Why don't LED turn signals and running lights both work at the same time?

"Orange Exige" (OrangeExige)
08/12/2016 at 17:09 • Filed to: None

I think my question is pretty straightforward and I’m genuinely curious about why new cars are like this. (It also kinda bothers me in an OCD way...)

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, keep your eye out for newer Audis, etc. - even cheaper cars nowadays - which have those fancy white LED running lights that turn off when their turn signals are on

Is it a technical limitation or what?

DISCUSSION (18)

Echo51 > Orange Exige
08/12/2016 at 17:10

Last this was discussed i believe it turned out to be an euro legislation, but it’s probably for visibility.

citizennick > Orange Exige
08/12/2016 at 17:12

I would guess it would make the turn signals harder to see if the DRL was also on.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Orange Exige
08/12/2016 at 17:12

Cars which deactivate the running lights when the turn signals are activated do so to make the turn signals easier to see. This applies to cars of all headlight types.

spanfucker retire bitch > Orange Exige
08/12/2016 at 17:13

They’re deactivated to accentuate the turn signal. Also, in some cars, they are the same thing. The LED DRLs in my co-worker’s new Fusion Sport for example are the turn signals.

Cé hé sin > Echo51
08/12/2016 at 17:16

It’s not actually compulsory in the EU though because I see cars which don’t do it.

Svend > Orange Exige
08/12/2016 at 17:50

On mine the DRLs and the front indicators are the same, it merely changes colour.

Kinja'd!!!

You’ll also notice on many VAG cars with front foglights fitted how the foglight on the side which the car is turning, comes on and then softly turns off as you straighten out (I even had a colleague stop me the other day saying one of my lights was out as he’d never noticed it till I told him).

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Orange Exige
08/12/2016 at 17:59

I literally noticed this yesterday on my buddy’s A5 and thought WTF. In other words, great question!

Orange Exige > Svend
08/12/2016 at 18:00

This of course makes sense... I’ve seen a few cars like this, but far more the other way around, having dedicated driving lights and turn signals.

Design-wise, I think that the two in one solution is better because it balances out the car instead of having awkwardly lopsided lights (when the turn signal is on).

And if you are wondering, yes I do hate how newer sport bikes’ headlights/running lights are also light up just on one side XD

Orange Exige > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/12/2016 at 18:03

Ah fair enough.

I guess I didn’t expect such a simple answer?

I mainly never thought of this though because the driving lights - at least these new ones I see - are all pretty pure white and I would think that the bright orange turn signal would stand out against it no matter what.

Orange Exige > haveacarortwoorthree2
08/12/2016 at 18:10

Luckily fellow Opponauts are far smarter than you and I and know these answers! (Or minimally, they confidently act like they know the answer ;)

These driving lights that turn off for the turn signal drive me crazy! I was just replying to someone else saying that, yes, I do also hate newer sport bike headlights that only light up one side (during the day). I know it's for good reason (either the high beam is offset or it does it to conserve at least one light), but still I just think it looks silly!