DRL's and C-6

Again Corvette C-6 will have DRL's (Daytime Running Lamps). DRL's are exterior front lamps that automtically illuminate when you put the C-6in drive. This helps increase the Corvette's visbility for other drivers and pedestrians in differnet settings like fog, dusk, and gright sunlight. The idea is that other drivers can see you. They might not pull out of a side street in front of you or pull out of a drveway and see you sooner. This feature has been around for C-5's and many different GM vehicles. (nothing really new)



Source: GMability Safety

"Daytime-running lamps (DRLs) are reduced-intensity lights on the front of vehicles that automatically illuminate when a vehicle is started. Since DRLs are relatively new in the United States, many vehicle owners are interested in learning more.

Advantages of DRLs
The most important advantage of daytime-running lights is the potential for reducing crashes and injuries, and saving lives. It has been estimated that if the full U.S. fleet of vehicles were to have DRLs, there could be an annual reduction of up to 300,000 crashes, 100,000 injuries and 2,000 fatalities. DRLs have been shown to be the most effective in preventing collisions involving (1) a vehicle pulling out in front of another vehicle; (2) lane-changing on multi-lane roads; and (3) passing on two-lane rural roads.

Evidence of DRLs' Safety Advantages
Canadian vehicles have been required to have DRLs as standard equipment since the 1990 model year. A 1994 study in that country shows more than an 8% reduction in opposite-direction, two-vehicle daytime crashes in vehicles with DRLs. It is even greater-11%-when vehicles included are those that have drivers who are voluntarily driving with their headlights on in the daytime. Many studies have been conducted in the Scandinavian countries and Canada confirming the crash avoidance effectiveness of DRLs. Evaluating all these studies and taking into account latitude and highway differences, GM believes that DRLs may initially reduce the chances of a vehicle being involved in any type of a vehicle crash by about 7%.

Additional DRL facts
DRLs stay illuminated until the driver manually turns on the main lighting system; which includes full-intensity headlights, taillights, side markers and license plate lights; puts the vehicle in "park;" or turns the vehicle off.

Like all equipment, DRLs require some energy to operate. Since the only source of energy is the fuel tank, they do require some fuel. The very small increase in fuel use is estimated to be only a tankful of fuel over the lifetime of the vehicle. Since DRLs operate the headlight system at reduced voltage, the effect on bulb life is minimal and probably will not be noticed by the average owner over the life of the vehicle.

There are three DRL configurations that are used by General Motors, depending on the regulations and vehicle design: (1) low-beam headlights operating with slightly reduced brightness, (2) high-beam headlights operating with greatly reduced brightness or (3) turn signal lights."

Sounds good!

One crucial question though. If the DRL are on, do the taillights automatically turn on?

The reason I ask is that there seem to be an amazing number of people in the D.C. area and the I-95 Corridor from DC to NYC that have running lights and don't bother turning on regular lights at night. Makes for an extrodinarily dangerous situation when you've got people going 70+ on a freeway who have no rear lights. Add to that the tired factor of 3AM and its got the makings of a real accident. I've only ridden in two cars with DRL and both had light-sensors that automatically turned on "normal nighttime lighting" when they sensed dark. Too many fools out there without this feature and without common sense. Don't want one of them to end up dead in a Vette...or to be the guy that doesn't see the Vette.

Scot

With DRL on automatic trans, DRL turn on when you put the Vette in DRIVE. Tailights do not come on. On 6 speed vettes, not sure how they function.

On my 99 Silverado The DRL's come on when I put it in drive. They automaticaly turn off and the rest of the lights come on at dusk.

Yeap.........on my 2003 GMC Savana Van DRL's come on when put in drive. When you turn on lights DRL's go off and night lights come on.

Dup this on the C-5 2002, with added feature of lights coming on auto at dusk.

ErnieCorvetteC6 said: With DRL on automatic trans, DRL turn on when you put the Vette in DRIVE. Tailights do not come on. On 6 speed vettes, not sure how they function.

If DRL on the Vette manual-trans will work the same as other cars with manual-trans, the DRL will come on when the Parking Brake is off.

I'm all for DRLs! I think it makes a big difference for other people seeing you. Lighting on cars is very important to saftey, especially brake lights.

I'm all for DRLs! I think it makes a big difference for other people seeing you

I hate them and think they are a cop magnet especially on vettes. It tells them exactly what's coming from a long ways off. I am for independent brake and turns like the Japenese and Euro versions

On DRL you can override them.

Daytime Running Lights are a Federal mandate for US Automobiles. My Jeep has them. The Tail Lights do not come on with the DRL feature. I always have driven with at least Parking Lights plus Driving/Fog lights on.

Haze, fog, mist. Dusk and dawn backlighted by the sun when driving West in the morning or when driving East late in the day gives assurance that I will be visible to on-coming traffic who will be blinded by the sun.

Daytime Running Lights are a Federal mandate for US Automobiles. My Jeep has them.

Unfortunately, they are not a US Federal mandate (but Canada). GM and Toyota are the only two I see using them in the US. If Jeep does the rest of the Chrysler (oops DB) does not.

I do like the Vleltte ones because they are the small second filament in the turn signals. My Impala and the Blazer both use the Hi Beams at 90% voltage and I would much rather have it like the Vette.