General Daytime Running Lights

[306maxi]

Wow - I'm amazed how passionate people can become over just a pair of lights (illuminated or not) in the front bumper of a car. I'm considering starting world war III by posting a thread stating that I always drive with the cabin fan running (with or without aircron!!)

Ridiculous!!!! Hehe I do the same thing

 

[jrkitching]

Ok, if drls are necessary so folks can see our cars, how come we see so many cars driving without them ?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Ok, if drls are necessary so folks can see our cars, how come we see so many cars driving without them ?

Seeing them when they're on top of you, and seeing them way off are two different things

 

[Ralf S.]

Sorry, but they're parking lights, not sidelights. The key to their useage is in the name.

In my manual it says "Turning on the parking lights switch... illuminates the side-lights".

So... I don't have parking lights. I have side-lights that can be used as parking lights... Same as we now have side-lights that can be used as DRL.

The difference between DRLs and side-lights is that DRLs only illuminate the front side-lights not the rear lights or the dash.

There should be a way to turn them off easily if you don't want them on.. because they are not mandatory in this country. They only exist because in a lot of countries they are.. and Fiat can't be bothered to wire up the cars differently depending on where they're headed.

If it was me, it would annoy me enough that I'd wire the lamps with an "off" switch so that I could leave them "on" for when I wanted the side-lights on.. (that is, front, back and dash) but switch the circuit to the lamps off when I didn't want them on. Two switches to turn the lamps completely off.. but worth it!


Ralf S.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Same as we now have side-lights that can be used as DRL.

Not so - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but from memory DRLs on the 500 are 21watt a corner where as parking / side / possition lamps are only 5watt.

This as I've already pedantically said makes them completly different

And as you've said, one provides all round vehicle visibility as required at night, and the other daytime visability to the front.

 

[loveshandbags]

If it was me, it would annoy me enough that I'd wire the lamps with an "off" switch so that I could leave them "on" for when I wanted the side-lights on.. (that is, front, back and dash) but switch the circuit to the lamps off when I didn't want them on. Two switches to turn the lamps completely off.. but worth it!

With the CANBUS setup, the wiring is best left alone.

To toggle between DRLs ON or OFF takes about 15-20 seconds.
On an overcast and rainy day like today (it's the middle of summer ) DRLS are handy. If you brake you get the full effect the rear lights for those driving behind you.

 

[306maxi]

Perfect example of why DRL's should be compulsory and not able to be switched off. Driving along today and it's raining like fook. Dipstick a far way behind has just sidelights on and wasn't instantly recogniseable in my mirrors as a car, guy about 50 metres behind him had dipped beams on and I could see him instantly.

Now if the guy in front had DRL's on I'd have known he was there straight away.

Now I know people don't like things being legislated and so on, but ffs if some people can't grasp the idea of lighting their car properly then DRL's should be compulsory and not be able to be switched off.

 

[dombooth]

Perfect example of why DRL's should be compulsory and not able to be switched off. Driving along today and it's raining like fook. Dipstick a far way behind has just sidelights on and wasn't instantly recogniseable in my mirrors as a car, guy about 50 metres behind him had dipped beams on and I could see him instantly.

Now if the guy in front had DRL's on I'd have known he was there straight away.

Now I know people don't like things being legislated and so on, but ffs if some people can't grasp the idea of lighting their car properly then DRL's should be compulsory and not be able to be switched off.

Maxi, coppers wouldn't enforce it anyway so what's the point.

Dom

 

[306maxi]

Maxi, coppers wouldn't enforce it anyway so what's the point.

Dom

Just make it that you can get out of your car and beat the **** out of their car with a torque wrench and it'll take care of itself. You would have to make it so you had to have video evidence of course. hey presto no one running around with no lights when lights are needed.

 

[dombooth]

Just make it that you can get out of your car and beat the **** out of their car with a torque wrench and it'll take care of itself. You would have to make it so you had to have video evidence of course. hey presto no one running around with no lights when lights are needed.

I'm being honest, people wouldn't get pulled for it.. I've had people near me on the phone while driving whilst I've got a copper behind me and they do nothing!

And next time they lick my exhaust all the way through a 30 limit doing 30 they can go f*ck someone else's bumper.

Dom

 

[frupi]

I'll give the pro DRL camp on here their due, they certainly know how to ram their opinions on this subject down peoples throats! Gosh, they never let up!

Next........

 

[306maxi]

I'll give the pro DRL camp on here their due, they certainly know how to ram their opinions on this subject down peoples throats! Gosh, they never let up!

Next........

bah. Go get some winter tyres

 

[306maxi]

I'll give the pro DRL camp on here their due, they certainly know how to ram their opinions on this subject down peoples throats! Gosh, they never let up!

Next........

bah. Go get some winter tyres

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

bah. Go get some winter tyres

:Offtopic:

 

[frupi]

I thought this thread would be illuminating

The pro DRL lobby in my opinion, have blown it...:sucks:

 

[poggy]

DLR's are not based on somebody thinking it was a good idea, it is purely statistics showing they reduce accidents. Why do you think Scandinavia have had DLR for such a long period of time, it was a result of a actual reduction in accidents following trials.

If we suddenly introduced rear fog lights people would say they were not necessary if they hadn't had them before, but it doesn't make them any less useful.

I see no reason to turn them off, when it is 100% proven they reduce the risk of accidents. It's a bit like when wearing rear seatbelts became law.

 

[elation]

Just as an aside, New Panda (and any other NEW car built from start of the year onwards - ie. a new model, not a continuation of an existing car a la Punto 2012), can have no option to turn off the DRLs.

I would imagine 500L and 500 when it gets a facelift will be the same, no option to turn off.

 

[RobinPJ]

Just as an aside, New Panda (and any other NEW car built from start of the year onwards - ie. a new model, not a continuation of an existing car a la Punto 2012), can have no option to turn off the DRLs.

I would imagine 500L and 500 when it gets a facelift will be the same, no option to turn off.

Surely a face-lifted 500 would not be a "new" car?

 

[ahmett]

Surely a face-lifted 500 would not be a "new" car?

I think a facelifted fiat would have more agressive lights, maybe some audi style led's. The interior would be more modern with digital screens and more electro stuff. Thats about it id say, i dont see them changing much with the car. Oh, a better auto gearbox please! And i guess the new 105 hp twinair to replace the 1.4

 

[306maxi]

Just as an aside, New Panda (and any other NEW car built from start of the year onwards - ie. a new model, not a continuation of an existing car a la Punto 2012), can have no option to turn off the DRLs.

I would imagine 500L and 500 when it gets a facelift will be the same, no option to turn off.

Fantastic news Say goodbye to dingleberries driving with only pissy sidelights at dusk (as the law allows but common sense should dictate that you shouldn't)