Daytime Running Light

[Jonny Z]

My car has an off switch to the DRL. Gas is getting expensive so I am planning on leaving the DRL off. Personally I don't think leaving them on helps much, or, levaing them off saves significant of gas to be noiced. Any thoughts on this?

 

[huffmuds9320]

My VW Jetta had DRLs. It used the low beams with slightly reduced brightness. Then later on I disabled the DRL. I haven't noticed any difference in fuel economy when they were on and off. Some cars use the high beams as DRL, those might notice a small decrease in fuel economy. But seems like now some manufacturers are using the front turn signals as DRL. I think some places require DRL. http://www.howstuffworks.com/question424.htm Found this link from the site http://www.lightsout.org/

 

[XS650]

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Originally posted by lpcmidst128: But seems like now some manufacturers are using the front turn signals as DRL. I think some places require DRL.

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Dimly lit socialist countries require them.

 

[Jonny Z]

The only safety concern I have is that when I had them off, I would be buried in a sea of DRL cars, un-noticed. Frankly it would not have been a problem if no one had DRL. Sounds like an arms race?

 

[cousincletus]

Canada requires them I think since 1995 and personally I think they are a good idea. I drive a truck for a living and when it starts to rain you wouldn't believe the number of people who forget to turn their headlights on. DRLs make a big difference. You gotta remember the 18 wheeler makes a lot of spray and no lights makes it hard to see when a car is beside you under certain conditions.

 

[Jonny Z]

This lightsout.org is pretty extreme. It even keeps an enemies list, Enemies (in order) General Motors Volvo Volkswagen BMW Audi Honda Acura Mercedes Benz Suzuki Saab Subaru Mitsubishi Lexus

 

[oilyriser]

I'd like to replace mine with clusters of white LED's, since they use about 1/5th the electricity. 50 watts of DRL lighting running for 1000 hours burns about 10 gallons of gas. If a car lasts 250,000 miles at an average speed of 45 mph, that's 5556 hours, or more than 55 gallons of gas burned for the DRLs. A couple of compact fluorescent bulbs could also be used, saving maybe 40 watts, or 47 gallons ($130 worth) of gas over the life of the car.

 

[Greaser]

Stats prove lights on saves lives...especially with motorcycles.It's the law up here and one of the ones that make sense,seatbelts also.Older cars don't have this feature and you can't see them moving sometimes...in the rain or dawn/dusk situations a blessing !For the people with the cell phones glued to their heads This should be another law soon...hands free cell phones while driving or a ticket!

 

[Jonny Z]

How many of you folks from Canada think there is too much glare? I read the gas consumption piece on HowStuffWorks. But, if it REALLY reduces car wrecks, it would have been better for the environment right? Junking twisted metal and rubber can't be good.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Well, My 2005 Corolla has them and over 24k miles the avg miles per gallon has been over 41 mpg. My 2000 Silverado 4x4 v8 ext cab truck has 40k miles and I have averaged 20.45 mpg so I think the DRL using fuel is alot of poo poo.. The same ones who complain about DRLs using fuel are in the drive up window for 20 mins to cash their checks... Or drive 10 mph over the speed limit and wonder why their outfit gets lower MPG... Plus, I KNOW from driving large commerical outfits almost a million miles that you can see the DRL or headlights on cars/trucks much better than not. The ones that use their Amber turnsignals are better IMO. I replaced my White DRL in the Silverado with amber bulbs and they are better IMO. And My car insurance gives me a discount for DRls (along with Airbags, ABS and such) to offset my fuel useage... My 3 cents! Bill

 

[Jonny Z]

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Originally posted by Bill in Utah: Well, My 2005 Corolla has them and over 24k miles the avg miles per gallon has been over 41 mpg.

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41 MPG! Is this with AC? My 2.4L Camry w/ 5-speed stick is rated for 33 MPG on hwy, the best I have managed this summer is 29 MPG, with AC and DRL and 70 MPH.

 

[Bill in Utah]

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41 MPG! Is this with AC? My 2.4L Camry w/ 5-speed stick is rated for 33 MPG on hwy, the best I have managed this summer is 29 MPG, with AC and DRL and 70 MPH.

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Yep, A/C on (the car would get worst MPG with the windows down @ 70-75mph) and my 300+lb body in it. But I do feel that being at 4700ft Elevation on the valley floor may be helping the mpg.(less air = less gas needed = less power = more MPG??) I drive with making the outfit last and use little gas and parts. And my commute is 1.5 miles with no stops to a freeway, then the freeway for almost 60 miles with little to no traffic, then 1-2 miles to work. I made my schedules so I don't have to deal with traffic.. Spent way too much time in it when I drove Commerical... I'm thinking of selling my truck and get a more fuel thrifty car. Like a Camry.. I like a used 2005 with 26k 5sp 4 cyl for $15,500 at the Toyota dealership.. But the wife says if I sell the truck, I'll have to get a SUV or Wagon.. Not another car... But, The truck does not get used too much (I drive it to work every other week 120 miles hwy just to run it...) and my 6 year old truck only has 40k miles.. With the Corolla being so fuel thrifty, I may just keep the truck and Cry when I have to put 24 gallons of gas in it... Take care, Bill

 

[kenw]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jonny Z:

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill in Utah: Well, My 2005 Corolla has them and over 24k miles the avg miles per gallon has been over 41 mpg.

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41 MPG! Is this with AC? My 2.4L Camry w/ 5-speed stick is rated for 33 MPG on hwy, the best I have managed this summer is 29 MPG, with AC and DRL and 70 MPH.

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well, the Corolla weighs a lot less than the Camry. It is also designed for high mileage, the Camry isn't.

 

[oilyriser]

High altitude makes the air thinner -- less drag.

 

[Matt_S]

I've done a fair amount of driving on two lane rural highways. There's no doubt that DRLs make oncoming vehicles much easier to see. It becomes a lot easier to judge distance, too, when the oncoming vehicle has lights on, making passing and turning left safer. I have no doubt that DRLs are a good idea. I'm also strongly in favor of the automatic headlights on many vehicles now, including my two. There are way too many people that neglect to turn the headlights on when they're needed. Also, 55 gal over 250k miles??? Give me a break. Given that's true, though, it's nothing. It would add up to about $.20 - .30 per week at $3/gal, which would amount to less than a tenth of a gallon of gas. Small potatos. I'll gladly pay that to avoid a head-on crash.

 

[blupupher]

OK, call me stupid, but how does having lights on use more gas? The alternator is spinning at the same rate with the same amount of drag no matter if you have no acessories on or everything on. Or am I missing something. I notice no difference in mileage with my head lights on, fog lights on compared to them being off.

 

[Bill in Utah]

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Originally posted by oilyriser: High altitude makes the air thinner -- less drag.

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Excellent point! Take care, Bill

 

[kenw]

the drag on the alternator increases with the current it needs to produce, so actually the headlights do cost you some mileage. As Matt_S pointed out, it's pretty insignificant compared to the safety factor.

 

[Jonny Z]

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Originally posted by kenw:

quote:

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Originally posted by Jonny Z:

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Originally posted by Bill in Utah: Well, My 2005 Corolla has them and over 24k miles the avg miles per gallon has been over 41 mpg.

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41 MPG! Is this with AC? My 2.4L Camry w/ 5-speed stick is rated for 33 MPG on hwy, the best I have managed this summer is 29 MPG, with AC and DRL and 70 MPH.

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well, the Corolla weighs a lot less than the Camry. It is also designed for high mileage, the Camry isn't.

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Bill got more than the EPA hwy rating, and I am consistently under.

 

[Greaser]

White,blue,amber "lights on" color makes NO difference it's safer with DRLs..you know WHO'S moving,who's NOT.The drag on the altenator would be about the same as driving with a window open...very small.To try and defeat this feature would be like putting the smokey black-outs on your headlights and taillights for looks...dumb!