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[mileshoover]

Originally Posted by DrDeville

,,,I'm wondering how it is different from manually turning on the high beams.,,, I think some of the differences are: Automatic operation 75% brightness Anything else?,,, If one turns the high beams on manually, do the low beams go on too? (That would be bad for DRL operation, IMO.)

George, big difference is that ONLY the high beam headlights come on automatically upon startup in DAYLIGHT at reduced power w/DRL's. No other lights including tail lights or anything else come on. Further, this way you never forget to turn them on. So the safety of their use is always present within seconds of turning on the ignition.

The whole idea of DRL's is to make the car more visible in daylight. The lower power high beams do that job quite well and is the OEM way of providing DRL's for those cars which the factory has decided to so equip (Canadian and US Fleet-delivered). Using just the turn signals and/or parking lights, IMO, does not since they are quite small relatively and not as easily seen from a distance.

DRL's, as described in this thread, turnoff with a slight delay when the ignition is turned off. (High beams on this car are the two inner lamps in front which share the front turn signals and parking lights on the top (in amber)) of that light set.

If you manually turn on the high beams, you must select headlamps on the switch or have it in "A" and a demand for lights must exist. Then, unless you previously left them on high, you must push forward on the combo lever to get the high beams. Or pull it out and hold it for a flash for the visual horn (for warnings, passing, etc.) When pulling out that lever, it must be held for it will not stay out; thus the lights will only flash on high when pulled on. When the car's lamps are turned on manually, the DRL's ALWAYS go out; so these DRL's ONLY work in daytime (natch :^)) ). When high beams for non-DRL use are selected, the fog lamps, if on. are switched off. They will come back on when the high beams are cancelled and the headlamps are still selected "on" manually or "A"utomatically.

Manual or automatic control of the headlamps, emergency flashers, and windshield wiper control of the lamps, including autowipe, is normal (provided some of that stuff is enabled in the EVIC).

A word of caution, if your car has or will have HID's (they are on the outside lights, the low beams), DO NOT attempt to use them on reduced power. The high beams are xenon and accept lowered power well; the HID's aren't designed for that kind of treatment.