turning off running lights
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Harrisburg Pa.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
They have not been proved to be statistically significant. If owners think they look cool thats fine but NTHSA haven't proved any safety benefit:
The Studies:
Numerous studies done worldwide since the 1970s have tended to conclude that daytime running lights improve safety. A 2008 study by the U.S. NHTSA analysed the effect of DRLs on frontal and side-on crashes between two vehicles and on vehicle collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The analysis determined that DRLs offer no statistically-significant reduction in the frequency or severity of the collisions studied, except for a reduction in light trucks' and vans' involvement in two-vehicle crashes by a statistically-significant 5.7%.
Theres a definite trend here on the Forum that the DRLs damage the turn signal housing because of the heat they generate. For me that would be a good enough reason to turn them off even if I had a choice.
The good thing is that it's the owners choice but it shouldn't be swayed by unproven opinion or by a GM commercial decision.
The Studies:
Numerous studies done worldwide since the 1970s have tended to conclude that daytime running lights improve safety. A 2008 study by the U.S. NHTSA analysed the effect of DRLs on frontal and side-on crashes between two vehicles and on vehicle collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The analysis determined that DRLs offer no statistically-significant reduction in the frequency or severity of the collisions studied, except for a reduction in light trucks' and vans' involvement in two-vehicle crashes by a statistically-significant 5.7%.
Theres a definite trend here on the Forum that the DRLs damage the turn signal housing because of the heat they generate. For me that would be a good enough reason to turn them off even if I had a choice.
The good thing is that it's the owners choice but it shouldn't be swayed by unproven opinion or by a GM commercial decision.
Last edited by DeeGee; Oct 7, 2011 at 02:26 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
thanks for a response. the bulb deal is like 2nd grade for me but i'm still a little unclear on the fuses. what, if any, difference is there between pulling the footwell vs the underhood fuse. maybe i should ask if you lose more or less, or different functions other than the drl's, depending on which one you pull.
here's where i fall into the 'having a discussion' part of a forum. now that i know there are 2 #2 fuses that will render the drl's innoperative, i guess i could just look them up and see what they run.
here's where i fall into the 'having a discussion' part of a forum. now that i know there are 2 #2 fuses that will render the drl's innoperative, i guess i could just look them up and see what they run.
The #2 fuse in the footwell controls lighting functions but does not disable the DRLs. It protects things such as the vanity lamps, the underhood lamp and the rearview mirror light.
Last edited by DeeGee; Oct 7, 2011 at 02:20 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Harrisburg Pa.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Olathe, Kansas
I driven in groups of Several Corvettes for years, and never have I mistaken a DRL being on as a turn signal. The DRL's are definitely a safety factor as they make our cars more visable. I can spot a Corvette from great distance because of them. Plus they look great!
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Melting Slicks
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From: Lone Star State
Team Owner
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From: Kannapolis NC
Team Owner
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From: Kannapolis NC
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Napa Ca
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Orlando FL
When I first got my 2000, I noticed other Vettes, Z28's, and Trans Am's all seemed to have that very distinctive "look at me" look. I could spot them from a mile away. I figured it was some sort of conspiracy to make it easy for LEO's to spot muscle cars (not really), anyway I pulled my fuse for stealth purposes. Every time I see another C5 with the DRL's on I just shake my head, and wave.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
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I agree with that 
. Only car I leave them on on BMWs because they're dedicated, look nice, and would never be confused with a turn signal (white vs amber). I hate GM's half-*** approach of using the turn signals as DRLs too.
I don't care for any 'extra lighting' feature, but out of curiosity, what the heck is 'approach lighting'? The DRLs turning on while on reverse??? At any rate, the A2 fuse will be my solution. MUCH easier than modifying the relay, which will also throw the same codes, right?
Finally, this works on a '12 GS, correct?
Even if ECU throws codes, as long a they don't trigger a CEL or affect emissions readiness, I don't particularly care.
That's not a safety feature; that's a DISTINGUISHING feature .
. Only car I leave them on on BMWs because they're dedicated, look nice, and would never be confused with a turn signal (white vs amber). I hate GM's half-*** approach of using the turn signals as DRLs too. Finally, this works on a '12 GS, correct?
.
Last edited by JCtx; Feb 12, 2012 at 02:40 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Yes. The code tells you the approach lighting (and DRL) is inhibited. Both the relay mod and the A2 fuse brings on a code.
BTW, no one mentioned the fact that the DRLs tend to melt the lamp housings and burn out T/S bulbs.
Last edited by DeeGee; Feb 12, 2012 at 04:24 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
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From: Memphis Tennessee
Find the relay in the passenger floorboard. Pull it out. Remove the gray plastic cover for it with a tiny screw driver. Next take a piece of a business card and cut a sliver. Slide it between the contacts. Plug it bavk in. Done. No problem. Easy! Also won't throw codes. Either that or pull the #2 fuse under the hood. However you will throw a code and disables completely. Ig you do it the other way....no codes and disables the daytime running only.
Good Luck
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Jochen's Link
I found the link to Jochen's original DRL Relay mod.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...e-the-drl.html
I did this mod years ago as amber DRLs are illegal in UK. I have a B0502 and B0507 telling me the DRLs are not working. You don't get the DIC warning on start. The approach lights work normally.
If you pull the A2 fuse, the back up lights work normally but the approach light function is inhibited.
Incidentally, I'm still using my original turn signal bulbs after nearly 10 years.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...e-the-drl.html
I did this mod years ago as amber DRLs are illegal in UK. I have a B0502 and B0507 telling me the DRLs are not working. You don't get the DIC warning on start. The approach lights work normally.
If you pull the A2 fuse, the back up lights work normally but the approach light function is inhibited.
Incidentally, I'm still using my original turn signal bulbs after nearly 10 years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 831
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From: Albuquerque NM
I pulled the relays and put in a small piece of a cut business card to keep the relays from contacting years ago and don't have the codes. Wouldn't care if I did, when I swapped out to the black/amber Depo housings the old housings were burnt up bad and had cracks in them that allowed water in. My fathers '98 is on it's 9th or 10th set of front lights, I've never replaced the bulbs in mine since I disabled the DRLs. If you like the DRLs great leave them on and replace the bulbs regularly, it generates the type of discussion like BSMs