Day Time Running Lights
05-11-2006, 09:32 AM
#11
Members
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 530i - Sport - 6spd - Orient Blue with Auburn/Anthracite
Originally Posted by Rudy' post='280717' date='May 10 2006, 04:51 PM
I need a scorecard to keep track of all the differences in DRL settings between countries! 
One thing to keep in mind for those that are trying to gather data -- you should verify the DRL's with the headlight switch in the off (12 o'clock) position since the automatic setting often results in the headlights being on...
One thing to keep in mind for those that are trying to gather data -- you should verify the DRL's with the headlight switch in the off (12 o'clock) position since the automatic setting often results in the headlights being on...
Thanks, Jon.
05-12-2006, 08:44 AM
#12
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 523i. Alpine white, dakota leather, 8 speed auto, VDC, bluetooth, HID lights, parking sensors, sport seats, black window trim, tinted rear windows
1988 Ferrari 328 GTS, nero on rosso corsa.
1992 Mazda MX-5 / Miata
2009 Ford S-Max 2.5T
DRL's have to use the xenons. The halogen lights that you use to flash are also the main beam lights. If they were used as DRL's you'd be blinding everyone.
--
Przemek
--
Przemek
05-12-2006, 10:13 AM
#13
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by PoleApart' post='281593' date='May 12 2006, 09:44 AM
DRL's have to use the xenons. The halogen lights that you use to flash are also the main beam lights. If they were used as DRL's you'd be blinding everyone.
--
Przemek
--
Przemek
Not true. DRLs are the main beams at half power so they are not powerful enough to blind anyone during the day. Check for yourself on other cars. Lexus Mercedes other BMWs Toyotas they are all the Main Beam "High Beam" lights at half power.
In the US Xenons are not used for DRLs. I'm pretty sure in Canada is the same too. Europe is questionable
05-12-2006, 11:06 AM
#14
Members
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Sweden
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: e39 525i Touring, will order e61 as soon as I can decide on engine and options...
Not true. The 5-series has bi-xenon, which means xenon is used for high- and low beam. The halogen is just for flashing (and maybe DRL in some countries) due to the slowness of the xenon high beam lens.
/M
/M
Originally Posted by PoleApart' post='281593' date='May 12 2006, 06:44 PM
DRL's have to use the xenons. The halogen lights that you use to flash are also the main beam lights. If they were used as DRL's you'd be blinding everyone.
--
Przemek
--
Przemek
05-12-2006, 01:34 PM
#15
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 523i. Alpine white, dakota leather, 8 speed auto, VDC, bluetooth, HID lights, parking sensors, sport seats, black window trim, tinted rear windows
1988 Ferrari 328 GTS, nero on rosso corsa.
1992 Mazda MX-5 / Miata
2009 Ford S-Max 2.5T
Originally Posted by tegel' post='281638' date='May 12 2006, 09:06 PM
Not true. The 5-series has bi-xenon, which means xenon is used for high- and low beam. The halogen is just for flashing (and maybe DRL in some countries) due to the slowness of the xenon high beam lens.
/M
/M
Now go to your car, switch on the high beam (I assume you have the bi-xenons) and come back and tell us whether the halogens were on. Next, blank out the xenons and go figure what would be the reaction if you drove around with the halogens as DRL's.
And no - the days of dim/dip - i.e. reducing the voltage to the halogens for running during the day, which was I think a UK peculiarity, are also long gone and no longer legal. Similar to driving just with the parking lights on as Volvos used to have in the 70s.
The only lights other than proper DRLs or low beams which are legal for driving in daytime in the EU are the amber side markers (like on the previous model Volvo S40, V40).
This all applies to Euro Spec cars. I have no clue what you have in the US. I hope at least you finally get assymetric lights by now. Had them on my 2 cylinder air coolded Fiat 126 in 1985
--
Przemek
05-12-2006, 11:05 PM
#16
Members
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Sweden
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: e39 525i Touring, will order e61 as soon as I can decide on engine and options...
I see. I guess that the halogen is used to diffuse the xenon when in high beam.
/M
/M
Originally Posted by PoleApart' post='281674' date='May 12 2006, 11:34 PM
Yes the E60 has bi-xenons which are used for high and low beam.
Now go to your car, switch on the high beam (I assume you have the bi-xenons) and come back and tell us whether the halogens were on. Next, blank out the xenons and go figure what would be the reaction if you drove around with the halogens as DRL's.
And no - the days of dim/dip - i.e. reducing the voltage to the halogens for running during the day, which was I think a UK peculiarity, are also long gone and no longer legal. Similar to driving just with the parking lights on as Volvos used to have in the 70s.
The only lights other than proper DRLs or low beams which are legal for driving in daytime in the EU are the amber side markers (like on the previous model Volvo S40, V40).
This all applies to Euro Spec cars. I have no clue what you have in the US. I hope at least you finally get assymetric lights by now. Had them on my 2 cylinder air coolded Fiat 126 in 1985
--
Przemek
Now go to your car, switch on the high beam (I assume you have the bi-xenons) and come back and tell us whether the halogens were on. Next, blank out the xenons and go figure what would be the reaction if you drove around with the halogens as DRL's.
And no - the days of dim/dip - i.e. reducing the voltage to the halogens for running during the day, which was I think a UK peculiarity, are also long gone and no longer legal. Similar to driving just with the parking lights on as Volvos used to have in the 70s.
The only lights other than proper DRLs or low beams which are legal for driving in daytime in the EU are the amber side markers (like on the previous model Volvo S40, V40).
This all applies to Euro Spec cars. I have no clue what you have in the US. I hope at least you finally get assymetric lights by now. Had them on my 2 cylinder air coolded Fiat 126 in 1985
--
Przemek
05-13-2006, 09:01 AM
#17
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NorCal
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 E92 335i M-Sport 6MT
Perhaps a picture would clear things up ... inner halogen DRLs are on (with headlight switch in parking light position and foglights on)
05-13-2006, 12:53 PM
#18
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Heres a better pic of the DRLs this pic was taken day of delivery. I hate it I had it turned off.
05-13-2006, 01:01 PM
#19
Senior Members
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eh, I never set my lights to auto. So I just always move the light switch to the 1 O'clock position *Inner Circles*, and use those and my DRL. I honestly never knew there was a US spec setting to automagically to this.
Can anyone let me know where this setting is?
Can anyone let me know where this setting is?
05-13-2006, 01:12 PM
#20
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by Chorethorious' post='281983' date='May 13 2006, 02:01 PM
Eh, I never set my lights to auto. So I just always move the light switch to the 1 O'clock position *Inner Circles*, and use those and my DRL. I honestly never knew there was a US spec setting to automagically to this.
Can anyone let me know where this setting is?
Can anyone let me know where this setting is?
Same here.. if I want DRLs i'll use my parking lamps.
The setting for DRLs? Its at the dealer.
They're the only ones that can do it.