head light

[volvox]

I can understand that maybe in New Zealand it's not very popular to have the headlights on 7/24 but why not be a pioneer/trailblazer about it and leave them on, after all ?

It's not only a cosmetic issue; there is a legitimate reason why it's good to have the lights on all the time. I'm quite certain there was a study somewhere a few years ago that proved that having headlights on all the time increases your vehicle's visibility by 20%, also in good weather conditions. I would even go one step further and say that there probably are drivers out there who saved their lives _because_ they had their headlights on during the day.

Now I'll admit that I'm speaking from the standpoint of someone who lives in a country that gets a lot of inclement weather(that's why Swedish cars work so well in Canada), but from what I remember from my travels to NZ a number of years ago - you get a fair share of rain, fog and sometimes snow, too.

So why change it at all? It might save your life one day...

P.S. FWIW: one of Canada's more popular driving-school chains(The Young Drivers of Canada) makes it mandatory for young drivers to have their lights on at all times, and even makes the drivers sign a pledge at the time of graduation to always keep them on).
And don't worry about the strange looks that other drivers may give you. When I went back for the first time back to Europe 15 years ago - my brother scoffed at me turning the headlights on all the time. I even got other drivers honk at me("why do you have your lights on during the day?"). Now he, and everyone else, has a car with DRL's(daylight running lights).

Just a different point of view....

[farupp]

According to the manual for my '96 Volvo 850 T US, the DRLs have to be on at all times also in Canada. The three-position switch on Canadian market cars will not turn the DRLs off in any of the positions.

It would be great if there was a modification for US market cars that allowed only the headlights to be on as DRLs without the parking lights also on.

Any ideas?

Thanks, This is a great forum.

Frank

[ravennexus]

Here's what I found on my U.S.-spec switch:

11:00 Setting: Switch operates in standard (non-DRL) mode
Position 1: Instrument Lights off, Running Lights off, Headlights off
Position 2: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights off
Position 3: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on

12:00 Setting: Switch operates in modified DRL mode
Position 1: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on
Position 2: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights off
Position 3: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on

01:00 Setting: Switch operates in full DRL mode
Position 1: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on
Position 2: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on
Position 3: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on

i'm from the UK and thats exactly how the switch on my S70 works

[th-edi ll]

12:00 Setting: Switch operates in modified DRL mode
Position 1: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on
Position 2: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights off
Position 3: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on


I believe from my recent experience and page 26 of the owners manual for the 98 S70 I just got, the above should be modified to read:

12:00 Setting: Switch operates in modified DRL mode
Position 1: Instrument Lights off, Running Lights off, Headlights on
Position 2: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights off
Position 3: Instrument Lights on, Running Lights on, Headlights on

And what are referred to as "running lights" have traditionally - at least in 'old times' (US) and when I was growing up, not so old times & in my owners manual- been known as "parking lights"

Not to prove a point - just trying to provide what I think is most accurate....

[Klausc]

I can understand that maybe in New Zealand it's not very popular to have the headlights on 7/24 but why not be a pioneer/trailblazer about it and leave them on, after all ?

It's not only a cosmetic issue; there is a legitimate reason why it's good to have the lights on all the time. I'm quite certain there was a study somewhere a few years ago that proved that having headlights on all the time increases your vehicle's visibility by 20%, also in good weather conditions. ....

Fuel mileage???? Round trip from Twin Cities to Columbus, OH - 28mpg with DRLs off and 26mpg with DRLs on. That is a 13 hour, non-stop trip for me.
Don't get me wrong, I like DRLs. I just think it a waste to have headlights on, along with parking/corner lights also on. DRLs should be a separate set of lights in the front of the car, like the never used fog lights. The smaller wattage would draw less amperage, let my battery recharge faster, and cause my alternator to work less.
Volvo's cheapness is costing all of us more money. Of course, those of you who are too lazy to turn off the headlights wouldn't know... You just complain that the battery won't hold a charge for more than 2 weeks at a time.

Klaus