GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => General discussion => Topic started by: Rhyso on 09 July 2011, 16:16
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Most of you may have seen this current picture of my car where I have enabled the fog lights as daytime running lights (at reduced brightness)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/Rhyso/Audi%20A3/IMG_2397.jpg)
I've posted the above picture on Audi Sport and have been told that I should expect a nice fine for doing so.
Can anyone clarify if this is the case? I've had a good look myself but I can't seem to find if there is a definitive law saying that fog lights cannot be used as DRL's :undecided:
Ta
Rhys
:smiley:
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have a read of this mate, i got bored reading it but it does talk about all driving conditions
http://www.dadrl.org.uk/DRLuser.html (http://www.dadrl.org.uk/DRLuser.html)
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I imagine they'd just tell you to turn them off.
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have a read of this mate, i got bored reading it but it does talk about all driving conditions
http://www.dadrl.org.uk/DRLuser.html (http://www.dadrl.org.uk/DRLuser.html)
Interesting read that :smiley:
http://www.dadrl.org.uk/lawcompensation.html
Rule 94 of the Highway code states "You MUST NOT use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users". When DRL equipped cars bounce over speed humps headlamps exceed the statutory 1% dip angle and cause dazzle.
I followed a couple of cars to GTI International the other week and no one commented about being dazzled by them :undecided:
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look at volvos, they constantly use DRL's
me being me if i were in your position and i got pulled i would argue the volvo point until i either get nicked or they tell me to rip em out loooool, even then id still give a fight
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look at volvos, they constantly use DRL's
me being me if i were in your position and i got pulled i would argue the volvo point until i either get nicked or they tell me to rip em out loooool, even then id still give a fight
That would be my point and after seeing new cars with DRL's such as MK6 Golf's who use non-LED type DRL's mine are certainly no brighter than those
Luckily i can turn them off via the DIS so if they pull me I can turn them off before they question me :lipsrsealed: :grin:
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i have been pulled before for using my fogs along with my headlights on a crisp clear night. all the pigs said was do you really need them on a night like this?? to which my answer was yes, it improved visibility, they just told me to switch em off and 1 min down the road they came back on again :laugh: :laugh:
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I would say its a pull as they are fog lights being used unnecessary? :undecided:
Is it worth getting attention from the law?
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http://www.5ive-o.org/forum/showthread.php?22102-Fog-lights-as-cornering-daytime-running-lights
http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/370692/2528698.aspx :undecided:
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imho of course, they look sh!t and are a waste of time i bet people who love driving with fog lights on 365 days a year love them though. if you want day time running/driving lights, just use the side lights?
but they dont annoy me as much as the one fog light thing when going round a corner, they should be tied into main beam or something, no need on a residential estate at 3 in the afternoon.
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There's a driving instrunctor round here who has a Citroen DS3. I swear I'm gonna get me a crowbar and hammer the sh!t out of his cr4ppy lights - they're way too bright.
My question would be "Why do you need DRLs?" It's light. If it gets dark, switch your headlights on... :rolleyes:
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I think the bottom line here is, its illegal to alter Type approved/"E"marked lights, and its also illegal to display fog lights under any condition other than Fog, or severely restricted visibility, so they could tug you either way!
Thom
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That DADRL website is hillarious. The home page states:
"Daytime Running Lights are a violation of the Declaration of Human Rights Act."
What a load of crap :grin:
In my opinion, because the OP is operating his fog lights at reduced intensity for the purpose of daytime running lights, they are no longer functioning as fog lights. Provided they come on automatically with the ignition and go off again when the headlamps are activated I can see no arguement against their use in this way.
DRL's may be combined with other lamps - VW do something similar with the high beam lamp on Mk6 Golfs (although they do use a dual filament bulb). VW also use low mounted lamps as DRL's on the new Polo and Passat, as do Skoda, setting a precedent for the location. Additionally, the reflector in a low mounted fog lamp will result in far less dazzle than either a high beam or even a purpose-designed DRL.
The fitment of DRL's is actually now a legal requirement on all new cars - although their use isn't (i.e. you can disable them if you want). Guidance can be found in the DfT link below.
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-runninglights.pdf (http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-runninglights.pdf)
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DRLs aren't for illumination - they're for awareness. Much in the same way motorbikes often have their headlamps on. They have to be in specific locations and meet certain specifications.
Hella do a set of DRLs for the Mk5 and Redrobin is someone who's used them early on. Might be worth contacting him as he has done tonnes of research into this. They are bright without dazzling. Importantly, they turn off when you turn on any other lights including sidelights. If you flash your mainbeams, they turn off during that flash.
Besides, if you need fogs on as "extra" illumination, get better bulbs for the headlights. Foglights are designed to penetrate fog, rather than bounce back and increase the opaqueness of the fog.
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@ Mac & Stealthwolf
My DRLs (fogs) function in exactly the way you describe; they come on with the ignition and then as soon as I put on sidelights or dipped beam they go off. I also have the added bonus in that they still function as normal fog lights with the dial in the correct position
I read Redrobin's thread and actually looked for a set for the Audi but was unable to find them :undecided: I was wondering if the MK5 would fit the Audi as they appear to be the same size / shape :undecided:
Ross Tech then updated VCDS and the ability to code the fogs as DRL's became available
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when i retrofitted DRL's in my mk3 I got stopped by a rozzer once in a car park... he said 'you've got your fogs on' - when I pointed out that they were specific DRL's and that fogs would only be on with my headlights wouldn't they? he backed off... I also offered to show him the wiring diagrams and information leaflet in my drivers manual but he declined and drove off :grin:
still... the silly bint in the new beetle who ended up nearly having a crash trying to tell me that 'you've got your f**king fog lights on' was of a different opinion... god she was so fat and ugly!
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still... the silly bint in the new beetle who ended up nearly having a crash trying to tell me that 'you've got your f**king fog lights on' was of a different opinion... god she was so fat and ugly!
Like the car she was driving......
:grin:
I'm not a fan of DRL, we have managed without them for so many years. They are now just an accessory for people to add. Each to their own.
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imho of course, they look sh!t and are a waste of time i bet people who love driving with fog lights on 365 days a year love them though. if you want day time running/driving lights, just use the side lights?
If you do that your tail lights are on as well which makes the indicators hard to see on the MK 5 in day light.
I'm considering a proper LED DRL set up that is built in to the fog light grills.
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i think your f**ked :grin: :grin:
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i wouldnt worry too much, they dont look to be dazzling. i like what you have done their. DRLs usually look chav. Those in the fogs look smart
We got them ones in the MK6 golf Headlights, Bright as a mo fo and annoying!, sick of folk telling me iv got my headlights on hahahaha
I do think DRL is a good thing tho, wont be long till ALL new cars have them standard
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i have been pulled before for using my fogs along with my headlights on a crisp clear night. all the pigs said was do you really need them on a night like this?? to which my answer was yes, it improved visibility, they just told me to switch em off and 1 min down the road they came back on again :laugh: :laugh:
You are an arrogant c*nt who doesn't understand how to use the lights on his car.
Your car should be taken away and you should be prevented from buying another.
DRLs - pfft. Do you really think you're likely to get fined for them?!
Or did you just want a chance to show off your Aldi? :tongue:
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The problem is you are using fog lights!
It is illegal to use fog lights at any time except thick fog! Or as the act says reduced visibility.
Those lights are not designated as DRL's.
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i have been pulled before for using my fogs along with my headlights on a crisp clear night. all the pigs said was do you really need them on a night like this?? to which my answer was yes, it improved visibility, they just told me to switch em off and 1 min down the road they came back on again :laugh: :laugh:
very clever, And if you had been in an accident and the other driver claims it was because they were dazzled then you would be at fault. You only need fog lights on when visibility is less than 100 foot, or 70%.
Why do people think they look cool with them on, just look stupid when not necessary!
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Doesn't the new passat use it's fog lights as DRL's? Probably something similar to the mk6 with the dual filament H15 bulb but still?
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The problem is you are using fog lights!
It is illegal to use fog lights at any time except thick fog! Or as the act says reduced visibility.
Those lights are not designated as DRL's.
I think you missed the point that they have the brightness adjusted so they are not as bright as fogs. :rolleyes:
old age.. wouldnt wish it on anyone
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I think you missed the point that they have the brightness adjusted so they are not as bright as fogs.
This. The Octavia double-uses fogs too.
old age.. wouldnt wish it on anyone
and that.
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It's not just brightness. It's the focus/spread of the beams. Get your motor down to VOSA and get it assessed if you're worried. That way, if it passes and a copper pulls you over, you can wave your certificate in their faces.
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Nothing quite beats the satisfaction of proving the rozzers wrong.
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Someone I knew years ago got off a fog light thing with the cops by somehow proving that fog lights 'light' should be orange/yellow, as theirs was a normal 'white' light, they had only driving lights on.
But anyway, are fog lights really that dazzling?
I find them no brighter or dazzling than headlights to be honest :undecided:
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But anyway, are fog lights really that dazzling?
Yes, now turn them the f*ck off unless it's REALLY foggy.
It's not just brightness. It's the focus/spread of the beams. Get your motor down to VOSA and get it assessed if you're worried. That way, if it passes and a copper pulls you over, you can wave your certificate in their faces.
Do they hand out individual certificates then? :huh:
With lighting it's normally E-Marked for the application, which is why mucking about with it in any way means you're out of type approval and out of being legal. This may be the biggest issue with Rhys's use of the lights, unless they're used as DRLs in later Aldis.
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I think the bottom line here is, its illegal to alter Type approved/"E"marked lights,
Thom
Those lights are not designated as DRL's.
With lighting it's normally E-Marked for the application, which is why mucking about with it in any way means you're out of type approval and out of being legal. This may be the biggest issue with Rhys's use of the lights, unless they're used as DRLs in later Aldis.
This is the only reason I can see for me being pulled as I've altered the use of the lights. Equally though, they can still be used as fog lights
Later Aldi's have the LED strip within the headlights; saw a few yesterday and they're quite dazzling.......
I'm going to continue to run them and if I get pulled then so be it; its the risk I'm willing to take
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I'm going to continue to run them and if I get pulled then so be it; its the risk I'm willing to take
What's it like, out there on the bleeding edge?
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I'm going to continue to run them and if I get pulled then so be it; its the risk I'm willing to take
What's it like, out there on the bleeding edge?
Not that exciting if I'm honest :undecided: Passed a few cop cars in the last week and I didn't even get a nasty look :huh:
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See if somebody like Ultra Lighting does headlights for yours with DRL's in them like my Passat ones.
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See if somebody like Ultra Lighting does headlights for yours with DRL's in them like my Passat ones.
Nah I'll stick with annoying people instead :grin: :grin:
Long term is a set of OEM xenons.........
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I was just about to suggest real headlamps :grin:
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I agree with most of what's been said.
Yes I do think that people who have their fog lights on at night are thingys.
But if you only have them on during the day then they won't be as dazzling, especially with reduced brightness.
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I was just about to suggest real headlamps :grin:
Know anyone with a cheap 2nd hand set? :undecided: