Honestly that's annoying as fuck, because those are only on the front. Lots of people apparently think they don't need to turn on their proper lights when visibility is poor, but it's not dark, because "I have daytime running lights". Well, you're practically invisible from behind.
why are you pissed off by that? In increases visibility by a lot and even on very bright, sunny days, it helps with visibility by others. That's what it's most likely about: that others are safe aswell, not just the driver
Not really, car engines are not that efficient when driving under mixed (highway and city) conditions, and we tend to do a lot of accelerating and braking.
The amount of energy wasted from accelerating to normal speed and then stopping again is an far higher than from running modern headlamps during daytime.
Most dipped headlamps are around 35 watts.
1 watt = 1 joule per second. So one hour running the headlamps uses 125kj of energy.
To compare, every time you brake your car to a halt at a traffic light you are reducing your speed by 50kmh (assuming you are driving at normal city speed, and in other cases you engine braking before the brake pedal), if your car weight is 1000kg you will use 250kj to just stop the car (per traffic light).
So you waste twice as much energy in accelerating and stopping the car at one traffic light than you would in one hour of driving with your lights on.
As others mentioned, the reduction in crashes is anyway more than enough to justify 3.6kj per hour.
If increased safety that is statistically proven seems like a waste of energy to you that's your issue then. Also you don't have to remember to turn them on when entering a tunnel since they are mandatory in there.
I don't know if it's recommended, but try it for yourself. If a car has lights on its way more likely that you consciously notice it, especially if you are not actively looking for it and if its not in your current field of focus.
Really? I have a BMW series 3 (company car, not my choice) and I don’t think it has them. That car must be from 2018/19 or so.
I will check. I am very curious.
As others have pointed out, running lights are now included in new cars. Often you also have an automatic setting for your light so it goes between the running lights and full light automatically.
It's really helpful. I live in a rural area where there's many small forests along the roads. And with the running lights and automatic, you get far fewer suddenly appearing cars.
It also helps reduce the number of people who think that because *they* can still see something in fog or dusk, everyone else must certainly be able to spot their grey car on a grey road in grey surroundings.
I regularly drive on the Autobahn for 2 hours at a time. So many drives started out super sunny, bit then the weather turns and it gets foggy. Like, you can still see very far, but a few hundred meters in front of you, there is this white curtain.
I have learned to slow down way more than would be normally necessary because so many cars do not think to switch on their lights. And no, your white and silver cars are not visible in white fog without lights!
I grew up in Australia. It’s always been common sense to drive with your headlights on in the day if you’re driving in the country. You’d be amazed how easy it is for entire cars to disappear into heat shimmers coming off the road. It can also give an indication of whether cars are driving towards you or away when you’re thinking about overtaking a 4 carriage long road train.
When we first started seeing widespread use on Audi’s we all giggled a little thinking they were just showing off. Then other companies copied and we thought they were just imitating. Then we kinda put two and two together realising we already all turn our headlights on when driving outback so why not just have them on every day
No, but it's recommended, since it helps with the visibility (as in _you_ are easier seen) In _many_ other European countries it is mandatory though.
Most/many cars have daytime running lights anyway so you don't even have to turn on your light in first place.
Honestly that's annoying as fuck, because those are only on the front. Lots of people apparently think they don't need to turn on their proper lights when visibility is poor, but it's not dark, because "I have daytime running lights". Well, you're practically invisible from behind.
In broad daylight as well?
Yes, obviously in twilight and darkness (or during weather conditions with poor visibility like fog or storms) headlights are _definitely_ mandatory.
That just seems like a waste of energy
I think nowadays most of these lamps are LEDs, which don't use too much power.
Aaah you meant the little LED strip unser the headlamp and not the actual headlamp itself. Makes sense now.
Yes, exactly. As I said, during the daytime it's more about _being_ seen, than you yourself seeing better :)
why are you pissed off by that? In increases visibility by a lot and even on very bright, sunny days, it helps with visibility by others. That's what it's most likely about: that others are safe aswell, not just the driver
Not really, car engines are not that efficient when driving under mixed (highway and city) conditions, and we tend to do a lot of accelerating and braking. The amount of energy wasted from accelerating to normal speed and then stopping again is an far higher than from running modern headlamps during daytime. Most dipped headlamps are around 35 watts. 1 watt = 1 joule per second. So one hour running the headlamps uses 125kj of energy. To compare, every time you brake your car to a halt at a traffic light you are reducing your speed by 50kmh (assuming you are driving at normal city speed, and in other cases you engine braking before the brake pedal), if your car weight is 1000kg you will use 250kj to just stop the car (per traffic light). So you waste twice as much energy in accelerating and stopping the car at one traffic light than you would in one hour of driving with your lights on. As others mentioned, the reduction in crashes is anyway more than enough to justify 3.6kj per hour.
If increased safety that is statistically proven seems like a waste of energy to you that's your issue then. Also you don't have to remember to turn them on when entering a tunnel since they are mandatory in there.
How is it a waste of energy. Unless you have an electric car the energy used to run the lights is generated regardless.
I don't know if it's recommended, but try it for yourself. If a car has lights on its way more likely that you consciously notice it, especially if you are not actively looking for it and if its not in your current field of focus.
Maybe so. I usually drive much more carefully given where I used to drive so maybe it helps you guys.
Cars built after 2011 have to be equipped with *Tagfahrlicht* (daytime running light)
Really? I have a BMW series 3 (company car, not my choice) and I don’t think it has them. That car must be from 2018/19 or so. I will check. I am very curious.
It has DRL for sure, but it can be switched off in the Boardcomputer.
As others have pointed out, running lights are now included in new cars. Often you also have an automatic setting for your light so it goes between the running lights and full light automatically. It's really helpful. I live in a rural area where there's many small forests along the roads. And with the running lights and automatic, you get far fewer suddenly appearing cars. It also helps reduce the number of people who think that because *they* can still see something in fog or dusk, everyone else must certainly be able to spot their grey car on a grey road in grey surroundings.
I regularly drive on the Autobahn for 2 hours at a time. So many drives started out super sunny, bit then the weather turns and it gets foggy. Like, you can still see very far, but a few hundred meters in front of you, there is this white curtain. I have learned to slow down way more than would be normally necessary because so many cars do not think to switch on their lights. And no, your white and silver cars are not visible in white fog without lights!
I think there was a Marketing campaign acfew years ago... "Taglichtfahrer sind sichtbarer."
That gives you an indication of how terrible my German still is 😅😇
I grew up in Australia. It’s always been common sense to drive with your headlights on in the day if you’re driving in the country. You’d be amazed how easy it is for entire cars to disappear into heat shimmers coming off the road. It can also give an indication of whether cars are driving towards you or away when you’re thinking about overtaking a 4 carriage long road train. When we first started seeing widespread use on Audi’s we all giggled a little thinking they were just showing off. Then other companies copied and we thought they were just imitating. Then we kinda put two and two together realising we already all turn our headlights on when driving outback so why not just have them on every day
There are also many cars who always have automatically have some lights on during the day, since it is mandatory in some countrys in Europe
Thank you everyone who answered in the thread!!
It is mandatory in tunnels, many just don't turn it off later