Can someone please explain to me why Ford does not offer Daytime Running Lights here in the US?

And if Canadian Fords come equipped...Is there a relay that can be added to the vehicle to make them work??

I've always been very curious about this...

I have always felt the DRL option should be standard (or at least an option) here in the US.

If I am asking in the wrong place...let me know




Thanks

Deb

 

Some do have daytime lights here in the US. My dad has a '98 Taurus with daytime lights. It was bought new in SoCal. Maybe a fluke that this car got daytime lights. We bought the car from a family member who said he never added the lights, it came that way from the dealer.

Gary
==============================
46 truck-6cyl now, 302/C4 soon
46 truck-flathead 8, 4spd
47 truck-getting a 429/C6
57 Ford FL 500-4 dr-312/AT
70 Mustang fastback-351W/FMX
72 Olds Vista Cruiser-350/AT
88 Bronco II, 500,000+ mi.

 

Why would anyone want daytime running lights? What is the point of these? I know my parents' 98 f-150 have the lights that come on automatically in the dark. Well when your going through a long tunnel or anything like that they can't make up their mind if they want to be on or off. Its got to be driving the people in front of them nuts. It just seems like more electrical garbage that will go wrong after a while that just does not need to be there.

 

Awhile back they were optioned on the US trucks, although I don't know if they are still that way. Instead of DRL's I would prefer to have a autoheadlamp system, I would like it to have a delay though. No point at all in starting a cold vehicle with the headlamps allready on.

And make an override switch too!


'93 F-150 loaded and modified!
Check my Gallery

 

Ford probably thinks that if the poeple want their lights on during the day, they'll turn them on, it's not a difficult task, just turn the switch.
That's the way I think. If Ford did make them standard, then those who don't want them will be cutting wires (and voiding your warranty- that's a no-no).
I wouldn't want them, I like being able to run my parking lights when I pull out of driveways at night so not to shine in everyones' windows.
I also like the ultra-cool look that trucks with clearance lights have when you cruise around at dusk with just the parking lights.

At dusk I find that parking lights are just as visible as headlights.
It's just the little things that you encounter every so often, that make you think "Gee, I wish I could shut these lights off."

-Dan

"I'm old enough to know better, but I'm still too young to care"
-Wade Hayes

 

>I have always felt the DRL option should be standard here in the US.


WHY?


>(or at least an option)


They are, see post above.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Mar-02 AT 07:09 PM (EST)]In Canada, it's Law and mainly introduced for safety reasons.
With the advent of more colours that blend into the background and the stupidity that driver's possess,something had to be done.

The DRL headlights operate at about 60-70 % of normal illumination than from direct headlight switch.
The tail-lights do not illuminate with this feature.
Front light only

Being around these vehicles all the time is it a good *for Safety* feature.
When I drive with a low sun in the sky and in the mountains on out Two-lane roads I have my headlights on.
It diferentiates between vehicles *coming your way* & travelling away from you.

Driving with your headlights always prevents the battery from being over-charged.


I like this feature and feel it does no harm.

Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg



[b]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions [b]
[b]"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"[b]


78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon

 

My only challenge with DRL's is that motorcycles have to have thier lights on for the same reason. I don't want to go unnoticed because folks become "used" to seeing lights on. The dual headlights in my ZX-7 (on high beam I might add) help me to be seen. Although, I'd argue if even THAT works.

Plus, if everyone has there lights on, does it really help you differentiate anything?

I run my lights when I feel it will help someone see me. But if they can't see an 8000lb., 7' high, 19' long truck comin' at them without my lights on, then maybe it's not DRL's that we really need.

 

Yes, if they cannot see a truck that big, they've got problems.

Now listen to this -I'll try too keep it short.

2 days ago I was pulling a large farm wagon down a large 2 lane road to a grain elevator to sell soybeans (farmer thing). So I was crusing with my '84 F-350 dually-diesel at about 40 MPH. Then the next thing I know I see a little car in my mirrors going twice as fast as me, get right up on my rear, and all of a sudden realize his front lane is blocked and slide into the ditch sideways.
I stopped, there were a couple of kids in the car. Ther driver said he didn't see the wagon. Now keep in mind this wagon is 12 FEET HIGH, and BRIGHT RED! (w/ SMV) So me and another guy who seen the whole thing, pushed the kids out. The driver said he didn't have any oil pressure and asked what I was gonna do about it. I should've punched him right there, but I walked away and drove off.

How come pople can't see things these days, do they just chose to ignore? I see it all the time

-Dan

"I'm old enough to know better, but I'm still too young to care"
-Wade Hayes

 

>>I have always felt the DRL option should be standard here in the US.
>
>
>WHY?

Well, if you think of it this way...
Motorcycle riders have DRL's, but that doesn't
stop the idiots from pulling out in front of them,
but people that are aware of whats going on around
them don't need DRLs...having 3 friends die in MC/car
accidents doesn't help the DRL arguement, as they
were on the scooters...

DRL don't save lives, don't believe me?? I can show
you the graves of 3 scooter riders who followed the
law, into their graves...


Steve & the Rockette
'63 F100
'68 F100
'72 Capri 2L
'73 Capri 2.6L V6
'73 MG B GT 2.6L V6(Ford)
'98 Contour SVT 2.5L V6 (Mods)
'01 ZX2 (No Mods yet)

 

I can show you the graves of three people that had there seat belts on. But i still wear mine and i hope you do to...

How many bikers would be dead without the "DRL: rule

How many people have you seen driving in the dark with no lights on, but they think they are on because the dash lights are on..

Most drivers need "DRL"s and they need there headlights to come automaticly....

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Mar-02 AT 00:22 AM (EST)]Wow, didn't realize that this would create such a debate...
I was purely asking for the safety's sake of having them (and yes it is very easy to manually turn on your lights...).
My Expy has the auto on feature, which is nice, and yes you can actually manually turn them off if you need to. What is convenient about the factory DRL's is that they work at a lower wattage so as not to put more strain on your electrical system.

Here in California, they have found that the DRL's actually make it easier to see oncoming vehicles during the daytime, therefore making it safer. I have for many years manually turned on my headlights during the daytime, in all my vehicles not just the trucks. We do alot of desert two lane driving, and I believe that it is safer to have this feature. Even in freeway driving (maybe it is just here in Calif.) but I have noticed that drivers are more aware if you have your lights on than not, regardless of how big your vehicle is.

Just my opinion...but it would be nice to have them (without having to manually turn them on... )


Edit: I should probably explain the reason for asking...We just traded in one of the Expy's on a new T-Bird (sad but...cool!). The manuals on all Fords show that "if equipped" with DRL...I was mearly wondering if it was something as simple as adding a relay or not to provide this feature. And for this vehicle anyway, I thought it would be nice if it had it.

Thanks to all for the replies!

Thanks

Deb

 

I think daytime running lights are just plain rediculous on cars and trucks. I can see the point on motorcycles and stuff but not on cars. They are just annoying and sometimes they are really irritating when the people have the high beam switch turned on. This is mostly on GM vehcles. If you can't see the other vehcles on the road without having drl's themn you are a retard and need to just stay home or find someone else to drive for you. Or just ride the short bus. Also most people don't always want their lights on. Examples are pulling into driveways or when you are working on the vehicle etc. Lastly, I think those stupid drl's detract from the look of the vehicle. Everone I know that has them just cut the wires so it doesnt work anymore. That's what I would do. Sorry, but these are my opinions.

 

I will find a way to disconnect my dlr's as soon as the weather permits. My biggest problem with them is all the idiots who have them that don't bother swiching on the lights after dark causing very hazzardous driving situations as they have no taillights.Dark rainy nights make it hard to see them until your up on top of them. Some Fords with them which weren't ordered is because they may have been built to ship to Canada but were sold in US instead. This is how my 01 Explorer is. I asked the dealer before I bought it why it had Canandian Stickers on it, he showed me the actual window sticker that was on it before they got the new US one.

 

i have to agree that they do become more of a safty hazard then anything, at night of course when some one forgetts to turn the regular lights on. i work for an rv dealership and i take care of the rentals. some are chevys and of course they have DRL's. the only time they go off is if the E brake is on. the other side to the story that i heard as to why saturn has them is that they have to have them on the canadian bound cars so they are to cheep to make up a diffrent wiring harness without them.

jon