Automatic Headlights
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
I feel stupid,On our new truck I was going to take it back as the lights came on every time we started it!
Noew I just have to move my hat that I keep on the dash.
Well I didn't have to look stupid at the dealer.
Russ
Noew I just have to move my hat that I keep on the dash.
Well I didn't have to look stupid at the dealer.
Russ
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: WA
I do not mind the daytime driving lights so much. I do however wish there was a way to just have the parking lights on instead of the headlights when the truck is sitting running. My "driving lights" (low intensity headlights) come on when ever the truck is started/running no matter what position the headlight switch is in. When I warm the truck up on cold mornings the headlights shine right over in to my neighbors house. I would rather not bother them with that. I know, some of you are saying just pull the truck in instead of backing in...not a real option as far as being able to get in and out of the truck. All that said, is there a switch position that I am missing to not have the "driving lights" on when the truck is just sitting? Thanks all and have a great holiday season! -Glenn
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 2
From: East central IL
I love the automatic headlights. One way I fixed the "low light" situation is I bought a small stuffed animal that lays in the corner of the dash. When in "low light" (rain, dusk, etc.--not dawn I have a rule to never, never get out of bed before dawn--afterall I'm retired) I simply slide the toy over the sensor. No it's not perfect, but it works real well for me. Also I have an '04 and the sensor is over near the left corner on the dash, not in the middle. Another thought on the DTRL's issue is motorcyclists don't like them much on cars. We've had lights on for years to make us more noticeable, if everyone has lights on during the day we're back to square one. Not an issue with me but another perspective on the issue.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Medford, OR
Originally Posted by Glenn Jenne
I do however wish there was a way to just have the parking lights on instead of the headlights when the truck is sitting running.
Where exactly is the sensor located as I could not see it when I looked this afternoon?
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Davis, IL
Glenn-For what it's worth, in my old Blazer with DRL, if the parking brake was on, it would shut off the DRLs. Maybe you could try this to avoid shining your lights into the neighbors house.
Telly
Telly
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton Canada
Originally Posted by Chris1450
One would think Ford would go ahead and make daytime running lamps standard like GM did over a decade ago. They've been proven to save lives, you never have to worry about whether your lights are on, and it would only cost them a couple bucks per vehicle.
______________
Sorry but the canadians have had dtrl for years and the accident rate has not changed. It is a farce to think so. I don't want dtrl as I want to be in control of my vehicle. If you want dtrl's, then get the proper relay from a parts house and install it in the electrical box in the engine compartment in the right slot. Look in your owners manual and it will tell you where it goes. it is about a $20 relay. As far as GM (Gods mistake) lights burning out so fast, I think they have some cut rate bulb vender and the bulbs burn out quickly... anything to save a buck.
______________
Sorry but the canadians have had dtrl for years and the accident rate has not changed. It is a farce to think so. I don't want dtrl as I want to be in control of my vehicle. If you want dtrl's, then get the proper relay from a parts house and install it in the electrical box in the engine compartment in the right slot. Look in your owners manual and it will tell you where it goes. it is about a $20 relay. As far as GM (Gods mistake) lights burning out so fast, I think they have some cut rate bulb vender and the bulbs burn out quickly... anything to save a buck.
don't want dtrl as I want to be in control of my vehicle.
I think it is so u can see the idiots that don't have control, DTRL makes it easier to spot them
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by tWyStyD
I
don't want dtrl as I want to be in control of my vehicle.
I think it is so u can see the idiots that don't have control, DTRL makes it easier to spot them
don't want dtrl as I want to be in control of my vehicle.
I think it is so u can see the idiots that don't have control, DTRL makes it easier to spot them
I'm pretty good at figuring it out too- by the kinds of posts people make in public forums like this one.
FWIW...
From NHTSA:
"Pedestrian, head-on crashes and intersection crashes may result from approaching vehicles not being noticed. In 2000, an estimated 22,692 fatalities and a total of 4.7 million crashes occurred under daylight, dawn or dusk conditions; it has been estimated that almost one-quarter of all day/dawn/dusk fatalities result from head-on and sideswipe-opposite-direction crashes. NHTSA has been studying the effectiveness of daytime running lamps in making it easier for drivers to see other vehicles and to see them sooner, thereby reducing collisions. A recent preliminary study by NHTSA of vehicles with DRLs in the U.S. shows that they have the potential to reduce the risk of certain types of crashes in the U.S."
From The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute:
"Late detection is the basic mechanism responsible for daytime collisions. One goal of this report is to review evidence concerning the effectiveness of daytime running lights (DRLs) to increase vehicle conspicuity, and thereby facilitate vehicle detection and reduce the number of daytime collisions (including collisions between cars and unprotected road users). Another goal is to recommend lighting characteristics of dedicated DRLs.The available accident studies indicate that DRLs are effective in reducing the number of daytime collisions. Furthermore, this reduction is larger for pedestrians and cyclists than for motor vehicles."
Last edited by Catdave; Dec 30, 2006 at 08:27 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: buckley WA
Furthermore, this reduction is larger for pedestrians and cyclists than for motor vehicles."
____
read this sentence again. They are wording things very cleverly to get there agenda passed. Your underlined sentences are vague too. The potential? Now there speculating. The government needs to get out of our lives. They have no business mandating DRL's or seat belts for that matter. As an adult I find it very insulting that the government thinks they need to control us like they are our mommy. There are other studies that say DRL's don't help. That the statistics are in the margin of error. If you want DRL's then that should be our choice.
____
read this sentence again. They are wording things very cleverly to get there agenda passed. Your underlined sentences are vague too. The potential? Now there speculating. The government needs to get out of our lives. They have no business mandating DRL's or seat belts for that matter. As an adult I find it very insulting that the government thinks they need to control us like they are our mommy. There are other studies that say DRL's don't help. That the statistics are in the margin of error. If you want DRL's then that should be our choice.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
"The available accident studies indicate that DRLs are effective in reducing the number of daytime collisions. Furthermore, this reduction is larger for pedestrians and cyclists than for motor vehicles."
I see no conspiratorial agenda-passing here- they are saying that while there have been documented reductions in accidents between vehicles with DRL's, there have been even more significant reductions in injuries to pedestrians and cyclists due to DRL's.
Sounds like a good thing to me.
As you say- I'm sure there are some studies out there that indicate DRL's don't save lives, but so far no one has posted any solid and reliable data from a reputable industry source to support it.
While I agree NHTSA's use of the words "potential to reduce the risk of certain types of crashes" can be seen as vague by the unconvinced, it supports the overall idea. However, the U of M statement of "DRLs are effective in reducing the number of daytime collisions" is not vague in the least and supports completely the NHTSA position.
In the grand scheme of things, however, I agree that it should be a matter of personal choice.
I see no conspiratorial agenda-passing here- they are saying that while there have been documented reductions in accidents between vehicles with DRL's, there have been even more significant reductions in injuries to pedestrians and cyclists due to DRL's.
Sounds like a good thing to me.
As you say- I'm sure there are some studies out there that indicate DRL's don't save lives, but so far no one has posted any solid and reliable data from a reputable industry source to support it.
While I agree NHTSA's use of the words "potential to reduce the risk of certain types of crashes" can be seen as vague by the unconvinced, it supports the overall idea. However, the U of M statement of "DRLs are effective in reducing the number of daytime collisions" is not vague in the least and supports completely the NHTSA position.
In the grand scheme of things, however, I agree that it should be a matter of personal choice.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: buckley WA
Ok.. just getting to read my owners manual on my truck and something hit me in the forehead with a big DUH!!.. the next reason DTRL are STUPID is that the headlights are on at a lower wattage. But the tail lights are still not functioning. It is still up to the driver to turn on the lights properly, and if the driver is the least distracted or tired... then the driver is running with no tail lights. It could be argued that the DTRL could CAUSE more accidents. Just a thought......
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
the DTRL are kind of a moot point in this truck. most trims have the auto lights. biggest problem with that is the stinkin' sensor is not nearly sensitive enough.
as for the lower wattage, yes the DTRL are alot dimmer. they basically have enough wattage to be seen only by other vehicles. my other vehicles that had DTRL were entirely too dim to drive with at night. looked like a light bulb that was on it's last legs.
actually, alot of states got tired of footing the bill for vehicles injuries that could have been prevented if people had been wearing their restraint devices.
How many people remember riding in the rear window of the family car? or not wearing a seat belt in the rear seat? the more statistics that are obtained, the more the devices prove they work.
as for the lower wattage, yes the DTRL are alot dimmer. they basically have enough wattage to be seen only by other vehicles. my other vehicles that had DTRL were entirely too dim to drive with at night. looked like a light bulb that was on it's last legs.
Originally Posted by Chris1450
As an adult I find it very insulting that the government thinks they need to control us like they are our mommy.
actually, alot of states got tired of footing the bill for vehicles injuries that could have been prevented if people had been wearing their restraint devices.
How many people remember riding in the rear window of the family car? or not wearing a seat belt in the rear seat? the more statistics that are obtained, the more the devices prove they work.