do the new 'stangs come standard with daytime running lights or is it an option?

 

I thought I read they are standard on Canadian export models only.

 

you can add them if you like, webelectric products sells them for $39 bucks

http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm

 

But why would you?

 

huh?

 

It is true that only Canadian 'stangs have DRLs. I think they are a great safety feature, and I installed a module in my car. I'm kinda low to the ground and I do my best to be seen by those folks driving Excursions and jacked up 4X4's. If I have to, I just throw on all the lights.

 

call me crazy, but just turning the headlight swithc appears to be a cheaper alternative, however I can understand the desire to have automatic daytime running lights (even though I dispise them)

 

However Daytime running lights are your highbeams on reduced power, so it is a bit different then just turning your headlights on.

 

Why would you want DRLs if you didn't have to have them? IMHO they are ugly.

Safety isn't really an issue, those idiot Honda drivers wouldn't see you even if you had a police bar flashing blue and red lights. They won't see you and they will crash their crappy Honda into your car.

 

Not for sure how an illuminated headlight is "ugly"
Tom (89Trooper) and I both installed FORD DRL modules on our Stangs. We wired them to illuminate the center fog lights as opposed to the parking lights.
As far as a safety issue, I want every opportunity for the idiots to see me and the DRLs are just one more way to accomplish that.
Bill's (TacoBill) How-To-List has the write-up on how Tom and I installed ours if anyone is interested.

 

I like being able to choose. Sometimes you want to be seen...sometimes you don't!

 

personally i could ge either way on DTR but then i think of my dads car and that he has DTR (2000 buick LeSabre) and that its an old mans car ahahahah. def not for me

 

Interesting topic..... Many countries, typically in Europe, Canada and the US have done studies on DRL effectiveness. What's strange, in my opinion, is that ONLY the US studies were inconclusive. All countries in Europe (and Canada) require DRLs, based on their studies. But for us poor idiots in the US, "big brother" says we don't need them so it's been up to the automakers to make this decision for us. Here's a very short list known to me:

DRL Equipped - Always functioning - No way to turn off
GM
Volkswagen
Lexus

DRL Equipped - Switchable on or off by owner
Toyota

Non-DRL Equipped
Ford
Mazda
Honda
Kia
Chrysler

I believe that US vehicles should be equipped like Toyota's, the automakers should give the consumer the choice of whether to use them or not by flipping a switch.

Three Different Designs
1) Low beam headlamps with reduced voltage, i.e. 9 volts,
2) Dedicated lamps used exclusively as DRLs, &
3) Turn signal filament on the parking lamp. This filament is approximately twice as bright as the parking lamp filament.

Obviously, the basic philosophy behind DRLs is to make you more noticeable. This is true especially at dawn and dusk. And much more visible on dark colored vehicles.

In my opinion, the most noticeable of the three designs is the parking lamp DRLs due to their bright yellow/orange color. I built a circuit to accomplish this back in 1997 when GM introduced it on their entire line. Today, I use this circuit in both my wife's and my Mustang, as well as my 1987 TT IROC-Z. You should see these on my wife's Sonic Blue and my Torch Red '05.

Keep in mind the very essence of what DRLs are for -- so you stick out of a crowd. See what I mean? Only a blind person wouldn't see me coming!

 

A problem I could see is burning out your turn signal sooner than if the DRL's weren't there. Also could burn out headlights sooner, even on lower voltage. DRL's have their good and bad I suppose.

 

I hate to put it in these terms since I have been a Ford guy practically since birth (came home from the hospital in a Ford), but the Corvette has DRLs. Bright amber parking lights make it pretty good looking when coming at you, in my opinion.

That is exactly what I have on my '05 GT. And, it looks even better than the 'Vette, because it's a Stang. As Willie says, it also seemed strange to me that a few years ago almost all US cars had DRLs, but then Detroit changed its mind. "Lights on for Safety" signs are prevalent in my state (Washington), especially on non-divided roads and all tunnels. On the long open flats of eastern Washington, if a car is passing another car heading in your direction, it might look like he's in the correct lane in front of you (except if it has DRLs).

And, don't worry about burning out your lamps prematurely. These new bulbs are very well designed and constructed. They will last practically for the life of the car. In "Ye Olden Dayes" you had to keep a bunch of spare bulbs in the glove box because they would only last a few years (or less).

 

I hate to put it in these terms since I have been a Ford guy practically since birth (came home from the hospital in a Ford)....

I'm just the opposite. I'm basically a Chevy guy. Add to this the fact that I married into a GM family. But that doesn't prevent me from owning/driving a Ford. In fact my wife now drives a Mustang too!!


....but the Corvette has DRLs. Bright amber parking lights make it pretty good looking when coming at you, in my opinion.

I totally agree with you Joe!


That is exactly what I have on my '05 GT. And, it looks even better than the 'Vette, because it's a Stang.

Yeah baby!


"Lights on for Safety" signs are prevalent in my state (Washington), especially on non-divided roads and all tunnels....

Don't see this in Arizona but I saw this on Highway 395 in southern California. Something like, "Turn Headlights On During Day / Next 60 Miles".

It's ironic how the Feds' research proved DRLs inconclusive yet on some US roads, we see signs like this...


And, don't worry about burning out your lamps prematurely. These new bulbs are very well designed and constructed.

Exactly. I owned a Lightning for two years and installed my circuit the week I bought it. Two years and 40,000 miles later, both bulbs were still lighting the way!

Willie

 

it's nice to have a choice even if it may not be to your liking.

 

Have you seen all the late model GM's with burnt out DRL's. I don't know why, but I've seen MANY GM trucks, vettes, camaros, malibu's, and others that have one burnt out DRL. And all of these were at most 3 years old. Typical GM

 

IMHO,

DRL's are a great safety feature, I find its easier to spot cars in my rear view mirrors and keep an eye on them on the highways during the day.

I know some people will disagree and say it they government imposing their will on people. While I don't have the numbers to back it up, I think it does make driving safer.

 

I have a 93 pontiac sunbird with DRL's, and I am still using the original bulbs in it.