Daytime driving lights(europan)

[rich30769]

Is there a way to install daytime driving lights on european headlights? Has anyone done this?

They all have daytime running lights. All you have to do is turn the light switch two clicks to the right. The best part is that it isn't a government mandate.

Have a great day,

[MBenzNL]

........daytime running lights???.......

I am getting very curious about the US head light versions!
I can't wait to actual see the differences!

greetingz,

MBenz,

I can understand your curiosity, but be extremely happy that you are not subjected to driving a car that has had it's headlights subjected to the insane US headlight laws. They have finally gotten them straightened out now, but for years, we found ourselves squinting at night. The 124 lights were the absolute worse.

Daytime running lights were mandated in Canada many years ago, and are becoming popular in the US. I'm afraid we may see the day where they are mandated in the US as well. Some government study or another determined that they would cut down on accidents. If there comes a day when I can't see a car coming during broad daylight, I will stop driving to protect myself and others around me.

The government just tries to get deeper and deeper into our lives by such mandates.

Have a great day,

[MBenzNL]

Larry,

In some european countries (especially the ones up north) it is obligated to drive with the lights on during 24h per day. This is a good thing; it makes the roads a lot safer to drive.
In europe we have a lot of narrow roads with a lot of trees besides the road. If the sun is not shining and the rain starts to fall down, the visibility gets very bad...there are a lot of drivers on the road who should not be there (we have a lot of "blind" drivers...).

Especially when one has a dark car and tends to drive to fast (like me), it is very wise to carry the "daytime" lights during the day.
I think that it depends on the situation itself and the traffic on the road whether you see someone coming or not.

In the states the roads are wide and people do not drive that fast; here the roads are small and some european loonatics (...) think they are in a excessive hurry and drive speeds up to double of the allowed max speed...

daytime running lights is a good thing...I always drive with my lights illuminated 24/7...

greetingz,

MBenz,

You bring up a good point. I believe that the best thing to do would be have the lights turn on any time the windshield wipers are on.

Last September I was riding with a business associate on a road near Eindhoven that was like you described. The road was like a tunnel through the trees which met each other above the road. This is a different situation that would, of course, warrant headlights being on.

The auto setting on the newer MB's headlight switch will fix this. The lights will come on in subdued light.

Have a great day,

[420SEL]

Cars in Canada can now be sold without daytime running lights. It is a great help, not on bright sunny days, but on gray rainy days, or even really cloudy days it makes it really easy to see traffic. I think the most profound effect is on your periferal vision. You pick up the lights in your periferal much quicker than cars without light on. I don't have daytime running lights, but I always turn my lights on whenever I drive. It's become a habbit; seat belt, check mirors and seat position, turn on ignition, turn on lights, pull brake release lever, then put it in gear and go. Just like frequent and regular hot oil changes protect your engine, taking frequent and regular steps to ensure safety no matter how unnecessary they may seem can only do good.

[Agron80]

In New York State you are required to have your headlights on whenever you winshield wiper is on. I mean c'mon, it's common sense.

[DuckMuck]

rich30769,

Canada required that all cars be equipped with DRL's approximately near the end of the lifespan of the W124. On my W124 '95 E420, I don't have "dedicated" DRL's, but my low-beams automatically engage when the car is turned on. I don't need to do the "two-clicks" of the knob to engage the low-beams. So back to your question, it seems you also have a W124, so are you tryin' to ask how to do the wiring so your low-beans automatically turn on when the car is running, or are you lookin' for some sort of aftermarket "dedicated" low-beam light??? As LarryBible said, you can achieve the same effect by just turning on your low-beams...since there are no dedicated DRL's for the W124!

[300EVIL]

i turn on my "clear" fog lights and my markers when its raining or cloudy. pleanty of visibility by other drivers and it lookd kool too. i highly suggest taking out the yellow filters on the fog lights. adds tons of extra light to the road at night!
good luck,
adam

[bobbyv]

DRLs use the high beams at a reduced power setting, not the low beams, because the high beams are aimed at the incoming drivers' eyes. Euro-pattern beams with sharp low-beam cutoffs specifically, are designed to not glare the oncoming driver, and hence are not good DRLs.

i use my foglamps as DRLs, since my car is a 1989 190e. The advantage of using them vs. high- or low-beams is that the beam is spread over a wide angle, allowing one to be seen by drivers over that angle, including those you are about to overtake on the highway.

here in canada where all cars after a certain year have DRLs, a car without DRL will be lost in the driver's field of vision among all the other DRL-equipped cars, especially in inclement weather.

with my foglamp on, the rear lights are also on, enabling other drivers to see me better from the rear in inclement weather. Most cars with DRLs do not have their rear lamps on while the DRLs are on.

what i cannot understand however, is why they removed the rear foglamp, when it is most useful for being seen in heavy rain and thick fog, especially on the highway.

How exactly do i remove the yellow filters from the fog lights. I have an '85 190e and i hate the way the yellow in the fog lights look.
thanks
doug