MK6 GTI Day Light Running lights

[Rolfe]

Not sure if everyone is aware of this but the DRLs can be activated/deactivated by using the headlamp lever.

Ignition off. Lights to 'O'. Left turn on indicator (down) while pulling back (flashing mainbeam), switch on ignition, hold for 4 seconds or so and you should here a beep. The DRLs are now off.

To reactivate is similar but you use Right turn on indicator (up) instead.

Not sure aboure xenons.

Mine are now off as they remind me too much of the old Jasper Carrott jokes about volvos and I know a few motorbike riders and cyclists who are really worried about the fact that all new cars may have DRLs by 20011/12.
There are various petitions against the introduction of DRLs in Europe.

No, do tell!  (Jasper Carrott jokes, I mean.)

I'm in two minds about the DRLs, and I don't have xenons so I could do as you suggest.

I thought the comment about child safety, from the Norwegian perspective, was quite telling.  Also, I cycle quite a lot and I used to be a motorcyclist, and I don't remember being concerned about anybody's DRLs.  On the contrary, as motorcyclists, we were always trained to ride with our lights on all the time.  I would have thought that anything that improved car visibility for cyclists or motorcyclists would be a good thing, not something to lobby against.

So what are the objections?

My main concern is that other drivers think I'm OTT pushy, especially if they just glance and think I'm either flashing the lights at them, or have switched them on deliberately as a get-out-of-my-way gesture.  (This would of course not be a concern if everybody had them.)

I was flashed by another car a few days ago, primarily because I pulled out and overtook both him and the lorry he was following, because he hesitated so long I thought he'd decided not to overtake at all.  I could be wrong, but I thought the DRLs had contributed to his annoyance.

I don't want to be seen as a thug on the road.  Your mileage may vary.

Rolfe.

[mac7]

yes the xenons are lit all the time but its not the main part of the light - the drl's are different to the full xenon lights.  sorry for not being techy!  i've only looked once though so may be wrong but that's what it looked like to me 

Thanks mate. Since I asked the question I've not seen another GTI with xenons at the dealer to check it out.

Rolfe, the main objections seem to be from the motorbike world who feel that riders with their lights on during the day for increased visibility won't stand out anymore as almost every vehicle will be similarly lit. I think DRL's are okay if they are LEDs like on the Audis, because it's obvious what it is. Even the little conventional ones on the Fiat 500 look okay. But I'm not so sure about using the high beam as they do on the Golf - might be misconstrued as the high beam being held on.

[GolfTi]

For information.

http://www.dadrl.org.uk/

[Rolfe]

Rolfe, the main objections seem to be from the motorbike world who feel that riders with their lights on during the day for increased visibility won't stand out anymore as almost every vehicle will be similarly lit.

I see, that does make sense.  I'm not sure it's an entirely justified concern, and I doubt very much if it's compelling given that there are other evident advantages.

I think DRL's are okay if they are LEDs like on the Audis, because it's obvious what it is. Even the little conventional ones on the Fiat 500 look okay. But I'm not so sure about using the high beam as they do on the Golf - might be misconstrued as the high beam being held on.

That's my concern too.  I like the concept in principle, but I don't like it being assumed that I'm "flashing" someone, or holding on my full beam to tell them to get out of my way.

Rolfe.

[matchboy]

but I don't like it being assumed that I'm "flashing" someone, or holding on my full beam to tell them to get out of my way.

Rolfe.

that's one of the main advantages, people get out of the way automatically now whereas they would have been needed to be flashed before 

[Rolfe]

Hooligan! 

Rolfe.

[matchboy]

woo hoo 

[Gazdebaz]

For information.

http://www.dadrl.org.uk/

I have had a look at this anoraks website and totally disagree with his statistics. If you look at this website which displays statistics from Scandinavian countries it shows that DRL’s actually reduced accidents.

http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/DRLs/studies.htm

You may say that in Scandinavia it is more relevant to have DRL’s due to being closer to the artic circle, but in this country I would say that DRL’s are still a good safety feature, especially in winter. Having owned a SAAB for many year’s I am speaking from experience.

All the arguments against DRL’s seem to come from the USA, need I say any more.

[mac7]

All the arguments against DRL’s seem to come from the USA, need I say any more.

Well, you know how the Yanks like to complain about anything they aren't given freedom of choice about! Seriously though, back in the 90's US car manufacturers often used the high beam running at reduced voltage. But they were too bright and of course aimed too high and did cause far too much glare. GM cars were the worst, I recall. Although the Golf uses the high beam unit as well, VW seem to have kept them from causing too much glare, perhaps by using the twin filament bulb - or perhaps because the EU regs have a maximum light output value. LED's are the way forward.

[Gazdebaz]

I agree, LED's are the way forward and they do look quite smart on the Audi IMO.