running lights

ricka · 06-09-08, 01:06

does everybody use them that have the capability? on the automatic light preference, the running lights constantly stay on unless its too dark, then it switches to hid.

just wondering if always using the running light feature prematurely wears out the lamps...

it's amazing what pops in my head while driving!

dmw2692004 · 06-09-08, 02:09

I drive a yukon and there is no way you can turn off the running lights unless you physically un-plug them. I know that with some cars that have HID's, the runnung light feature turns down the wattge going into the lamp.

Accumulator · 06-10-08, 07:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmw2692004

I drive a yukon and there is no way you can turn off the running lights unless you physically un-plug them..

Same here with my Denali XL, though I bet there's a way to make 'em switched as with plenty of other DRL vehicles

It's a pretty simple rewire on some vehicles, though on others you lose the flash-to-pass or some other feature.

But I always wonder about liability issues...if you "modify the vehicle" in such a way that some lawyer could say you "rendered it less safe" than it came from the factory, you could end up [in hot water] if you get in a wreck.

I gotta admit that, dorky as I think they look, they're probably a good idea. If somebody who wouldn't have seen you *does* see you, and thus doesn't crash into you... well, looking dorky and replacing light bulbs aren't nearly as big a deal as wrecks are

During the day, Accumulatorette often turns on the lights on our older cars when she travels. I used to think that she'd get more speeding tickets that way (because LEOs would notice her more readily) but it doesn't seem to happen. She figures they think she's being responsible and are thus more inclined to cut her some slack.

todd@bsaw · 06-10-08, 07:56

I pulled out the headlight switch and covered the DRL pin with electrical tape. Bam, no more running lights. If I ever sell the car I can pull the tape off.

itb76 · 06-10-08, 08:27

I disabled the DRLs on my Golf. The car is yellow; if you can't see it in the daylight you're blind!

ricka · 06-11-08, 08:13

interesting...i can disable the running lights on the audi thru the mmi. the running lights are different lamps than the hid's. was just curious if they really made a difference and why anyone would use them during the day in bright sunlight. just seems like another way to replace lamps prematurely.

Domas · 06-11-08, 08:33

Well, in my country we have to drive 24/7, day and night, all year round with dipped-beam and tail lights on.

Are those DRL's just a car option, but not obligatory US law? If it is obligatory, why everybody want to turn them off?

Accumulator · 06-11-08, 09:05

ricka- I dunno...I've had plenty of high-mile vehicles that never had any lights burn out; doesn't seem like a big worry to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Domas

Are those DRL's just a car option, but not obligatory US law? If it is obligatory, why everybody want to turn them off?

I wonder about the legality of disabling factory DRL systems

I figure people want to turn them off because they look stupid...and I agree that they often do.

But I also think that they probably *do* make vehicles easier to notice, and a lot of dummies fail to turn on any lights when conditions make their vehicles hard to see, so I guess they're not a bad idea.

Heh heh, the same people who don't turn their lights on when they oughta are often the same people who turn their *foglights* on when it's not foggy..because they think it looks cool

jnt412 · 06-13-08, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmw2692004

I drive a yukon and there is no way you can turn off the running lights unless you physically un-plug them. I know that with some cars that have HID's, the runnung light feature turns down the wattge going into the lamp.

Not true. I have a 2003 Yukon XL and I can manually turn them off. If your light switch is in "Auto" Mode, turn the switch to the "Off" Position.. usually marked with a circle. They should turn off at that point..

Denzil · 06-13-08, 09:46

I know for my friend's WRX that he bought a plug-and-play device that turns off DRLs.

FWIW, you'd have to definitely not be paying attention if you hit a car and explained that you didn't see them because their DRLs weren't on. I mean, my 2000 Integra doesn't have any DRLs.

Domas · 06-13-08, 10:03

In my opinion the DRL's are really effective. I know I'm not American, but here in my country we got this "dipped-beam all the time" law 2 years or so ago, and now when I meet the driver with lights turned off in traffic, it's so hard to notice them now when all others are "lit"...

Regarding the front fog lights, I think they also increase conspicuity. The front foglights don't dazzle the other drivers, they illuminate lower than dipped-beam and produce a wider beam to illuminate the sides better. So they don't dazzle, only look cool

.

However the rear fog lights seems to be very irritating when there is no fog

.

Accumulator · 06-13-08, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnt412

Not true. I have a 2003 Yukon XL and I can manually turn them off. If your light switch is in "Auto" Mode, turn the switch to the "Off" Position.. usually marked with a circle. They should turn off at that point..

Boy do I feel sheepish

I'll have to try that on my '04 Denali XL and see if it turns mine off. I know that it did *NOT* turn off the DRLs on my '00 Blazer and I just ***umed the Yukons were the same way. (heh heh, note that the cyber-nanny didn't like the @$$ part of "assumed" being in bold type)

OK, OK...I know...I gotta RT*M! That vehicle has a zillion more features than I need to get the dogs from point A to point B and I've just been ignoring most of 'em.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denzil

FWIW, you'd have to definitely not be paying attention if you hit a car and explained that you didn't see them because their DRLs weren't on. I mean, my 2000 Integra doesn't have any DRLs.

*NOBODY* places more responsibility on the driver than I do, as in..there are no good excuses for getting in wrecks, but if some twit needs help seeing me I don't wanna deprive them of it

And I never bet on the courts being sensible, they just *love* to blame others for some dummy's mistakes

But I understand where you're coming from; one thing I love about my Jag is that it's the last year before the extra brakelight (is it called the "HCMBL"? :think").