I only drive with my lights on when it starts to get dark. I never had it set on auto because it shortens the bulb life when the xenon gas has to go on and off frequently.

 

Anyone know the warranty life on our bulbs?

 

Lights on . . . For safety issues, as well.

 

Hi

Driving with lights on during the day is uncool, imho. When oncoming drivers turn their headlights on during the day, it signals traffic problems ahead. Not that other drivers are altruistic, but they just forget to turn them off. But with lights on all the time, then it always signals problems ahead and is useless.

As I recall the low beams have the xenon lights and they burn out more quickly. Hence the owners manual cautions against unnecessary use, especially 'flicking' the lights.

"The life of xenon headlights will be shortened by frequent on-off operation. It is generally desirable not to turn off the headlights for short intervals (like at a stop light). Even when the daytime running lights are active (Canada only), the xenon headlights do not turn on. This way the life of the xenon headlights is not reduced."
2003 manual pg 2-17.

 

I never thought of it as a "cool" or "uncool"

some ppl just don't like turning off those lights...everyone knows HIDs dont even have a effect when the sun is out full blast.

 

only at night or when it gets dark (AUTO). and in heavy rain, fog, etc. otherwise, OFF!

 

I keep them on, always have since my first car. I don't really care about the cool factor so much, but every single reputable study that's looked at DRLs has found a 7-18% decline in accidents when lights are used during the day. This crap goes back to the 70s. They cost increase (including warrantied bulbs and power drain) is somewhere along the lines of $3 per year.

The major argument against it: people who DON'T put their lights on are more susceptible to accidents, because those who turn their lights on are effectively increasing their contrast, thereby decreasing the relative contrast of those who don't.

I think people who argue against daytime running lights are in the same camp as those who argue against seatbelts- retards with too much time and too little brains.

G

 

Here in Canada we run DRLs at all times unless the headlights are turned on or are in the auto setting. In our cars this means the Xenons work only when turned on manually or if it dark when in the auto setting.
I won't comment about the cool thing, but since about 1993 our government has recognized and mandated what motorcycle manufacturers did 30+ years ago- driving with lighted headlights during the day increases visibility and therefore safety. I expect the US may also accept this some day too.

Couldn't agree with you more GeoBau.

 

I leave my headlights set to auto and I put some black electricial tape over the sensor which is on the passanger side at the corner of the defroster vent. By doing this every time I start my car the headlights come on and stay on until I turn the car off. Since my daily drive is 40 to 50 minutes and mostly highway I really don't think I will drastly shorten the life of the bulb, in any case bulbs are cheap (75 dollars or so), and if it keeps just one idiot from cutting in front of me because he could now see me it is well worth it. All studies show that DRL's make your car much more noticable. With the G's Xenon bulbs on low beam the car is noticable from over 200 yards back during the day.