Daytime Running Lights (Page 2): I don't know if it's mandatory, but most cars in England and Europe have a red rear fog light. I seldom encounter fog when driving locally.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't know if it's mandatory, but most cars in England and Europe have a red rear fog light. I seldom encounter fog when driving locally.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

It has been a Canadian requirement for quite a few years that autos have daytime running lights. It's not to see, but to be seen. The purpose is to remind all of us that is better to be seen than to be viewed.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

My Subarus are always driven with the light switch on Auto. The DTRs automatically go on when the car is in gear.
My 2018 Legacy’s high beams go on and off when cars approach with their lights on. This is a feature I miss on my 2023 Crosstrek Sport. Also, the Crosstrek didn’t come with LED lights. Why not?

jinx

A friend that is a state trooper posted during the last time it was rainy and foggy out. Drivers were being stopped and ticketed for not have lights on. No warning just given a ticket. I think that was a good thing.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

jerryc41 wrote:

Can anyone offer a good reason why some cars have ... (show quote)

I keep my DRL on 24/7 even though there is an off switch. My F-150 Hybrid also has the adaptive LED projector headlights that automatically dim when oncoming vehicles approach and swing left and right when turning the wheel (under 50mph). By far the best headlights I've ever had. Taillights only come on when the headlights are on which is tied to auto and the headlights come on when it gets dark....Cheers

bobups Loc: Bath pa

I know a lot of trucks come with daytime running lights. At one time the drivers would pull the relay out so the lights wouldn’t be on in the yard as the other drivers would complain because it was harder to see backing up. Secondly you could tell when he was sitting still that he had engine running which is against the law after 5 minutes.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

jerryc41 wrote:

Can anyone offer a good reason why some cars have ... (show quote)

I have my lights on auto. I also have rain sensor wipers. According to the manual, when the wipers activate the headlights also come on. I honestly have not got out to look. Maybe I should.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Bridges wrote:

I have my lights set to auto so they are always on... (show quote)

I agree about dark cars. With the exception of one car, all my cars for years have been white.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Indi wrote:

My Subarus are always driven with the light switch on Auto. The DTRs automatically go on when the car is in gear.
My 2018 Legacy’s high beams go on and off when cars approach with their lights on. This is a feature I miss on my 2023 Crosstrek Sport. Also, the Crosstrek didn’t come with LED lights. Why not?

"Auto" on my car leaves the headlights on for half a minute so I can find my way into the house. Most Subarus now have LED headlights, and it doesn't matter if they are set at High or Low. They're still blinding. I can't understand why so many cars and trucks have their LED headlights on high beam during the day.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

gcolegate1 wrote:

I alway thought when the lights are switched to auto, that they only turn on when it starts to get dark. The lights just don’t automatically turn on when the car is started. At least not on my car.

Some systems are set up to come on after dark, others are set to come on when wipers are used, some cars have an app where you can program how you want them to work, and some will be on any time you are in drive if you have the lights set to auto.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

terryMc wrote:

Something you might be missing here Jerry, is that when you have your lights on Auto, it is only the front lights that are on. My Prius just uses the LED headlights at a lesser luminance for running lights. But there are no taillights unless your turn on the headlights. Driving without lights in the rear is just as dangerous as without them in front.

Edit: Unless it gets dark enough to turn on the headlights automatically...

The "Auto" and "DRL" settings are 2 different things.
Auto controls the headlights & taillights to come on or off depending on thr amout of daylight.
DRL lighting is controlled separately, on USA model cars, and uses only front lighting. .

b top gun

I have my DRLs on when it is cloudy out; at least oncoming traffic should see me??? That being said my bigger issue is...driving at night and encountering vehicles with lights on that are bright enough to be used by a 737 landing after sunset. After my cataract procedures two years ago, my eyes have become very sensitive to BRIGHT headlights; I mean the kind of brightness that is near blinding, either head on or from behind. My spouse and I both wonder why the eye care professional community has not raised the alarm on this matter. I am OK with driving after sunset; am NOT OK being blinded by irresponsible drivers and/or vehicle manufacturers who thinks it's cool to light up the roads like they are aircraft runways. WHAT THE HECK!!!

gcolegate1

Bridges wrote:

Some systems are set up to come on after dark, others are set to come on when wipers are used, some cars have an app where you can program how you want them to work, and some will be on any time you are in drive if you have the lights set to auto.

Gotcha, I hate when the cars (phones, TV...) are smarter than me. Actually just starting to get acquainted with some of the features on newer cars. Just sold my Wrangler, had to crank the windows and manually turn on the lights. No air either, feel spoiled driving the new car.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

jerryc41 wrote:

Can anyone offer a good reason why some cars have ... (show quote)

On my 2024 Honda CRV, the wipers turn on as soon as it begins to rain. I have run my DRL (on auto) since buying a 2018 Honda Accord.
Mark

marvkaye

I drive an '02 Grand Caravan and it doesn't have an "auto" setting for the lights. Consequently my getting started routine includes turning on the headlights right after buckling up my seatbelt. Shutting down it's the opposite.. shut off the lights and take off the seatbelt. Now that it's a habit I don't worry about having my lights on anymore.