Daytime Running Lights

Carson10

Does anyone else find the daytime running lights on most new cars both stupid looking and dangerous? I've lost count of the number of new cars like golfs, polos Audis and the new astra driving in heavy rain on a dark day or dusk time with dipped headlights on and no tail lights at all on the back. Surely this is a road safety issue.

The problem is, when you start up these new cars the dash lights up as if you have your lights turned on.

I know when i get my new golf next year iam making the dealer switch off the automatic lights.

opinion guy

You're not going to be happy when they become mandatory are you ?

Personally I like em - I especially like the Audi ones. Awesome design:D

-Corkie-

I think the led ones on the Insignia and Astra are nicer and more subtle looking than the Audi imo. I agree with the op though I have seen Audis in dark driving conditions with no tail lights. A bit silly and dangerous I think.

opinion guy

-Corkie- wrote: »

I think the led ones on the Insignia and Astra are nicer and more subtle looking than the Audi imo. I agree with the op though I have seen Audis in dark driving conditions with no tail lights. A bit silly and dangerous I think.

Well thats kinds the drivers fault no ? They are daytime running lights after all. If its nighttime you turn on your dips/heads, no ?

kildare.17hmr

opinion guy wrote: »

Well thats kinds the drivers fault no ? They are daytime running lights after all. If its nighttime you turn on your dips/heads, no ?

Yes but when your dash is lit up like the lights are on its easy to forget. Iv done it a couple of time to my shame:o

Graham_B18C

I would of thought cars with Daytime Running Lights would have automatic lights also? The Audi A5 is a fairly expensive car so I would of assumed they would come as standard?

Drummerboy08

Graham_B18C wrote: »

I would of thought cars with Daytime Running Lights would have automatic lights also? The Audi A5 is a fairly expensive car so I would of assumed they would come as standard?

Yeah, most do. I know the Insignia does, I think the Audi's do too.
Still, if its dark outside, checking that the correct lights are activated should be the first thing you do!

jaffa20

I think it's great and should be mandatory. Don't see how it looks in anyway stupid or dangerous. Those blinding fog lights on the other hand....ssh

opinion guy

Graham_B18C wrote: »

I would of thought cars with Daytime Running Lights would have automatic lights also? The Audi A5 is a fairly expensive car so I would of assumed they would come as standard?

Not necessarily. If you buy an audi that comes with DRL's as standard then they generally have light sensors built in, but if you add in the DRL's as an extra then you have to seperately specify the Light and Rain pack to get the light sensors at an extra cost.

Hotwheels

I don't mind what kinda lights ya have on (well not froggy lights), so long as they are on

To hell with the lecky bill, turn on those lights...:D

peasant

Carson10 wrote: »

The problem is, when you start up these new cars the dash lights up as if you have your lights turned on.

Do they?
Well that's a bit stupid then. A dark dash is a great reminder to stick the "proper" lights on.

My DRL's are after-market, so they don't interfere with the dash lights.

drakshug

I'm used to the volvo. At least if the DLR were manadatory it would mean you could see some of the eejits at 7.30 am with no lights on. They don't dazzle either.

bazz26

DRLs are manitory on new cars sold in the EU from next January so get used to them. I have them on the S40 and to be honest I think they are a great idea as other road users can at least see me, could not imagine going back to a car without them to be honest. My only pet hate is that my DRLs are the dipped H7 bulbs which I go through quite a bit.

drakshug

s40 ditto.

sentient_6

jaffa20 wrote: »

I think it's great and should be mandatory. Don't see how it looks in anyway stupid or dangerous.

The issue is its only fronts that come on. So no automatic rear lights.

I was actually curious as to all the cars i noticed lately, especially in heavy rain, with fronts on but no rears, thought it was very strange & stupid looking. Didnt know it had a name & was something that came as standard on cars.

I've no problem with the idea of automatic lights cos i always have mine on all the time anyway, but you'd think it would be set up to be regular dips front & back?

conneem-TT

sentient_6 wrote: »

The issue is its only fronts that come on. So no automatic rear lights.

I was actually curious as to all the cars i noticed lately, especially in heavy rain, with fronts on but no rears, thought it was very strange & stupid looking. Didnt know it had a name & was something that came as standard on cars.

I've no problem with the idea of automatic lights cos i always have mine on all the time anyway, but you'd think it would be set up to be regular dips front & back?

On VW or Audi's you can get the dealer to put it into Scandinavian lighting mode which turns the rear lights on with the drl's.

I didn't think the dash lights came on with DRL's, well they don't on mine. The dash lights do come on when you have parking lights on which seems to be a popular setting for many at dusk :mad:

Alun

I'd always assumed (incorrectly, obviously) that on cars with DRL's, that when they were on the rear lights came on as well. Can't say I'd really consciously looked at one to see though.

Cookie_Monster

My dash lights don't come on with the DRLs. only when sides or full beams are on...

peasant

sentient_6 wrote: »

The issue is its only fronts that come on. So no automatic rear lights.

DRL's aren't meant as "lights" as such ..they are just markers which make your (oncoming) car more visible to others in daylight. They work especially well on bright, sunny days when a vehicle drives in and out of shadows (on a tree lined road, for example)
If the conditions get so bad that you need to illuminate the back of your vehicle, proper (dipped) lights should be used

mickdw

My A5 lights the front DRLs on startup and no rear lights. However if the driving conditions get anywhere near dull, the lights are turned on automatically too. So in my car at least, you would have to purposely turn off the auto lights in order to drive around in dull conditions without tail lights.
I know there is also a VAGCOM mod you can do on A5 at least to make tails come on automatically on startup with the front DRLs.
Aside from all this, the closing speeds towards the rear of a car on the road should be a fraction of that of on coming traffic so it is fair to say that front lighting is more important in that regard for slightly dim conditions.

ThisRegard

With the new Renaults you can simply switch them off via the options menu if you don't like them.

I however do, the absent green light symbols are a bit of a giveaway that my dipped lights aren't on.

bazz26

DRLs are designed for other road users ahead of you to be able to see you better. They are not designed to replace regular front and rear headlights so common sense still applies that if there is poor light or visibility you switch the regular lights on (assuming the car don't have dusk sensing headlights).

Cookie_Monster

ThisRegard wrote: »

I however do, the absent green light symbols are a bit of a giveaway that my dipped lights aren't on.

you have a light on the dash when your dipped are on? That'd bug the hell outa me. None of my cars to date have had that.

ThisRegard

Every car I ever owned has had a light once you switch the lights on, Renault, Skoda, Opel and Fiat. Not sure of the Toyota, can't remember that one.

ArphaRima

Yep green for dipped lights, blue for full beam. Standard for all my cars so far.

My last car had DRL's I'm 85% sure it turned on the rear lights too..
Damnit. It's annoying me now that I dont know.

drakshug

Volvos have rear lights on as well as front. If you want the side lights on then you have to turn the switch and they stay on when you turn off the ignition. Bummer if you forget so I don't bother.Basically the dipped are always on. Luckily it tells you if a bulb has blown.

frank gooding

I am great beleiver in DRL's

It amazes me the amount times people drive through bad rain and coming into dusk with no lights at all.

Much more of a problem.

If its raining turn your dipped lights on (not just side lights)

ID 10 T error with some drivers.

CiniO

Carson10 wrote: »

Does anyone else find the daytime running lights on most new cars both stupid looking and dangerous? I've lost count of the number of new cars like golfs, polos Audis and the new astra driving in heavy rain on a dark day or dusk time with dipped headlights on and no tail lights at all on the back. Surely this is a road safety issue.

The problem is, when you start up these new cars the dash lights up as if you have your lights turned on.

I know when i get my new golf next year iam making the dealer switch off the automatic lights.

I don't think you understand the whole idea.
In some EU countries, using dipped light is obligatory even during good weather during the day. It's all just to make cars better visible on the roads.
Obviously there are many pros and cons of that solution. But this thread is not about it.
Anyway, your dipped lights, is two 55W bulbs in the front, two (sometimes 4 or 6 or 8) 5W bulbs in the back, usually two 2,5W bulbs for number plate lighting, and couple of few Watt bulbs for dashboard light. That gives aproximately 150W power. If you are using it at all times, it's quite load for car's electrical system.
That's why daylights come in handy, as you need just about 20 - 40W in total for your 2 front daylights. Nothing else has to lit, (no rear taillights, numberplate lights, dashboards lights).
I actually really don't know where you found, that your dashboards lights come up, when your daylights are on. In most cars they don't. It wouldn't make sense.

And now it's all up to driver, to turn the proper dipped headlights on, when it get's darker or weather get's worse (rain, fog, etc).

Cookie_Monster

ThisRegard wrote: »

Every car I ever owned has had a light once you switch the lights on, Renault, Skoda, Opel and Fiat. Not sure of the Toyota, can't remember that one.

hmmm. interesting. Nissan, Daihatsu, Suzuki and BMW don't (well the ones I've had)

drakshug

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

hmmm. interesting. Nissan, Daihatsu, Suzuki and BMW don't (well the ones I've had)

Nissan do, so do beemers, well at least the ones I've driven

Carson10

Ya. Well the daytime running lights are an excellent idea if they had both the front and rear lights on, just like an orignal volvo, especially for those drivers who think that lights are only for after 9pm at night. My neighbour, she has a 10 Reg Skoda Superb and it always has both the front parking and front fogs on during the day and no lights on the back even in heavy rain. I bet a lot of the drivers of these new cars see the lights on in front and assume they are switched on the back also.

Matt Simis

Carson10 wrote: »

Does anyone else find the daytime running lights on most new cars both stupid looking and dangerous? I've lost count of the number of new cars like golfs, polos Audis and the new astra driving in heavy rain on a dark day or dusk time with dipped headlights on and no tail lights at all on the back. Surely this is a road safety issue.

The problem is, when you start up these new cars the dash lights up as if you have your lights turned on.

I know when i get my new golf next year iam making the dealer switch off the automatic lights.

Good god could you be more wrong or ignorant.

- DRLs are not Dipped Beams firstly, the point is they are additional lights
- Those drivers you see with minimal lights on, if they are indeed equipped with DRLs, without them they would have no lights on at all.
- Finally, how can you criticize people for have too little lights on then advocate the removal of DRLs

DRLs are becoming mandatory as research shows they saves lives. They provide minimal light in situations when a driver may think they dont need lights (as "they can see fine"). The point of DRLs is to allow others see you better. They do not replace headlights. Users of DRLs (OEM) do not manually enable them so you cannot make the case people "choose" them over Low Beams (dipped is a oft confused term, "High" and "Low" Beams are more descriptive).

Ive rewired my Sidelights to run 21watt DRLs, though unlike real DRLs I have to manually switch them on via Sidelight switch (so rear lights come on). What they allow is others to see me faster when over taking, in the distance, pulling out of corners, pedestrians crossing the road.


Internet arguments aside, I implore you to look into the purpose of DRLs (as you have not understood this) and do not screw around with their operation. If you want rear lights on (and I agree they should be on in the rain) then just turn them on yourself. They are absolutely a life saver. Your gripe isnt DRLs, its the fact Irish drivers dont turn on any lights at all. You just notice the DRL enabled drivers as the lights are making up for stupid drivers and making them stand out.


PS: The logic behind DRLs not also lighting up rears is there is evidence to show that rear lights can confuses drivers, making them think the car in front braking (or is not braking when they are). There is also a legal and obvious onus on the car behind to see the car in front, you should not be relying on their rear lights. Again, not the "fault" of DRLs.

Carson10

DRLS are basically the same as dipped headlights in my eyes, there not parking lights nor full headlights??, and yes i know all about them as we got 2 new cars with them with whom the drivers are fully aware. You say you re-wired yours, good that you are mechanically minded, however i dont think an old women driving a brand new polo is going to start re-wiring her lights or have a clue about putting the switch to automatic to be honest. It just gets to confusing for those drivers who have no interest in cars and just see them as a piece of metal. Its Ok for the likes of us who notice these things and actually know what they are.

Iam all for road safety, but if people are too mindless to know when they should have their lights on that the car automatically does it for them then they should not be on the road.?? whats next automatic brakes incase the driver thinks they dont need to brake??

CiniO

Carson10 wrote: »

DRLS are basically the same as dipped headlights in my eyes, there not parking lights nor full headlights??, and yes i know all about them as we got 2 new cars with them with whom the drivers are fully aware. You say you re-wired yours, good that you are mechanically minded, however i dont think an old women driving a brand new polo is going to start re-wiring her lights or have a clue about putting the switch to automatic to be honest. It just gets to confusing for those drivers who have no interest in cars and just see them as a piece of metal. Its Ok for the likes of us who notice these things and actually know what they are.

Iam all for road safety, but if people are too mindless to know when they should have their lights on that the car automatically does it for them then they should not be on the road.?? whats next automatic brakes incase the driver thinks they dont need to brake??

I think you still didn't get it.
Daytime lights are not the same as dipped headlights.
Dipped headlights do 2 functions - lit an area in front of your car so you can see in darkness, and make you car visible to others.
Daytime lights make only the second function.

As I said in most cases daytime lights will go on on their own (without tail lights, dashboards lights, etc).

Pretty much Daylights are to be used only in conditions, when other drivers wouldn't use lights at all.
Whenever conditions require to use lights (night time, rain, fog, etc) you are obliged to turn on proper lights (dipped headlights, fog lights, etc).

here.from.day.1

My 02 S40, lights turn on and off with the engine so when I start it the lights are on, day or night, rain or shine.

Oh and if you see somebody flashing you very early in the morning or during lashing rain on the M50, it means turn your lights on!! :mad:

robbie99

Lot's of good information here:

http://rsa.ie/Documents/Vehicle%20Std%20Leg/Consultations/Daytime%20Running%20Lights%20Consultation.pdf

no1beemerfan

opinion guy wrote: »

You're not going to be happy when they become mandatory are you ?

Personally I like em - I especially like the Audi ones. Awesome design:D

I actually think some of the VAG ones are tacky. They look cheap take away from a nice looking car....the A3 and A6 spring to mind.

mailforkev

Another Volvo here so don't have this problem luckily.

It should also be mandatory for drivers to turn on their headlights when it's raining.

One or two penalty points would soon sort out a lot of people who seem to be afraid of wasting their bulbs.

Cookie_Monster

mailforkev wrote: »

One or two penalty points would soon sort out a lot of people who seem to be afraid of wasting their bulbs.

sounds like another law that would just go un-enforced to me tbh

gebbel

Carson10 wrote: »

Does anyone else find the daytime running lights on most new cars both stupid looking and dangerous? .

I find the Audi lights very classy...and like DRLs on any car, they can only help road safety.

af_thefragile

I don't like the Audi's as to put it in Clarkson's words, it looks like a council house on christmas.

Though some other cars have more subtle lights of it which look rather nice.

biko

DRL FTW, I've had them on Saabs and S40 and tbh, they make a world of difference - particularly this time of year when people driving to work in the rain aren't as visible as they think they are.

Conor_M1990

I just made a habit of driving with my lights on all the time more people should do it

af_thefragile

I drive with my sidelights on...
I don't know if it makes any difference...

CiniO

af_thefragile wrote: »

I drive with my sidelights on...
I don't know if it makes any difference...

Any difference to DRL? Huge!!!
Side lights (front) are barely visible to others.
By turning on your sidelights, you turn on front 2 sidelights, 2 rear taillights, numberplate lights, and dashboards lights. All this can consume up to 100W of power. And pretty much this power goes nowhere, because no one can really see you better if you have your sidelights, in comparision to situation you wouldn't have any lights at all.

What stops you to turn on you dipped headlights? At least you would be seen then.

PS. During the day in good weather noone need your tail lights, numberplate lights. You also don't need you dashboards lights.

Saruman

I drive with my dipped headlights on all the time. Sometimes some idiot flashes me. I wish it was mandatory like it is in some other EU countries.
I go through bulbs a little quickly but it is a small price to pay to be visible on the road.

I think the most dangerous time is actually a very bright sunny day. The reason is that is because it is so bright I notice drivers can't see as well so the extra nano second of visibility they get from my lights might be the difference between me driving safely by and them pulling out in front of me.
Also coming up to sunset and sunrise is lethal even though it is still bright out.

R.O.R

Saruman wrote: »

I drive with my dipped headlights on all the time. Sometimes some idiot flashes me. I wish it was mandatory like it is in some other EU countries.
I go through bulbs a little quickly but it is a small price to pay to be visible on the road.

I think the most dangerous time is actually a very bright sunny day. The reason is that is because it is so bright I notice drivers can't see as well so the extra nano second of visibility they get from my lights might be the difference between me driving safely by and them pulling out in front of me.
Also coming up to sunset and sunrise is lethal even though it is still bright out.

I've got in to the habit of turning my lights on whenever I get in the car.

Half the year it's required beacuse it's dark (is in the morning now when I set off), and the other half the year it's not needed to light the road, but does make me more visible to other traffic.

Coming on to the M50 Southbound from the M1 at sunrise, it would be great if everyone had their lights on. The rising sun bounces off all the mirrors until Ballymun and it'very difficult to see if anyone is behind you.

Saruman

Indeed, so many people think that lights are there to let you see when its dark. They are not, they are there so other people can see you coming. That is far more important.

I almost never even use my high beams as I can see perfectly with just my normal dipped headlights on (good night vision).

opinion guy

af_thefragile wrote: »

I don't like the Audi's as to put it in Clarkson's words, it looks like a council house on christmas.

Though some other cars have more subtle lights of it which look rather nice.

I like the Audi ones - particularly the A5 designs.
I also like the newer BMW ones - bright circles of light - pretty cool you can't really make out any bulb

R.O.R

The new 9-5 has LED rear DRL's right across the back of the car. Helps that the lights are always on being a Swedish car.

Looked fairly cool during the day and probably makes quite an impact in the dark.

CiniO

Saruman wrote: »

I almost never even use my high beams as I can see perfectly with just my normal dipped headlights on (good night vision).

What would be the fastest you drive at night?