Daylight Running Lights

[KevW]

I'm interested in hearing what others think about these things.

Although I have a healthy suspicion of regulations issued by our masters in the EU parliament and I can't say I really like the look of DLR on cars I have to admit I think they could bring safety benefits, especially for those drivers who are more interested in using their phone than watching approaching traffic.

I also have a theory that as more and more cars have them fitted as standard those of us without them are going to become effectively invisable. Drivers will subconciously learn to look for DLR rather than the actual vehicle, especially at junctions, which means if you have a car without DLR you are going to blend into the background.

I may well have to fit them to my cars eventually although if I do I'll be careful to avoid the tacky looking displays favoured by manufacturers such as Audi. I fitted a discreet high level brake lamp under the rear spoiler of my Excel not because I thought it looked good but for safety.

[fitz]

I feel much the same as you Kev,

although my 3rd brake light keeps falling off in hot weather!

my thoughts would be to put led replacement bulbs in the sidelights, and wire them in such a way that they come on with ignition but the pod's don't raise?

I really fear driving the car these days, some of things i used to see when i drove up to 100miles + a day for work were shocking, my favourites being the young mums pulling away from lights with no hands on the wheel, texting, with their toddlers in the back ><

slightly OT but also worried about increasing driver 'aids' as promoted by the new ford focus...people will feel they don't need to pay as much attention etc...

[johnthebass]

It's already law to drive with lights in several if not most EU countries. As you say Kev how long before the EU masters make it law here! I agree there is certainly a safety issue, and, it is certainly a necessity when driving at speed on an unrestricted section of autobahn.
John.

[johnthebass]

Just an idea! I suppose you could wire out the fog lights so they operate independant of the headlights and use them as driving lights!??

[KevW]

Fitting bright leds is not a bad idea Fitz but I don't think it would work on the Excel as the sidlight bulbs face sidewards. As leds are highly directional I think most of their illumination would be lost. By the way it's dead easy to get the pods to stay down when sidelights are on. How to do the modification http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... ipped+beam

I've been thinkig along similar lines to John ie. removing the foglight bulbs and fitting led running lights instead. I have never needed to use the foglights on my Excel in all the time I've owned it anyway.

[Simpatico]

Do DLRs have to be LEDs? Is there anything wrong with just running with sidelights on? I have heard people say it's illegal but how have Volvo got away with it so long?

I think the high level stoplight idea will be more effective, with the cars being so low and having the stoplights in the bumper Will be fitting a discreet one to the Elite when time comes.

[KevW]

Nothing against the law about driving with sidelights on all of time Mark but they aren't very bright in sunny conditions, unlike the new led running lights.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

During the seventies the Brits would laugh at the idea of DLR lights on Volvos in particular.

I believe the main reasons they were deemed unnecessary at the time are:

• * Car colours were brighter (no blacks or greys in particular)
  * higher road and exhaust noise levels - maintained a state of alertness
  * car interior environments and ride quality less soporific
  * windscreens had less rake /less glare /closer to driver
  * no mobiles or satnavs
  * less than half the number of cars on the road mostly driven by males (I'd guess females are responsible for more than 60% of todays short journeys)

[RRHANS]

Option 1:

Respray your car in calypso red.
You will get noticed.
It almost glows in the dark.

Option 2:

Warm white Leds should be possible in the sidelights, there are models that shine in all directions.
They are brighter than traditional bulbs and do not give the "wanabe a modern car" look, that the cold white's give.

[KevW]

A mate of mine has new style SMD led sidelights fitted to his car Hans and they are nowhere near as bright as proper running lights. Whilst modern SMD led sidelight bulbs are designed to give out light in all directions the majority of their output is designed to be in a forward direction. In the case of the Excel with sideways facing bulbs this would be in a sideways direction.

[rbgosling]

I imagine bikers aren't too happy with this development - many bikers currently use headlights to make them more visible, or rather to re-balance the fact that without them they seem to be invisible to many road users. If everyone has lights on all the time the bikers will blend back into the background.

Richard & Lilith

[RRHANS]

You have a point, It would only be a half solution.
Although I do not mind going sideways, I suppose it is not the safest way to drive.


Rewiring the fogs is then the best esthetic alternative as johnthebass states.
Are there any LED replacement bulbs for the foglights?

[MrCoolA]

Just an idea! I suppose you could wire out the fog lights so they operate independant of the headlights and use them as driving lights!??

interesting one to try and explain to the police, that they arent actually fog lights but are DLRs, not long since i got atelling off for running with fogs on only................i wouldnt mind i didnt even know they werte on.