Daytime Running Lights US <-> CAN
 

I've read all the previous threads about DRL's on this site, but the original question was never addressed.

Canada has them, the US does not.

What can be done to a US car to enable DRL's on my RX8?

Is there an add-on module? Is it merely a wiring change?

If you know how it's done, please let me know. I drive GM's and I'm used to having them on and regardless of the twenty plus different opinions I've read on them here, I believe in them (safety).

Thanks!

Tinkerer

:D

I did the fog light rewire and leave them on as my DRL's now. Do a search for that subject and the thread shows how to it in just a few minutes.

If you get a clear cut answer please PM me - I'm an ex-Canadian who like DRLs - I will check in Canada when I visit with my RX* next month and PM you if I get an answer. John

Like Sea Ray I did the foglight rewire which proved to be helpful. It's not the same as having daytime headlights but for me it's better because it extends the life of the headlights when compared to having them always on, makes the foglights more functional, and allows you to turn them off if you so desire. The only problem I think you would have is that they are lower than conventional DRLs but I don't think they are any less effective as a result. The foglight rewire was easy and I recommend it regardless of whether or not you use some other DRL system.

Here's the link:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=rewire

-Kenneth

foglights as DRL
 

Here is a pic of my new DRL's

Question about this setup--do the insurance companies give out discounts to you for this like they did with cars that acutally come with DRLs as a feature?

Only if their info on the car shows it as coming with DRLs.

If you show your insurance company you have them (auto on and off) they'll give you the discount. That means you may need to bring it by one of their inspection points, but I've already got the go-ahead with Geico. I just have to see if I can get it auto-on and auto-off.

Tinkerer

I know that law enforcement vehicle equipment catalogs sell kits to retrofit DRLs onto cars that did not come with them, so I suspect others make them as well. Have you tried a Google search?

I think I've exhausted everything on this, but I'm game and will try google.

I just received my service manual and they actually show a DRL module under the hood. I would have guessed that you could just by the US or Canadian DRL module and have it change functions until I saw someone with a Canadian car try the foglight mod and discovered their entire fuse block assembly wiring was different. So now I'm not so sure. I'm going to get to the bottom of this one way or another.

There is a hidden screen in the GPS system that has a car graphic and shows brake lights, emergency brake lights, and headlights functioning. I can get them all to light except the headlight indicator. That tells me that our system is the exception and not the rule. Sure would be nice if someone could put the difference (and fix) to bed on this one. I'm giving it hell...

Tinkerer

Tinkerer,

Can you tell us more about this "hidden screen" that you found in the Nav system?

Doing this from memory...

Go through the menu to the point were you can view the software version.

Select it to see the software version and while that is displaying hit up arrow twice, then down arrow twice. That will let you in then you can select wiring or GPS. The wiring shows some closed loop feedbacks (and the different light indicators). It also shows GPS accuracy level which is undefined. Mine was level four, I reset it and last I checked was level 1 (????).

The GPS screen actually shows a globe map and actual satellite locations. I thought that was a decent enough screen that it shouldn't be hidden.

That's it...

Tinkerer

One wonders what other information may be hidden in the nav system.

Have an appointment at the Mazda dealer in Dartmouth Nova Scotia on March 23 when I'm visiting Canada. Plan to have oil change at that time - have asked service department to look into DRL modification at that time. We'll see.

John

John,

It's the 26th already!! What happened at the dealer? Thanks!

Tinkerer

This may be a stupid question. But why do you like DRL? Why can't you just turn on the headlights whenever you drive?

1 - You have to remember to turn the headlights on, then do it vs them automatically coming on.
2 - When you turn the headlights on, the dashboard lighting is for nighttime - yes you can override that for daytime driving, then you have to switch it back to normal position for nighttime driving when it get dark.

rx8cited

Actually it's pretty simple...

DRL's are given an additional insurance discount when they are automatic in a vehicle (you put it in drive in daylight, and front headlights are on).

It's a safety issue. I've been turning on the parking lights, but it looks a little too much. Tail lights on -- side markers on -- plus the running lights. This car doesn't need to draw any more attention to itself -- it's already stopping traffic! All those lights are just a little too much for me.

I've been driving GM vehicles with DRL's for at least the last 6+ years and I believe it's safer to have them than not.

Tinkerer

Up here in Canada, we have DRL as standard.

You can have my RX8 DRL anyday, here is why.

Two things I don't like about it.

1. I can't do the "simple" fog light rewire, b/c the wiring for the DRL lights are different. If ANYONE knows how to do it, I would be very grateful to know.

2. Every pull and release of the e-brake will turn off and on the DRL, along with that, an annoying click sound. I usually use the e-brake often on long stop lights, but with the RX, I tend not to use it as much.

These are just rants about DRL. I don't doubt the safety of them, just that Mazda didn't perfect the implementation.

If anyone can solve the above problems, I will be very happy.

Sorry, I don't know how to make non-DRL to DRL. Just pointing out that it is not perfect.

AcuraEL,
Thanks for letting us know these details.

Just curious - why would you want to do fog light rewire if you have DRL already?

Hmmm, that would anyone me too. Possibly bypassing the e-brake switch input in the DRL circuit would fix it. I'm guessing the clicking sound is a DRL relay.

I still want the DRL option :D - I don't using my e-brake that often while driving either and the inability to do the fog light rewire would not bother me.

rx8cited

DRL as implemented by most makers is just junk. It won't turn the rear lights on, which is more important in foul weather. Of course people should have their lights on in such circumstances, but the reason they don't is why we even have DRL in the first place..

If it's that important to you, you will remember to turn them on..

To answer your question.

The DRL at normal headlight switch position, only turns on the highbeams at lower power.

At the first headlight switch position, the parking and rear lights turn on, while the DRL (lower power highbeams) stay on.

At the second/final switch position, the DRL turn off, Xenon turns on. And only in this position can the fogs be turned on.

So I want the foglight rewire so that I can turn foglight on without the Xenon. Otherwise the Xenon will over power the foglights when I NEED it in the fog.

Hope this clears things up.

BTW, the green headlight light on the dash is ALWAYS on in the DRL cars, which I find useless because it's not telling me any meaningful information other than a dumb green light staring at me all day and night... grrr.

There are several threads about this. Poke around a bit...

so anyone find this out or what?