Daytime running lights

pitkin2020

Wig wrote: »

So you do want your car to be lit up like a xmas tree? Like these annoying idiots who drive BMW and Modern Minis with bright lights on during the day? In which case as I said you will find you get the same effect from having all those blue trimmings that you can switch on while you cruise around town in the evenings.

I find I can see other cars in the daytime when that big ball of fire called the Sun is out and if it should be hiding behind big black clouds I find people (including myself) can safely use their headlamps without any effect of battery drainage or fuel economy.

Good luck with your current project and when you move onto the full nighttime blue kit aswell. :T

I suggest you get with the times, DRL's are a legal requirement on all new cars so whether your view is for against them is irrelevant.

I also never asked for personal opinions on the matter just information but as you want to discuss neon lights and the alike, !!!!!! does it have to do with you me or anyone else if they choose to install them, if they comply with the law then thats all that matters. Each to their own you grumpy old ***.

I also find I can see other road users perfectly well, if that was my issue I would be replacing my specs not adding lights that I can't even see!!!

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

OP, I suspect that you are going to have some more "interesting" responses to what is a contentious subject.

For what it's worth, I accept the underlying sense behind DRLs. Anything that might help another driver see you before he detects your presence by touch seems like a good idea to me.

On the other hand, the spec' for the factory fitted LEDs is far too bright.

I like the idea of being seen and not hit, but don't want to dazzle oncoming drivers. So, my personal compromise is to always use my side lights. I have, however, upgraded the bulbs to the halogen version. They still have the "capless/wedge" fitting, but also have the pointed end, where the gas is sealed in. like halogen headlight bulbs. They still only draw 5W but the light output is comparable to a conventional 21W bulb.

It's worked so far. No-one's hit my car and I haven't been pulled over by the police.

And, it's my car. I now fully expect to also be "flamed". I'm OK with this. It's called free speech. It's what the internet is for. As Voltaire said, "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it."

However, I shall not validate any criticism with a reply.

Thanks for a sensible reply clearly you don't have such a narrow mind as others who think change can only be a bad thing!!!

pitkin2020

Trebor16 wrote: »

Why not spend the money on advanced driving lessons to improve your driving if you are worried about being seen? That way you would see possible hazards earlier and can respond accordingly.

The whole issue of DRL's does concern me though. If people are unable to see a big one ton lump of metal in daylight hours without them being lit up it does make you wonder about their driving abilities.

Its not that i'm so much worried about being seen but there are a lot of Prats out on the road and anything that gives you a bit more road presence is surely only a good thing.

pitkin2020

oldagetraveller wrote: »

I understood your post Wig. It seems to have passed right over the OP's head!
Unfortunately there are lots of plantpots around who use their headlights and/or FOGlights as DRLs in the hope of looking trendy and expecting people to think they have these silly fairy lights.

It didn't go over my head at all, it was totally irrelevant and ignorant, seems to be a pretty common feature of this forum of late. People ask for information and instead of people giving suggestions or advice all they have to offer is irrelevant criticism thats not even related to the subject in hand. Whilst everyone is entitled to their opinion Wig wasn't even talking about the same thing, suggesting I was trying to pimp my car instead of using DRL's for there intended purpose.....

Your complaining about people using foglights or headlights as DRLs surely fitting proper DRL's is a much better solution. I can hinestly say I have never been blinded or dazzled by DRL's, wish I could say the same about people who use their foglights.

arcon5

Why not turn your main lights on?

Trebor16

pitkin2020 wrote: »

I suggest you get with the times, DRL's are a legal requirement on all new cars so whether your view is for against them is irrelevant.

But it is not a legal requirement for them to be used, just for them to be fitted.

Trebor16

pitkin2020 wrote: »

Its not that i'm so much worried about being seen but there are a lot of Prats out on the road and anything that gives you a bit more road presence is surely only a good thing.

If you are not worried about being seen then why do you need the DRL's? As I said before further training can assist you with spotting the pratts earlier and will allow you more time to respond to them. This will be of far greater benefit than fitting a set of DRL's.

pitkin2020

Trebor16 wrote: »

But it is not a legal requirement for them to be used, just for them to be fitted.

Yes you are correct but you can't turn them off unless you put your side lights on head lights. With no side lights or headlights DRL's will be on...........

Trebor16

pitkin2020 wrote: »

Yes you are correct but you can't turn them off unless you put your side lights on head lights. With no side lights or headlights DRL's will be on...........

My 2010 Golf has them fitted and they are easily turned off, without having to switch on the headlights.

pitkin2020

Trebor16 wrote: »

If you are not worried about being seen then why do you need the DRL's? As I said before further training can assist you with spotting the pratts earlier and will allow you more time to respond to them. This will be of far greater benefit than fitting a set of DRL's.

Because like I said every little helps, advanced driving courses are great and I have completed one a few years which was a great experience and I would advise anyone to do it as you will learn something no matter how much you think you may know.

Its all irrelevant anyway as I never asked for opinions on DRL's I asked about kits and fittings. If it was purely opinions I wanted I would have asked that.

DRL's are coming whether people like it or not. I seriously can't see the issue personally, they aren't bright or dazzling as they are only used during the day in DAYLIGHT and I can safely say I have never been dazzled by DRL's. People trying to compare them with neons and the alike is quite funny.

I won't bother asking about getting a new CD player fitted as others will jump to the conclusion i'm fitting great big subs and amps and will driving around at 2am with music blarring and my neons flashing.

Presumptions......

pitkin2020

Trebor16 wrote: »

My 2010 Golf has them fitted and they are easily turned off, without having to switch on the headlights.

It would be interesting to know of any late 2011 cars where they can be turned off where DRLs were compulsory.