DRL / Daytime Running Lights (lamps)

[Hybrid dude]

Good point about the instrument lighting consequences, if any. I'll check if there's a difference.

I'm totally in favor of using LEDs, as they appear as a more intense light, last longer and would save wear on low beam bulbs. I do think front-only DRLs, regardless of lamp type, are dangerous because there is no back or side illumination and creates a false sense of security ... I just don't get the rationale.

[Arthur]

I located some LED's that replace the 1156's .... have to think these over to see if the parking and turn signal lights can be improved and left on for Driving lights

 

http://www.superbrightleds.com/ 

[Hybrid dude]

There's another topic in this category entitled:

LED brake lights

but it didn't work very well. Perhaps parking and turn signals would fare better?

[Hybrid dude]

Good point about the instrument lighting consequences, if any. I'll check if there's a difference.

 

I'm totally in favor of using LEDs, as they appear as a more intense light, last longer and would save wear on low beam bulbs. I do think front-only DRLs, regardless of lamp type, are dangerous because there is no back or side illumination and creates a false sense of security ... I just don't get the rationale.

You're correct, covering the autolamps sensor does affect the instrument lighting, specifically by making them dimmer, as it would be at night. It is still bright enough for me, so I'm going to stick with it and enjoy the visibility provided by having parking and low beams on all the time. BTW, I now have a black mitten covering the sensor. It does the job, doesn't reflect light to the windshield, doesn't slide around, can be easily removed and is useful in case I lose a mitten :-)

[Hybrid dude]

I mentioned previously that the new Ford Escape has LED DRLs, just below the headlight. However, upon further inspection, it seems not all models of the Escape have this feature, as I've now seen several on the road without LEDs, just plain low beams.

[MyMax4242]

So toss your ball cap over the light sensor on the dash - voila! Daytime running lights.

[Skitime]

I just ordered a SEL, and on the bottom of the order sheet under "fleet orders", I saw DRL's. Wonder why there not available for the rest of us?

[valkraider]

DRLs waste fuel, especially in electrified vehicles. Since Ford left out LEDs to save money I bet they left out DRLs to save fuel.

[Laurel]

Don't they care about us Canadians and our mileage?  I always drive with headlights on and don't count on the the DRL's--just so much safer having tail lights on in my opinion.   I am still waiting for someone to answer my email to Ford Canada about window sticker mileage ie. 4.0 city and 4.1 L per 100 kilometers highway.  It's been several weeks and no reply. I told them that I thought they had made a serious error putting those numbers on our window stickers.

[valkraider]

DRLs with normal lights can suck as much as 1% of the fuel economy of a vehicle. The way around that is energy efficient LED lights, but those are more costly.

 

I think that Ford is trying to remain cost competitive within the hybrid/PHEV market so they have had to cut as many price corners as possible to save money to pay for the expensive R&D and electrical components.

[Tdefny]

I understand that the lights draw power and have other features that are less than ideal, but I feal that the safety that they add is worth the effort. I am surprised that the auto headlights don't come on in a light rain that will start the wipers. If the autowipers come on, the lights should also come on for five minutes or so.

[Hybrid dude]

As I've posted previously, I'm a proponent of having all the lights on all the time for perspicuity reasons. For reduced power consumption and frequency of headlight bulb change reasons, among others, I'd ultimately prefer white front LED DRLs instead of my low beams but want to have lighting in the back as well. So, the last few posts led me to find perhaps a solution ... red LEDs for the rear, which appear (NPI) to be available online.

 

However, there probably are Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) which state how many rear lights can be illuminated at any one time, etc.

 

Here's a link to an interesting post on a BMW site, specifically post #13:

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753445

 

Some BMWs have LED taillights, which can apparently be programmed to be active in conjuction with the front 'angel eye' or 'corona' DRLs prevalent those vehicles.

 

Having all these LED work in conjunction with our headlight switch / sensor might be quite a challenge, though.

 

Also, aftermarket Philips LED DRLs, among others, are available as an aftermarket accessory. Those lights dim to 50% when parking lights are illuminated, similar to the OEM ones on Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Edited January 12, 2013 by Hybrid dude

[Phil1336]

Since this thread has been dead for months, I fear bringing it back to life again.  I have been a US Ford buyer for decades.  Having Friends and Family in Canada,I became accustomed to Daytime Running Lights an I too believed that they are a desirable safety feature.  Beginning with my 1994 US Spec Mustang Convertible, I purchased from Ford Parts a Genuine OEM Ford retrofit Daytime Running Light Module Kit  for about $60 and had the Ford Dealership splice it into the wiring system requiring about an hours labor charge.  The devise was made for Ford by Pacific Insight Corp located in British Columbia Canada.  I bought this Ford aftermarket kit for my 1998 Escort Wagon, my 2001 Focus Wagon, my 2004 Explorer SUV.  Late Model US Spec Vehicles I think beginning in or around 2006 have the DRL Module incorporated into the Vehicles Body Control Module.  I personally had my 2011 Ford Fiesta`s DRL enabled/activated in 10 minutes at a Ford Dealer using their IDS Programmer and the Cars "Smart Junction Box.  A couple of "Mouse Clicks" and the Parameter settings were changed!  Rumor has it beginning in 2013, Ford has eliminated this DRL activation for US Spec Vehicles which I have no proof yet that this in deed has happened.  Why Ford only allows Daytime Running Lights, a $45 Option Code # 942 for Fleet Only Purchase requiring a Valid "FIN" remains a mystery?  A Retail Buyer should be able to specify DRL`s, period!

PS:  I contacted Pacific Insight Corp and they explained that newer late Model Ford Vehicle cannot utilize their After-Market Kit any longer.

[salsaguy]

in my previous VW 2004.5 Passat GLX, the forum modders had a way to add DRLs (or disable them and just use  front fogs in daytime) by switching out the rotary switch knob in the car to a European switch made by Skoda, which is the European affiliate for VW/Audi.

 

After you changed out the switch on the dash, you could pull a fuse in the fuse bix and then you would have DRLs.

 

Not sure if the same or similar can be done for the Max but i wouldn't be surprised.

Edited June 11, 2013 by salsaguy

[CarpeNivem]

I would like to mount LEDs in the foglight-delete panel on my SE model, and in fact, have already done a test fitting. I think they look great so far. What I need to do now is find an accessory wire under the hood which is live whenever the car is on. I plan on drawing power for my LEDs from that wire (since these LEDs, like all LEDs, consume an absolutely tiny amount of power, so there's no problem piggy-backing them off something else, anything else). I also plan on wiring in a relay so that whenever the headlights are on, my LEDs are off. That part is simple. Really, the hardest part, is finding a wire that's live only when the car is on. I'm not sure which to use. I could run my own wire, I suppose, from the battery (the 12v, of course) to the cabin, and then put in a switch, but it'd be great to avoid that step, if anyone knows how. Any ideas? Thanks!

[Phil1336]

I would like to mount LEDs in the foglight-delete panel on my SE model, and in fact, have already done a test fitting. I think they look great so far. What I need to do now is find an accessory wire under the hood which is live whenever the car is on. I plan on drawing power for my LEDs from that wire (since these LEDs, like all LEDs, consume an absolutely tiny amount of power, so there's no problem piggy-backing them off something else, anything else). I also plan on wiring in a relay so that whenever the headlights are on, my LEDs are off. That part is simple. Really, the hardest part, is finding a wire that's live only when the car is on. I'm not sure which to use. I could run my own wire, I suppose, from the battery (the 12v, of course) to the cabin, and then put in a switch, but it'd be great to avoid that step, if anyone knows how. Any ideas? Thanks!

Just a reminder that although your allowed to install "non-OEM" Parts and accessories thanks to the Magnuson_Moss Warranty Act, if you spice these LED`s into the electrical system and Ford deems that it caused the failure of some other component, they will fight like hell to Void your New Car Warranty.  Proceed my friend with caution!

[CarpeNivem]

Hmm, good point. I will definitely keep that in mind, and possibly rework some connection ideas accordingly. Thanks.

[Phil1336]

Hmm, good point. I will definitely keep that in mind, and possibly rework some connection ideas accordingly. Thanks.

Best bet would be if you can retrofit the "knock-out plugs" where the SEL Fog Lamps are installed with an appropriate LED Daytime Running Light Configuration regardless if it requires a separate Power Module, is to ask your local Ford Dealer`s Service Department if they would splice in and do the install for a nominal Labor Charge.  I`d rather pay 1 hours Labor plus (shop materials) and have the Dealership responsible if they chose to make the retrofit.  That way, should another component fail attributed to the LED DRL`s, you would have some "redress" that the Dealership did the installation and you assumed that (they) would have refused to install the Unit if they thought it might interfere with the Vehicles functionality. Chancing the loss of a New Vehicle Warranty to save a few dollars with a DIY Installation makes no sense.  I`d also avoid any (non) Ford Dealership too.  An Outfit that specializes in custom Radio and Electronic upgrades will be of no help either.  Ford would just consider them to be a non-authorized Repair Co and not much difference then a self installation or bring your Vehicle to a "shade tree mechanic".

[CarpeNivem]

That's an excellent idea, actually. Yeah, I should see how much that costs.

[ceemax71]

CarpeNivem,

 

If you decide to do the installation yourself, I suggest referencing the C-Max wiring diagrams.

 

You can access the wiring diagrams with a paid subscription here. ($10.95 for 72 hours or $19.95 for 1 month for 2013 C-Max).

 

The diagrams can be printed from the website.  You also get access to the workshop manual and service bulletins.

[Phil1336]

That's an excellent idea, actually. Yeah, I should see how much that costs.

I guess what your interested in is the LED DRL`s, not simply having the Canadian Spec Daytime Running Lights that engage your Low Beam Head Lamps at 80% output when the Vehicle is running and the Tail Lamps are not.  That should be a 10 minute mouse click away at your Dealership using the Vehicles smart junction box and the IDS Programmer and making the changes in the Body Control Module. Some previous Post have said that Ford removed the software to enable/activate DRL`s on US Spec Cars but in the Lincoln Blog, one owner complained repeatedly to his selling DEalership and after weeks of demanding the DRL`s be enabled, suddenly the Service Department contacted the Ford Tech Support folks who provided the magic trick to activate the DRL`s. Software Patch or perhaps authorization to allow the DRL`s to be enabled? Funny, its available for Fleet Buyers only with a valid "FIN" #  and is just a $45 option in the Order Guide but retail purchasers in the US can`t order them, go figure?

[Phil1336]

Here we go again.  Took Delivery of my 2013 C-MAX yesterday and instructed Dealership to activate/enable the Daytime Running Lights, DRL`s.  Same old crap.  Can`t be done.  Only "Canadian" and Fleet Ordered Vehicles that were ordered with option # 942 for $45 have this ability.  BCM does not allow DRL activation using the IDS programmer computer.  Going to another Ford Dealership next week.  They (will) be activated if they need to get a software patch or program shipped down here from Detroit or Windsor, Canada.  

[ChuckJr]

Any luck yet Phil?  I came across these today and think they just might work. If someone is willing to fork over the money to see if they fit in the US CMAX fog light pod?

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BZDQIKW/ref=asc_df_B00BZDQIKW2673005?smid=A33TCMZEAWOM9U&tag=dealtmp980724-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B00BZDQIKW

[Phil1336]

Any luck yet Phil?  I came across these today and think they just might work. If someone is willing to fork over the money to see if they fit in the US CMAX fog light pod?

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BZDQIKW/ref=asc_df_B00BZDQIKW2673005?smid=A33TCMZEAWOM9U&tag=dealtmp980724-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B00BZDQIKW

Chuck, Jr.  I Posted perhaps in another Forum that I did indeed have my Ford 2013 C-MAX SE DRL`s Daytime Driving LIghts finally enabled/activated 2 weeks ago.  My original Selling Dealership told me they attempted to activate the DRL`shad responded that unfortunately on the 2013 Ford`s and C-MAX in particular, the Option located in the BCM Body Control Module that listed Daytime Running Lights under "Exterior Lighting" could no longer be modified or changed.  Went to a  second Ford Dealership outside the Area where Vehicle was purchased.  They tried and went to far as to contact Ford Dealership Technical Support Line and got a email reply that stated that no longer can the Daytime Running Lights, DRL`s feature be either activated/enabled nor deactivated/disabled unless it was done so at point of assembly/manufacture (unless) if "ordered" as a Fleet Option # 942 for $45 or the Vehicle was built for Registration in Canada where they are required by Federal Law there.  Also was (warned) that attempting to activate/enable DRL`s might be in violation of Federal Safety Standards Act too!  Funny, U.S. Spec Vehicles that were ordered with the Fleet Only available DRL Option would be in (violation) of that same statute, right?  Went to a third Ford Dealership, asked again if they could please activate the C-MAX`s DRL`s.  THey happen to be a high volume Ford Dealership that sells a lot of cars to Vacationing Canadians down here for the Winter.  They told me to leave the C-MAX with them for a few hours and for a Flat rate Labor charge of $100, the DRLs would be activated.  I came back, paid the Cashier the $100 and guess what, just like on my previous 2011 Ford Fiesta SE hatchback, as said before, "Let There Be Light".  Don`t know how they did it, software or special over ride patch, but I got my Daytime Running Lights, finally activated.  I know on my Fiesta it took all of 10 minutes to do the re-configuration but since the Daytime Running Lights would have costed me $45 (if) I could have ordered them as a Fleet Only Option, paying a $100 wasn`t so bad for a safety feature I really wanted and desired.

[ChuckJr]

So in the CMax are the DRL's run off the headlights from factory/mod'ed BCM?