DRL on newer vehicle Q
- Thread starter mjk1967
- Start date
My guess is to give it better contrast so people can see that the signal is flashing, especially if the turn signal is near the headlight.
Yup, it's to help the turn signal stand out.
It's an FMVSS requirement.
FMVSS Section 108, aka. Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 571.108 S5.5.11(a) (4)
Interesting. Wonder when this changed. my '12 Touareg would leave the DRL jewel lights on with the turn signal active from the factory. It also burned the HIDs for DRL.
It's coded properly now.
For decades, this was a non-issue because the turn signals were in their own separate housings, usually some distance away from the headlights. Like in the grille or even down in the bumper. Now, the design trend is for all the bulbs to be in a cluster all inside the clear plastic housing, super close to each other. I've even seen some where the turn signal is surrounded by the main headlights (LEDs probably). The turn signals would be really hard to see if they didn't also turn off the main bulbs at the same time.
While this does work during the day what about at night, on some vehicles it's really hard to see the blinker when it's right next to the headlight. The only way to fix this is to move the turn signal away from the headlight.
Yes, I first saw this on the 4th-gen Caravans/Grand Caravans/T&Cs ('01 - '07). It seemed weird at first, but it makes sense. Apparently Chrysler had to get permission from Transport Canada.
The other safety thing they do is flash the hazard lights when a sliding door opens. That one also makes a lot of sense - heads up, a little one might be getting out.
It's more like 2 decades now.
when ya get to my age it all blends together
