DRL as an option

Just wondering, how many would order the DRL if it was an option in the US.

Just wondering, how many would order the DRL if it was an option in the US.


I would. It's so much easier to have them. Don't have to fiddle with the lights everytime it rains or driving thru tunnels and such. I do plan on buying that Hamsar kit too if it works out, don't want to be the guinnea pig this time :-)

DRL have been required in Sweden and many country for many years. Something about a cheap and easy way to reduce the chances of significantly and quickly reducing the length of the car.

The Ridgeline is made in Canada, Canada requires DRL. DRL doesn't cost any more to make: the headlights are already on the truck!


So why does Honda think that American drivers wouldn't want DRL and specifically created two versions of the wiring, one with DRL and one without?? I suppose I shouldn't complain, at least Honda included the headlights.

At the same time other manufacturers in the USA are highlighting the fact that thier cars have DRL (Subaru comes to mind)

To continue my rant....

The whole DRL issue is like the spare tire issue.

Something that shouldn't be complicated becomes very complicated.

Hello Whaleya, I just bought the Hamsar DRL module they recommended for the Ridgeline. I should have the part this week so I can work on it during the weekend. I will post pictures on the results (positive or negative).

Hello Whaleya, I just bought the Hamsar DRL module they recommended for the Ridgeline. I should have the part this week so I can work on it during the weekend. I will post pictures on the results (positive or negative).

Hope it works, at $40 some odd bucks that'll be the biggest bang for my buck accessory put on my truck.

I prefer to avoid having uncontrollable vehicles. I get annoyed enough when cars try to prevent you from locking the keys inside by only letting you lock the door when they want you to lock the door. No offense to people with their heads in the clouds but I don't need guidance on these matters.

Similarly for DRL, I can handle turning lights on and off when necessary, and if I want them on at all times I'll turn them on at all times. There are times, however, that I DON'T want them on, like when I'm trying to follow someone without their knowing...well, not so much that as I live in a rare region with a drive-in movie theater, and it's extremely obnoxious when people blind you with their daytime running lights. :mad:

I want to ride the horse, I don't want the horse riding me.

...it's extremely obnoxious when people blind you with their daytime running lights. :mad:

FYI, if the DRL is setup correctly, the intensity of the light should be reduced. A reduction in intensity will not only keep from "blinding" the cars in front of you but it will also keep your bulbs from burnning out quicker. BTW, I jsut received my Hamsar module today...I'm looking at the instruction diagram. I must say the install is not very clear. I will need to identify certain wires in the RL before I start anything.

Bongus,

Please keep us updated on your progress. This is what I tried to tell the lady at Honda today, she said oh you you can order a third party part to that that, I told I did not want to have to figure out the wiring on my own, since last I checked the manual is still not available. She said something like well the Canadian version uses a different wire harness, and it would be a big change, and I thought so what its your company, can't you fiqure it out.
As I see it, any change to add the parts that Honda makes for the Canadian model of this truck with, can't be any harder for a dealer than some of these dealer installed accessories to install.



FYI, if the DRL is setup correctly, the intensity of the light should be reduced. A reduction in intensity will not only keep from "blinding" the cars in front of you but it will also keep your bulbs from burnning out quicker. BTW, I jsut received my Hamsar module today...I'm looking at the instruction diagram. I must say the install is not very clear. I will need to identify certain wires in the RL before I start anything.

I set up the front turn signals as running lights. You have seen a similar setup used on GM vehicles. And yes, I have a kill switch mounted under the dash so that if I want the DRLs off I can kill them.

It seems around here that cars with DRL's introduce another stupid factor in many drivers--they don't turn their headlights on at night so they're not visible from behind. If they mandate drls then maybe auto-on headlights will be standard too. I could live with that.

It seems around here that cars with DRL's introduce another stupid factor in many drivers--they don't turn their headlights on at night so they're not visible from behind. If they mandate drls then maybe auto-on headlights will be standard too. I could live with that.
Auto on would be great! I won't have DRL though unless it's forced on me. And judging from the poll, I would say the forum is pretty evenly split on that.

On my XL-7 that I traded in, I could either have the lights on automatic or manual and that sure solved my problem. When I went to the shore (where headlights are required on all the time), I put them on auto. This worked great. The fine for non-compliance is not small. This isn't a big problem with me, but sometimes my age gets in the way of my mind and I forget. :D

What's an XL-7?

What's an XL-7?

It's a Suzuki SUV. Ran great, just wasn't big enough. Sold my ole Ranger and traded the SUV in on the Ridge and never looked back. :)

I like it because it stops you from getting tickets when it is raining-we have the wipers on lights on law. The cops love to nail you for that around here

How right you are the stupid factor they don't turn on thier headlites at nite. I have encountered this situation more so under adverse weather conditions--ie: Fog--Snow--And swirling snow behind a vehicle is the worst. I am in favour of DLR's but driver education is required (UGH) and your answer auto-on-headlites is the answer. Quess we have to pressure Honda for this feature for the Ridge. I have a 50 watt halogen Red rear Fog lamp on the back of my vehicles KC Lites. Try this type Red Rear Fog light into Google Search.Article on DLR's at
Http://www.iihs.org/safety_facts/quanda/drl.htm#57
And thanks for bringing up a weak point in DLR's.It seems around here that cars with DRL's introduce another stupid factor in many drivers--they don't turn their headlights on at night so they're not visible from behind. If they mandate drls then maybe auto-on headlights will be standard too. I could live with that.

I like it because it stops you from getting tickets when it is raining-we have the wipers on lights on law. The cops love to nail you for that around here
That's the law here too. I just turn them on. Not sure what the big deal is! :confused:

I traded in a Tundra that had DRL, and that is one of the minor things I did not like about it. I am equally (minorly) excited about the lack of it with my RTS.

That's the law here too. I just turn them on. Not sure what the big deal is! :confused:

The big deal...which may not be big for some...is leaving you lights on will burn out your bulbs faster. The advantage of the DRLs is it is designed to reduce the intensity of the bulb so that your bulbs will last longer compared to just leaving your lights on.

The big deal...which may not be big for some...is leaving you lights on will burn out your bulbs faster. The advantage of the DRLs is it is designed to reduce the intensity of the bulb so that your bulbs will last longer compared to just leaving your lights on.
I have 115,000 miles (8.5 years) on my bulbs and haven't had to replace a single one. It isn't a problem. Maybe if you live where it rains all the time?

The Acura MDX 2004 I had before the Ridgeline had an auto on feature for the lights. Maybe they are saving it for an Acura version of the Ridgeline. They only put the Bluetooth contectivity in the Acuras as well.

NWdiver,

Half the people I see who don't have headlights on, don't have DRL's, I wonder how they see the dash. But based on ADOT accident stats, I guess the answer is they don't.


It seems around here that cars with DRL's introduce another stupid factor in many drivers--they don't turn their headlights on at night so they're not visible from behind. If they mandate drls then maybe auto-on headlights will be standard too. I could live with that.

Here's my two cents;

As a motorcyclist, I despise DRL's in cars. It makes the visibility of a motorcycle's headlight disappear. We're hard enough to see without everyone having their lights on.

Secondly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration feels they have "no statistically significant benefit".

Here's an FAQ from an organization opposed to DRL's:
http://www.lightsout.org/faqs.html

And regarding automatic lights, in my humble opinion if one can't remember to turn their lights on, maybe one should take the bus ;)

I never had a real strong opinion one way or another about DRL until we purchased a car/SUV with them. The car we bought was a VW Touareg that came with DRL, it's not an option or part of a package it's standard.

Not being able to control your own lights when you want too is not good. Try pulling into a restaurant parking lot and your always on headlights blast the people inside trying to eat. Go to a drive through Christmas light display where everyone else turns just their parking lights on so as not to wash out the beautiful displays they worked weeks on and see what kind of looks you get.

I would never buy a car/truck/SUV with DRL that I couldn't disable if I needed too.

Our Volvo that has DRL lets you select the parking lights and the DRLs go off. Are you sure the VW is not the same??

For some reason VW did not build in to the Touareg anyway to turnoff, bypass, switch to parking lights or anything else for the DRL. I'm sure in time I can find away to modify it so I can get control back.

I too am a motorcylist, although I live in Canada where DRL has been standard for YEARS. I find no problem with daytime running lights while riding a motorcycle as I usually ride with high beams on during the daytime. While this practice is debatable, it resolves the visibility (to other drivers) issue fairly quickly. At night this is obviously out of the question.

I for one fully support the idea behind daytime running lights and have not had a problem with "not turning your lights on at night". If you want to see where you're going at night, DRLs aren't going to do squat for you.

Also in fog and moderate snowstorms, DRL's make a huge difference in vehicle visibility, especially on the freeways/highways. I'd rather have people with some light coming from their headlights, rather than none at all.

My 2 cents.

I have been riding motorcycles for a long time. I think my first one was made out of wood - powered like the Flintstones. Personally, I like DRLs a lot - when used correctly. I could not agree more with Ridge4me2. A little kindness and consideration of others goes a long way. I will be adding DRLs to my Ridgeline with a bypass switch for exactly the reasons that Ridge4me2 stated. I would like to see vehicles that do have DRLs be equipped with automatic headlight sensors for those brain dead people that just are not aware enough to turn the headlights on when it is dark or raining. I would also like to see a requirement that the headlights come on when the windshied wipers are on (mostly for those same people mentioned previously). There is nothing like a silver or light colored car on a gray roadway on a rainy or foggy day. Rather stealthy, I would say! And for those (present company excluded, I hope!) people that drive with their PARKING lights on at dusk or dawn - what are they thinking? Ya saving electricity?? For those prople that do not understand how the eye and the physics of optics work, our eyes have the least amount of depth perception at dawn and at dusk because your iris is wide open which causes a signifigant reduction in the depth of field that is in focus. Oncoming headlights help others to better gague your distance and closing speed - much less see you at all. DRLs help, but at dawn and at dusk they can be somewhat confusing to other drivers when you are approaching. In most states it is a ticketable offense to drive with only your parking lights on. Put all those factors together and it seems clear that parking lights are for parking. Headlights are for driving from dusk to dawn. DRLs are for daylight driving. Oh, allright, while I am on a rant, I would love to see fog lights turn off when the ignition is turned off. The driver should be required to push a button to turn them back on when they are needed. I am not impressed when an oncoming car blinds me on a clear night with their fancy fog lights. I really do not like the idea of having to make all cars idiot proof just for the idiots - but they are aout there! Sorry about the rant but the subject hit a nerve!

Guys, This is very stupid on the part of Honda. It should be an user (well, dealer at the user's request) configurable thing. It is available in Canada, so why remove it from the US models!!! As for intensity, it should be selectable too. On my Beemer, I was able to select DRL on/off and the intensity of light ie. 20%, 40%, 60% etc. Again, this comes down to the level of "maturity" of the manufacturer. One more thing... why does the HomeLink work when the key is out of the ignition - this means, someone breaks into my car while it is parked curb side, and they have access into my garage! Good one Honda!

why does the HomeLink work when the key is out of the ignition - this means, someone breaks into my car while it is parked curb side, and they have access into my garage! Good one Honda!This is true of every single remote garage door opener I have ever seen. I agree, though, it would be nice if the homelink worked as you described. Then, you could ditch the standard remote for a more secure remote built into the vehicle.

On my Beemer, I was able to select DRL on/off and the intensity of light ie. 20%, 40%, 60% etc. !

I thought only Bimmers had DRR

On Beemers, the headlight is always on.

A Bimmer is a car, a Beemer is a motorcycle.

http://www.bmwccbc.org/misc/tech-and-trivia/bimmer.html

:D


Bimmer vs Beemer
Enthusiasts vs others
Definitions:
Bimmer - proper accepted slang for BMW cars. Most people don't know this.
Beamer/Beemer - proper accepted slang for BMW motorcycles. You will hear this term used incorrectly by many people.
Bummer - When you get a speeding ticket.
Bitter - Another German car. Very rare; hand built.


So just why is a BMW car called a 'bimmer' not a 'beemer' or 'beamer'?

The answer in part lies in knowing some BMW history and what came first.

All real BMW enthusiasts know that BMW got a big start on two wheels, what many call the real BMWs.

In those days, BMW motorcycles were quite active in racing, and one of their competitors at the track was often the BSA bikes.

Well as things would have it, a track slang developed, and the BMWs were usually referred to as 'beemers' and the BSAs were referred to as 'beesers'.

So, of course for any true enthusiast, there is no way that a BMW car could be called a 'beemer', so they were called 'bimmers'.

Unfortunately, in the US and Canada, and perhaps other countries, there was a time (kind of still is) where for various reasons, a BMW owner was considered an upwardly mobile person, and of course due to the fun in driving their BMWs most all of them had big grins on their faces.

Hence it is little surprise that the non enthusiast types out there incorrectly labeled BMW cars and their owners as 'beamers' or 'beemers'.

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The electronic mail addresses listed on this web site are for official BMW Car Club of BC business only, and are not intended for commercial use such as Unsolicited Commercial Email, also known as SPAM or junk email. Inappropriate use of the email addresses on this web site will be considered theft of service.

One more thing... why does the HomeLink work when the key is out of the ignition - this means, someone breaks into my car while it is parked curb side, and they have access into my garage! Good one Honda!

It would be nice if it did turn off with keys out. That would be a great feature. For now, I turn the power to the garage door opener off before going to bed and when nobody is home. The Homelink is great because nobody can break into your car at a parking lot and take it like other remotes. Most people leave their insurance papers in the glove box. Put the two together and wham, instant break in. The thief has a buddy watch the parking lot while they go ransack the victim's garage. There's more things of value in some people's garages than the rest of the house.

While we are on the subject of garage door openers, even though the thread is about something else, is the Homelink in our Ridgelines rolling code type?

is the Homelink in our Ridgelines rolling code type?
Yes it is. It works with both rolling and fixed code openers.

mugen1, that's quite the scenario. The garage door openers I've owned have lockout switches on the wired remotes. No need to unplug the openers.

I agree, a lockout on the homelink system would be a good idea. I think the sunroof works like that. You can turn the car off and still close the sunroof before you pull the key out. So they should set things up so that the moment you remove the key, the homelink is shutoff.

I installed the Hamsar Kit.
It was easy and works perfectly.
Definitly makes peeps see you easily and prevents a lot of "pulling out in front of you". If you have ever driven on Cape Cod, you know what I mean.:eek:

I would like to have a DRL feature on my RL. I believe that every vehicle is more visible with lights on than with lights off no matter what the ambient visibility conditions are. Typically, in daylight, I turn my headlights on nearly every time I drive.

The vehicle that I replaced with the RL was a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. This SUV had more automation capability than any other that I have owned or have heard about. This includes how the lights worked, doors locked/unlocked, power windows, memory seats, etc. The DRL lights were the headlights but at reduced intensity. When the ambient lighting became dim enough, the regular night driving lighting would come on automatically. If I wished to override this, I simply needed to push the light switch four times and the lights would turn off. Four more pushes and they were back on. The default on restart was full auto mode – unless I had the master light switch not in “auto” mode, then, operation was manual like a typical car. In auto, I did not need to touch anything unless there was a special situation that required unusual behavior.

I knew that I was giving up considerable automation and owner programmability with the RL but that was a conscious decision. I didn’t realize that I would miss some of the features or the capability to customize to my liking.

I would like to have a DRL feature on my RL. I believe that every vehicle is more visible with lights on than with lights off no matter what the ambient visibility conditions are. Typically, in daylight, I turn my headlights on nearly every time I drive.

The funny thing is the Canada RL has DRL standard...I think it is law up there. So, you would think it would be easy to get it working on the RLs sold state side. If you are really interested in DRL for your RL I would suggest the Hamsar kit. I've had it on my RL for over a year and no problems with the unit.

If I am not mistaken, The Accord and Civic both have DRL's
We are waiting for the 2007's to come out.

Looking at the new Civic Si Sedan and also the Special Edition Honda Accord 2007. Both have DRL's

Maybe Honda will consider them on the Ridgeline in the NEAR future.:confused: :confused:

If you leave the lights on, they shut off a short time later, automatically, then turn on again when you restart the truck. What's wrong with that?

If you leave the lights on, they shut off a short time later, automatically, then turn on again when you restart the truck. What's wrong with that?

Its been discussed before but what you are doing when you leave your lights on is you have your low beams at 100% power. You will reduce the life span of the bulb. True DRL run at reduced power (I believe my Hamsar uses the high beams at 40% power) so it should not impact the life span of the bulb that much.

I am interested in making my turn signals into DRL's. Could you advise me how you did it? I would really appreciate it. Thanks

if you want to turn your DRLs off for something i.e. looking at something. checkpoint what have you. push your parking brake on one click. that will turn them off. the brake wont be set yet. but the switch will be closed and the lights will be off for your time in the drive thru or whatever your doing.

Even though I have told my insurance company that the RL does not have DRL, they say it does.
I know they punch in the VIN to get the specs of the vehicle. Maybe their system reads it as being assembled in Canada, means it has DRL like the Canadian RL’s...

I am happy with the few bucks saved.

My wife has a 2007 Civic EX and it does have DRLs. I am puzzled about the decision not to equip the RL with them. :confused:

I know the last time you monitored this thread was in 2005, but I am interested in the front turn signals as DLR's. If you have instructions, parts numbers or diagrams for doing this, and care to share, I'd love to see how it is done. Thanks in advance.

I know the last time you monitored this thread was in 2005, but I am interested in the front turn signals as DLR's. If you have instructions, parts numbers or diagrams for doing this, and care to share, I'd love to see how it is done. Thanks in advance.
Check this link for instructions on how to install DRL
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1224&highlight=daytime+running

Greetings: First post huh or eh. This forum has been sooo much help I want to contribute. As a current res of Canada but having purchased 07 RTL from US I had to add DRL to meet CDN safety standards. I was planning to add a Hamsar mod (avail at CDN tire for about 28.00 CDN as I did on my last car) so I picked it up and took it to a recommended installer (didnt have the time or desire for one hr labor and fact they have insurance). HOWEVER AND HERES THE TIP!!. The installer " Installation Station" (see work they did for TV show Overhaulin) called back and said it was easier and cheaper. I said go ahead. Summary is for a 10.00 module they put in under ds dash and a 43.00 CDN charge I came away with DRL in a US Ridge for a total of 53.00 CDN). I was very impressed with this shop and wanted to pass it that any US spec ridge without DRL could be easily modified to have them. DRL are the best thing going and there is no doubt they save lives -- who gives a crap about a few teaspoons of fuel or light bulbs. IF I choose I simply have:) to unplug the module they added to restore back to non DRL vehicle. Best regards.