daytime running lights

I have a 2000 olds alero that has these lights and I read below of the other question and I agree with all the safety and insurance issues and probing in good wires issues but it sure is bad when you are cruising through christmas displays at night and everyone is mad at you because you are so "stupid" and won't turn your headlights off and ruining look of lights at night.
I wish they had put a switch in so you have the right as an adult to make the choice.

 

In chevys you can trun them off using the dome overide switch. Press two times for off and two times for on.

 

On Olds' without the dome override, park brake switch is the DRL cancel input, but must be done with key off then started to shut DRL off.

 

I'm with these guys, but DRLs are safety features and should not be defeated in any way. Insurance companies give discounts for vehicles that have them .

 

WWC:
Dont fret people thinking you are stupid with your lites on in that situation. They are just not up on new designs.
True, Like buick, you can disable the DRL's, push parking brake and then start engine. BUT, that does not truely disable them because they are not made to be disabled. When you start engine, lites are out, but release brake and put in drive. Alas.. The lights are on again. Some GMC trucks will go out with engine running if parking brake is depressed about 2 clicks, even with engine running. If there was an off on swx, their purpose would be defeated. Think I'm Gonna pass on this subject.

 

You are worried about christmas lights?What about someone walking in the area you won't see and injure or kill?By the way DRLs have been around quite some time now and are quite common,so I think people understand why your lights are on.I could tell you how to disable them but I will not tell people how to disable safety controls or emission controls.It's just my own personal feeling on the subject,most laws are intended for the welfare of the entire population not just a chosen few.

 

Some of you may remember many years ago when some drivers (and manufacturers) were putting a single white light on the front of cars. It was for the same purpose of GM's DRL's. A study was made, and it was shown that other drivers became so accustomed to seeing them that their purpose was ignored. I think that could be true with the current DRL's. I don't think they cause any more notice than the whole car itself.

 

I think that the lights are a good idea and my insurance company is a major name in the game and there is no "discount" for having them . But besides that, having them for safty is what matters .But I don't like the fact that big brother has the right to tell us what to do. We are adults and should have the right to decide. How come bikers have the right in most states to decide to wear a helmet but if you drive a car in most states you BETTER have on your seat belt . We don't need more laws to teach us to be better adults.
You know the fight between the states was started over these same ideas that the federal gov. shouldn't have supreme say over the states rights.

 

You DO get a discount. Your vehicle is cheaper to insure than my 1979 Trans Am talking strict liability due to the safety features your car has that mine does not.

Geico will NOT insure my 1979 Trans Am, but WILL insure your Olds!

 

I don't have gieco,but not ALL insurance companys give you a discount. I know mine does not compared to other new cars without it. Yes maybe with some companys.

 

First questions out of the represenatives mouth when I added the Cavalier (1989) last fall:

Have air bags? Passive restraints? ABS? Ok, thank you. Reason? Those give discounts.

I wouldn't insure my car with an insurance company that tars all cars with the same brush .

 

From what I have read the DRL's were brought about by the manufacturer's and there is no actual Federal Law that requires them. Just go to the DOT site and look up the info. According to DOT they let the manufacturer decide. To me they are a waste of time and money and they burn out and never get replaced so what good are they when burned out? The same morons that cant maintain their vehicles headlights and other features don't maintain the DRL's! It's just another gimmick to help the auto industry to support themselves and their brother automotive lamp industry. Just look at stoplights today...how much brighter are they gonna make them? I have to wear sunglasses at night now. Not to mention the bright amber trun signals that burn your retina's out along with the stoplights. All these extra features are added to help the complete idiot drive...I am still alive and never had an accident with my 72 Pontiac and have owned it since new...just has seat and shoulder belts...hmmmm?

Here's the real kicker! The DOT allows the fancy lighting, but "requires" standard lighting that must meet their specs. Then they approve all kinds of black lenses and pretty design lense covers that cover up the "required" lighting! Duh?

Also alot of insurance companies will not insure performance vehicles because they are just that, has nothing to do with safety features. Some won't insure tanks either. They figure the driver will MAKE the car or tank perform as designed and make it a high risk vehicle. They can tell by the VIN just how the car was equipped...I have gone through this with many muscle cars. Insurance companies are not here to do anyone a favor...just make money. They had my 79 year old Mom driving over 7500 miles a year and had her included for work loss coverage on our policy. She drives to and from the store once a day for 2 miles round trip and she hasnt worked for years. Had this corrected, and my status corrected, and knocked nearly $200 per year off the bill.
Anyway, thats some of my thoughts, thanks for listening.

 

right on steve ! This is not a debate on insurance companys discounts, they will make a profit discount or not. thats over.

The whole thing is that we as adults should have the choice to turn our lights on or off we don't need car companys or gov. making it for us. Instead of idiot proof cars we just need better drivers. Like instead of talking on cell phones while driving or putting on make up like the last lady who rear ended me.
I don't claim to know all the answers to this problem and that was not my intention when starting this thread to get off the subject and talk about discounts and insurance companys.
I did some checking around on other boards about this subject and many belive that GM made a switch or procedure in 2001 models that allow you to turn them off if needed. So I guess they didn't realize this problem in 2000.
So for me this subject is over, no since in beating a dead horse.

 

I agree! Now I have heard some comments that the DRL's can be turned off by the dealer by using a scanner and reprogramming the computer to keep them off. Some people were saying that if you are assigned to a military base that the dealer may be able to turn them off on some models. I know from personal experience that you are not supposed to approach the guard shack with any type of bright lights on. This is a good subject but like you say it's kinda like debating sex,politics or religion...it could be never ending. Have a wondeful day and a better tomorrow!

 

Just pull the DLR fuse.

 

Lol . True. Could be debated for years .

However, if they are there, why bother defeating them? What makes that any different than any other modification that might be borderline illegal?

If GM has a written, defined procedure that tells you how to disable it, find it there.

Be warned that if it's required somehow for inspection or legal purposes, you will have to explain why you disabled them .

 

Thats right. But just for a short time use like at cristmas desplays would be nice.

 

this is an old thread. but i would like to add my input. you have the right to information. you have the responsibility to use it wisely. http://www.lightsout.org/disable.html

 

I pulled the fuse for the DRL in my GMC pkup. I didn't like them on all the time and the bulbs would burn out frquently. Problem solved

 

they are good for people that dont turn on their lights during heavy rain.

 

Thanks airboat, thats some good info. done deal.

 

My vehicles don't have them, but correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the DRL's include taillights does it? At least you can see them coming, even if you might hit them from behind in low vis, I suppose.

 

no tail lights dont come on ,but how many people dont turn on their lights in bad weather at least drl,s take some credit for people that dont think about it. i turn on my lights when needed. some people dont.

 

150, that is one of my major pet peeves. I'm amazed there aren't more accidents because of it. More than once I've changed lanes in a blinding downpour and nearly run into some idiot with no lights. And I'm still trying to understand why it is SO hard for so many people to understand the concept of PARKING lights.

 

I agree 100% . Headlites should be on during any type of weather that limits vision . Plus 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise . However PARKING lites should be for when vehicle is not moving on side of road . Many ,Many times i've had close calls with cars that turned parking lites on at dusk and continue driving well after sunset. Quess they have nite-vision devices.Here in FLa they require motorcycles to have headlites on at all times . It cut "didnt see him "accidents dramatically. maybe cars should do same , wouldnt hurt.

 

BTW I am the new "kid" on the block . Nice site ,hope to be able to add something usefull now and then.

 

The DOT doesn't approve the lenses that cover them up. In fact, if you read the packaging, it says "For off-road or show use ONLY". Not that the buyers of these items follow that direction.

Florida requires headlights to be on during rain or fog and prohibits the use of high beams in fog.

The headlights on for motorcycles isn't a florida law, it's a federal one for all bikes manufactured after 1980. There's a couple of bikes that use twin lights, but only one for low beam. They are constantly getting pulled over by the police because they 'have a headlight out', even though they really don't, that's the way the bike is designed to operate.

 

The twinkie who had my Jetta before me wired it so that the dashboard lights are on whenever my daytime running lights are on, which is every time I turn the key in the ignition. Oh joy, 4 dead dahboard light bulbs. If you need dashboard lights on when driving during the day, perhaps you should not be driving at all.

 

Welcome, Airboat; always nice to have another FL homie onboard.