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So, the deal is in. DRLs will be a "factory option." If you don't order them up-front, you're hosed in the future (like the fogs). For '08ers - we're SOL.
Furthermore, smart USA is pleased to announce daytime running lamps are now available as a factory-installed option. This option can be ordered on any model for the cost of $50.00
High beams for DRLs are plain stupid. It is not safe to blind oncoming drivers
Most manufacturers use high beams at a lower voltage or cycle for DRL. I've had Saturns with DRL for over a decade, and they used the highs at 1/4 power as DRL. It doesn't "blind" anyone and is barely even noticeable in reasonable daylight. It's designed more for hazy or foggy days when someone may not see your silver car against rain or fog, or white car in the snow, save those DRL. (And yes, you should have your lights on in fog or rain, but many people don't do it. I live in upstate NY where it's the law to have lights on when using your wipers, but many people still don't put them on in the rain or snow and don't have DRL.)
Using high beams for DRL makes great sense. It uses an under-utilized set of bulbs (most cars go cradle to grave without changing them), and if there is a failure you find out well before you need high beams and don't have them. Also high beams are usually pointed down a bit more than standard beams, so there's less glare both when used as high beams and as DRL.
Most manufacturers use high beams at a lower voltage or cycle for DRL. I've had Saturns with DRL for over a decade, and they used the highs at 1/4 power as DRL. It doesn't "blind" anyone and is barely even noticeable in reasonable daylight. It's designed more for hazy or foggy days when someone may not see your silver car against rain or fog, or white car in the snow, save those DRL. (And yes, you should have your lights on in fog or rain, but many people don't do it. I live in upstate NY where it's the law to have lights on when using your wipers, but many people still don't put them on in the rain or snow and don't have DRL.)
Using high beams for DRL makes great sense. It uses an under-utilized set of bulbs (most cars go cradle to grave without changing them), and if there is a failure you find out well before you need high beams and don't have them. Also high beams are usually pointed down a bit more than standard beams, so there's less glare both when used as high beams and as DRL.
So, the deal is in. DRLs will be a "factory option." If you don't order them up-front, you're hosed in the future (like the fogs). For '08ers - we're SOL.
Not necessarily.
We don't know how they are being triggered... be it SAM, a relay... etc.
Most manufacturers use high beams at a lower voltage or cycle for DRL. I've had Saturns with DRL for over a decade, and they used the highs at 1/4 power as DRL. It doesn't "blind" anyone and is barely even noticeable in reasonable daylight.
Also high beams are usually pointed down a bit more than standard beams, so there's less glare both when used as high beams and as DRL.
I wouldn't say 'most'.
Here in So Cal, there are a lot of clueless drivers piloting GM rental cars with high beam DRLs blazing at all times of the day and night. Some models, Saturns especially, are blinding.
It's the low beams that point down a bit more (which is why they're called, um, low beams).
High beams for DRLs are plain stupid. It is not safe to blind oncoming drivers, and because of their brightness many drivers of cars with this configuration don't realize they are driving around at night with DRLs on and no taillights.
Besides, MB does not use the low-beam HIDs for the DRLs on any model I can think of; they use the parking lights.
I have a Ford SHO and it has DRL and they turn on the high beams at reduced power. It rains a lot here in Oregon and we have a lot of reduced visability and it works for me. I don't get blinded by Chevy pickups (I'm in Pickup Country and horse trailers).
For the record... Saturn hasn't produced a vehicle that uses high beam reduced power DRLs since 2002, when the last S series rolled off of the line.
Every Saturn since has had either parking lamp DRL (ION, SKY, RELAY, '08+ VUE) or reduced power low beam headlamps (L series, first and second gen VUE)
Pardon this excursion back to the thread topic, but since the smartUSA configurator mysteriously disappeared, I e-mailed them about adding the DRLs to our very recently configured car (DDE of Sep - Nov 09) Answer back was yes, send us an e-mail authorizing the change to your configuration and we'll do it - BUT, it may extend your delivery date by up to two months! Now, the DRLs were not available as an option when we configured, and the car isn't due in for at least another 12 months. So somebody checking the "DRL" box at Smartville may cause a two month delay in receiving our late 09 (or early 2010) car? YGBSM!
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