12-09-2021, 12:02 PM | #1 |
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Why have dedicated DRL?
I’ve always wondered why cars have DRLs instead of just having headlights always on like motorcycles. It’s a fashion thing by now and a new car would probably be mocked without them, but in the earlier days of the DRL rule, it seems like manufacturers would find it dumb to have dedicated lights. Or did all DRLs start with having the headlights on all the time and I just didn’t notice? My dad’s Prius just uses the headlights for DRL, but they’re dimmer like they’re wired in series in DRL mode… which still seems like extra complication for no reason.
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12-09-2021, 01:55 PM | #2 |
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I think a lot of it is ,especially before LEDs, was the extension of the bulb life on reduced power and the very slightly improved fuel mileage for CAFE standards where ever tiny increase in mpg helps the corporate average.
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12-09-2021, 05:29 PM | #3 |
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Purely a guess, but I believe separating them from the main headlights started as a style thing rather than anything practical. Thinking of the BMW halos and Audi eyelashes.
There was early resistance to DRLs in many countries because it was thought they would cause too much glare - the US also saw people arguing that they would make motorcycles less visible because they'd no longer be the only vehicle with lights on during the day. It may have evolved as a response to some of those concerns as well.
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12-25-2021, 12:53 PM | #4 |
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it's the law here in sweden to have front lights on all the time. maybe it's evolved from places like this
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12-25-2021, 06:13 PM | #5 |
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In Canada we have to have daytime running lights. Not as bright as headlights, but something opened. It's by law. Before they used to be dim headlights. Now they are more fashioned.
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12-27-2021, 04:36 PM | #6 |
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Because people got tired of replacing headlight bulbs, so with the advent of a DRL and the move to LED strips is reduced the wear and tear on the actual headlight bulbs.
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12-27-2021, 07:31 PM | #7 |
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Bulb life is my guess also.
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12-27-2021, 08:56 PM | #8 |
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There it is. Think I’m most satisfied with that answer. In the early days of DRL makers wouldn’t be faulted for lacking the aesthetic, but they’d certainly be berated for burning thru headlight bulbs.
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