Why do newer cars have separate controls for front and rear headlights?

neilmcl

FYI, more on DRLs found here http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/daytime-running-lights.html and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/daytime-running-lights

photome

Oakdene wrote: »

Daytime running lights.... Its now standard ( I think) on all new cars, hence why your query is only in relation to newer cars...

I have a new car, it doesn't have daylight running lights so they are not standard

Iceweasel

photome wrote: »

I have a new car, it doesn't have daylight running lights so they are not standard

And your new car is a ............... ?

Likely first produced before February 2011 model.

photome

Iceweasel wrote: »

And your new car is a ............... ?

Likely first produced before February 2011 model.

A 2016 Ford Focus titanium, new. 2 months ago

F1F93

photome wrote: »

A 2016 Ford Focus titanium, new. 2 months ago

... which went into production December 2010, so was therefore approved before the February 2011 date.

AdrianC

neilmcl wrote: »

the legislation (EU possibly) that brought in DRLs

UNECE, actually, as with most type-approval legislation. Nothing to do with the EU, so completely unaffected by brexit.

neilmcl

F1F93 wrote: »

... which went into production December 2010, so was therefore approved before the February 2011 date.

^^This. The legislation only applies to cars type approved in Europe from 2011.

Iceweasel

So DRLs are standard/compulsory fitments on all 'new' cars now.

'New' meaning cars granted type approval after Feb 2011.

However many manufacturers voluntarily fitted DRLs long before that date.

I was very disappointed that my last car registered in Sept 2011 didn't have DRLs as I had to keep remembering to switch on dipped headlights in several countries where it's compulsory to use lights in the daytime.

Thankfully the DRLs and auto lights on my current model do everything as required.

I do understand that not everyone likes them - indeed a couple of my neighbours have gone as far as having their DRLs disconnected - but what will happen at MOT time I haven't a clue.

photome

F1F93 wrote: »

... which went into production December 2010, so was therefore approved before the February 2011 date.

I didn't know that, I assumed that as it was a new shape with a new engine etc that it was a newer model

I was disappointed not to get drl on it when I got particularly as my last car had them

AdrianC

Iceweasel wrote: »

I do understand that not everyone likes them - indeed a couple of my neighbours have gone as far as having their DRLs disconnected - but what will happen at MOT time I haven't a clue.

DRLs aren't testable. They won't be testable until such date that all new cars have to be fitted with them and, even then, it won't retro-apply to vehicles first registered before that date. There's no current requirement for the MOT system to track the type-approval date.