Daytime running lamps-Opinions

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What are your opinions about daytime running lamps?I've heard many negative opinions about them from shorter bulb life to the environment.Not every manufacturer has the on their cars/trucks.Joe
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I have them on both my cars (GM). I wanted to disconnect them, but they are linked to the computer so they would trip the Check Engine idiot light.
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I run them only when it's daylight out; if it's overcast in any way I turn the headlights on like I wish other people would do.
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They're mandatory up here in Canada. You don't have to run them, but manufacturers do have to install them before delivery, so at least 80% of cars up here run them. I like DRLs, as they make cars more visible in your peripheral vision, but as always, there are idiots that ruin it for everyone else. I've noticed now that there are a lot of people who don't turn on their headlights at night, because the DRLs make them think they're on already. Problem is, their taillights are completely dark save for the reflector, and obviously they can't see their gauges. Some manufacturers are turning on the taillights as part of the DRL system, which isn't really a "solution".

My headlight bulbs last me around six years on average. Don't know how long they'd last without DRLs, since they've been mandatory for almost 20 years.
 
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I have them on both my cars (GM). I wanted to disconnect them, but they are linked to the computer so they would trip the Check Engine idiot light.
nono.gif
I run them only when it's daylight out; if it's overcast in any way I turn the headlights on like I wish other people would do.
mad.gif
rugerman.gif





I disabled them on my Olds van by pulling the DRL fuse in the fuse box. Simple, quick, easy.
 
I like them.

But I think there should be an all-or-nothing approach. Either mandate it, or forbid it.

I have found in certain situations, a non-DRL car is lesser visible in the foreground, then one with DRL in the background, and I was fixing to make a left turn with them coming towards me.

Not a good thing when there is a mixed bag out there.
 
I like them. They just make vehicles more visible. Anyone who rides a motorcycle knows this. I wouldn't get on a motorcycle with a burned out headlight.

I think they prevent accidents.
 
My 2004 Silverado has them.

I am ecstatic that the truck's 'brain' is smarter than mine, ensuring that when I park and turn the engine off the lights are turned off for me. No battery run-down!!!!

Hooray!!!!!!!

With the horde of idiots on the roads I revel in every little thing that can assist in preventing one of those idiots impacting my vehicle.

Also, I believe those white daytime running lights make my truck appear closer than it is, perhaps resulting in fewer people on a side street from pulling out in front me, requiring me to apply the brakes at various levels of force depending upon how close I am to the idiot when they pull out in front of me...... vice waiting a few mere seconds to allow me to go by..... often with no vehicles behind me for a considerable distance.

Even if no one is hurt in a wreck, the inconvenience, time lost, etc. is still a higher price than what I want to pay. If those really neato lights prevent an impact, even just one, I will be eternally grateful for quite a spell and will shout out hallelujahs and hosannahs in a basso profundo voice for all creation to hear.

Yeah, like the lights.

If you don't that is your right but don't be surprised if I meet you out by the bike racks after school and beat you up for general principals.

Nyah nah nah nah nah.
 
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The pros are being more visible. The cons I think are the DRL module costs abit to replace (I wired in a relay when my wife's Saturn DLR module died). If your not use to them, people forget to fully turn on the lights at night.
 
Same here, have an 2001 Chevy, I dislike them, so I pulled the DRL fuse in the side compartment to disable them. I also did that because that is tied into the 'turn on' automatically feature too, which I hate, if it gets to a certain 'darkness' it turns them off and switched on the headlights. Well, for example, I like to pull into my driveway, peoples' houses, etc. if I come home late and NOT have a big bright spotlight on them, now I can turn them off and just have the parking lights on, before I couldn't it would automatically stay on.
 
People who are doing like Mori in a lower thread can’t use the DRL feature if they wire in relays to the system. the DRL in the headlights will signal the DRL and send full power to the headlights. Also, those who upgrade to HID’s don’t want to blow their $400 system by running the bulbs low and having them turn on and off.
 
I can't stand them. As a driving instructor, there is no need for DRLs. They are distracting from where you are going.

The worst are Toyotas and GM cars that use the high beams at 50%. They are way too bright and annoying. Especially with pickups and SUVs that have a load in them - the back is down, headlights up - it is like being flashed with highbeams.

There are many studied done by non-biased groups (not GM,light bulb mfgs,or safety agendas) that show they are WORSE for safety that nothing, except in places that have long flat highways like the desert west. I should not be looking at you, I should be looking where I'm going. You're in 4000 lb car, how much more obvious does it need to be?

I dim my rearview mirror with DRLs behind me. Annoying!!

BTW, these are banned in many countries for a reason.
 
I don't see why or how DRLs would force you to look at the car. For me, they help me notice cars in my peripheral vision. I don't turn my head to stare at the car, it's good enough for me to know that a car is there.

What countries are they banned in?
 
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I can't stand them. As a driving instructor, there is no need for DRLs. They are distracting from where you are going.

The worst are Toyotas and GM cars that use the high beams at 50%. They are way too bright and annoying. Especially with pickups and SUVs that have a load in them - the back is down, headlights up - it is like being flashed with highbeams.

There are many studied done by non-biased groups (not GM,light bulb mfgs,or safety agendas) that show they are WORSE for safety that nothing, except in places that have long flat highways like the desert west. I should not be looking at you, I should be looking where I'm going. You're in 4000 lb car, how much more obvious does it need to be?

I dim my rearview mirror with DRLs behind me. Annoying!!

BTW, these are banned in many countries for a reason.



Very nice. You can thank me for disabling mine later.
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I did not know they are banned in other countries. Which ones?
 
My DRL's are separate from the main low/high-beam headlights.

When the DRL's are on and it is daytime the main headlights are off.

But, I suppose different manufacturers and possibly different model years have varying methods of utilizing DRLs.

Research!!!!!! Replicable research is needed!!!!!!!

Anybody know how to get one of them BIG government grants?
 
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