So, why not just have your headlights on all the time when the ignition is on?

 

The daytime lights are not there to help you see someone; they're there to help you be seen, so they don't need to be bright, just on. My 98 Chevy had them, and I couldn't turn them off. The only thing that bothered me was the indicator on the dash telling me they were on, and it too could not be turned off. The 2000 GMC had a better system, and by pressing the "dome override" switch a couple of times, they would turn off. People who have the new GMs and say they can't turn them off haven't read their owners manual. Personally, I think this is one of the few government requirements that was smart, made sense, and really didn't add much cost to the production. I hope Ford catches up in their electric-technology department and has DRL and auto lamps as standard equipment on all trucks. After all, don't you think a person about to pull out onto the highway in a dimly lit road should know what type of truck is about get very big in their window?

 

Good discussion but ..... my question was why, since the feature is required in Canada and it appears they left the circuitry installed but disabled in the US why don't they offer it as a option?

The after market kits just seem to be plug-ins to a harness that is already installed.

From a marketing standpoint $ 5 bucks worth of parts would
create a $ 100 (plus) option.

 

Good point. I'm not sure. In the USA do GM or Dodge offer it as an option, or do they all have it disabled?

 

I thought all GM's had them, and being completely honest here, you guys are the first people I have ever talked to that liked them or wanted them...

 

Lower voltage = less power required by alternator = better gas mileage.

I think mandating DRL's is a stupid way to cater society to those that cannot properly use their vehicle's headlamps and those that cannot look before they pull into traffic. DRL's or not, there are always stupid people driving around.

 

Yup, they're out there, and with DRL they're easier to see.

 

My '03 SCab 4x4 came with DRL's and I like them. I've always had white trucks, which have a tendency to disappear in overcast and misty days. The DRL's just save me from having to turn the switch on and off and the security of knowing that the wife won't leave the lights on and run down the battery. ('94 Broncos dont have a "lights on" warning buzzer)

 

yha i hate when gov't tells me when my headlights should be on. that we have to run front plates that just scratch the paint underneath them that i'll never get a chance to see anyways. that i have to have airbags that will just knock me in the face at the first chance. that i have to have abs, a very poor system on these trucks at that(3 wheel abs).
AND this is all included in the price of the vehicle....THANK YOU for being so kind! and i wonder why i can't find a vehicle under 30k.

sorry to rant.

i've read 2 cases where drl's can be worse than not having them. 1st: when the sun is setting behind you, you will blend into the sun for oncoming traffic. 2nd: if you are travelling in a pack of dark coloured cars, you will be hard to see for oncoming traffic(blend in).

 

FYI ... The reason DRLs are not standard in the US is cause of the rules for entry into an American Base at night. Headlights must be off when going through security so as to not blind the MPs. All vehicles must have off an switch.

p.s. I love my auto-on headlights tho (I am lazy)

 

Me too!! Did I miss something in the manual or is there any way to set them up to come on with the wipers? Or would this have to be done with a relay?

Thanks!

 

My 99 Tracker, like all cars sold by GM that year has DRLs, and there is no provision for turning it off. I have driven onto a number of Navy installations and never had a problem. I notice the Chevy trucks the Air Force use in my area have DRL, and again, no way to turn it off that the SP's know about... At night, by the way, the DRL is not operational. When it gets dark the headlights come on automaticlly, and the DRL funtion is discontinued.
Chris

 

Since I am a current GM owner I guess I can chime in. On the newer 03+ Silverados and Sierras GM designed their lightswitch so that you can turn the DRLS off by rotating the headlight switch counterclockwise. That way you can cut them off. Also the headlights are auto on as their is a light sensor that controls the headlights when it begins to get dark. My mom and dad had a 97 Olds that didn't have that feature. Darn near got killed a couple of times....thought the headlights were on but no rear running lights. DRLs are okay if the driver has some control over them and the newer GM vehicles allow for this. Ford probably will eventually follow suit.

just my 2 cents

vroten