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Day running lights - Citroënian {P}
Hi all

I've noticed a lot of new Audis are coming with super bright day running lights that seem to be on permanently. My B-i-L followed me for a couple of hours the other week in his new A4 and in the end I had to ask him to turn them off, they were really distracting. That turned out to be less than easy as the option was hidden away in the computer menu system somewhere.

It's a bit depressing really - I can't help but think that this is much more about marketing than anything else, and worse still it'll lead to loads of other manufacturers following suit to get a bit of "Audi-ness" in their cars.

Is it just me or are these lights an unnecessary and annoying frippery?



Day running lights - Bagpuss
I really like the Day Running Lights on the newer Audis. Especially the clever way they dim on one side when the indicator is flashing.
Day running lights - zookeeper
Especially the clever way
they dim on one side when the indicator is flashing.


i always thought that was a bad earth..?

Edited by zookeeper on 04/09/2008 at 00:39

Day running lights - daveyjp
"Is it just me or are these lights an unnecessary and annoying frippery?"

For those of us who know when and when not to use lights probably yes. Should any new Audi I buy have them I will ensure they are not activated.

For the remaining 99.9 % (!) of the driving population they should be compulsory, especially in winter.

Edited by daveyjp on 03/09/2008 at 14:32

Day running lights - davidh
Just thought I'd mention, that is possible to buy these Audi look-alike lights from motor accessory shops if you want to jazz up your car.

Probably fairly simple to wire up too. 12V feed from the main lights and a ground.
Day running lights - henry k
...is possible to buy these Audi look-alike lights from motor accessory shops

>>
land the effect is like this
blog.jofftastic.co.uk/2007/12/audi-led-driving-lig.../

if you like that sort of thing.

I have a feeling that this will be the latest bling since Lexus rear lights --- ugh.
Day running lights - FotheringtonThomas
Is it just me or are these lights an unnecessary and annoying frippery?


It's not just you.
Day running lights - legacylad
How easy are they to change? I mean, are they some kind of special light that never 'blows'or what? Sorry for being a technical ignoramus, but I think they are just another frippery like indicators in wing mirrors, rain sensing wipers (doh, is it raining)et al.
Day running lights - CGNorwich
rain sensing wipers

I thought the same until I bought my Octavia. Wipers work really well and maintain the right speed of wipe without having constantly to adjust. Obviously not essential but a defininite plus point in my book.

Edited by CGNorwich on 03/09/2008 at 15:56

Day running lights - Stuartli
Obviously not essential but a defininite plus point in my book.>>


I'm with you on this one - My Bora has the same system.
Day running lights - henry k
>>Is it just me or are these lights an unnecessary and annoying frippery?

IIRC when previously discussed they are for the EU daylight running directive.
Day running lights - PR {P}
Most new Italian car models have them now aswell (Fiat 500, Lancia Delta), as the daytime use of lights is already compulsory there, and has been for a few years now on extra urban and motorways.
Day running lights - paulvm
The Audi lights mentioned are very different from daytime running lights. The Audi version I have seen is a series of very bright LED's on the front in an L shape. These are so bright that they look as if about to explode. They distract you when seen in your mirror, and also when oncoming. The Volvo, and similiar, running lights are discreet and sensible, but the Audi version is annoying and distracting.
Day running lights - stunorthants26
I see them quite often but I dont find them in the least distracting. Atleast they are adding brand identity.
Headlights, at night, are far brighter than these LED's during the daytime so I really cant see what anyone is complaining about. Another non-issue by issue-seekers as ever.
Day running lights - rtj70
I have seen them and they are bright but in a "yes you're clearly visible way" so they achieve their objective well. It's not like a fool with their high beam lights on behind or driving towards you.

At least as LEDs they are bright but do not throw this light far.
Day running lights - Citroënian {P}
EU, right hadn't thought of that - a quick google confirms this to be the case, and makes the LED argument for saving energy ("being greener").

So we can expect these on a lot more cars then, looks like 2011 when it comes into force.




Day running lights - henry k
www.al-lighting.de/index.php?id=europe&lang=en

A map and some rules in Europe ( today)
Day running lights - gmac
I'm having the DRL's on our Volvo switched off.
It goes through dipped beam bulbs every twelve months at a three figure sum to replace each time.
I over looked my headlight bulb replacement test when we bought the car and it is just not worth the scraped knuckles each time so the DRL's are going.
I hope the EU have put something in the legislation making these lights accessable to the average motorist if they are making DRL mandatory.
Day running lights - rtj70
The two reasons I can see the likes of Audi are using LEDs (economy aside):

1. LEDs last longer and have no warm up time - that's why HID have xenon gas to reduce the time to get to max brightness.
2. Huge profit margins when a light needs replacing due to an accident.

So it's mainly 2 and design over practicality then.
Day running lights - legacylad
So if I'm understanding this correctly, these Audi LED's never fail, unlike ordinary headlight bulbs. That has to be a good thing surely? Will they still be going strong at several years old, which is when I normally buy my cars?
If you were to have a prang then the insurance would cover the cost...albeit with some loss to your NCD if self inflicted.
Day running lights - gmac
So if I'm understanding this correctly these Audi LED's never fail unlike ordinary headlight bulbs.

In the same way HID's will outlast the vehicle (was the selling point) but you can pick up a replacement bulb for c.80 or 90 pounds and have a hazchem bulb to dispose of because it contains mercury - the HID bulb that is, not the LED.
Fact is, no one knows how long these will last in everyday running as they are new to the market.
Day running lights - Hamsafar
Porsche and VW have them too now.
I don't see how they can be distracting, but that's a psychological issue rather than a technical one. They are Daytime running lights which the EU will require soon, but they do keep changing their minds, I think they think yes at the moment. The LEDs are bright during the day when the engine is running and go dim at night or when the headlights are on. They should last the life of the car (60,000 hours+)
Day running lights - Pugugly
I thought the EU had chucked the plan to compel DRLs
Day running lights - Hamsafar
I thought they had, certainly the UK voted against it after a public consultation was against it, but that's the way the EU goes, we are just represented by a tiny number of MEPs against a large number we have no way of voting for or against.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-523168/Dimwits-EU...l
www.motorauthority.com/news/news/eu-to-mandate-day.../
Day running lights - rtj70
"So if I'm understanding this correctly, these Audi LED's never fail"

I would imagine some of the LEDs will fail. LEDs in the third/middle break light on many cars have failed and they are not on all the time.

Day running lights - jc2
Bulbs that are on all the time are less likely to fail;it's the continual cold/hot cycling that causes failure.
Day running lights - Tornadorot
It goes through dipped beam bulbs every twelve months at a three figure sum to
replace each time.


Three figures for a couple of bulbs??? What kind of bulbs are they?
Day running lights - Manatee
The Audi LEDs look very naff to me - had they appeared on a Hyundai they would have been ridiculed.
Day running lights - Paddler Ed
I've got an Ovlov... with 199,700 miles on it, of which I've put 27k on in the last 20months. I've replaced my whole headlight units as the reflectors were yellowing, but I've not had to replace any main beam bulbs (I've had to replace a sidelight, but that's it)

The biggest bug bear that I have with these new DLR's is that they do not include rear lights, like Volvo and SAAB do; this means that the driver can 'see' where they're going, or be seen from in front, but if approached from the rear the car is invisible. Problem of silver cars not being visible in certain lights (I deliberately didn't get a car coloured in a silvery grey colour for that reason) is not alleviated.
Day running lights - disbeliever
Day running lights have been standard on Volvos since 1976, it used to annoy me that people kept on telling me that my lights were on. However they are very useful see & be seen for safety . Even now idiot motorists will not switch on their lights in dark or when its raining.
Day running lights - BobbyG
What are the rules for these LED lights in particular what shape can they be?
the Audi ones are obviously not round or straight.
Would it be possible, for instance, to have the LEDS in the shape of letters? Could see a whole new business in the letters C-H-A-V if so.
Day running lights - Tornadorot
Distracting? I thought the whole point of running lights was to "distract" other drivers from their reverie and make them aware of another vehicle in their vicinity :-)
Day running lights - Old Navy
Always on DRLs must be better than the dipsticks who drive on parking lights, or no lights, in poor visibility and should include rear lights as well. When they become mandatory it will be legislation of common sense, or nanny state, take your pick.

Edited by Old Navy on 04/09/2008 at 18:26