DRL (Daytime Running Lights)

[houtzb]

I had two dealerships try to enable my DRL's on my '12 Limited. Both tried and said it could not be done. The second dealership was MUCH easier to work with and actually called to ask specific questions. I guess I'll have to be there so I know what they are doing and can guide them. Can anyone think of any reason why the 2012s would be different from the 2011s when it comes to enabling these?

 

[GWA1]

My dealer just turned on DRL's. 2011 limited, halogen headlights. Front parking lights now on. Stated could not choose between parking and headlights. I wanted headlights..LOL Don't understand why some Ex's have front parking lights and others have headlights. I'm talking about limited's with halogen lights, not hid's.

Cory, Can you get us more info on this?
Thanks
GWA1

 

[RandyH2]

Functionally, the headlights are a much better choice for DRL's....

And I agree completely about folks driving with their fog lights on- very annoying. For that matter, the factory fog lights on many vehicles are mounted too-high to be much more than a styling piece. True fog lights need to be mounted very close to the road surface so that the beam of light shines BELOW the fog layer and you see the light reflected off of objects ahead. As currently mounted, the fog lights illuminate the fog so all you see is brighter fog... Quite annoying, really.

 

[peterk9]

Functionally, the headlights are a much better choice for DRL's....

And I agree completely about folks driving with their fog lights on- very annoying.

Agree 100% on both counts. Funny that those that have DRL on the headlights want the amber instead. I have the amber and would prefer the headlights because they are usually easier to see, especially on those hot hazy days with the heat reflecting off the road. I have the HID lights so amber is what I'm stuck with.

 

[EKY]

I just took my new EX to the dealership today...

It originally came with the "headlights" as DRL's...and they changed it to the "amber/turn signals" per my request.

I used the instructions posted on this site..typed it up..and gave it to them. Took less than an hour since I just drove in and they were pretty busy today in the service department.

So it can be done on the 2012's.

I had two dealerships try to enable my DRL's on my '12 Limited. Both tried and said it could not be done. The second dealership was MUCH easier to work with and actually called to ask specific questions. I guess I'll have to be there so I know what they are doing and can guide them. Can anyone think of any reason why the 2012s would be different from the 2011s when it comes to enabling these?

 

[tropicvi]

More likely the dealers don't want to admit you know more than they do... detailed sequence posted earlier herein. It is a two step process with the dealer laptop connected to the car to switch on the daytime running lights and then tell it which lights, even if bright park lights is the only option. Both steps ahve to be followed regardless.

I had two dealerships try to enable my DRL's on my '12 Limited. Both tried and said it could not be done. The second dealership was MUCH easier to work with and actually called to ask specific questions. I guess I'll have to be there so I know what they are doing and can guide them. Can anyone think of any reason why the 2012s would be different from the 2011s when it comes to enabling these?

 

[tropicvi]

Me personally I say if you want DRL's then fine but if you don't you should not have it forced on you by the government. I can turn on my lights when I want them on. It is just like the stupid "up Shift" light many cars had back in the 80's, I'll shift when I'm ready thank you very much!

This may be all well and good for you, but I really would like to see DRL mandatory like Canada. I would like to see you coming at me sooner than later. It is a safety feature, like having brake lights (unless you think they are stupid too), so I know when you are stopping or slowing down. I'd like the same easy detection DRL provides that warns me that you are actually in gear and moving.

 

[sgparnes]

Maybe only the Limited can enable the parking lamps?

 

[DRLExplUS12]

Well, I went back to the dealer and dealer said there was only one option to enable DRLs and it would only gave the Amber/Turn signal lights as the option. From reading all the replies, I am a bit confused.

I have the 2012 XLT version and window sticker reads Halogen projection lamps, NO HIDs. So EKY says he received his vehicle with the headlights as the DRLs and he had Halogen projection lamps. I understand that the Amber/turn signal lamps should be used if HIDs are on the vehicle, since they function differently.

So, could it be that my vehicle DOES have HIDs, even though the window sticker said Halogen projection lamps? Is there a way I can confirm what kind of bulbs are in my vehicle just by looking at them or would I need to take them out and check the code on them? Do the HIDs have a different beam of light than the Halogens?

I do like the Amber/turn signal lights as the DRLs with the brighter light being used for them but I would like to know if there is actually is an option to turn on the headlights for the DRLs as I think I would choose them over the Amber/turn signal lights.

 

[Mishtar]

Maybe only the Limited can enable the parking lamps?

Nope, I just had mine switched to the Parking lights yesterday on my XLT when I had my HIDS installed.

 

[Mishtar]

Well, I went back to the dealer and dealer said there was only one option to enable DRLs and it would only gave the Amber/Turn signal lights as the option. From reading all the replies, I am a bit confused.

I have the 2012 XLT version and window sticker reads Halogen projection lamps, NO HIDs. So EKY says he received his vehicle with the headlights as the DRLs and he had Halogen projection lamps. I understand that the Amber/turn signal lamps should be used if HIDs are on the vehicle, since they function differently.

So, could it be that my vehicle DOES have HIDs, even though the window sticker said Halogen projection lamps? Is there a way I can confirm what kind of bulbs are in my vehicle just by looking at them or would I need to take them out and check the code on them? Do the HIDs have a different beam of light than the Halogens?

I do like the Amber/turn signal lights as the DRLs with the brighter light being used for them but I would like to know if there is actually is an option to turn on the headlights for the DRLs as I think I would choose them over the Amber/turn signal lights.

Just google hids and look at them online, they are normally much brighter and some have more of a blue tinge, someone on here who has a Ltd could tell you the actual colour of the Ford ones.

If your really worried about people seeing you, you could just turn your lights on manually every day as soon as you start it up.......personally I think my amber parking lights work well enough, it is not like the Explorer is a tiny car that someone could over look as it is coming towards them.

 

[EKY]

Well, I went back to the dealer and dealer said there was only one option to enable DRLs and it would only gave the Amber/Turn signal lights as the option. From reading all the replies, I am a bit confused.

I have the 2012 XLT version and window sticker reads Halogen projection lamps, NO HIDs. So EKY says he received his vehicle with the headlights as the DRLs and he had Halogen projection lamps. I understand that the Amber/turn signal lamps should be used if HIDs are on the vehicle, since they function differently.

So, could it be that my vehicle DOES have HIDs, even though the window sticker said Halogen projection lamps? Is there a way I can confirm what kind of bulbs are in my vehicle just by looking at them or would I need to take them out and check the code on them? Do the HIDs have a different beam of light than the Halogens?

I do like the Amber/turn signal lights as the DRLs with the brighter light being used for them but I would like to know if there is actually is an option to turn on the headlights for the DRLs as I think I would choose them over the Amber/turn signal lights.

The HID's only come on the Limited with the 302 (6cyl) or 303 (EcoBoost) packages. Knowing yours is an XLT, I'm pretty sure it doesn't have HID's. (Correct me if I'm wrong anyone)

And you are correct, since my car is a company/fleet vehicle, I received it with the halogen headlights as DRL's. The dealership changed it to amber/turn signal lights as DRL's instead. They had no problems doing it.

 

[GWA1]

Repost from November 18th. I'm happy with the parking lights on. Seem bright and large enough to be noticed.

My dealer just turned on DRL's. 2011 limited, halogen headlights. Front parking lights now on. Stated could not choose between parking and headlights. I wanted headlights..LOL Don't understand why some Ex's have front parking lights and others have headlights. I'm talking about limited's with halogen lights, not hid's.

Cory, Can you get us more info on this?
Thanks
GWA1

 

[tropicvi]

Having been in on this discussion early on, and having my DRLs turned on, I wanted to post something I don't quite understand. When I had the DRL activated initially, the lights were the parking lights (amber front and side markers). However after a few weeks, they switched themselves to the brighter amber (turn signal) which is the front bulb, bright filament only. I had wired small white LED strip off the side marker wiring as additional accent with the DRL. With the self imposed change, I'll have to change the wiring again...

 

[peterk9]

Having been in on this discussion early on, and having my DRLs turned on, I wanted to post something I don't quite understand. When I had the DRL activated initially, the lights were the parking lights (amber front and side markers). However after a few weeks, they switched themselves to the brighter amber (turn signal) which is the front bulb, bright filament only. I had wired small white LED strip off the side marker wiring as additional accent with the DRL. With the self imposed change, I'll have to change the wiring again...

Are you 100% sure that the side markers were constantly on during the initial few weeks? I just pulled my Limited out of the garage and waited for the auto headlights to go off. I put the emergency brake on and shifted into neutral. When I got out I could see the front DRL amber lights were on bright AND the side markers, front and rear were on. A very short time later, the side markers turned off. Perhaps they are tied into the delayed lights off program while the headlights in this case are turned off quicker by the auto lamp feature. Just a thought.

Peter

 

[boss377]

Me personally I say if you want DRL's then fine but if you don't you should not have it forced on you by the government. I can turn on my lights when I want them on. It is just like the stupid "up Shift" light many cars had back in the 80's, I'll shift when I'm ready thank you very much!

That's what most of us out here probably think. If I want my lights on all the time, I'm perfectly able to rotate the knob. I don't want any more mandatory BS from the government.

 

[peterk9]

That's what most of us out here probably think. If I want my lights on all the time, I'm perfectly able to rotate the knob. I don't want any more mandatory BS from the government.

Even if it has been proven that DRL's have reduced daytime accidents? Why not throw out mandatory use of seatbelts as well? I'm sure the insurance companies would like that because then they can increase premiums due to the increased injuries/costs likely to occur in accidents. While we're at it, let's throw out the safety standards for vehicles that the government has mandated.
This so called "mandatory BS" is saving lives every day.

 

[ExploreThis2012]

Lights On, A bright idea

That's what most of us out here probably think. If I want my lights on all the time, I'm perfectly able to rotate the knob. I don't want any more mandatory BS from the government.

I want them on all the time because as forgetful as I am, I will no doubt forget to turn the knob, especially in the daylight.
Accidents happen when one of driver fails to see the other. I've never heard of someone saying, I saw you and ran into you. For me, it's just an extra measure of safety for my family.
I've heard where some owners with DRL's disconnect them. I wonder where the liability would fall if you were in an accident and the other driver said I' didn't see you and later it was found that you disconnected the DRL's.... just saying.

 

[peterk9]

I want them on all the time because as forgetful as I am, I will no doubt forget to turn the knob, especially in the daylight.
Accidents happen when one of driver fails to see the other. I've never heard of someone saying, I saw you and ran into you. For me, it's just an extra measure of safety for my family.
I've heard where some owners with DRL's disconnect them. I wonder where the liability would fall if you were in an accident and the other driver said I' didn't see you and later it was found that you disconnected the DRL's.... just saying.

Welcome to the Forum ExploreThis2012. :wavey:
I and many others, I am sure, agree with you 100%.

Peter

 

[Trembler]

Fogs on with light off

Yes, fogs only work with headlights on- I checked this a couple of weeks ago.

I have an XLT and the Fog light work with the switch in the Parking lights mode.