DRL from Headlight to Fog !?

[sergio1987]

Does anyone know how to change the daytime running lights from he headlight(high beam) to the fog lights. I am in Canada and it came as standard. The issue is that when the DRL are on and you use your turning signals, it is almost impossible for others to see them. I had a few people already flip me because they thought I'm just some kind of douche that doesn't use his signals...

[M4point5]

My car doesnt have DRLs...06 M45. Is it supposed to? Lol

[moedawg140]

Does anyone know how to change the daytime running lights from he headlight(high beam) to the fog lights. I am in Canada and it came as standard. The issue is that when the DRL are on and you use your turning signals, it is almost impossible for others to see them. I had a few people already flip me because they thought I'm just some kind of douche that doesn't use his signals...

I'm not sure if you could look up the schematics of the M35 and/or find a way to splice the high beam's signal to the fog lights, but if you aren't able to find a way to do that, you can just install very bright front turn signals.

Here's the link:
http://www.vleds.com/v3-a.html (Make sure to also purchase the 7443 7440 base adapter from the "Add Base Adapter" selector).

These are expensive, but the new 2nd generation V3 Tritons come with a smaller resistor so you don't have to worry about purchasing that module, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. And believe me, people won't be flipping you off when you use these, because they are super bright. Now, they will have to find another reason to flip you off!

Please let us know how they work out for you if you decide to purchase them!

[svard75]

Does anyone know how to change the daytime running lights from he headlight(high beam) to the fog lights. I am in Canada and it came as standard. The issue is that when the DRL are on and you use your turning signals, it is almost impossible for others to see them. I had a few people already flip me because they thought I'm just some kind of douche that doesn't use his signals...

DRL's are a part of safety in Canada so I don't think you will be able to tamper with the circuit that easily. I don't understand why you would want just the fogs running as DRL's that would look weird IMO. Remove the DRL relay and try that out first.

[sergio1987]

moedawg140 thx for the idea, but I don't think I'll spend 99$ for a turning light:) Though is not a bad point.
msvara removing the DRL relay is illegalish. I want to just swith it to the fog lights. Most new cars sold in Canada have the DRL as fog lights not "high beams"... I am just trying to see if anyone on the forum has done it before, DYI...If not, I am sure a good auto electrician would be able to do it for some dough.

[ctsedan]

Maybe look into KP technology fog light module, it was used to turn on/off fog lights independent of headlights.

[Larz]

If I am correct, your DRLs actually use the high beam bulb itself, but at a lower brightness. That is to say there isn't an extra bulb in that housing that is used only for the DRL feature. Our American models, being years behind the rest of the world (on this issue), just use a straight-forward high beam bulb and did not come with, nor were required to come with DRLs. The only way I can work out to use the fogs as DRLs would be to purchase a DRL fog 'kit' with it's own module that makes them light while the engine is switched ON. Then, disconnect whichever module your car is using to power the high beam bulbs when the engine is on and hope that dosen't prevent you from using the high beams for ... high beams. You technically haven't broken any laws because you are displaying DRLs, just not the ones your car came with. I doubt law enforcement would even give your car a second look, and if they did, you can prove they are bona fied DRLs, and you aren't simply driving with fogs switch on.
Have a look at my pics in my sig. I added Phillips DRLs with an included module that simply hooks to the battery - no special wiring needed. They work great and are mounted nice and low near the fogs. Get those, unhook your DRL modlue and job done!
It seems a huge time consuming effort with re-wiring, removing the lower grille trim, mounting the kit in the wheel well, etc. Hardly seems worth it just to make the fogs into DRLs. Since you live in Canada where fogs are actually useful for safer driving, would you want to lose the benefits of an actual fog lamp?
You can also change out the high beam bulb for a nice 3000k amber colour to make your existing DRLs stand out. If you never actually use the high beams (I never do), it won't be an issue and you will still have fogs to help drive through ... ermm fog.

[quinner49er]

Are you sure that you are being 'flipped' because they can't see your turn signal with the DRLs on? I have looked at pictures of both the 2006 and 2008 M front end lights and they look the same to me. I also drive daily in the Toronto area and have had my 2008 M for 5 years and I have never once had someone flip me about not seeing me signal. Also, the turn signal is amber and the high beams are dimmed in DRL mode, so there should be sufficient contrast to be seen.

If they are flipping or flashing you because they can't see your front turn signal, then they must be oncoming traffic when you are turning left or right. Are you sure it isn't something else you are doing that is causing them to flip you? For example, maybe you are turning late or aggressively and they are annoyed that they have had to brake or maneuver to avoid you? This could explain the flipping. Just asking! It seems a little strange.

[sergio1987]

Whatever you say quinner49er
Try in the morning with the sun shinning bright behind you, the turn light and DRL are next to each other.
Thx to other for meaningful input, and I assume there is no "fix" to my question. I'll have to take it to an auto electrician.

[M4point5]

Someone please enlighten me as to why I have no DRL and have never seen an M around these parts with DRL. 2006, originally came from TX.

[Larz]

Since the late 90's Europe, Canada, and Asia began requiring 'by law' that any cars built in, or imported to their countries MUST have specific safety equipment (including DRLs), so everywhere BUT the US has had at least some level of mandatory compliance for many years. Even countries that don't make DRLs mandatroy have laws that require headlamps to be ON during daytime driving. Here in the US, the American car makers have very powerful lobbyists and spend lots of money to prevent costly requirements like this.
So, any car maker who builds cars in the US or imports its cars to the US is NOT required to include DRLs.

Sergio's M was imported to Canada and therfore had to include DRLs

[M4point5]

I see. Strange though because other makes have a lot of cars with DRL's...my 99 Lexus RX300 for example. I hate them, annoyance.

[Larz]

I did some reading, and the first American car to come with DRLs was a chevrolet something in 1995. But to date, US made cars and cars imported to the USA do not have to be equipped with DRLs - its still optional, though most cars seem now to have DRLs or at least dimmed headlamps for daytime driving as standard equipment.
Most of the arguments and obstacles against making it law in the USA seem to be about reaching a universal standard for the brightness and colour, the angle at which they point, avoiding daytime glare to on-coming drivers, requiring separate DRL units Vs dimmed headlamps, etc.
They even mentioned: "DRLs based on or near front turn signals introduce ambiguity into the turn signal system, making it harder to distiguish the turn signal dur to glare from the DRL" which was part of the original post by the Canadian gentleman above.
I think the bottom line is this: Countries like the UK, Sweeden, Denmark, Iceland etc are small ones with less complicated law-making and esier enforcement. The USA is bloody huge and cannot turn on a dime. There are Federal Vs State laws, mandates Vs requlations, etc.
When a small country like Sweeden made it a law, data could be easily collected that proved DRLs decreased frontal collisions. In the USA, with its optional DRL policy, it's impossible to collect convincing data to support a Federal regulation.