Daytime running lights

[thatguy]

I just got a new truck and was disappointed to find that it didnt come with DRL.. I found some LED lights that ppl use for DRL and then i went looking for a wiring harness..

I found some a wiring harness on ebay/internet that will turn on added DRL on when the engine running, BUT it got a few bad reviews.. And in VA we have to have our vehicle state inspected annually, and didnt want to run into issues with with how the DRL were wired at that time..

Can someone tell me when DRL are suppose to be on (ie when the car is on or when the car is not in Park), and are the parking lights suppose to be on with the DRL..

Any suggestions on where to hardwire added lights so they work just like they do from the factory?

thanks

b

 

[Cliff_Johns]

What kind of truck did you get?

I know on my Silverado, the DRLs are only on when the vehicle is in drive and it's daytime (enough ambient light to shut the headlights off.)

The parking lights will not be on when the DRLs are on since you will be in drive.

Cliff

 

[schoolsout]

My DRL are always on (unless reg lights on at night or parking brake is applied)

 

[JerryK]

My 2001 Blazer has stock GM DRL's and they are only on when not in PARK. I added a kit on my 2002 Dodge Cummins truck from J.C. Whitney that lights up my fog lights. The DRL's apply about 70% of normal voltage to the lights, plus or minus. Parking lights on during the day is not good, and I ***** constantly about the folks who rant to people to turn their normal headlights on during the day in bright sunlight driving on the Xways. It helps the people see you from the front, but muddles the difference between your brake lights being on or off to the people behind you. This was especially bad with the older Ford vehicles that had plastic lens that turned milky after getting old. The DRL thing came up years ago when people had to drive and pass on two lane roads, and there were lot's on head on accidents. Not needed as much on the Xways, but over all a good thing. I think DRL is mandated by law up in Canada... ")

 

[thatguy]

What kind of truck did you get?

I know on my Silverado, the DRLs are only on when the vehicle is in drive and it's daytime (enough ambient light to shut the headlights off.)

The parking lights will not be on when the DRLs are on since you will be in drive.

Cliff

I got a Nissan Xterra, had a 02 Dodge Quad Cab Ram/cummins 3/4 ton 4x4..

thanks for explaining how your lights work

b

 

[Smallplot]

Seems to me they are just a wast of money and just something else that can go wrong. The way I see it, if someone can't see a truck coming down the road I really think a couple of lights won't make much difference. It's not like you are driving a motorcycle which can easily be overlooked. just my 2 cents.

 

[slowzuki]

DRL's have been law up here since hmm 1988 or so? They work great, let you see vehicles much easier in all conditions. Its pretty noticeable when a non drl US vehicle is driving the other way as they have to be about 50% closer before you notice them.

I wish motorbike's all had, them, those suckers are hard to see in busy city traffic on a greyish day.

 

[JDgreen227]

As a former pro truck driver, what I like about DRL's is that they reduce the number of vehicles driven by morons too lazy to turn on their lights in poor visibility. It's not just about being able to see so you can drive, but being VISIBLE to other drivers. Back about 1986 I was driving a work truck and came to a stop sign, looking very carefully into the dusk both ways I saw nothing, but as I began pulling out to cross the road I saw a shimmer of light on the side of a car about 300 feet away coming toward me, a car parked in a driveway had it's backup lights reflecting onto the road and caused the shimmer. If not for that it's likely the lightless car would have hit my truck broadside and I would have been at fault for failure to yield. I am sure many of you can relate the same type of story.

 

[jwstewar]

Seems to me they are just a wast of money and just something else that can go wrong. The way I see it, if someone can't see a truck coming down the road I really think a couple of lights won't make much difference. It's not like you are driving a motorcycle which can easily be overlooked. just my 2 cents.

Do you drive much in the morning or evening? That is when I see the biggest advantage for the DRLs. If you are looking into the sun, cars can easily blend in with the road. Those little specs of light make it much easier to see a vehicle coming at you from the direction the sun is shining. I'm not for any more regulations on what cars have to have and all that good stuff, but I do think DRLs are something that should be required. It adds very little - if any weight and costs very little, but the benefits are big.

 

[JDgreen227]

Do you drive much in the morning or evening? That is when I see the biggest advantage for the DRLs. If you are looking into the sun, cars can easily blend in with the road. Those little specs of light make it much easier to see a vehicle coming at you from the direction the sun is shining. I'm not for any more regulations on what cars have to have and all that good stuff, but I do think DRLs are something that should be required. It adds very little - if any weight and costs very little, but the benefits are big.

Agree 100%....and it will show you just how old I am when I mention that back about 1965 or so mail order auto parts and accessory catalog firms like JC Whitney were offering an add-on white front light to install on the front end of cars that were a very early version of DRL's. I recall seeing them on cars while being bused to school back then. Not sure what they were called then, though.

 

[Sammy the red]

Why does it seem that a lot of Chevys have one of them burned out most of the time ?

 

[irvingj]

"Why does it seem that a lot of Chevys have one of them burned out most of the time ?"

You're right- I've noticed that, too... job security?

I used to think DRLs were a pain, but I guess I'm beginning to see the light, so to speak...(OK, sorry!) I think they're a good thing, by and large.

What really gets me is the number of folks who, in poor ambient light conditions-- early AM, low light, fog, precipitation, etc. are driving with NO lights in a vehicle that's black, grey, silver, or even sometimes red... My own car is dark blue, and I know it becomes almost invisible in those conditions. Can't see 'em 'til they're almost on top of you!

I think New York state has it right- if you need your wipers on, you'd best have your lights on, too, or face a ticket. Cars with DRLs (mine included) that do NOT also activate tail lights.... well, you can see where I'm going with that.

I just wish more folks would realize that the lights are there to bee seen by other drivers, not necessarily for the driver to be able to see.

And what about folks who drive around with those ^%# fog lights on all the time when it's perfectly clear? When they come up behind you or face you suddenly after rounding a curve, that "wall of light" is a bit annoying...

OK, rant over.

 

[Sammy the red]

The Binder that I drive to haul mail with, has that, when you turn the wipers on, all lights come on the truck.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

And what about folks who drive around with those ^%# fog lights on all the time when it's perfectly clear? When they come up behind you or face you suddenly after rounding a curve, that "wall of light" is a bit annoying...

OK, rant over.

Dodge trucks are the worst for that. Their fog lights are like searchlights. If there is a switch to turn them off, it seems very few drivers know where it is located.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Why does it seem that a lot of Chevys have one of them burned out most of the time ?

Chevy trucks of a certain age have hot spots around the running lights. The heat burns out the light more quickly and sometimes burns out the socket too. That's why there are a lot of them driving around with one burned out. Also, since you can't tell if one is burned out unless you are in drive and it's daylight, the owner often doesn't know one is out.

Cliff

 

[two_bit_score]

Seems to me they are just a wast of money and just something else that can go wrong. The way I see it, if someone can't see a truck coming down the road I really think a couple of lights won't make much difference. It's not like you are driving a motorcycle which can easily be overlooked. just my 2 cents.

You're right. Anyone concerned about visibility could just turn on low beams anyway.

 

[two_bit_score]

"Why does it seem that a lot of Chevys have one of them burned out most of the time ?"

You're right- I've noticed that, too... job security?

I used to think DRLs were a pain, but I guess I'm beginning to see the light, so to speak...(OK, sorry!) I think they're a good thing, by and large.

What really gets me is the number of folks who, in poor ambient light conditions-- early AM, low light, fog, precipitation, etc. are driving with NO lights in a vehicle that's black, grey, silver, or even sometimes red... My own car is dark blue, and I know it becomes almost invisible in those conditions. Can't see 'em 'til they're almost on top of you!

I think New York state has it right- if you need your wipers on, you'd best have your lights on, too, or face a ticket. Cars with DRLs (mine included) that do NOT also activate tail lights.... well, you can see where I'm going with that.

I just wish more folks would realize that the lights are there to bee seen by other drivers, not necessarily for the driver to be able to see.

And what about folks who drive around with those ^%# fog lights on all the time when it's perfectly clear? When they come up behind you or face you suddenly after rounding a curve, that "wall of light" is a bit annoying...

OK, rant over.

We had a bill in the Texas Lege a few sessions back that would require drivers to turn their windshield wipers on in the rain. Really. If it has to come to that we've really got a problem. Luckily it was 'left pending in committee'. I also think sometimes you can hit your wipers a little if you are in a fine mist of rain without needing headlights on. Sometimes it's raining with bright sunshine. But maybe that's just in Texas.

I use my fog lights at night sometimes if it's a real dark night to see the edges of the road better. Hogs or deer can be just outside the beam of low beams and I don't like to have to keep switching from high beam to low beam. I'll try to remember to turn them off if I expect to be meeting you on the road.

Seriously, you have a good point about meeting traffic with lights on. I think it's more a problem due to different heights of the vehicles. A truck meeting a small, low car is going to give the driver of the car an eye full of lights even without fog lamps on.

 

[chopped]

Visibilty works both ways. At night when its dark.Its nice to shut off the ''real'' headlights and just use the DRL..s can sneak around without rear lights lol

 

[irvingj]

Well, chopped, I have to admit I do miss that... all-lights-out cruising, late at night on some deserted, dirt back road, middle of the winter, snow all around, 20 below zero and a full moon up....

I know, not particularly safe, but really neat. (Or is that peculiar to NH drivers?)

 

[chopped]

Well I usually do it to keep the lights from shinning into the neighbors windows at night. There a good hill on the bottom of my drive way. I really do it out of courtesy for myself as they dont seem to care much about me lol
But your description does sond nice full moon of cource..lol
If you have the drl usually a slight pull up on the parking brake sguts them off, and with normal adjustment ammounts to the brake not even coming close to engaging.