Prius Daytime Running Lights

You can have the EFFECT of DRL's by keeping your headlights switched ON at all times. When you power off the Prius and then open the driver's door, the headlights go out. You just have to be careful that you don't turn on the car and then turn it off again without opening the driver's door - for example, if you realize you left a window open once you're out of the car, open the passenger door to power it up, close the window, and then power down and shut the passenger door again - the lights would stay on.

I've had my car 7 months now and haven't ever left the lights on 'accidentally', even though I have them switched on all the time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeannie @ Nov 21 2006, 10:11 PM) [snapback]352824[/snapback]</div>

DRL's are NOT headlights in most vehicles now. They usually are just brighter yellow running lights.

 

Thank the Toyota deity for the absent DRL

I hate those things: they are distracting during heavy freeway traffic in daytime, proven to induce eye fatigue in oncoming drivers, and make motorcycles all but invisible.

DRLs may be useful on a two way foggy road in the middle of nowhere, but then, why can't you just turn on your lights (or just the parking lights) as needed?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Leonard @ Nov 21 2006, 10:03 PM) [snapback]352822[/snapback]</div>

You can add DRLs to your Prius fairly easy. (Web Electic Products makes a module which converts your front turn signals to DRLs similar to what GM does on a lot of their cars. The kit comes with an excellent set of installation directions and all of the parts needed.

I've installed their module on my Prius and one other car - both work flawlessly. I prefer the look of the turn signal DRLs to the high beam DRLs.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Leonard @ Nov 21 2006, 10:03 PM) [snapback]352822[/snapback]</div>

Out of curiosity, in what way does one rely on DRLs?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 24 2006, 03:40 AM) [snapback]353649[/snapback]</div>

Are you saying you see other cars & motorcycles more easily because YOU have DRLs, or because THEY have DRLs? I agree it's useful for motorcycles because they're so much smaller, but I never have really understood it for cars/vans/monster SUVs. To me it's one of those things that goes under the category of "Well It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time". We involuntarily have them on our minivan (they use the headlights at a lower intensity). The only time I've found them of use is when entering a darkened parking deck in the middle of the day (when I'm wearing sunglasses).

The side marker light version sounds better, although I'd hate to have those bulbs running all the time (and burning out).

 

There were numerous studies done on DRLs, and they may still be doing them. They were found to reduce accidents in every study. They started with New York city taxis and went on from there. That was way back in the mid 1970s.

Motorcycles don't actually have DRLs, unless they've changed in the last few years. They have "headlamps always on", the difference being the taillamps are also on and the headlamps are at full brightness.

Tideland, I'm sure you know and just mistyped but, the Grand Cherokee is a Chrysler product (Jeep) not GM.

If you want DRLs the best method is to buy a module. Messing with diodes or any other idea is dangerous, as you could end up burning out the headlamp switch assy and that would be expensive. Properly implimented DRLs will shut them off when the e-brake is engaged among other things. The module will take care of these things for you. Another source for the module is www.hamsar.com/drlkits.htm. All Canadian cars I've checked out use a module to enable DRLs. Some use yellow turn signals (some with an extra DRL filiment, some just use the single turn signal filiment). Some use the high beam filiment on halogen bulbs at reduced intensity. I haven't seen any using the HID high or low beam. Some use an extra DRL bulb in the headlamp assy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Nov 24 2006, 08:37 AM) [snapback]353699[/snapback]</div>

Actually, not quite true. There are a number of studies which have shown no statistical difference, some have shown a slight increase of accident rates, and some have shown a slight decrease. Most of the studies hardly employ methodology which would make them valid, and some results are subject to political pressure, such as the 1997 Highway Insurance Loss Data Institute study, which was shelved, after it showed an almost 4% INCREASE in injuries. If I remember correctly, the Japanese government did in fact spent some resources on doing a proper study, using real cars, and found that anything with brightness over that of parking lights, was ultimately distracting and caused eye fatigue.

BTW, doing a study of cabs driving with their lights on during the day, in the '70s, when nobody else had them on, would be a bit like claiming that fire engines on call are more noticeable than the rest of the traffic. While this is obviously true, if we all had sirens and flashing lights, the effect of any of us individually standing out would be somewhat diminished... And, of course, those without a siren and flashing lights, like most pedestrians, bicyclists and other unlighted objects, would be much harder to notice in the resulting cacophony.

There are a number of studies, which show that brightly colored vehicles, are significantly less prone to be involved in an accident, than grey or black vehicles of the same make and type. The color differences are in fact more significant than even the more optimistic general DRL claims. So, buy yellow or red, instead of blinding oncoming traffic

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Black2006 @ Nov 22 2006, 02:11 PM) [snapback]353127[/snapback]</div>

You can't do that everywhere. Driving with only parking lights on in California is illegal, even during daylight hours. It is easy to see who forgets about that when the sun goes down. And for forward visibility, thr Prius parking lights are pretty lame for daylight hours.

Are DRLs required equipment in Canada? My Chrysler Pacifica manual refers to them on Canadian models - they are use the high beam lamps (I was suprised to read that). According to Chrysler, they cannot be activated on US models.

In CA, daytime running lights legally are not supposed to illuminate with the parking lights on, though it is perfectly legal to use headlights (with parking lights) anytime.

I think the reason some like the DRLs is that they increase visibility without burning forward parking and tail lights (which you can't see during the day anyway). Why burn lights no one can see?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curtis SAC @ Dec 4 2006, 04:30 PM) [snapback]357681[/snapback]</div>

This is the relevant California Vehicle Code section:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 5 2006, 12:17 AM) [snapback]357819[/snapback]</div>

I don't really think of the little blue light on my dash to be a warning light. Just an indicator. And still, my brain tries to tell me it is part of the cruise control symbol. People still forget to turn on their headlights. Even I have done it... I have used my parking lights properly.. when parked... only to forget to turn them back on when I started driving again on well lit roadway. It happens.

 

My Prius has daytime running lights. I simply leave the headlight switch in the on position all the time. That way when I start the car the lights are on, and when I leave the car, the lights are off. Pretty simple.

Dave

 

The DRL in my Prius isn't that "smart." Once powered up, they stay on, even if I shift into P and apply the parking brake.

My former 2000 GMC Sierra had little separate bulbs for DRL. If you shifted into P, they turned off, shift into R or D and they turned back on. The Auto headlights on that truck couldn't be easily disabled, so to avoid having them immediately turn on outside or in a garage, applying the parking brake before starting it kept the Auto headlights off.

My former 1990 Toyota 4Runner had the Swedish form of DRL: once you started it, everything turned on. The headlights on full low beam, the parking lamps, etc. Toyota Canada ended up providing free "lifetime" sealed beam replacements due to the low beams always on.

Sure wish I had kept that 4Runner. Can't believe I sold it for a ... GMC.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Dec 5 2006, 06:43 PM) [snapback]358181[/snapback]</div>

Many cars have the DRL tied to the parking brake. Some cars (like my prior 96 Integra and my Prius) will not engage the DRL if the parking brake is set when the car is started. Once you release the brake, the DRLs come on and cannot be shut off without "rebooting" the car.

At least I know for certain this is how my Integra worked; not absolutely certain about the Prius as I always leave the lights in Auto anyway, which means they come on whether regardless of the parking brake. But I think I tried this once a few months ago...

Some cars though (like my parent's '02 Focus) will in fact turn off the DRLs by simply pulling the brake, even when the car is already running. I wish all cars worked like that. (probably the only time I will ever suggest the Prius should work like a Ford). :lol: