[Smokeyr67]

Hi Guys,

I'm just wondering why the DRL's on a lot of cars nowdays turn off when you apply the handbrake?

I've heard that it's to reduce load when starting, but that sounds like BS to me - they're led's and draw next to nothing.

Maybe it's to indicate when your playing rally racer and giving it a bit of handbrake in the hairpin?

Anyhow, I'd love to hear any theories, because I'm stumped

Shane

[Shambles]

You ask a very good question there.

My Ioniq's DRLs also turn off when I apply the footbrake (no handbrake in this baby)

[Smokeyr67]

I think I've thought of another reason (vodka is a wonderful way to attain higher levels of, um, free thinking)

.-. .- -.. .- .-. / .- .... . .- -..

That's "radar ahead" in morse, so if you tap your brakes or jiggle your handbrake properly, you can warn on coming drivers on the old flash for cash vans:)

[Shambles]

I guess there's no need for them to be on while stationary, seeing as they're a safety aid for other road users while on the move.

[Smokeyr67]

Yeah, but when I'm sitting at an intersection waiting to turn, I'm ooold school and apply the handbrake, I still want my lights on so Grandma can see me waiting

(it's all a bit academic with me, I always drive with my lights on, but that doesn't stop me from being curious:) )

[Dazzler]

Well you learn something every day! I didn't know they switched off.   

[nzenigma]

Well you learn something every day! I didn't know they switched off.   

Not alone Dazz, never noticed to be honest, is it a Euro thing? I guess its a warning... DRLs come on....here comes another old fart....run for cover. 
Personally, only use the handbrake when I park or do a hill start, especially in a manual car.

[Smokeyr67]

I'm in the habit of putting on the handbrake whenever the wheels aren't moving - probably something I picked up last century when I was a Soldier .

(I also drive with my lights on, unless I'm in a tactical situation, another hangover from my youth:) )

[nzenigma]

  Im fairly old school too. I set up automatic Drive lights on our cars back in the 1970s.

[Cookie Thumper]

Is there a way to turn them off  other than driving around with the handbrake one click up or pulling the fuse ?

[CraigB]

Is there a way to turn them off  other than driving around with the handbrake one click up or pulling the fuse ?

Turn your park lights on, that will turn them off why would you want to turn of the DRL's anyway

[mickd]

DRL's,  highly overrated safety item IMHO.
Headlights ON for motorcycles has been law for years.
Still hear "SMIDSY" is the first thing said after a prang.
  ( Sorry Mate I Didn't See You )
The majority just switch off,  all the lights and hi-vis colours just blend in .
It seems that only RED& BLUE lights get attention.

[Cookie Thumper]

Is there a way to turn them off  other than driving around with the handbrake one click up or pulling the fuse ?

Turn your park lights on, that will turn them off why would you want to turn of the DRL's anyway

I think they are a wank.

[CraigB]

Is there a way to turn them off  other than driving around with the handbrake one click up or pulling the fuse ?

Turn your park lights on, that will turn them off why would you want to turn of the DRL's anyway

I think they are a wank.

Fair enough, personally I find they do the purpose they were meant for, especially noticeable on country roads where trees are shadowing the road and dusk situations before drivers turn their driving lights on.

[eye30]

Mine are on with handbrake on.

Only out with side lights on or engine switched off

[The Gonz]

I'm in the habit of putting on the handbrake whenever the wheels aren't moving - probably something I picked up last century when I was a Soldier .

(I also drive with my lights on, unless I'm in a tactical situation, another hangover from my youth:) )

I just got back from CIVSEC, a conference on Civil Security matters, and reminisced at the familiar infrared emitters recessed in the bullbars of the tactical vehicles on show. I reckon you would have enjoyed it.

[nzenigma]

why would you want to turn of the DRL's anyway
I think they are a wank.

 

the familiar infrared emitters recessed in the bullbars of the tactical vehicles

We await Cookie's refined critique 

[Cookie Thumper]

the familiar infrared emitters recessed in the bullbars of the tactical vehicles

We await Cookie's refined critique 

Is an infrared transmitter a DRL, if yes then they are a wank as well !!

Have fitted military blackout lights to some of the vehicles ive built.

[nzenigma]

 

I just got back from CIVSEC, a conference on Civil Security matters, and reminisced at the familiar infrared emitters recessed in the bullbars of the tactical vehicles on show. I reckon you would have enjoyed it.
[/quote]

 @The Gonz , in the 'good old' days, the army relied upon Kerosene. My father would spit chips if he saw today's technology. During WW2 he was a Provost and spent much of his time ( often under fire) laying lamp lines through mine fields to later guide troops during a night advance. They developed the lamp line method after scrounging some old red railway lanterns to guide our retreat from Crete.

[The Gonz]

Have fitted military blackout lights to some of the vehicles ive built.

That's precisely what they are.

[Cookie Thumper]

Have fitted military blackout lights to some of the vehicles ive built.

That's precisely what they are.

Ahhh cool cool, yeah they aint DRL's !!

[The Gonz]

Have fitted military blackout lights to some of the vehicles ive built.

That's precisely what they are.

Ahhh cool cool, yeah they aint DRL's !!

Never said they were - they're NRLs!

[Cookie Thumper]

Have fitted military blackout lights to some of the vehicles ive built.

That's precisely what they are.

Ahhh cool cool, yeah they aint DRL's !!

Never said they were - they're NRLs!

Never said you did, Nzenigma was expecting me to critique them.

[The Gonz]

[Smokeyr67]

the familiar infrared emitters recessed in the bullbars of the tactical vehicles

We await Cookie's refined critique 

Is an infrared transmitter a DRL, if yes then they are a wank as well !!

Have fitted military blackout lights to some of the vehicles ive built.

Driving in convoy on blackouts after a few days of little to no sleep was great fun - I had the bad habit of staring at the white diff of the vehicle in front of me, after a few seconds it'd start floating up down left and right, then morph into a moon buggy, expand and contract - it was pretty damn trippy and WAAY cheaper than LSD

[The Gonz]

Eight hours a day for four days in a LR 110 FFR from Adelaide to Darwin and then a month of daily driving at EX Pitch Black is quite enough of that for me, thanks.

[Smokeyr67]

I'm not sure what rule book the RAAF ignores, but the Army had a multi volume tome called "Standing orders for vehicle operators (SOVO's). Not sure of the details, they're pretty much irrelevant anyhow, but  it had hilarious rules in there about having a minimum of 4 hours sleep per day, maximum of 8 hours behind the wheel and other such comedic gold.

I'm sure the people they hire to write these rules started life writing for Saturday Night Live.

[nzenigma]

  And your union rep could rely on the rulebook when he called a STRIKE!

[Smokeyr67]

Only problem is if you strike in the ADF, there's a good chance someones going to spend a little bit of time as a guest of the MP's