it's time for my next new car, if that option is not available on some models, they will probably fall off of my short list.

Edited December 25, 2014 by Easy Rider

[rjent]

BUT, it does beg the question ....

 

If you want the lights on in the daytime ...... just turn them on .... :D

 

1, I am cool enough

2, If I want my lights on, I want to turn them on (red neck LOL)

3 The less gov and corps want from me the better :)

4 ... well that is enough :D

 

Ask a question, get an answer ..... LOL

 

Thanks guys!

 

Merry Christmas!

[Hybrider]

Also, if you just turn the headlights into the manual "On" position, you also get the added bonus of the taillights being on as well, which seems to me like it would add even more safety, to help people not run into you as easily from behind, huh, hybridbear?

[Easy Rider]

Also, if you just turn the headlights into the manual "On" position, you also get the added bonus of the taillights being on as well, which seems to me like it would add even more safety, to help people not run into you as easily from behind, huh, hybridbear?

It is not a bonus.

It makes it harder to notice your BRAKE lights coming on.

 

In the daytime, the brightness difference doesn't jump right out and grab you.

 

Now, with the high mounted aux. brake light strips in common use now, that might be kind of a moot point.

But I have seen some cars lately where they are screwing with the "eye level" or above intent for that extra stop light.

[jeffo65]

I haven't read through all 22 pages of this, but I have a question. Why is it so important to have automatic Daytime Driving/Running Lights?

 

I am just curious?

Discount on insurance rate for having enabled DRLs

[talmy]

I haven't read through all 22 pages of this, but I have a question. Why is it so important to have automatic Daytime Driving/Running Lights?

 

I am just curious?

 

I mentioned in another thread that in 2001 we were in a head-on collision that we feel could have been avoided had the car we were driving had DRLs (or if I had the foresight to always drive with headlights on) because the car we were driving wasn't seen against the background.

[hybridbear]

Also, if you just turn the headlights into the manual "On" position, you also get the added bonus of the taillights being on as well, which seems to me like it would add even more safety, to help people not run into you as easily from behind, huh, hybridbear?

LOL! Since we don't have DRLs I just turn the lights on all the time. And still two idiots rear-ended us this past summer!

[Easy Rider]

And still two idiots rear-ended us this past summer!

Maybe that's because having your lights on in the daytime makes your brake lights HARDER to notice.

Just maybe.

 

If DRLs are available, that is a much better choice.......honestly.

Edited December 28, 2014 by Easy Rider

[hybridbear]

Maybe that's because having your lights on in the daytime makes your brake lights HARDER to notice.

Just maybe.

 

If DRLs are available, that is a much better choice.......honestly.

How are brake lights harder to notice when you're stopped? The tail lights are not visible then. And the other time we were driving and not braking when rear ended.

 

I'd like to know what evidence you have that tail lights make it harder to notice the brake lights. Please share what empirical evidence there is to back up your assertion.

[Texasota]

I think ER is only saying that during daylight the transition from "no tail lights on -> brake lights on" is more noticeable to the human eye as compared to the daylight transition from "tail lights on -> brake lights on". I'm not aware of any proof or studies regarding this, but it seems like it could be a factor. Is it significant enough to prevent accidents in some situations? Dunno.

Edited December 28, 2014 by Texasota

[Easy Rider]

 

I'd like to know what evidence you have that tail lights make it harder to notice the brake lights. Please share what empirical evidence there is to back up your assertion.

There was a study done back when DRLs were first proposed and quoted, I think, in Motor Trend.

 

But that's been near to 30 years ago and I'm not going to waste my time trying to find it.

 

Take it or leave it. Or think about it a bit and try to apply a little logic and common sense.

[Easy Rider]

I think ER is only saying that during daylight the transition from "no tail lights on -> brake lights on" is more noticeable to the human eye as compared to the daylight transition from "tail lights on -> brake lights on".

Exactly. Thanks for the clarification.

[milleron]

I haven't read through all 22 pages of this, but I have a question. Why is it so important to have automatic Daytime Driving/Running Lights?

 

I am just curious?

There's yet another reason. The DRLs are the low-beam lamps running at reduced voltage. The reduction in power consumed by the DRLs vs. using headlamps (and tail lights) at all times is probably small, perhaps trivial. However the effect of the reduced voltage and amperage on the lifespan of those bulbs might well be significant. I don't know about the FFH, but replacing the headlights on my last car (an Accord) was not a diy job; it was a costly service-center job.

 

To me, the most desirable feature besides the safety factor was the fact that the DRLs do not turn on the trail lamps in the daytime.

Edited December 28, 2014 by milleron

[jimfish]

I would like to be seen by oncoming cars. On two lane roads it is essential that the oncoming car sees you. Try passing and not being able to see the oncoming traffic ( two lane roads).

[TonyHzNV]

Just got back from the dealer and I have DRLs! :happy feet: Done free of charge too! Taking my F-150 in this afternoon and have them turned on too!

 

[hybridbear]

I think ER is only saying that during daylight the transition from "no tail lights on -> brake lights on" is more noticeable to the human eye as compared to the daylight transition from "tail lights on -> brake lights on". I'm not aware of any proof or studies regarding this, but it seems like it could be a factor. Is it significant enough to prevent accidents in some situations? Dunno.

I agree that it could be a factor. I just don't think it really is. I don't usually focus on the low brake lights of cars when driving, but rather my focus is on the CHMSL (Center High-Mount Stop Light).

 

I would like to be seen by oncoming cars. On two lane roads it is essential that the oncoming car sees you. Try passing and not being able to see the oncoming traffic ( two lane roads).

In Minnesota it's the law that you turn on your headlights on two-lane roads for this very reason. It might be more simple to just make a state law that cars sold in MN come with driving lights. And that would probably be more effective at reducing crashes as well since many people don't bother to turn their lights on when driving on two-lane roads.

[Texasota]

In Minnesota it's the law that you turn on your headlights on two-lane roads for this very reason. It might be more simple to just make a state law that cars sold in MN come with driving lights. And that would probably be more effective at reducing crashes as well since many people don't bother to turn their lights on when driving on two-lane roads.

I was not aware of that Minnesota law. Thanks for sharing.

[Easy Rider]

It might be more simple to just make a state law that cars sold in MN come with driving lights. And that would probably be more effective at reducing crashes as well since many people don't bother to turn their lights on when driving on two-lane roads.

At this point it probably would be better.

Up until last year it wasn't a problem as they were REQUIRED on all cars and light trucks sold in the US.

I still think it was a mistake to remove that requirement.

[dalesky]

There's yet another reason. The DRLs are the low-beam lamps running at reduced voltage. The reduction in power consumed by the DRLs vs. using headlamps (and tail lights) at all times is probably small, perhaps trivial. However the effect of the reduced voltage and amperage on the lifespan of those bulbs might well be significant. I don't know about the FFH, but replacing the headlights on my last car (an Accord) was not a diy job; it was a costly service-center job.

 

To me, the most desirable feature besides the safety factor was the fact that the DRLs do not turn on the trail lamps in the daytime.

If the bulbs are like other incandescent bulbs, running them at lower voltage is similar to household bulbs being started on a dimmer at lower light levels. This will increase the life of the bulbs dramatically. I have personally had incandescent builbs last for over 20 years. I would assume that the same principle may be applied to car bulbs, but I have no 'science' to back it up.

[thrasher086]

Hey everyone. I am new to the forums and just wanted to share my story about DRL's on my HyTi 2014. I brought my car into service at Levittown Ford in NY due to an issue with a blind spot sensor. I bought the car from them in September so not very excited that I had to bring it in so quick. I asked them if they could activate DRL's for me and told them they need to enable a module. The service rep jotted it all down and handed me a loaner. No one called me which wasn't a big deal since I guess they didn't need the loaner back and I called a few days later. I was told its all done but they could not activate the lights as the module does not exist for my car. Not happy with that answer but I took the key and left.

 

I was driving to work yesterday and noticed my lights were reflecting off the bumper in front of me. I took a look a look to see if they were left on the switch since it was sunny out but I had them on auto and they didn't have the symbol light on the dash. So they did activate them and they even shut off for the proper turn signal which is nice. Not sure why the mechanic thought it didn't work but I got a good result in the end. Obviously no charge either.