daytime running lights

[n1das]

Frank M said:

n1das said:
In 60k miles on my '02 Golf TDI, I'm currently on my 6th set of H7 halogen bulbs. My average bulb life has been about the same as my oil change interval!

I got 116k on my NB and the original bulbs..
The DRL's have been disconnected since I had 165 miles on the odo.

What bulbs do you have? I suspect they're not H7s.

~ n1das

 

[TheLongshot]

I think the real reason why the "DRL war" threads have erupted in the forums is because many TDIers, especially owners of 2002 TDIs have wanted to disable them to help extend headlight bulb life.

Except that the discount on my insurance probably makes up for the bulb cost.

Jason

 

[n1das]

TheLongshot said:

I think the real reason why the "DRL war" threads have erupted in the forums is because many TDIers, especially owners of 2002 TDIs have wanted to disable them to help extend headlight bulb life.

Except that the discount on my insurance probably makes up for the bulb cost.

Jason

Yep. I agree. I've decided to leave my DRLs enabled and I carry a spare set of H7 bulbs in the glovebox.


~ n1das

 

[duh]

McBrew said:
Like many states, here in Maryland it's a law that if you are using your windshield wipers, you have to have your lights on. However, I've seen many people driving in the rain without their lights on.

You would be referring to the highway menacing likes of me no doubt. I use rain-x and don't need to use the wipers.

 

[tjl]

McBrew said:
I'm going to throw some gas on this fire: What about red turn signals? American car companies, like Ford, have gone back and forth on this for years. Ford even spent a ton of money to figure out that amber turn signals are safer, then they switched back to red on many of their cars!!! Honda has gone red, Audi has gone red. If VW goes red I hope somebody makes an aftermarket light cluster with amber turns.

VW has gone red -- see the Jetta wagon as well as various Audis. Seems like every car company selling cars in the US offers at least one model with downgraded red rear turn signals. Even Toyota, who put red rear turn signals on the new Sienna.

 

[McBrew]

You would be referring to the highway menacing likes of me no doubt. I use rain-x and don't need to use the wipers.

Yes. I hope that Rain-X makes you more visible to other drivers, somehow. Heck, I'll go one step further and jusr suggest that we all stop using out headlights at night. Imagine how much better we'll drive once we get used to looking out for other cars in complete darkness.

 

[Frank M]

McBrew said:
Imagine how much better we'll drive once we get used to looking out for other cars in complete darkness.

I think you completely missed the logic......

 

[McBrew]

I think you completely missed the logic......

I think logic was missing from the start.

 

[botis]

the alternator must supply all the power being dissipated by the lights. to calculate alternator strain:

1W = 0.00134HP
DRLs (as a pessimistic estimate) will dissipate 150W.
150(W) x 0.00134(HP/W) = 0.201HP

i don't believe this represents appreciable strain on the alternator and/or engine.

brian

 

[SpamJ]

Even though I have disconnected the DRL's I do run the fogs in questionable conditions.

My question is, why haven't the major manufactures gone to LED's. Very little power draw and no burned out light bulbs.

Sam

 

[NewJettaGuy]

duh said:

McBrew said:
Like many states, here in Maryland it's a law that if you are using your windshield wipers, you have to have your lights on. However, I've seen many people driving in the rain without their lights on.

You would be referring to the highway menacing likes of me no doubt. I use rain-x and don't need to use the wipers.

More fuel for the fire....

It is also the law here in Virgina (as well as Georgia) and I also use Rain-X...but it only becomes truly effective at or above 25-30 mph...even then I have my wipers on intermittent (and my headlights turned fully on).

As much as I hate replacing headlight lamps (although I have not done one yet in the 2K3 and did not have to replace one in 2K2 with 32k I traded), I have driven with my full headlights since my first tour of duty in Germany in the early 1970s, long before the advent of DRLs in the US.

It may or may not make it any safer, but if it keeps one person from hitting me, then it has served my/it's purpose and spending $10, $15, or $20 to keep a set of headlight, side marker and rear taillight bulbs in the glovebox/trunk when one goes out, is cheaper than the aggravation of dealing with the consequences of being hit.

Just my $.02 worth...

 

[philh]

My question is, why haven't the major manufactures gone to LED's. Very little power draw and no burned out light bulbs.

In case you haven't noticed, many are. They are showing up all over the place in tail lamps (Caddilac comes to mind), and I think it's just a matter of time before we see them in headlamps. I believe some of the most recent concept cars have LED's up front.

 

[SpamJ]

I've noticed, I know that White LED's are quite a bit more expensive, maybe that's a problem. If you look at most semi-trailer lights, they're turning over to LED's too.

Sam

 

[weedeater]

Saw on Trucks! where they are doing a restoration of an older Chevy (60-70, don't ask me which year) that they used an LED panel for the tail light bulbs. The panel fits inside the tail light assembly and has a plug to fit the standard socket (dual element).

 

[Papachristou]

i like DRL's and think they help in low vis situations but i still like the option of being able to turn mine off (maybe they should have 2 switches behind the cruise) especially if i am signalling an 18wheeler, i like (they like) it if i can turn them all the way off (usually to parking light only) then back on, this way brights dont blind them, it makes you look like an ass if you flash

 

[BrokeVWOwner]

since i cant make a new thread i dont know if anyone mentioned bending pins but i tried it and it worked but my dash light didnt come on, so i bent the pin back and it still dosent work anyone know why?