Automatic Headlights and DRL

[BORG]

We all know that GM vehicles come standard with DRLs, a nice safety feature that is mandated in many countries (including Canada). Should Ford suck it up and do the same in the US? Why haven't they already?

 

Also, I strongly believe that all Ford cars should be equipped with automatic lights so that we don't see idiots driving with them off or with only parking lights on (as I saw yesterday Morning). My MKX lights turn on when my windshield wipers are on, another feature that should also be standard IMO.

[TomServo92]

My MKX lights turn on when my windshield wipers are on, another feature that should also be standard IMO.

 

My '07 Fusion has that feature and from what I understand, the Taurus has it as well. I suspect it will become standard across all FLM products as they are updated.

[ANTAUS]

I agree, I also believe that the system should also turn off the lights for someone driving with their turning/marker lights on. AND the same with hazard lights...if the system detects you are ROLLING, then TURN them off.... Specially in Miami I would see people driving with the hazard lights on just because it's raining, so you do not know if their truely have a problem other than their brain.

 

Then as I traveled in life to various countries, I found out it was typical in 3rd world countries...how proper...

[Bleed Blue]

I guess I'm on a whole different page, but I've always thought of DRL's as a goofy/dorky type thing (no offense to anyone). Actually my Focus was misbuilt and came with DRL's even though they were not on the invoice. Took a little time to track it down, but found the correct relay and pulled it. Feature now gone. To me it's kinda like wearing a bicycle helmet while driving your car. I'm all for safety but I like the low-key, stealthy mode myself. A gray focus is about as invisible as it gets. Of course my torch red Mach 1 totally goes against what I'm saying so maybe I am nuts.

[FordBuyer]

I guess I'm on a whole different page, but I've always thought of DRL's as a goofy/dorky type thing (no offense to anyone). Actually my Focus was misbuilt and came with DRL's even though they were not on the invoice. Took a little time to track it down, but found the correct relay and pulled it. Feature now gone. To me it's kinda like wearing a bicycle helmet while driving your car. I'm all for safety but I like the low-key, stealthy mode myself. A gray focus is about as invisible as it gets. Of course my torch red Mach 1 totally goes against what I'm saying so maybe I am nuts.

 

My personal 2002 Taurus does not have DRL's, and my company car 2004 Taurus has dealer installed DRL's that I don't like. I used to drive GM company cars that had DRL's and never liked them either. Whenever I approach the 2004 Taurus and unlock the doors with key fob the headlights come on and when I leave the vehicle I have to press the lock button on key fob to get headllights off. I don't like that. Whenever it's rainy or visual conditions are not ideal, I have always manually put my headlights on and this also puts on my instrument lights inside on which I like better. I can do without DRL's and prefer the way Ford does it.

[blazerdude20]

all fords actually have drls built in. if the car isnt ordered fleet then they arent turned on but you can go to your service dept and pay to have them turned on.

[BORG]

all fords actually have drls built in. if the car isnt ordered fleet then they arent turned on but you can go to your service dept and pay to have them turned on.

 

Is it just a matter of installing the fuse?

[blazerdude20]

Is it just a matter of installing the fuse?

 

i believe its a software code. i'll ask when im at work today

[Hoops]

I strongely disagree!

 

As a motorcycle driver, they need all the visability they can get. If all cars had DRL's, motorcycles would blend in.

 

Plus, like most GM vehicles, one would be burned out frequently.

[StevenCaylor]

When I bought my 2000 Mustang, I had the dealer install the auto headlamp kit from the Ford accessory catalog. It was optional (at no cost) to have daytime running lights turned on, so I had them do it.

[FordBuyer]

I strongely disagree!

 

As a motorcycle driver, they need all the visability they can get. If all cars had DRL's, motorcycles would blend in.

 

Plus, like most GM vehicles, one would be burned out frequently.

 

DRL lights do more than just burn out the bulb. They burn out and melt the whole socket and cause lots of damage over time and extra expense. Listen to some talk car repair shows and you hear that complaint a lot on GM vehicles.

[goingincirclez]

Personally I dislike DRLs on any vehicle. I understand the sentiment behind the concept, but the persistent hazy glare on the front of most vehicles has virtually made me mask them out.

 

Also there are times where I may want my vehicle to be running, but have the lights off (for instance: idling in a parking space on a cold day, waiting for someone inside; there is no reason for my car to illuminate their bedroom)

 

In a dusk / dawn situation, I turn on my parking lights since the yellow signals provide more contrast (IMHO) than soft lowbeams do. Plus by turning them on manually, I only use them when needed - when they are the most visible - thus prolonging component life and saving fuel in the long run.

 

 

I think the automatic headlight feature (with manual override as it exists now) is a more sensible option to make standard.

Edited October 27, 2008 by goingincirclez

[suv_guy_19]

DRL lights do more than just burn out the bulb. They burn out and melt the whole socket and cause lots of damage over time and extra expense. Listen to some talk car repair shows and you hear that complaint a lot on GM vehicles.

 

 

Trust me when I say the one burned out bulb and the melting are only GM problems.

[peterstern]

DRL lights do more than just burn out the bulb. They burn out and melt the whole socket and cause lots of damage over time and extra expense. Listen to some talk car repair shows and you hear that complaint a lot on GM vehicles.

 

I've been driving DRL-equipped cars up here in Canada for over 10 years (3 Fords, 1 Honda, 1 Saab) and have NEVER had an issue with any socket melting.

 

But I have found that some cars go through headlights more frequently than others. A 1991 Ford Escort I owned seemed to go through headlights much more frequently than my mother's 1992 Escort. But my mother's 1992 Escort went through rear lightbulbs more frequently than my 1991 Escort.

 

I don't know why this is.

 

If some sockets on GM cars are melting, I wouldn't blame that on DRLs, I'd blame that on bad design.

[ANTAUS]

Since thats a safety item, why havent the GM trucks been recalled because of that defect? I would say about half the GM trucks I see out there, have one burnt out DRL bulb ?

[BORG]

I trust Ford has manufactured quality lamp fixtures that can withstand demands of DRLs, especially if they are standard in Canada.

 

I may have DRLs activated in my MKX out of curiosity

[syrtran]

We all know that GM vehicles come standard with DRLs, a nice safety feature that is mandated in many countries (including Canada). Should Ford suck it up and do the same in the US? Why haven't they already?

The only studies I've heard about that point out any effectiveness with drool - sorry, DRL - have either been in portions of Canada that experience night 1/2 the time and dusk the rest, or in mountainous sections of Arizona and Nevada where DRL helps make it easier for your eyes to spot oncoming traffic when your vehicle goes from bright, over-sunny areas into dark shadows. For the rest of North America, they are no more effective than not having them.

 

I should say, though, cars with headlights on during rain (or snow) storms are easier to see (and it's the law here in NY), so I agree with:

 

Also, I strongly believe that all Ford cars should be equipped with automatic lights so that we don't see idiots driving with them off or with only parking lights on (as I saw yesterday Morning). My MKX lights turn on when my windshield wipers are on, another feature that should also be standard IMO.

[suv_guy_19]

The only studies I've heard about that point out any effectiveness with drool - sorry, DRL - have either been in portions of Canada that experience night 1/2 the time and dusk the rest, or in mountainous sections of Arizona and Nevada where DRL helps make it easier for your eyes to spot oncoming traffic when your vehicle goes from bright, over-sunny areas into dark shadows. For the rest of North America, they are no more effective than not having them.

 

I should say, though, cars with headlights on during rain (or snow) storms are easier to see (and it's the law here in NY), so I agree with:

 

I cringe when I see older vehicles without their lights on. They are so much harder to spot on the highway, day or night. I love having DRLs as mandatory.

[NickF1011]

Only DRL's I would want on my car would be something that actually looks half decent like the "angel eye" surrounds on BMW's or the LED strips on newer Audis. Other than that, I find them to be more annoying in broad daylight than anything else.

[rmc523]

Only DRL's I would want on my car would be something that actually looks half decent like the "angel eye" surrounds on BMW's or the LED strips on newer Audis. Other than that, I find them to be more annoying in broad daylight than anything else.

 

 

I agree.

Edited October 28, 2008 by rmc523

[BigBadBflo]

"Also there are times where I may want my vehicle to be running, but have the lights off (for instance: idling in a parking space on a cold day, waiting for someone inside; there is no reason for my car to illuminate their bedroom)"

 

I know on my '03 Vibe, if you start the car with the handbrake on, neither the DRLs or Auto Head Lights turn on until the hand barake is released.

 

I agree on at least making the DRL look cool. I always thought even the bumper mounted fogs would work well or the ambers.

[suv_guy_19]

I agree on at least making the DRL look cool. I always thought even the bumper mounted fogs would work well or the ambers.

 

 

Some GM and Chrysler vans use the ambers. They're really not bright enough. Some vehicle use the fogs too, and they're fine.

 

I know on my '03 Vibe, if you start the car with the handbrake on, neither the DRLs or Auto Head Lights turn on until the hand barake is released.

 

You can do that with at least GM and Chrysler vehicles, but not Ford. On Ford vehicles, they are on when you start it and they tun off when you turn off the car.

[StevenCaylor]

"Also there are times where I may want my vehicle to be running, but have the lights off (for instance: idling in a parking space on a cold day, waiting for someone inside; there is no reason for my car to illuminate their bedroom)"

 

I know on my '03 Vibe, if you start the car with the handbrake on, neither the DRLs or Auto Head Lights turn on until the hand barake is released.

 

I agree on at least making the DRL look cool. I always thought even the bumper mounted fogs would work well or the ambers.

 

The Ford accessory kit on my Mustang works the same way. The lights won't come on until you released the parking brake.

[blazerdude20]

I trust Ford has manufactured quality lamp fixtures that can withstand demands of DRLs, especially if they are standard in Canada.

 

I may have DRLs activated in my MKX out of curiosity

 

so in order to turn on the drls you have to take it to the dealer. it is in the menu in the smart junction box. no fuse or relay.

 

not sure what it would be for the mkx but on the mkz it turns on the parking lights not the high beam

[suv_guy_19]

so in order to turn on the drls you have to take it to the dealer. it is in the menu in the smart junction box. no fuse or relay.

 

not sure what it would be for the mkx but on the mkz it turns on the parking lights not the high beam

 

 

Are you sure it turns on the park lights? That's very strange for a Ford.