I believe these are required in Canada and are offered to fleet customers. The wiring is there just not enabled and I believe it is a minor install.

Why doesn't Ford offer to regular US customers?

 

Having lived with daytime running lights here for the last decade or so, I think they're a great idea.

At first I was like "who are you to tell me my lights should be on" but it really helps, especially on the highway or on cloudy days. I can't imagine why the U.S. doesn't make them mandantory too.

 

With so many US cars sold with the lights I am just wondering why Ford does not offer them as an option since the circuitry is there?

 

Have you ever noticed how many GM vehicles are running around with only one DRL? I frequent a gm site, because my wife owns a Trailblazer, and there are alot of people there complaining about the DRL's.

Some of them say that once they burn out, they don't even replace them, (on the vehicles that have them seperate from the headlights).

 

Most complaints I hear are that you can "never" turn off your headlights. And I can't remember ever noticing any vehicle in broad daylight because there was a small glow from the sides of the grill...

 

"Most complaints I hear are that you can "never" turn off your headlights. And I can't remember ever noticing any vehicle in broad daylight because there was a small glow from the sides of the grill... "


But I bet you can remember seeing some idiot right at dusk or dawn or in the pouring rain WITHOUT lights on and thinking "he sure would be more noticeable with his lights on". I am all for DRL's and wish they would become mandatory in the US. They can't hurt...

 

I think a better option would be the auto lights. I never have to worry about turning my lights on, but I can always turn them off if I choose...

 

I too at first did not like the idea of daytime running lights.
However it did'nt take me long to realize that trying to pass someone in rolling hills is alot easier and safer when ya can see the oncoming vehicles!!!!
Now I bitch when an older vehicle does'nt have em!!!
One of the smarter laws our government has put into effect(they tend to not do many smart things)!!!

 

I think it should be an option! If you want them on turn your headlight switch to the left and leave it, the lights come on when you crank your car, they go off when you turn the ignition off. But I think It should be my choice and not the federal goverment's!

I believe our trucks already have an automatic feature like this come to think about it.......let me go check!

Adam

 

Ya I know what you mean, like I said I thought that way at first. But they're atually good, really.

And it's not quite the same as leaving your headlight switch on. On most vehicles it runs the hi-beams at half voltage. Since they're on the hi-beams they're more noticeable from a distance, and since they're half voltage they're not glaring bright. Just markers.

 

My insurance company gives a discount when DRL are used. But on my 2001 Supercrew, the truck only had automatic lights, so I took a piece of black cardboard and covered the sensor, now the sensor "thinks" it's night all the time and I have DRL's. Plus, I can still turn off my light anytime I want!

 

I plan on putting them in myself. I have them on my current truck and it saves on the insurance also. GM must have done something bad in the design of theirs to make the burn go out so fast on one side. Seems like the burned out one is always on the same side. I have yet to have a bulb go out because of the DRL. It would be nice if they installed them at the factory but it doesn't matter to me. One thing about them though. When you drive onto a military base they prefer you turn the headlights off and leave the parking lights on as you go through the gate so you don't blind them. I've had a few ask me if I have DRL or why didn't I turn the headlights off.

 

Most Fords use the high beams at 50% power for the DRL's. This is changing though. The new Expy runs the driving/fog lamps for this. As will the new F-150 I think. The ones that annoy me are the cars that use the orange park lights. All the Dodge minvans do this. I too hate government coming up with new laws but this one works. And you can "override" them and turn them off by clicking your parking brake one notch. And yes seems like every Chevy truck/SUV on the road has one burnt out.
Like a rock.

 

I still don't see the need for DRL's... but either way what's the purpose of running them at a lower voltage? Are they afraid you'll blind someone during the day?

 

I think it's more so that when it becomes night, you remember to actually turn on your headlights since at half voltage they don't really light up the road. Theyre just a marker.