DRL (Daytime Running Lights)

[RandyH2]

+1

 

[GregV8]

daytime running light are available on ALL 2011 explorers. Your dealer will say no. However i followed another thread here, and went to the dealer armed with information. the tech fought me with the "module is not included" routine. I said hook up your laptop and we'll see. he said it will cost you... I said do it. In the choices after verifying the VIN is a selection called "exterior lighting". Enter that and select Daytime running lights ... two choices exist... enable - disable (default is disabled) so I had him select enable... at that point he said done, unplugged... we check, they did not work... he said that was because the "module" was not there. I asked him to do it again, only don't be so stubborn, and follow my requests since you are billing me... So, back through the same routine, only after selecting enable, he has to go back in and do the second line which is to chose which lights are to be activated. In my case the only choice was parking lights, since the headlights are HID (not shown as such on my option sheet). After doing that, bingo... DRL working. the tech was amazed... did not charge me, because he said he learned something he had not know from FORD U... So it really IS ust a software switch.

I like this news a lot!
Just to be clear: you were able to set the _amber_ parking lights as DRL, correct?

 

[RandyH2]

Ugh.

USing the amber parking lights as daytime running lights is illegal in Michigan, and many other states. Here is applicable Michigan law:
"257.684 Head lamps; lighting, distance, height.

Sec. 684.

(a) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as hereinafter stated. When lighted lamps and illuminated devices are required by law no vehicle shall be operated upon any highway of this state with only the parking lights illuminated on the front of the vehicle.

(b) Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in paragraph (a) of this section upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.

(c) Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load."

 

[RandyH2]

In second-reading the law, it doesn't actually state that you can't drive with them on during the daytime, just not anytime that the law requires headlights. A subtle change with significant impact.

Now about those amber parking lights being bright enough to actually do any good... The LED's would be nice to have.

 

[esandye]

What DR lights are lit in the Candian versions? Headlights, foglights or parking lights?

 

[peterk9]

What DR lights are lit in the Candian versions? Headlights, foglights or parking lights?

Unfortunately the DRL is on the parking lights. I much prefer the headlights because they provide better visibility for oncoming traffic, even though they are usually at a lower power.

 

[sgparnes]

In second-reading the law, it doesn't actually state that you can't drive with them on during the daytime, just not anytime that the law requires headlights. A subtle change with significant impact.

Now about those amber parking lights being bright enough to actually do any good... The LED's would be nice to have.

You are correct on my second, more careful reading. The DRLs are just supposed to make your car more visible to oncoming traffic...not to really illuminate anything. I had them on my Buick Enclave.

 

[tropicvi]

What I have found on the aftermarket is the "eurostyle" LED strips anywhere from 5 to 9 LEDs in a 4" to 6" long housing, that will fit in the end of the blank horizontal grill openings (the top two horizontal "openings" if you look closely, are non-functional). With the parking like DRL activated, it is a simple wiring job to connect that LED strip to the parking lamp wires, highly accesible just inside the fender when the hood is open. Another option would be to rewire fog lights, or install them if you don't have them, so they activate on the DRL circuit rather than by separate switch. Would like to see an after market "halo" style ring to put into the headlight pod, that could be the DRL... Stay tuned, teh LED strip is on the books for this weekend. Pictures to follow then.

 

[peterk9]

If anyone is planning on using the fog lights for DRL you better check your state laws first. In some states it is illegal to drive with fog lights on unless you are in a 'diminished visibility' situation.

 

[calb]

If anyone is planning on using the fog lights for DRL you better check your state laws first. In some states it is illegal to drive with fog lights on unless you are in a 'diminished visibility' situation.

That being said these really are DRL - we (as you know!) use them in Canada and are laws aren't generally that much different.

Hell ... I wouldn't even worry about it too much. If I was ever stopped I'd just tell the officer that those are the DRL that came from the manufacturer - you're really going to take Ford to court?!

 

[tropicvi]

I find this quite amusing .. all the fuss over daytime running lghts (DRL). they have been manditory in Canada since 1989. Europe has begun a manditory phase in as of February this year. Obviously that is why the manufacturers have provided already or make it a simple software switch... to keep their costs down, put the DRL on all vehicles... In my years in Canada, and 5 years with a Pontiac Solstice that has DRL, there is NO inconvenience and many saved times because I was more visible to others. DRL on are on in daytime when the vehicle is in drive (or reverse) otherwise they are off. Putting headlight switch on, overides the DRL ... there has been NO affect on bulb life... I see more NON DRL vehicles with burned out lights... I have 5 years (33,0000m) and going on the solstice in the hot tropics with no bulb loss. Never had a head light to replace in Canada in the 12 years of that law... I would urge everyone to activate their DRL for safety sake.

 

[teh bishop]

I find this quite amusing .. all the fuss over daytime running lghts (DRL). they have been manditory in Canada since 1989. Europe has begun a manditory phase in as of February this year. Obviously that is why the manufacturers have provided already or make it a simple software switch... to keep their costs down, put the DRL on all vehicles... In my years in Canada, and 5 years with a Pontiac Solstice that has DRL, there is NO inconvenience and many saved times because I was more visible to others. DRL on are on in daytime when the vehicle is in drive (or reverse) otherwise they are off. Putting headlight switch on, overides the DRL ... there has been NO affect on bulb life... I see more NON DRL vehicles with burned out lights... I have 5 years (33,0000m) and going on the solstice in the hot tropics with no bulb loss. Never had a head light to replace in Canada in the 12 years of that law... I would urge everyone to activate their DRL for safety sake.

I'm fine with them as long as they make them selectable for those of us that go on military posts at too-early o'clock and don't want to blind the gate guards. . .

 

[peterk9]

DRL on are on in daytime when the vehicle is in drive (or reverse) otherwise they are off. Never had a head light to replace in Canada in the 12 years of that law... I would urge everyone to activate their DRL for safety sake.

On my '06 and '09 Highlanders the DRL came on as soon as the vehicles were started, even though they were in 'Park'. I agree they should be mandatory everywhere. They have been proven to reduce accidents.

 

[peterk9]

I'm fine with them as long as they make them selectable for those of us that go on military posts at too-early o'clock and don't want to blind the gate guards. . .

Daytime Running Lights are not as bright as regular headlights. They run with reduced power.

 

[emrldnrgh]

In major cities maybe we should walk around with miners caps on How about DRN Daytime Runnig Noise I cam hear it now "I didn't see'm but i HEARD'm ::scratch::bsnicker::frustrate

 

[jab2007]

day time runnung lights

They probably thought it would be more convinient. I woulden't want to have a harder time messing with the system if it had a fault.

 

[teh bishop]

Daytime Running Lights are not as bright as regular headlights. They run with reduced power.

Unfortunately, they still are bright enough when there's no other lights on as you pull up. The only ones that I know they don't mind are like the Chevy Vettes that use their turn signals. As long as you have the choice to turn them off, I'd be fine with them.

As an aside, we have a lot more problems line unannounced line changes and red light running that we ought to tackle - which stems down to poor drivers.

 

[peterk9]

This should be a driver controlled option from DIC?...DLR-ON/OFF

For U.S. models, not Canadian where DRL is not an option. In my opinion, because of their proven ability to reduce daytime accidents, I don't see why they shouldn't be mandatory everywhere.

 

[peterk9]

Unfortunately, they still are bright enough when there's no other lights on as you pull up. The only ones that I know they don't mind are like the Chevy Vettes that use their turn signals. As long as you have the choice to turn them off, I'd be fine with them..

I can recall turning my lights off when entering the base in the late 60's and early 70's. In fact I have had to enter a gated/guarded area for the past 30 years and in Winter that means driving up with headlights on and this did not seem to pose a problem

As an aside, we have a lot more problems line unannounced line changes and red light running that we ought to tackle - which stems down to poor drivers.

+1

 

[teh bishop]

I can recall turning my lights off when entering the base in the late 60's and early 70's. In fact I have had to enter a gated/guarded area for the past 30 years and in Winter that means driving up with headlights on and this did not seem to pose a problem

I'm going to blame it on the Zoomers down here, they're the only ones that go out of their way to give me grief. The Army gate guards don't seem to mind as much (full disclosure: I'm Army, so of course I have to give the USAF guys some gloom )