Miata Mailing List: February 1995, Message #103
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   From: "Drake A. Daum" 
Subject: DRLs
   Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1995 10:44:00 -0500

     In respose to David Walker of Charlotte NC who asked:
     
     "What does this mean?  Miatas were not the only cars with this 
     arrangement in 1990.  This was before manufacturers began to integrate 
     this new law into new designs and used old fixtures to solve the legal 
     requirement.....genius, I think.  
     
     Canada is always ahead of the times when it comes to this sort of 
     thing...no resistance to government interference with the pursuit of 
     life, liberty and happiness?...and I think the car makers found a 
     quick and easy solution.  Now, of course, they have designed new 
     h-lite pods and integrated the new rule. (?) "
     
     
     DAVID:
     
     This means that in the U.S., the Big 3 automakers in Detroit (GM in 
     particular) have voluntarily (without legislative mandate) decided to 
     incorporate a circuit to automatically provide low voltage DC power to 
     a car's normal headlights in order to operate them as Daytime Running 
     Lights whenever the ignition is turned on.  The light intensity will 
     be less than normal headlight operation (but greater than parking 
     lights).  Normal headlight operation may be regained anytime the 
     headlight switch is manually turned on.  
     
     The manufacturers claim studies show an element of inherent safety 
     regarding daytime visibilty with DRLs.  In the motorcycle world, we 
     call this "conspicuity", the art of BEING seen.
     
     To date, there is no law in the U.S. that requires DRLs for 
     automobiles.  I think most of the hoopla for these lights in the U.S. 
     is because the domestic carmakers are trying to use DRLs as a major 
     MARKETING ploy.
     
     According to a previous post, in Canada (which requires DRLs by law, 
     but I don't know when the law was initiated), the Miata uses the turn 
     signal filament in the amber parking light module as the DRL.  
     Apparently, this satisfies the law and Mazda avoids having the Miata's 
     retractable headlights in the "up" position all the time.  The turn 
     signal filament (vice the parking light filament) receives full 12v DC 
     power and thus is in its "bright" mode all the time until the turn 
     signal is activated.  Then the corresponding signal flashes as normal 
     while the opposite side filament remains brightly illuminated.  Only 
     the front turn signals are affected in this manner.
     
     Cheers,
     DRAKE DAUM, President
     Miami Valley Miata Club
     PO Box 33503
     Dayton, Ohio 45433-0503