mco

If you program the daytime running lights to be on, does that make it more likely that you will need to replace bulbs? I thought that the bulbs on the new E were supposed to last the lifetime of the car. Also curious how many people have programmed the running lights to be on.

ctouhey

Try a poll; mine are off.

benggolf

We Canadians have no choice. Daytime running lights are mandatory here in Canada.

It is certainly a good safety feature IMHO.

Dema

Certainly, however I never changed bulbs in my another car having this feature for all 6 years (92k miles) ownership.

NitroShredder

I have mine turned on. People TAKE NOTICE for better or WORSE when they see "REAL" Xenons coming in the distance... so it's a good thing. Too many vehicles use the "dimmed hi-beam" DRL's and I think it's almost standard now.. and seems to have lost it's effect. DRL Xenon's on... defintely are more "noticeable."

Pete

jim256

With the regular lights (non-Xenon) the low beam headlights are "dimmed" with the headlights on "constant". Despite what I read in the manual, you can leave the headlights "off" yet DRL switches to regular headlights (including the tail lights) in the dark. The manual says to leave it on Auto to get that.

It's a fairly nice solution to DRL. but mine are not activated. I don't like the unnecessary lights coming on when I enter and leave the garage. Whether or not those extra on cycles reduce bulb life, I can't prove but I expect they do.

briar

The logic I use on whether or not to use this feature is the other folks on the road and the most comon factor.
Since I tend to "push the envelope" I want to "fit in" versus stick out like a "sore thumb".
If most of the cars I am passing have daylight driving lights on, I'll turn mine on, so that I look like one of the pack, otherwise I leave them off.
Worrying about replacing bulbs is not a high priority, blending in with others and staying out of of the sights of speed enforcers is a high priority.
Up to you on how to use this feature.

rickyfanmdr

I programmed mine to be off. I figure I can turn them on when I feel I need them. I found it to be annoying to have them be automatic.

thug_law

Mine is off too. I have noticed on some cars you cannot even have it off and I have seen many Saturns and KIAs with DLR on. I dont know about you, but I would not want others to confuse my E500 from Saturns.

marksatex

Sweden did an exhaustive 5 yr study back in the 70's and found that DRL'S reduced Side Impact type collisions by almost 24%.

The increased visability is a safety factor I personally will do not do without. We keep lights on on all our veheicles. I could care less what the cost of a bulb is, if it saves me a collision.

This may be nation-wide, but in Texas, all motorcycles are required to have headlights wired to on to increase visabiltiy.

If my E500 is mistaken as a Saturn, I could care less. MB Lovers will not mistake it for one second.

ValueplusClass

Advise: Keep them on for safety. Especially if you have a silver car. The car otherwise blends in with the sky easily at times.

benggolf

Yes, the additional safety offered by DRL should not be discounted. I am glad it is mandatory here in Canada.