Seriously. Every few weeks someone posts up trying to figure out how to disable the Daylight Driving Lights. Why ? Is it cool ? Am I missing something ?
What's wrong with having those lights on at all times ? It does not affect the car one bit and it is safer for all on the road. The only reason I would want to be able to turn off the lights is if I wanted to do a drive by and have not been that pissed off in a long time.
The GM-sponsored "studies" on DRLs only proved that DRLs only reduced NIGHTTIME accidents. So, basically, DRLs only help out when people forget to turn on their headlights.
Also, DRLs consume electrical energy, which requires the engine's mechanical energy to turn the alternator. This wastes fuel. (And, no, the alternator is not "making this power anyway".) More to the point, GM got a dispensation from the EPA to be able to DISABLE DRLs for the purpose of EPA mileage testing. Funny that they requested the dispensation despite claiming that they do not have a negative impact on fuel mileage.
DRLs also typically burn the filaments at a lower voltage than what they are designed for. This darkens and burns out halogen bulbs faster because the 'halogen cycle' is not as effective (essentially, bits of filament that fly off get stuck on the bulb envelope rather than being deposited back onto the filament).
Some military installations require that you turn off your headlights when approaching the guardhouses at the gates so the guards aren't blinded by them.
Finally, some of us like to be able to turn off the lights.
What alaric says is true, but also that HIDS can't work or work improperly at the lower voltage.
And in the case of cars with HIDs, the DRLs often use either the high beam lamps (which are often halogen lamps or halogen projector lamps) at a reduced intensity (which increases glare due to the pattern of the high beam headlamp), or they use separate amber lamps which might increase conspicuity but may also be confused with parking lamps, and the vehicle may be perceived as not moving.
i personally dont like them because they casued my bulbs to pop every 6 months, like clockwork, and because they accelerate headlamp assembly lens hazing (that milky yellowish color old headlamps get)
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before you ask a 'how do i...' question answer this for me. do you own a repair manual for it? have you searched the forum for a similar issue?
Just personal prefrence I think.
Personally I like to have everything as possible manually controlled. I think if you can't remember to turn on your lights enough to have it automatically turned on, you're too old. Nah only joking, haha.
Lights on Always is safer. Many studies around the globe have concluded this.
Lights on is not always safer; there are instances where it can cause unnecessary glare. Here is a sample of studies around the globe that have concluded this: http://www.lightsout.org/studies.html
Once again, the GM study showed that they reduced NIGHTTIME accidents. Strange how a light designed to run in the "daytime" is reducing "nighttime" accidents. This shows a flaw in the premise of DRLs.
I, for one, would prefer that drivers be educated in the proper use of the headlamp switch (including the high beams), and where equipped, the foglamp switch, rather than let the car "decide" for them what is appropriate for the driving conditions.
Last edited by AlaricD; 12-15-2009 at 08:16 AM.
Reason: Added a URL citing studies
So if I disconnect my lights I'll save how much gas ? Gain how much HP ? These are econo boxes not F-1 cars.
Lights don't help in added visibility ?
Not buying it.
But to each his own.....
Because they are econoboxes, they need all the help they can get in reducing wasted gasoline by running lights that are not proven to be effective in reducing DAYTIME collisions. Because they are econoboxes, one should be concerned that DRLs can prematurely burn out halogen bulbs if they are not run at their standard operating temperature.
Because they are econoboxes, they should reduce the amount of time and money spent investigating the accidents they can cause by excessive glare.
It should not take much thought or reading comprehension to determine that DAYTIME running lights, being ineffective in reducing DAYTIME collision rates, are therefore unnecessary.
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Originally Posted by CJCride
I guess aircraft can disconnect Anti-Collision Lights, emergency vehicles can save fuel by not using Emergency Lights.
Cars are not aircraft. Emergency lights serve a specific function with proven utility. I'm advocating the disabling of DRLs, not the disabling of normal operation of headlights, turn signals, brake lights, license plate lights, reverse lights, fog lights, etc.
plus, if you have say silvania ultra brights or whatever..really nice headlights, wont their lifespan be cut dramatically if theyre always on all the time? or at least yellow?
i was going to buy a $10 headlight restoration thing (just because the buffer and sand papers have the attachment for a screw driver lol), and some nice ultrabrights, but halted that plan because of the drls. im not sure if i want to cut wires or not...i guess they could be reattached anyways.
but if i were to cut off the drls, would that disable the automatic headlight-on feature in my 01 ce??
plus, if you have say silvania ultra brights or whatever..really nice headlights, wont their lifespan be cut dramatically if theyre always on all the time? or at least yellow?
Yes, the lifespan will be cut down due to the incomplete halogen cycle.
Quote:
i was going to buy a $10 headlight restoration thing (just because the buffer and sand papers have the attachment for a screw driver lol), and some nice ultrabrights, but halted that plan because of the drls. im not sure if i want to cut wires or not...i guess they could be reattached anyways.
Restoring the headlights will go a long way in improving your nighttime driving. Continue with that!
The mod can be reversed; you could also just install a switch inline with the DRL wire so you can enable it or disable it at will (especially if you mounted the switch somewhere in reach while in a normal driving position).
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but if i were to cut off the drls, would that disable the automatic headlight-on feature in my 01 ce??
It does disable the "Twilight Sentinel", making your headlights fully manual.
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