Headlights always on??

[Crossfire]

Hey guys, newbie here......just a quick question.I am considering buying a 2008 Vibe.It appears that it is equipped with headlights "on" whenever the ignition is on. Daytime running lights??Can anyone set me straight on this? Does the Vibe always have headlights on whenever the ignition is on? Is it not a driver's choice anymore?Thanks.

[WaveAction]

it's the daytime running lights that are always on, but you'll notice theirs no difference in brightness between the DRL and the actual headlights being on..it's just a standard thing that must be on all cars now adays

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by WaveAction »it's just a standard thing that must be on all cars now adaysThat's been the case in Canada for quite a few years, but it's not true in the US. Some car models, incl. the Vibe, do have the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), but not all. BTW, the DRL can be disabled by clipping a wire under the dash. A search on this site should come up with some good DIY instructions complete with photos.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Crossfire »Hey guys, newbie here......just a quick question.I am considering buying a 2008 Vibe.It appears that it is equipped with headlights "on" whenever the ignition is on. Daytime running lights??Can anyone set me straight on this? Does the Vibe always have headlights on whenever the ignition is on? Is it not a driver's choice anymore?Thanks.Welcome.The DRL you speak of (day time running lights) runs the lowbeams at 80% power and all vibes have an auto headlight feature. A little black globe looking thing mounted on the dash board that sences light and dark to automaticly turn on your full power low beams and your parking lights. The dash lights will always be lit. Weather the headlights are on or off.There is an indicator light that lets you know when your full power headlights are on or off.As prathman has said you can clip pin 12 on the drl modulethe wire you need to cut is the red/white wire at pin 12If you do this mod you will have to manually control your headlights by the light stalk on the left hand side of the steering wheel and it will disable not only your DRL's it will also disable your autolight feature.

[lovemyraffe]

Welcome! I kinda like my DRL's. On those overcast days that aren't dark enough to turn the headlights on, you can still see the car.

[WaveAction]

i'd like to cut the wire for my DRL but dont wanna screw anything up..

[Crossfire]

Thanks much for all the feedback. I really appreciate it.I'll clarify a bit by stating that DRL's are fine - for people who want them or don't care either way about them.I personally think that they are great also for persons who have trouble remembering when they should turn lights on.But, danged if I can get used to the idea of someone forcing it on me and taking away my freedom to make that decision.So, if I decide to choose the Vibe, I will definitely cut the wire.Thanks again for the info.

[waveresponder]

theres a reason for DRL's......im still puzzled as to why people dont want them....and go as far as to making their car illegal...

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by waveresponder »theres a reason for DRL's......im still puzzled as to why people dont want them.I'll give my reason for wanting to disable them. I sometimes attend astronomy gatherings ("star parties") where everyone sets up their telescopes and we share views of various objects. Some people also attach cameras and are taking long-term exposures with careful guiding of the scope. Cars are generally kept nearby since many of the telescopes and associated equipment are quite heavy and we also use the car battery for power. When leaving the group, it's customary for someone to guide the driver away from the area with a dim red flashlight so the others won't have their night vision spoiled (or even worse have their photos destroyed). Cars with DRLs that can't easily be disabled are not welcome at these events. I'm not aware of any statute that makes my installing a switch in the pin12 wire 'illegal.'As to the use of DRLs in general, I'm concerned that if they become universal they may be counterproductive. There'll be a tendency for drivers to only watch for objects with lights before pulling out into an intersection. That can make it more hazardous for pedestrians and bicyclists who can't conveniently carry and power 50W of headlights. And it'll diminish the attention-getting advantage for motorcyclists using daytime lights that previously made them stand out better from the background.

[Crossfire]

There can be "reasons" for anything. Doesn't make it right. Depends on who's doing the reasoning.Where did you come up with "illegal"? Isn't that a big, sick bird? You probably meant unlawful. But, wouldn't it first have to be against the law?Since there are no state or federal laws requiring DRL's, how is it unlawful to disable them?I don't want to argue about "why" there are DRL's, or why we should or shouldn't have them. That isn't even a little bit important. I'm just not the sort of person who takes kindly to having my choices taken from me.

[WaveAction]

it's "illegal" here to have no DRL's unless the vehicle isnt equiped with them such as older vehicles, but they've also illegalized that any car thats not equiped with DRL's are supposed to put their headlights on at all times, but i just dont get why they need to be on during bright sunny days? i mean if you cant spot a bright blue car such as mine, rollin at 80 km/h when theirs not a cloud in the sky..then you really shouldnt be driving

[keithvibe]

canada, yes you must have drl's stateside... no you are not required to have drl's there is no such law. But you are required to turn on your headlights when it is raining... and with autolight features... people forget that it's not dark enough to automaticly turn on your headlights when it's raining and they are the jackoffs that drive around when it's foggy or pouring out with out a single light on.They think with drls... o yea my lights are on... but they forget that drl only operate your headlights not your parking lights and that what causes accidents in bad weather.God forbid they turn a switch on... Laws in Canada and many European countries require vehicles to operate with lights on during the daytime. There are two types of laws. Canada's requires vehicles to be equipped with DRLs. Laws in Europe require motorists to turn on their headlights if their vehicles do not have automatic DRLs. In 1972, Finland mandated daytime running lights in winter on rural roads and a decade later made DRLs mandatory year-round. Sweden's law took effect in 1977, Norway's in 1986, Iceland's in 1988, and Denmark's in 1990. Hungary has required drivers on rural roads to operate with vehicle lights on since 1993. Canada requires DRLs for vehicles made after December 1, 1989. No US state mandates DRLs, but some require drivers to operate vehicles with lights on in bad weather.

[WaveAction]

looks like you've done some research, good stuff man

[Crossfire]

Here in Maryland, USA, the law requires us to turn on headlights whenever using windshield wipers. I wasn't aware of the extent of the DRL law throughout the other countries. Thanks for taking the time to look that up.

[northvibe]

I have taken a liking to drl's on other cars, it has saved me from some accidents many times. Where its either bad weather or getting dark, and i am looking for cars before turning or hwy driving and passing.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »I have taken a liking to drl's on other cars, it has saved me from some accidents many times. Where its either bad weather or getting dark, and i am looking for cars before turning or hwy driving and passing.This is true.. but what if it's raining out and the jackoff who has drl's thinks.. my headlights are on so my tail lights are on and causes an accident because someone couldn't see them driving slow in the rain or fog and rear ends them?? I have met many who think this exact statement. Only to find out with my help that they are wrong... If they truly want to fix the entire issue. Have the headlights and tail lights come on automatic as soon as the car is started, full power. But, I would hate that feature as well. PA and NJ are the same as MD that if you need to have your windshield wipers on you must have your headlights on.

[dirtydee000thedi]

Well, this is my first post here (just purchased a 2004)Whoever owned my car before me installed a small metal switch (the generic metal body toggle) that turns the auto headlight function OFF. So the idea is that you can disable AUTO headlights or keep them on. It was confusing at first figuring out why the headlight refused to come on!I am not entirely sure what this person did, but it looks like it involved wiring the headlights up front a certain way on top of having the switch, I hope he knew what he was doing

[keithvibe]

sounds like all the other owner did was put a switch in line on the pin 12 wire. this would alow what you are talking about.If you look at the photo above you will see that the person who took this photo did the same thing.Look at the yellow line. That goes to a switch

[dirtydee000thedi]

Well, the interesting thing about it is there are SPEAKER WIRES connecting the headlights somehow. I have not investigated what EXACTLY they are connected to, but there are two of them, and they are definitely connected t the headlights.*shrugs*

[shawnothaninja]

I am a big fan of this feature

[ColonelPanic]

tsk tsk tsk, somebody should have demodded before they traded! I wonder if it belonged to somebody who found that info here? Probably. I hope you don't have too much of a hassle getting it back to stock.

[viber05]

i like being able to control my lights. hate drls waste your bulb life.

[dirtydee000thedi]

I bet they have been here before! Well, I don't think I can get it back to stock with all the stuff he did. Get this, I had a 15" sub box practically built in to the cargo area. It is sitting in my house, actually. Hrm. Either way, I can tell he had a two amp setup, and from the looks of it, that would be two amps going to the sub itself. But I could be wrong, I haven't dug through all the wires yet, but either way, it sounds like it coulda been one of you guys!

[scott_h]

I'm sure it reduces bulb life, but I prefer the 'feature'. I like not ever having to remember to turn my lights on/off.It's definitely not something on just newer cars. The headlights on my 98 Malibu were always on. My Murano does allow me to turn off the headlights, but also has an "auto" feature which is not "always" on by any means. I leave it on "auto" so I don't ever have to think about it.

[lovemyraffe]

Is there a way to turn off the DRL's without disabling the auto lights?

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »Is there a way to turn off the DRL's without disabling the auto lights?no

[dirtydee000thedi]

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »Is there a way to turn off the DRL's without disabling the auto lights?Actually what you re describing is exactly what was done to my car. I can turn the off the drl's without disabling the auto feature. I guess in a way there are two ways to control the same thing if that makes any sense. Although this toggle switch is ONLY hooked up to the headlights (the corner lights still are on when I turn the toggle switch OFF with AUTO lights ON)*confusing I knowSomebody kinda knew what they were doing I suppose.

[shawnothaninja]

is it true that some insurance companies give discounts for cars that have always on driving lights?

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by shawnothaninja »is it true that some insurance companies give discounts for cars that have always on driving lights?Yes, but not significant discounts.

[Booker]

Does the 2009 still have auto headlights?

[aradlaw]

I haven't taken delivery of my 2005 Vibe yet, but my current car, a 1995 Lumina APV has DRL that can be disabled before the car is started by applying the parking/emergency brake, even one notch will disable the DRL and allow the car to run 'unlit'.I have no idea if this will work with the Vibe.

[renate]

My 2006 G6 had DRL's that you could turn off at the light switch

[Gootch]

motorists often do not notice motorcycles. pre auto DRL's motorcycles with lights on stood out. Now cycles are merely part of the background noise. such is life. Hang up the phone and drive!!

[98ex]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »canada, yes you must have drl's stateside... no you are not required to have drl's there is no such law. But you are required to turn on your headlights when it is raining... Please advise as to where you found this law that requires motorist to turn on headlights during a strom in the US? I have NEVER heard of this law, and that could be cause I am from Texas and it is a law up north somewhere.The easiest way to "disable" DRL's is to 1 click your ebrake prior to starting the car. This is not enough to engage your ebrake, but is enough to cause the DRL feature not to activate. You will have to deal with the brake light showing up on your dash though which some can find annoying.since I have a Trix, my light output is supposedly at 40% during DRL's on. Because of this I had to disable mine due to installing HID lights in my Trix.

[altimar]

Quote, originally posted by 98ex »Please advise as to where you found this law that requires motorist to turn on headlights during a strom in the US? I have NEVER heard of this law, and that could be cause I am from Texas and it is a law up north somewhere.It varies by state. (Are there ANY traffic-related Federal laws?) In Louisiana, the law is worded something like if your windshield wipers are on, you have to have your headlights on also. If I'm not mistaken, Mississippi has a similar law, because I remember seeing a sign about it as you cross the state border.

[joatmon]

The headlight wiper law is a state thing. In Maryland, "Maryland law now requires headlights to be used whenever windshield wipers are used continuously because of visibility conditions." I don't think it's law in TexasI wouldn't use the one click on the ebrake to disable DRLs. The idiot light can be ignored, and almost all the time when it is lit it is because the ebrake is on, but there are times when a failure in the brake system will cause that light to come on. If that happens in my car, I want to know about it. It's more important to be able to stop than it is to be able to go.I wonder if the 09's are similar enough to the prior years, will the various wiring changes people have used to disable DRLs still work on the 09's?