Hi... My 2000 9-3 convertible has DRL and "headlights ON" options on
the switch. What's the difference?

I just figured out today that the high-beam switch does nothing while
the light switch is set to DRL, and the fog light switch works the
same.

I was actually shopping for new switches until I figured this out.

It seems that in either position, the lights come on when the car does,
and go off when it's not running.

What's the difference other than that my high-beams and fog lights
won't work with the switch in DRL mode?

Thanks,

~jp

"Jon R. Pickens" <jonrpick (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytime_running_lamp.

DRL is the intended position during the day. The high-beam switch does
nothing in this position because they don't want cars to use high-intensity
lights during the day.

"Headlights ON" is the normal night-time position, and allows you to use
the high beams.

You have to wonder why high-intensity lights are a safety problem during
the day (when the ambient light is orders of magnitude higher than at
night, your pupils are contracted, etc.) but they "aren't" at night (when
the headlights are vastly brighter than any other light source around).
But we're talking laws here, not logic.

Gary

Oh BTW I don't know about your 9-3, but my 9-5 has an option to disable the
DRL. Pull a certain fuse and DRL becomes "OFF". I figured this was a good
idea, since it will greatly reduce the on-off cycles on my xenon headlamps.
That's supposed to be the major lifetime-shortener on those very ex$pensive
bulbs.

Check your manual and see if you can disable DRL on your car. Assuming
you're in the US, it's not at all clear DRL adds any safety factor here
anyway. It's more intended for high-latitude countries where the average
light levels are much lower, especially in winter.

Gary

Well, mainly, I was wondering what difference there was between the
two. I understand what DRL are, but in terms of how much light comes
off the front of the car, I can't see a difference--other than that I
thought my fog lamp and high-beam switches were bad...

But thanks for the info...

~jp

Gary Fritz wrote:

"Jon R. Pickens" <jonrpick (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:
DRL mode: lights always on, always low-beam. High-beams are blocked to
prevent excess glare during the daytime.

ON mode: lights on, high-beams work.

So "ON mode low-beams" is basically the same as "DRL mode". Same amount of
light. You just can't hit the high-beams in DRL mode.

Gary

What a useless...um..."feature".

But many thanks are in order. At least I understand the way that works
now. The switch has been moved from DRL to ON and will stay that way.

I do think it's strange that the high-beams are unable to be
permanently turned on, yet the switch will still allow them to work as
long as it's pulled back and held in position. So technically you
could "blind" someone during the day... It would make much more sense
if the DLR mode of the switch bypassed the high-beam circuit
altogether.

~jp

Gary Fritz wrote:

In article <1157058751.343312.55620 (AT) m79g2000cwm (DOT) googlegroups.com>,
"Jon R. Pickens" <jonrpick (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

The purpose of that is so you can flash someone in front of you --
usually as a gentle reminder that you'd like to pass. Here in the US
I'm not sure everyone knows what it means, but I have used it
occasionally.

--
Doug Schwarz
dmschwarz&ieee,org
Make obvious changes to get real email address.

Doug Schwarz wrote:
But flashing the headlights at a car in front is not part of the UK
Highway Code, it's usually seen as aggressive. Flashing is sometimes
used for prompting someone out from a junction, but again this is not
official and hence dangerous to rely on.

I have been "flashed" a few times... Usually by someone who feels that
my travelling 10mph over the posted speed limit isn't quite fast
enough. If I see someone coming up faster than me, I'll usually move
over. But if someone comes up and flashes...well they can just wait
for a break in traffic in the next lane, and go around that way.

I unfortunately don't have a "gentle" response for that sort of rude
behavior... Perhaps I might feel better about it if the folks that do
that sort of thing didn't feel the need to come within 3 feet of my
rear bumper at 80mph.

I've found that the brakes in my tank...er...I mean 1986 Chevy Blazer
(full-size) work *quite* well at those speeds, and in that vehicle I
often use the above mentioned situation as a good time to test them.

Sounds like the folks in the UK still have road manners...something
people here in the US, particularly my town, lost a long time ago.

~jp

Johannes wrote:

In message <1157064617.083167.282150 (AT) m79g2000cwm (DOT) googlegroups.com>
"Jon R. Pickens" <jonrpick (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Just turn your side lights on as you accelerate away, and watch them
stand on their nose thinking it's the brakes going on!

--
Richard Sutherland-Smith
19 Webb Road, Wanganui 4500
New Zealand