General Front lights

AlexGP · Mar 13, 2009

Pretty much every 500 I see has its front sidelights on, but they are very bright. The rear lights are not on.

Is this some kind of programmable feature or a safety device of some kind?

Exoticaholic · Mar 13, 2009

AlexGP said:
Pretty much every 500 I see has its front sidelights on, but they are very bright. The rear lights are not on.

Is this some kind of programmable feature or a safety device of some kind?

They are daylight running lights or DRL's for short.

Indeed you can switch them off using the menu facility.

OrangeSport · Mar 13, 2009

Yep, switch 'em on or off in the main computer settings. I didn't realise for a while that they are alsothe flash / mainbeam lights.

grimwau · Mar 13, 2009

OrangeSport said:
Yep, switch 'em on or off in the main computer settings. I didn't realise for a while that they are alsothe flash / mainbeam lights.

They aren't, that is the function of the H1 bulbs in the same unit. These are a 21W/5W wedge bulb that are, as stated used for the DRL and sidelight functions.

OrangeSport · Mar 13, 2009

Yes, you're right - but from the outside the lower lights are also the flash / mainbeam (rather than the headlights getting brighter).

So, are they brighter as DRL or side lights (with the headlights on)? I did realise they varied (apart from mainbeam / flash).

grimwau · Mar 14, 2009

OrangeSport said:
Yes, you're right - but from the outside the lower lights are also the flash / mainbeam (rather than the headlights getting brighter).

So, are they brighter as DRL or side lights (with the headlights on)? I did realise they varied (apart from mainbeam / flash).

:doh: Sorry, I misunderstood the question but in answer to this question the DRLs are brighter at 21W and the side lights are 5W. However, the PIAA bulbs we are upgrading to are slightly brighter than this at 28W and 7W.

Lloyd71 · Mar 14, 2009

When you have your sidelights on, the PIAA bulbs cause the DRL units to appear fairly blue in appearance at certain angles. I like the effect!

white 500 · Mar 14, 2009

AlexGP said:
Pretty much every 500 I see has its front sidelights on, but they are very bright. The rear lights are not on.

Is this some kind of programmable feature or a safety device of some kind?

yes this is selectable in a user menu, what you are describing are the DRL'S ( Daytime Running Light's ) and as you have already spotted it's only the front lower lamp's that are on the rear light's do nothing unless you turn on the main headlamp's and then (i think) the lower light's switch to a bulb which isn't as bright, most owners turn them off after around a week's worth of other drivers flashing at you.

gib1970 · Mar 14, 2009

yep i turned the DRLs off on mine straight away, just not into having lights on during the day.

seems a bit strange to me, i cant see the safety benefit of it and if you really want to get people's attention (which is not my thing either), then the car itself seems to do that anyway

clarissa · Mar 14, 2009

Yes I turned my DRL's off when an irate bloke decided to give me a load of verbal abuse....

Heidi · Mar 14, 2009

I have left mine on, quite like being different lol.

Boxer Short Kid · Mar 14, 2009

HHmm not been flashed yet (PIAA specced DRLs on all the time) or berated by other drivers, but the DRLs will probably be switched off come the Spring clock change and lighter afternoons/evenings coming in...

I live in Essex, so I am already standing out from the crowd _by _not_ having fog lights switched on all the time ;-)

I have heard somewhere though that all cars (a la Volvos, now Audis and Fiat 500s) in a couple of years will have sidelights/DRLs, as new European law coming in will demand them - unless that is complete hearsay. I really think that if it prevents just a single unnecessary accident amongst thousands, then it's got to be a good thing.

BSK

wreckmaster · Mar 14, 2009

Hi! I always use my lights because it is illegal in Norway not to. We also have to have the rear lights on at all times, this means that I use the upper frontlights and the rear lights. The reason for this law is because in strong sun you actually see a another car earlier if it has got it`s lights on. And that prevents accidents

White light is actually easier to see than blue lights also. If you compare for instance blue and white strobes on an ambulance or fire truck you actually see the white strobes before the blue. The white lights will also appear blue in a far distance

white 500 · Mar 14, 2009

Heidi said:
I have left mine on, quite like being different lol.

you would look better with them off :devil:

nottsfiat07 · Mar 14, 2009

white 500 said:
you would look better with them off :devil:

Can I just ask, Heidi, do you always have this effect on men? Because, my god!

It's like Helen of Troy all over again.

Lloyd71 · Mar 14, 2009

white 500 said:
most owners turn them off after around a week's worth of other drivers flashing at you.

I've had mine left on since I got the car and I've never been flashed for it!

clarissa said:
Yes I turned my DRL's off when an irate bloke decided to give me a load of verbal abuse....

How come? I say ******** to other drivers, if they don't like it they can come have a word and I'll tell them to get into the car and switch them off themselves if they like :devil:

grimwau · Mar 14, 2009

Lloyd71 said:
I've had mine left on since I got the car and I've never been flashed for it!

How come? I say ******** to other drivers, if they don't like it they can come have a word and I'll tell them to get into the car and switch them off themselves if they like :devil:

Lloyd, one day you might come unstuck and that person will know how the 500 menu system works.

mark@vorny.co.uk · Mar 15, 2009

Boxer Short Kid said:
I have heard somewhere though that all cars (a la Volvos, now Audis and Fiat 500s) in a couple of years will have sidelights/DRLs, as new European law coming in will demand them - unless that is complete hearsay. I really think that if it prevents just a single unnecessary accident amongst thousands, then it's got to be a good thing.

BSK

Absolutely, will become law in 2010 IIRC.

Lloyd71 · Mar 15, 2009

grimwau said:
Lloyd, one day you might come unstuck and that person will know how the 500 menu system works.

Not with the keys in my hand they won't!

Saz77 · Mar 17, 2009

Boxer Short Kid said:
HHmm not been flashed yet (PIAA specced DRLs on all the time) or berated by other drivers, but the DRLs will probably be switched off come the Spring clock change and lighter afternoons/evenings coming in...

BSK

i get flashed all the time

WAY-HEEEEY lol :yum:

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