I see it as nothing but an unnecessary load on the engine. I don't need my headlights on during the day.
Sure, it would probably only give me 0.1mpg, but still.
Sure, it would probably only give me 0.1mpg, but still.
I hate that my car has daytime running lights.
- Thread starter Eli
- Start date
thirdeye
Platinum Member
Day time headlights really do help others judge the approch speed of on coming vehicles.
We must judge closing distance. Do we have time for the left turn or should we pull out.
Testing has been done and lights on wins!
Headlight flashers are legal in many States for use on motorcycles during day light hours.
We must judge closing distance. Do we have time for the left turn or should we pull out.
Testing has been done and lights on wins!
Headlight flashers are legal in many States for use on motorcycles during day light hours.
It puts a load on your alternator, not your engine. The alternator puts out a certain amount of amperes at idle and when the car is running. Even with the engine at idle it is supplying more than enough power to run a number of accessories (ac, radio, lights...ect). With that in mind the alternator isn't working any harder or putting a larger load on the engine with or without the day time lights on.
Depends on if yuo can, if you did some mod like take out a fuse and then insurance finds out about it and you've been in an accident, the ramifications can be serious, especially in lawsuit happy America.
It's like complaining about airbags, sure you don't use them and don't ever plan on being in a situation where it would be beneficial too so why not take them out? They add unnecessary weight since Airbags are very heavy.
That was my point, its such a small matter, why do you care? Why go through the trouble removing it? It makes you less safe(though marginally). I mean who no the road will go "Oh man that Accord driver got his DRLs to turn off, he must be a badass!" or "Oh man look how stupid he looks with his DRLs". It saps 55 watts per side, ~9amps @ 12V. You might get 0.000001 mpg better and cut 0.0000001 second off your 1/4 mile acceleration, but why?
It's not even something I think about. I could disable it from the light stalk, but then I never bother. Helps that other idiot drivers can see my car sooner. I have noticed my eyes are drawn to other cars with DRLs on compared to cars without DRLs so as long as it keeps my car safe from other idiot drivers, I might as well leave them on. Body work is expensive and I love my car.
I actually like daytime running lights. Down here in California, there are parts where it is mandatory to have your lights on during the day. Plus sometimes, we get jerks that drive without their lights on during the evening and early morning, where it clearly is still dark, that if they where the only vehicle on the road, they wouldn't be able to see well.
ViviTheMage
Lifer
exactly, or in bad snow storms...I see people drive without there lights on in bad snow storms and get into some nasty accidents.
I don't see how lights running during the day can help judge speed. I can see the car just fine and use road markers just fine.
I was waiting for one of these posts :roll:
It's not putting a load on the engine, huh? What do you think is spinning the alternator, a hamster? The kinetic energy fairy?
Of course it is putting an additional load on the engine. Every milliamp being drawn puts an additional load on the engine.
In older non-computer controlled cars, you can hear the idle drop when you flick the headlights on. Modern cars compensate and keep the idle constant. Obviously to accomplish this, the engine is being fed more fuel.
I realize that the fuel savings are negligable and probably not even realistically measurable, but it still annoys me that I can't turn them off. I like to be in control of my machines.
It's probably there as a precautionary measure. Not sure where you live but I've driven up in Northern California along the coast and it becomes foggy as heck from like bright sunny conditions in a couple of minutes. I know that in Canada most cars have DRL and it probably makes sense to have them there too.
InflatableBuddha
Diamond Member
- Jul 5, 2007
- 7,416
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DRL is required on all cars in Canada dating from 1990 linky. It's been mandated for even longer in many European countries.
I think DRL definitely makes sense. Next time you're out driving on a sunny afternoon, take note of how cars appear when they pass under the shadows of large trees. The cars that have DRL are very easy to see; the ones without lights are practically invisible.
As many have mentioned, the increased use of fuel is imperceptible. In fact, even running your low beams makes little difference, so I use them all the time when I drive.
I think DRL definitely makes sense. Next time you're out driving on a sunny afternoon, take note of how cars appear when they pass under the shadows of large trees. The cars that have DRL are very easy to see; the ones without lights are practically invisible.
As many have mentioned, the increased use of fuel is imperceptible. In fact, even running your low beams makes little difference, so I use them all the time when I drive.
I hate DRL's. Just implement the automatic lights already.
Toyota has this in all their cars, don't htye? GF's corolla has it, I figure any model on up will too. Except the Yaris, maybe that won't have it.
Toyota has this in all their cars, don't htye? GF's corolla has it, I figure any model on up will too. Except the Yaris, maybe that won't have it.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
- 136
What? Don't you know that any electrical accessory to an internal combustion engine doesn't actually use additional fuel? They're like a hybrid, man!
Obviously, the DRL's cause a very minor increase in fuel consumption. Even exactly how much could be calculated if you wanted, figure the wattage of the bulbs, there is roughly 130 megajoules per gallon of gasoline, 3600 joules to a watt, your engine likely runs at an average of 25% mechanical efficiency. So figure a 25 watt usage (roughly, I don't have exact figures on hand but I know that most low-beams operate in the 45 watt range), and you get about half an ounce of gas per hour consumption.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
- 34
- 91
Ugh, automatic headlights suck. They're always about 5 seconds late. I drive through a couple tunnels on the way to work every morning and you can always tell the cars that have automatic lights because their lights come on lust before they're about to exit the tunnel.
I have a better idea: We teach drivers to turn their headlights on when they're needed and stop mandating things that help stupid people survive.
ZV
Why all the hatred for having your lights on (besides the negligible fuel economy difference)? I use my headlights most of the time. When I had my Subaru which shut off the headlights when the car was turned off they were on 100% of the time. Now that I have to remember to turn them on I only manage most of the time.
Viper GTS
Viper GTS
DougK62
Diamond Member
- Mar 28, 2001
- 8,035
- 6
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Not really. Science has shown that the brain is better at judging things like distance and speed by light reflecting off of objects, not by objects emitting their own light. Is it easier to judge speed and distance during the day with no headlights/DRLs, or at night with headlights on?
Lights on vehicles during the day is just a nuisance.
You keep saying this but you don't seem to see we don't yet live in a socially responsible culture yet. It's easier to pass the buck then correct the problem from the source. As for DRL goes don't they operate at reduced voltage anyway. It's not the full light. Also if you fully intent of disabling the feature. I'm sure if you ask this online at a car form for your car they may have a tutorial on disabling this.
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