Daytime Running Lights - Who is in favor?
#1
11-19-2008, 09:51 AM
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 895
Daytime Running Lights - Who is in favor?
I recently had my 2008 FEH in for the TSB related to the battery compartment door causing a "wrench" light intermittantly.
While I was there, I had the dealer enable the Daytime Running Lights (DRL). I think they are a valuable safety tool for the vehicle.
I realize that some of the more extreme hypermilers don't want to use the electricity, but I was wondering how many people are interested in having this feature working on their FEH?
While I was there, I had the dealer enable the Daytime Running Lights (DRL). I think they are a valuable safety tool for the vehicle.
I realize that some of the more extreme hypermilers don't want to use the electricity, but I was wondering how many people are interested in having this feature working on their FEH?
#2
11-19-2008, 10:44 AM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: New Jersey. Land of high auto insurance and pollution.
Posts: 127
Re: Daytime Running Lights - Who is in favor?
Me! 
I asked about this a little while back on BlueOval and got the instructions on how the Ford techs can turn on DRL in our FEHL's and the Edge. Figured I'd ask my dealership to turn them on in December when the Sync 2.0 upgrade is released.
My dealership service manager was able to confirm that the only diference between the Consumer FEH/FEHL and a Fleet FEH when it comes to DRL is the above procedure being done at the Factoy.
I would love to find a way to do this myself without spending $3000.00 on a SCN tool. Any ideas?
I asked about this a little while back on BlueOval and got the instructions on how the Ford techs can turn on DRL in our FEHL's and the Edge. Figured I'd ask my dealership to turn them on in December when the Sync 2.0 upgrade is released.
The DRL can be turned on by hooking up the SCN tool and configuring DRL in the Smart Junction Box (SBJ). DRL are turned on by the duty cycle which gives a lower voltage to the bulb. The duty cycle is when a transistor is turned on and off very quickly to achieve a lower voltage (ie: 12v X 50% duty cycle = aprox 6v)
In the Ford Manual, it reads:
When the ignition switch is in the run position, the headlamps are not on (from the autolamp system or manual control them the headlmap switch), the trans axle is not in park (P) (auto trans) or the parking brake applied (manual trans) the SJB provides a pulse width modulated voltage to the low beam headlamps. this illuminates the headlamps at a reduced intensity.
In the pinpoint test, the manual asks "Is the SBJ DRL configuration enabled?" Set to "enable" to turn on the DRL. This should take no more than 15 minutes and no charge if you have a good relationship with your Ford Service Department.
In the Ford Manual, it reads:
When the ignition switch is in the run position, the headlamps are not on (from the autolamp system or manual control them the headlmap switch), the trans axle is not in park (P) (auto trans) or the parking brake applied (manual trans) the SJB provides a pulse width modulated voltage to the low beam headlamps. this illuminates the headlamps at a reduced intensity.
In the pinpoint test, the manual asks "Is the SBJ DRL configuration enabled?" Set to "enable" to turn on the DRL. This should take no more than 15 minutes and no charge if you have a good relationship with your Ford Service Department.
I would love to find a way to do this myself without spending $3000.00 on a SCN tool. Any ideas?
#4
11-19-2008, 12:04 PM
Re: Daytime Running Lights - Who is in favor?
I don't understand why this is not in the user controllable settings like the dash light dim time and auto-lock feature.
I'm not a fan of DRL. Personal preference I guess.
I'm not a fan of DRL. Personal preference I guess.
#5
11-19-2008, 12:24 PM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: New Jersey. Land of high auto insurance and pollution.
Posts: 127
Re: Daytime Running Lights - Who is in favor?
As for why they are not a user controlable setting...... I haven't a clue but then again, many things auto manufacturers do don't make sense to me.
#7
11-19-2008, 03:01 PM
Re: Daytime Running Lights - Who is in favor?
I'm not interested in decreasing my mileage by the additional electrical load.
My Rav4 had DDL's that I couldn't turn off without the dealer (and many tried that route and failed).
My Rav4 had DDL's that I couldn't turn off without the dealer (and many tried that route and failed).
#8
11-19-2008, 04:29 PM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: New Jersey. Land of high auto insurance and pollution.
Posts: 127
Re: Daytime Running Lights - Who is in favor?
I remember reading something either here or on CleanMPG that headlights reduced FE by 0.1 MPG. The DRL's use 50% voltage with 50% duty cycle so that would mean a FE drop of 0.05 - 0.075 MPG. Five hundreth's of a mile per gallon is acceptable to me for my wifes peace of mind.
Re: Daytime Running Lights - Who is in favor?
