The fairy lights looked pretty crap on it to be honest and a bit cheap looking
Then, around the next corner came little Micky Chav in an old Focus with more fairy lightage (arranged to harmonise with the original design intent ) looks like these things come on a 'string' and are being adopted by all and sundry
Will these led's see the death of the under-car neonz one has to wonder??.......
Cars in my care:
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
I think it's part of the EU 'Day Running Lights' regulations on new (2010?) cars - all cars must display front lightage whilst travelling, like the little Fiat 500 which has tastefull DRL's.
I don't like these led strings at all. I suppose if they're on 24/7 so to speak then led's will last longer and won't draw as much current
Cars in my care:
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
Must admit, the Fiat 500 is one of the few new cars that have nice DRL that don't burn into your retina, these bloody LED units are so damn bright it's unreal.
earwig, never had one of those that would light up ;)
You see the problem is Volvo and Saab have had DRL (Day running lights) for YEARS!
Now since its becoming a legal requirment for all European cars to have some form of DRL.
Volvos and Saabs just to use to do this by running on dipped beam 24/7 or on some older a models a Dim-Dip relay (Duller then dipped, but brighter then sidelight).
Now, manufactures didnt want to adopt the Volvo and Saab easy way or just running with headlamps on all the time, they had to make something 'cool' ala LED lights.
Now, apart from looking stupid, something which amazes me with these Audi -esque LED strips is that no rear lights are on? So they are basically forward facing DRL so im not sure these qualify for the new Legislation re DRL anyway? Im not up on the lighting aspect atm.
Basically, DRL is becoming legal because of morons who cannot use their vehicles lights properly.
ie. Front side lights, fogs at night or sidelights at night, or no lights when its getting dark.
Blame these people who cannot drive and are stupid.
/Rant.
His: 1990 Volkswagen Golf II 1.8 GTi 8v.
Hers: 2000 "W" 406 Estate GLX HDi 90 (Bosch) @ 150k http://www.gsdoc.co.uk German Shepherd Dog Owners Club
The dim-dips on my BX seemed to supplement the sidelights, they only came on when the sidelights were on and the engine was running so I suppose they were to increase the chance of the car having a light on, no matter how lazy or forgetful the driver was. You're right about the tails though, I'd think there was less chance of accidently running into the front of an unlit car...
We/they have compulsory daytime lights here during winter time, it's annoying but the amount of people here that don't put their lights on until it's pitch dark is astounding. Or is that depressing? They seem to have tightened up on the tractors too, they all seem to have lights now that actually work now (shame about the trailers they hook up to them )
The dim-dips were quite, nice my Ford Onion had them
My Volvo's headlights are on all the time, I used to turn them off at first but that left the side lights on - ok but then there's NO lights on buzzer ....err, HELLO????
I suppose the DRL reg's only apply to the fronts so maybe it's to do with seeing a car coming at junctions etc ??? it is weird though trying to compensate for others lack of knowledge i.e. switching on yer lights in poor conditions, worrying too really...
Cars in my care:
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
Even worse have you noticed these active cornering lights on some new Golfs and Mercs, were one fog lamp comes on in the direction of the steering wheel. Now that is bloody annoying when you see one of them coming round a roundabout.
I see a lot of these new led lights failing on Audi and such like, bet its not as cheap as a standard bulb to replace?
Ive seen those cornering fog lights on Seat Ibiza.
Now im all for active Safety but I fail to see how a 1 fog light can help anything when corning? Its not as if they even turn slightly when cornering to peer around whatever they are going round. Apparantly on mercs they only come on when cornering when you indicate? Still stupid
Stupid, stupid stupid.
His: 1990 Volkswagen Golf II 1.8 GTi 8v.
Hers: 2000 "W" 406 Estate GLX HDi 90 (Bosch) @ 150k http://www.gsdoc.co.uk German Shepherd Dog Owners Club