Daytime Running Lights: yes or no?

Well on my previous vehicle "Honda Fit" the DRL's were automatic. No choice, if the vehicle was on, and running, with your lights off...then your DRL's were on. Many owners found the fuse that controlled this and pulled it, leaving them with no DRL's.

I think Toyota is a bit unique in allowing you the choice.

I personally like the idea. Car accidents can happen in quick but subtle ways, and I figure anything that makes me even an iota more visible to another vehicle makes me that much safer. So I tend to try to use them.

However, even though on my Gen 3 Prius, the DRL's will turn off when the vehicle is turned off, I also tend for some reason to turn them off manually on my stalk. So a lot of times I forget to turn them back on. Don't ask me why I just don't leave them on all the time, I really have no logical reasonable answer.

So for me the real answer is YES, I use them, when I remember to turn them on.

 

I keep my headlights on all the time to be more visible. I especially want my back lights on so that I'm visible to fast moving traffic coming from behind. I'm a new Prius owner and I'll need to research DRL before I make a comment.

 

Safer with them on

 

I don't currently, but I'm planning on adding some LED units in the lower grille to act as DRL.

 

As DRLs aren't mandated in the United States, they're liable to come and go like a fad.

 

Fully agree. I generally keep mine on for visibility. On the other hand, as 'Merican I like have the choice to turn them off if I want. If I didn't have the option of manually turning them off, I too would look for an alternative. It would be nice if the DRL was on a separate switch (like fog lights).

 

Experts disagree on the safety value of DRLs so it's not a given that they increase safety.

 

I run with all my lights on. They shut off when I leave the car.

 

An issue for Gen 3 is that the lamp-failure warning system does not monitor headlamps. So, a headlamp can fail during the day time and you will not notice the failure until it's night time and you really need the headlamps.

I like factory-integrated DRL's which operate at reduced voltage during the daytime to extend bulb life life and have headlamp failure indicators.

 

I didn't even know I had DRL's but am unlikely to use them since I fear they'll decrease bulb life of my headlamps.

 

Unless you have a Canadian model, you don't. DRL's came standard on 2012 and up Prius. They use separate LED bulbs so won't decrease headlight bulb life. I have them on all the time. There is insufficient data that says DRL's are safer. So you are either safer with them on or they have no effect whatsoever. But no one is going to argue that you are more visible with them on.

 

GM was big on the DRL back in the early 2000, my 2002 Astro has them. I leave my headlights 'on" on my Miata due to its size and same with the Prius.

 

Don't quite understand. They are factory installed. The only thing is you DO have the option of turning them off. Which I think most people like.

And they are separate lights from the headlamps.

You know what you call a "lamp-failure warning system" that does not monitor headlamps? Well not much of a lamp failure warning system at all.

I did not know that was the case with Gen 3 Prius. But it really is a separate issue from whether you want to use DRL's or not.

 

I like DRLs and the concept. More visibility is best. Audi was first with the LED DRLs. Now most new cars have some variation of the LED DRLs. At first, I was disappointed that all parking lights, light up with DRLs. Makes sense.

 

Wouldn't running DRL's reduce gas mileage? The electricity has to come from somewhere!

 

There was some very conclusive Swedish research in the 70s which showed a 50% reduction in head-ons and 30% reduction in all other collisions when headlights are used during the day. I've driven with headlights on ever since and never had a head on collision.

 

Yes, but not enough to notice in your mpg calculations. snopes.com: Daytime running lights consume gasoline

 

I have never used them. Do they turn off automatically if you use the function?