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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 08:56 AM
  #1  
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Smile Daylight Running Lights (DRL)

I have 2010 F-150 crewcab Lariat. I believe that daylight running lights add a margin of safety to everyday driving. Therefore, I went to the selling dealer inquiring about DRL. This was an available option on fleet purchase of F-150 so I belived it could be added rather easy. The dealer said no, however I did not believe that to be true. After considerable research, and talking to other dealer who had the same answer, I found in the F150 Ford Service manual that in fact the DRL could be turned on at the Smart Junction Box (SJB). This is found in section 418-01. Went back to the dealer and told then what to do and they did it. Now, I have DRL on my 2010 F-150. It took all of about 10 minutes. The good news is they did not charge me.
 
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 09:13 AM
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Personally I think DRL's are the dumbest thing in the world. Reason: with DRL's you do not have the tail lights on. So many people think hey I got lights on all the time. Yeah, front lights but NO tail lights. To me tail lights are just as important as front lights.

Ever go down an interstate highway during a rainstorm? Then you come on the fools in a silver or gray vehicle merrily cruising away but not smart enough to know to TURN ON their lights. Remember, if your wipers are on, turn on your lights.

I really do like the Ford lights auto feature which automatically turns them on when needed, including the tail lights.
 

Last edited by Ranger Lance; Oct 6, 2010 at 09:17 AM. Reason: added info
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 10:00 AM
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You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I have had occasion to be driving in low light conditions in rural area where oncoming cars are not visible at a distance. This becomes important if you are on a two lane road and want to pass. Under the same circumstances car's with their headlights on are detectable. Canada has required DRL for a number of years, GM has included them on their cars for many year, and many insurance companies provide a discount to cars with DRL. So I believe their is sufficiant research and data to support DRL use.
Your comments about turning on tail lights in the rain are absolutely appropriate. In fact, many new vehicles, the F-150 for example, include automatic lights on when the wipers are turned on. In many States it is law that your lights are turned on when driving in the rain. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Hopes this helps you understand my position.<o></o>
 
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 10:33 AM
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F-150's have automatic headlights that go on when the wipers are activated?
 
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Buck 1
F-150's have automatic headlights that go on when the wipers are activated?
No they don't. The Platinum does have rain sensing wipers.
 
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 08:01 PM
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I think DRL's are a great feature and I applaud GM for offering it across the board. I probably wouldn't go to too much trouble to get them working but I wish Ford would jump on the bandwagon.

I've taught my girls that it's ultra important to see and be seen.
 
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 10:53 PM
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So I was wondering if you could spill the beans on what you told the dealership to do so we DIY guys could possibly do this mod in our driveways?
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 05:16 AM
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DRLs are mandatory here in Canada. They are just low beams running at reduced brightness.

Also, my F150 does turn on the full lighting system automatically, front and rear, when the wipers are on.

--
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 05:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Buck 1
F-150's have automatic headlights that go on when the wipers are activated?
Yes, mine does this. Its part of the automatic headlights feature.

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2010 FX4 Super Crew
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 05:43 AM
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I'm glad that worked out for you. I hear where Ranger Lance is coming from, though. Any time I start a vehicle (my truck, wife's car, fire truck, etc), I turn on the lights before putting on my seat belt. It's a habit that I developed a long time ago. See and be seen, as Tim said.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 06:13 AM
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I am surprised to read day time running lights aren't mandatory in the US...as stated they have been mandatory here in Canada for at least a decade .......there is no downside
 
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Jus2shy
So I was wondering if you could spill the beans on what you told the dealership to do so we DIY guys could possibly do this mod in our driveways?
This is not a DIY project unless you have a Smart Junction Box (SJB) programmer. Like I said in my write-up it took less than 15 minutes for the dealer to reprogram the SJB. If a dealer did charge and is honest it should be no more than $25.00. My purpose for writing the piece was to get the word out that DRL can be added to any 2010 F-150 by a simple reprogramming.
 
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Ranger Lance
Personally I think DRL's are the dumbest thing in the world. Reason: with DRL's you do not have the tail lights on. So many people think hey I got lights on all the time. Yeah, front lights but NO tail lights. To me tail lights are just as important as front lights.

Ever go down an interstate highway during a rainstorm? Then you come on the fools in a silver or gray vehicle merrily cruising away but not smart enough to know to TURN ON their lights. Remember, if your wipers are on, turn on your lights.

I really do like the Ford lights auto feature which automatically turns them on when needed, including the tail lights.
Jumping on old thread here as new user...I think the DRL is good idea IF you want it. I want to disable it on my '08 Expedition. Any suggestions on how this is done? Heard there is DRL resistor that when pulled will disable DRL only. Just don't know where located if so.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 02:55 PM
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THe local Ford Dealership in ALberta quoted $123 plus tax ( 1 hour labour)! No wonder we don't want to shop locally.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 04:06 PM
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I had my dealer say the same thing. Can't be done. When I ordered my wife's new Expedition which will be here next week they asked if I wanted them on and I said go ahead and it was kicked out because it was not a Fleet order. He call the service manager and he said it can't be done. I know there is a way to do it. I will have my Expedition reprogrammed before I pick it up. If it works, then my 2011 F150 is going to get it. I to live out in the country and it is an added safety feature.
 
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