Thread: Probably a Stupid Question

I don't have my DRL enabled..why because I rather not put more wear and tear on my $70 Philip bulbs.

I don't see them helping decreasing accidents. If someone doesn't look both ways before turning etc then chances are very slim that your headlights are going to stop that from happening.


Of course I do switch them on through rain/fog/dust etc

I find they help black cars stick out more, they are very nice for late evening and early morning hours, before sunset and before sunrise when a lot of morons don't like having their lights on.

Sent from my mobile office.

Originally Posted by 02NavyBlue

Ok well I'll re-comment.
1. I said very slightly, as in probably not a full mpg. The lights need power from the alternator, which needs power from the engine.
2. Yes they do run at 2 volts below system voltage. They will have a lifetime in hours, so use it as you want. During the night or constant.
3. I don't understand how that deems the headlight assembly crap but the turn signal lamp housings fine.
Here's a good craigslist example. I found this on the first link I clicked, I'm not kidding. Look at the headlight and the parking lamp, only the headlight is really fogged. Same plastic, same exposure to natural elements. One had a light on constant, one didn't. I don't know what else to make of it.

4. Yes the parking brake does disable it, but when pressing the parking brake on a car that hasn't had it pressed in years, negative things may occur, like dragging for a while. Mine did that when I first hit mine, but I waited to test it until I was about to do a brake checkup, so I used lithium grease on where the lines enter the shielding.

DRL's can help in very few situations. But remember not all cars in our GP's time came with DRL's, and it's not a law in Michigan. It's just my decision to have them disabled, If I was concerned about things like those extremely rare situations, I'd wire my parking lamps, or fog lamps as the DRL's instead. Or just turn them on on my own. I'm much more worried about getting into an accident from other people's stupid decisions or mistakes, not from my headlights not being on. But with a car like my color in the winter, you cant miss it. Even in the summer, it doesn't quite match anything else. Red, silver, light blue, or gold GP's are hard to miss in any good weather. It's all about opinions.

Exposure is different on the headlight and the turnsignal. Headlight gets hit with more excess dust and debris because it is on the face of the car.

It's not a matter of opinion. DRL's make you visible. Headlights aren't just so you can see, they are so others can see you.

I'm no fan of DRL's, I like where it was originally going though. See, unlike many of you, I was alive when DRL's and third brake lights began appearing on cars. The reason behind them is that people don't pay enough attention to driving. Simple fact.

The added brakelight gave you a third reference position and .... it's not quite the same as the tails. Anyone who pays attention will notice, when most cars blow the taillight fuse, the instrument panel is on the same fuse. This is intentional. If you can't see the dash, then you'll fix it and tails will also get fixed.

DRL's appeared on bikes long ago and all cars were supposed to be required to have it federally around the late 90's. Not sure how that got defeated, GM went forward though and in many cases it "can" help. However the reality is...everyone is now used to it and doesn't pay attention, therefore it's not as effective as it once was. Imagine a world where no cars had their headlights on during the day....except a funeral procession. You noticed that procession and respected it. Now a days people don't understand why you shouldn't cut into the procession or that the car simply doesn't have DRL's on and cut in. Pisses me off that so many people take so much for granted instead of opening their eyes and paying attention.

Right. It's like the new fusions (I'm sure other cars as well) that have the blind spot indicators on the mirrors. They're using technology to minimize accidents caused by peoples lack of either effort, knowledge, or awareness. Of course there aren't any negatives to having them on, so I would leave them alone. But the reasons they ARE on the car are similar to why DRL's are on cars.

Think about it. During weather that headlights do not need to be on, cars are plainly visible to people pulling onto a main road. If you can't see cars while looking back and forth before making a left turn, you really shouldn't be driving. Focus there first(making sure drivers are completely able to safely drive). While driving, accidents while making lane changes, or merging will not be affected by DRL's. If you can see the headlights, you're already far enough to merge or pass anyways. If not, well you didn't check your blind spot, and DRL's aren't going to help because they're at the front of the vehicle.

If making cars more visible is the main reason people are for DRL's, they might as well only buy bright red cars, and if not, stick led's all around the entire vehicle. Point being, DRL's are minimizing only certain, and few accidents, caused by peoples own lack of awareness in the first place. I'd focus more on the original problem anyway, like texting while driving, or people's ability to safely drive(due to vision and awareness?)

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

I'm no fan of DRL's, I like where it was originally going though. See, unlike many of you, I was alive when DRL's and third brake lights began appearing on cars. The reason behind them is that people don't pay enough attention to driving. Simple fact.

The added brakelight gave you a third reference position and .... it's not quite the same as the tails. Anyone who pays attention will notice, when most cars blow the taillight fuse, the instrument panel is on the same fuse. This is intentional. If you can't see the dash, then you'll fix it and tails will also get fixed.

DRL's appeared on bikes long ago and all cars were supposed to be required to have it federally around the late 90's. Not sure how that got defeated, GM went forward though and in many cases it "can" help. However the reality is...everyone is now used to it and doesn't pay attention, therefore it's not as effective as it once was. Imagine a world where no cars had their headlights on during the day....except a funeral procession. You noticed that procession and respected it. Now a days people don't understand why you shouldn't cut into the procession or that the car simply doesn't have DRL's on and cut in. Pisses me off that so many people take so much for granted instead of opening their eyes and paying attention.

^^This^^

Don't get me started on distracted driving.

I was driving home from work yesterday, and couldnt for the life of me figure out why everyone was in the passing lane on the freeway and not moving over... I make like an asshat and jump over to the driving lane... not a one of them saw my behind them because the first one - putting makeup on, the second - TEXTING (recently banned in Ohio) the the third - Phone up to ear jaw jacking. I am not one of these people that lives their job in their personal lives, but I am a cop... As a cop, those types of things annoy the hell out of me, whether I am working or not.

More like: Yeah yo--, hold on I have to pass this person, slow driver. Ok what?


(on these forums on your cell while driving(as a joke))

Originally Posted by loopy

I don't know what it is about Ohio, but I hate driving in this state. I grew up around Detroit, and yeah - they drive fast up there, but they pay attention, and actually use their turn signals when changing lanes (I know, right?)! I feel safer on the highways through Detroit than I do in Dayton, even though the speed is like 25-35mph LESS down here. Also, people in Detroit understand that the left lane is the FAST lane...Here in Dayton, you've got people doing 5 under in the left lane, feeling like Mario Andretti.

There's a strange fascination with the left lane here...I was driving home once at like 3 am. I was the ONLY car on I-75. I was in the center lane of 3 lanes. I see a car get on the highway a bit behind me...they proceed to cut over all three lanes to get into the left lane...They were like half a mile behind me, at least...they stay in the left hand lane, still WELL behind me, then cut over ALL THREE LANES in one move to exit at the next ramp...seriously?

It is definitely an Ohio thing. I was on a road trip and I watch an Ohio driver stay in the left lane for 50 miles. He was passed in the right lane several times. When I drove to Ohio a few weeks back I passed probably 20-30 cars that were cruising in the left lane.

Originally Posted by deadwoodspecial

I was driving home from work yesterday, and couldnt for the life of me figure out why everyone was in the passing lane on the freeway and not moving over... I make like an asshat and jump over to the driving lane... not a one of them saw my behind them because the first one - putting makeup on, the second - TEXTING (recently banned in Ohio) the the third - Phone up to ear jaw jacking. I am not one of these people that lives their job in their personal lives, but I am a cop... As a cop, those types of things annoy the hell out of me, whether I am working or not.

Drives me nuts! Slower traffic stay to the right! Also, I think technology has made us dumber in general, and driving is no exception. It's supposed to help, but sadly we have become dependent on our devices and staying connected at all times. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the primary reason for being in a car drivers seat is to drive... All this other crap going on with the dash and touchscreens takes away from what we need to be doing. Driving, not pissing around with gadgets and putting lives at risk. People couldn't drive before the connected era, and its a million times worse now... #rantover #thankyou

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