PSA: DRLs are not headlights

"MLGCarGuy" (thejdmguy) 06/21/2015 at 15:00 • Filed to: None

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See those bright LEDs? They are not your headlights, no matter how bright you think they are. DRLs and headlights are two completely different things.

This R8 has its headlights on. How do we know? It’s because the headlights are bright enough to somewhat “blind” the camera. Just think of it as if you saw this car in your mirrors. Is there so much light coming from the headlights that light rays going off in different directions are visible.

This R8 doesn’t have its headlights on. How do we know? Well, the headlight beams aren’t on, obviously. But more importantly, you can see that the DRLs aren’t “blinding” the camera.

DRLs are made for just making sure you’re visible to other drivers in the daytime. So, if a driver is basically blind, at least he or she will see some light and know there’s a car there.

Headlights are made for darker days and nighttime driving. So if it’s cloudy/foggy, feel free to put on your headlights. But during the night, DRLs aren’t going to cut it. Like I mentioned before, DRLs are just to let others know your car is there. Headlights will let you see a couple hundred feet in front of you, and this is obviously going to be safer than having, maybe 5 feet, of visible road in front of you at night using DRLs.

Most importantly, you could get away with using LED DRLs at sunset (but you shouldn’t), but with standard halogen DRLs like most cars still use, you won’t see crap at night. It actually scares me to see someone using something like these at night:

Because obviously these don’t cast any light. And remember, when you use your DRL setting, your taillights probably aren’t going to be on. So you’re posing a danger to yourself by not having full vision ahead of yourself, and a danger to others around you, because they won’t see your car if it doesn’t have tailights on.

Just look at how much more light you get if you turn on your headlights.

TL;DR: Use good judgment and know the DRLs are for day time and that headlights are for driving in the dark.

Trevor Mohr > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:05

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Well written. Very nice. BMW drivers with the halo lights on at night....

TheOnelectronic > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:05

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Is this really a problem? I’d figure most cars with LED DRLs have automatic headlights, and at any rate, if you can see without your headlights on, your headlights probably don’t need to be on.

DrScientist > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:08

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have DRLs become required in the states for new cars? i know they weren’t before, well, sometime.

i believe DRLs are lights, as you describe above, used so others can see YOU. but i also believe that DRLs, in other countries, like canada (?) are a requirement at all times of operation, and therefore there is no DRL “setting.” they come on when the car is turned on, and there is no way (in the cabin) for the operator to turn them off.

i’ve always called the setting you are referring to as DRLs as “parking lights,” and i believe this is how the dmv referred to them back when i was taking my driver’s tests. but then, i’m old, so maybe there are new regulations, and/or switchable parking lights are now referred to as DRLs.

MLGCarGuy > TheOnelectronic 06/21/2015 at 15:09

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My dad’s Sonata has LED DRLs but doesn’t have auto headlights. And today in SoCal, so many people do freeway driving at night with no lights on and I think that’s bad.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:11

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And another fun issue for most all cars:

DRL DOES NOT MEAN tHAT YOUR BRAKELIGHTS ARE ON!

I live in a snowbird filled town. The number of rental cars I see with DRL on but no lights scares me. I try and tell these people and they argue with me about it. I tell them to put it in park and come look.

DRL need to become less bright or have tail lights on standard

Rainbow > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:13

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I call DRLs “Douchebag Lights.” I seriously don’t get the point of them. If you need that much light, it won’t hurt to have a little extra. There is nothing they can do that regular headlights can’t.

Svend > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:14

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I’ve done it before where the DRLs after dusk are so bright on the road that I didn’t know I didn’t have my headlights on, till and motorbike tapped on my window at a sat of traffic lights.

Because the dashboard and centre console are lit all the time I just don’t notice. But I’ve got two visible points now, of course one is the headlight light on the dashboard but the other are two down light LEDs which shine a dull glow on the gear shift and hand brake.

Baeromez > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:16

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I read an article in Road & Track yesterday that mentioned the recent increase in drivers forgetting to turn their headlights on. They claim that people are used to their dash being unlit if their headlights are off and that the digital dash in most newer cars is always illuminated, fooling people into thinking their headlights are on.

My ‘01 Grand Am had a light sensor and would turn the headlights on automatically if you left the switch on. You could manually turn them off, but I never saw a reason not to just leave them on. Of course, the Firebird has popups so there’s no problem remembering there.

DrScientist > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:16

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isnt that some kind of gang initiation?

MLGCarGuy > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/21/2015 at 15:20

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With LED accented taillights nowadays the DRL setting should turn those on too. Alas, they don’t.

MLGCarGuy > Rainbow 06/21/2015 at 15:20

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They look cool but that’s all they’re good for.

Baeromez > DrScientist 06/21/2015 at 15:20

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I think you can turn all of the lights off in most cars. It’s usually a three-position switch; OFF/DRLs/ON.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > DrScientist 06/21/2015 at 15:25

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Nope. The only cars we have with DRLs are because some of our cars were designed for other markets. The vast majority of accent lights are used as DRLs in other countries, which is why the ones we get act like DRLs. They’re not mandated, though. Apparently DRLs are safety features until some percentage of cars have them, then their effectiveness drops off dramatically, so they never became a legal requirement.

Parking lights are completely different from DRLs. Parking lights illuminate the front amber lights and tail lights. DRLs are on any time the car is running, there is no setting, and this only illuminates the headlights (or some other source of light at the front of the car on both sides), usually at lower power than your actual low beams.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Rainbow 06/21/2015 at 15:27

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You don’t know what DRLs are. You’re thinking of accent lights, which double as DRLs in markets that require them, but they were implemented as a safety feature, not for appearances or style.

Most first-world countries mandate DRLs, the US being a prime exception.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:34

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My car doesn’t even have them.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Baeromez 06/21/2015 at 15:34

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The weird thing is that most cars don’t have light indicators, either. When my nav is off in my newest car (most of the time) and it is set properly, there’s a little picture of the car with headlights on when they’re on and off when they’re off. The Japanese do a better job here: Even older Japanese cars almost always have green or yellow headlight indicators (like the blue high beam ones, which is another complaint for another way, but only when the headlights are on).

1111111111111111111111 > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:37

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In the Kia I never turn the headlights off. I really don’t know why any manufacturer wouldn’t just have the lights turn off when the key bis out.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:37

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This right here is why I hate “driving lights”. Though you outlined the reasoning for them... I still maintain they are completely useless.... Until dusk, when full headlights are overkill. Which is why “driving lights” should be renamed: dusk lights (nice ring to it eh?).

DrScientist > Baeromez 06/21/2015 at 15:40

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thats what i’m saying. true DRLs can NOT be switched off. they are a required safety feature.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytime_r…

imagine turning off your airbag.

the off/drl/on you are referring was called off/parking/headlamp last i checked. hell, there was even a little “P” next to that setting on some cars.

Baeromez > DrScientist 06/21/2015 at 15:42

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Oh, gotcha.

AM > Rainbow 06/21/2015 at 15:43

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All 3 of my cars have your so-called “douchebag lights” :(

Not my fault they're mandated in Canada.

MLGCarGuy > 1111111111111111111111 06/21/2015 at 15:45

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In California headlights on all the time is a bit excessive. But I can see that in other areas that would be good.

MLGCarGuy > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 06/21/2015 at 15:45

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Congratulations. You don’t need to worry about this then.

 V8 Rustler > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:47

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Related to this, is people that just turn their parking lights and fog lights at night, like if that make them look cool or something.

Angel eyes in an F-Body Camaro...

MLGCarGuy >  V8 Rustler 06/21/2015 at 15:53

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That’s horrendous.

Manny05x > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:55

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Interesting, all I know is you get a discount on your insurance for having them.

Forgetful > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 15:57

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Headlights should be on no matter the conditions. You never know when conditions might suddenly change and even in bright clear daylight, having your headlights, and more importantly your tail lights on, could mean the difference between someone seeing you or not.

Headlights and tail lights always on. Always.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 16:15

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I have seen people do exactly what you're saying though.

DrScientist > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 16:16

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i assume this is because in the daytime, there could be confusion between the always on tail light and a true brake light. if someone is driving away from you, you dont need to be as aware of their presence as when they are coming toward you.

DrScientist > 1111111111111111111111 06/21/2015 at 16:18

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additional gas use?

DrScientist > Forgetful 06/21/2015 at 16:19

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daytime glare, and turn signal masking.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 16:20

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Well some of these new cars are like staring at two sets of brights on, I think they need to use the little lights. Its absolutely insane how bright the lights are, can we get the old French system of yellows please? A Q7 will fry your eyes.

MLGCarGuy > Manny05x 06/21/2015 at 16:39

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For real? Which insurance company?

MLGCarGuy > DrScientist 06/21/2015 at 16:41

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Very true. I can tell by the third brake light, but nobody ever references that, it seems.

MLGCarGuy > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 06/21/2015 at 16:42

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Or use DRLs like the Versa.

facw > DrScientist 06/21/2015 at 16:47

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Yeah not required here, but since they are in Northern Europe and Canada, most cars come with them on by default, but they can be turned off. A lot of people do disable them because they are concerned that they look bad or waste fuel or something.

facw > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 16:50

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I’ve seen a Subaru driving around in a mode where neither the taillights nor brake lights worked with the DRLs on (which seems nuts).

My car uses the headlights for DRL and leaves the taillights on all the time, which is a convenient way to do things.

MLGCarGuy > facw 06/21/2015 at 16:52

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What car do you have?

facw > Rainbow 06/21/2015 at 16:53

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They do make cars more noticeable (especially in northern latitudes). Headlights work just as well for that purpose though true DRL will use less power. My Volvo just uses the headlights for DRL though, the only difference between the DRL and normal headlight setting is that you can only flash, not toggle the brights in DRL mode.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 16:53

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I have this I can put in the 240Z.

facw > Baeromez 06/21/2015 at 16:54

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There's really no reason not to have headlights that are always on when the car is on, or automatically on based on brightness.

facw >  V8 Rustler 06/21/2015 at 16:56

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Fog lights on clear nights are my enemy. It was especially bad in Austin which has lots of small, steep hills that cause you to get fog lights and then brights right in your face as cars crest them.

facw > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 06/21/2015 at 16:58

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I'd like to keep the bright lights but just have them dim or aim away automatically when a car is coming the other way.

facw > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 17:01

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‘03 Volvo S40. It has separate DRL and Headlight modes but the only difference between them in stock configuration is that you can only flash the brights in DRL mode (not toggle). There is some control stalk handshake that will turn off the headlights in DRL mode though, but I think it's best just to run them all the time.

1111111111111111111111 > DrScientist 06/21/2015 at 17:04

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How much could it possible affect gas usage?

jvirgs drives a Subaru > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 17:06

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PREACH!!!! Also DRLs are not not good for rain either. Turn on your effing headlights when your windshield wipers are on.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Baeromez 06/21/2015 at 17:10

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In my Dart, I can check whether or not I want my DRL lights on. In my brother’s impala if you have the auto headlight feature on then the DRL lights are always on. If you turn that feature off, it turns the DRL off. Both cars only have Off, Auto, Parking, On.

MLGCarGuy > jvirgs drives a Subaru 06/21/2015 at 17:15

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Some cars automatically turn on headlights if they detect rain, most don’t.

boxrocket > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 17:17

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I despise DRLs. I understand the reasoning behind them, but they may as well be replaced with automatic head- and taillights instead for all the good they do, or permanently-on headlamps and taillamps when the car is in gear.

In the same vein, I’m a firm believer that when the wipers are on (not the wash/mist setting, actually on), the headlights should come on automatically. Most states have a law "Headlamps on when wipers required", so why not?

jvirgs drives a Subaru > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 17:17

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I wish more did. I have the rain-sensing wipers and there is a setting that if those kick on, the headlights will turn on.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > facw 06/21/2015 at 18:03

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There are many spots, I am in SF and in the city and hills it is pretty constant. I don’t see why normal headlight levels on a car are so much brighter now, in the rain it can get pretty bad on a curvy road. Shit even the fucking brake lights on those Audi SUVs in the rain blinds me and reflects red all over everything. Foggy rain near SF is bad enough sometimes.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > facw 06/21/2015 at 19:06

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This... Automatic brightness adjustment is possible of only it were legally allowed.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > facw 06/21/2015 at 19:26

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The power consumption is negligible in either case, the only time it might be a problem is if you’re trying to limp home without an alternator.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > TheOnelectronic 06/21/2015 at 19:33

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Not true. At dusk you can still see, but you need lights on your car so other vehicles can see you. DRL’s don’t count either because the taillamps aren’t illuminated.

Rainbow > AM 06/21/2015 at 19:42

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I have them, too, but I use my headlights at night. I just think DRLs are annoying because they enable people to drive without their headlights on, without getting noticed by police. It would be a lot easier if there were just two options - all lights off or all lights on.

For countries with DRLs required, just replace the “all lights off” option with them.

AM > Rainbow 06/21/2015 at 19:48

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Are there still cars that don’t come with automatic headlights? I know in my Yukon there is no “off” option, once the truck senses that it’s dark outside the lights are on even if you turn the knob to off.

guinessboy2013 > MLGCarGuy 06/21/2015 at 20:54

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I can’t believe people driving in torrential downpours, lots of spray on the highway with no lights on.

TheOnelectronic > Boss2452stolemylunchmoney 06/21/2015 at 22:00

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Okay, fair point. I wasn’t thinking about the tail lights.

I’d kind of like to see a system where headlights were off in well-lit areas; just marker lamps. Hell, on nights with a full moon I can usually see farther with my headlights off than with them on.

Marker lights are always important, though. No question.

DrScientist > 1111111111111111111111 06/22/2015 at 09:26

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well. halogen head lights do require a bit of current for operation. on an individual daily basis, its likely minimal, but still >0. and over the course of the life of the automobile, or even an epa mpg test, it might be noticeable.

also, turn signal masking would be a safety consideration. ie, turn signals would not as readily visible in daylight when there’s a big headlamp on immediately adjacent to it.