Why am I running LED Daytime Running Lights?

[Jman79]

Keep other people from hitting me and winding.up back in in this list with insurance headaches or worse. Seems like a no brainer.

On the lariat can you replace the lamps with regular lamps if you have problems out of warranty?
Meaning, you could chat out on the fix if you got lights that didn't live up to life time promise?

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[Traegorn]

Because they DON'T last 10 years or more.

The reason why most home LED bulbs fail is not because the diodes themselves go out, but because their control boards overheat in the small casing we squeeze into the shape of an incandescent bulb to maintain legacy compatibility with our lamps.

The headlights of your truck don't have that issue.

 

[BuddyS]

Logic from the "I won't wear my seatbelt because I'd rather be thrown clear of the vehicle" camp...

 

[budpalumbo]

The "bulbs" aren't going to fail. You can run them constantly and not worry about that.

What is going to eventually fail is the electronics that run the lights, the connections between the modules and the light interiors, or the strips between LED's. Either from stress fractures or more likely, corrosion. LED's don't make heat like halogen bulbs so moisture inside the housings and snow not melting off the lenses is a problem. And deciding to run them or not won't make a bit of difference.

 

[homerdog]

I put my lights on auto the first day driving my Maverick and haven 't touched them since.

 

[23grayXLT84]

I'm not sure what you're looking at, as there should be a large difference in light output between DRLs (only used to show other vehicles where you are) and headlights (which illuminate the road for you). DRLs do not significantly illuminate the road. If you have an alternator, DRLs are usually fed pulsating half power across one of the diodes, averaging 6-7 volts. It is common for the vehicle manufacturer to use the incandescent highbeams as DRLs, the light is noticeably yellow as a result. If you have LED highbeams (like the Mav), they tend to use a separate light such as the turn signal lights. If you do a search for DRLs, you will find lots of details, like this one: https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Convert-High-Beam-DRL-to-LED-Lights/

not the case on the XL/XLT.
DRL = normal headlights. There is no difference in output.
Step outside and move the light knob to on - you will not see a difference at all.

Its a poor design and I said it many times. DRL should be one bank, whereas low beam two banks. This would at least have some difference. Or adjust the voltage (like yours post).

Not a question for you, but I think XL/XLT DRL being the actaul low beams might be one of the few (if not only) car here in the US that operates that way. Every car I seen with DRLs has some strip or small lit area. Not full blown like this.

 

[LM42]

Politics has nothing to do with it. I just don't want to wear them out if I don't feel they're needed.

How cheap does one have to be to turn off a safety feature over fear that they have to replace a BULB after 10 years. And as long as you feel they aren't needed, that is all that matters really. Myself I never let facts get in the way of how I feel and construct arguments

 

[colinl]

My Lariat has LED DRL's. I can't speak for others.

they won't burn out anytime soon, and they look awesome.

if you really don't want them, I'm certain you could trade them for standard lights plus a good amount of money. a lot of people want the lariat DRL look, and the complete headlamp assembly is very expensive.

 

[VBMav]

How cheap does one have to be to turn off a safety feature over fear that they have to replace a BULB after 10 years. And as long as you feel they aren't needed, that is all that matters really. Myself I never let facts get in the way of how I feel and construct arguments

In my 22 XLT, I have the running lights on. However, I think you will find that it isn't a "bulb" you would have to replace, but the entire headlamp assembly (capsule) to replace the "bulb". I think those are quite expensive.

I agree with another poster that the running lights should either be a lower power or only one of the headlights on each side instead of how they are now.

 

[PapaRico]

Politics has nothing to do with it. I just don't want to wear them out if I don't feel they're needed.

I say the same thing about my seatbelt. Never had a wreck while not wearing it so I figure I'm golden for the life of the vehicle.

 

[BoskoPColtrane]

Then you get to be one of the cars I have a hard time seeing when I'm driving due east in the morning getting blinded by the sun.

When your argument starts with "I refuse to believe they're useful" how is anyone supposed to have a conversation about it.

Haha. Right. It’s like giving medicine to a dead man.

 

[GPSMan]

How cheap does one have to be to turn off a safety feature over fear that they have to replace a BULB after 10 years. And as long as you feel they aren't needed, that is all that matters really. Myself I never let facts get in the way of how I feel and construct arguments

They cost $1500. Or something close.

 

[LM42]

They cost $1500. Or something close.

I understand for sure. Obviously they are much more expensive than even a single replaceable LED. It's just an odd thing to be worried about to me.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

Why would you want to turn off a safety item? It's there for your safety so a car coming from the opposite direction sees you, and doesn't turn in front of you. Good Luck, and stay safe.

 

[GPSMan]

As others have said, they are not simple bulbs. They are COMPLEX EXPENSIVE ASSEMBLIES.

They won't last the lifetime of the truck. They just won't.

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