Daylight Running Lights problem/question

[tecopa]

I've noticed that whenever I'm driving my Tacoma 2003 at night, I'll get a few high beam flashes from other cars. Which is to signal to me that my high beams are on, the only problem, my high beams are not on.

The last time I took my truck in for a tune up at the Toyota dealership, about 5 months ago, I had my lights inspected and everything was fine.

I notice there are 3 positions to the light controls. Position 1: head lights off, Position 2: interior lights come on, Position 3: headlights on.

Whenever I drive my vehicle in Position 2 (and with the daylight running lights on) I never get the high beam flash from other vehicles.

So my question is, would driving my truck with the daylight running lights on (position 2) be a problem?

Thanks for any help or advice.

[007Tacoma]

The daytime running lights (DRLs) run at a different intensity than your headlights. Some of these use a different angle in the lens, a different voltage on the lamp itself, or a completely separate filament in the bulb. So, yes, they are not as bright. They are not made to cover a DOT arch of visibility to provide enough light to wee with.

This is how it was explained to me by an officer outside of Dallas in my old Honda Accord: However hard it is for an officer to prove, it is illegal to use DRLs as headlights. If you were in an accident and the investigator noticed that your light switch was in "position 2", many states would consider that driving without the proper lighting configuration, and you would be considered "at-fault" by the officers for the accident.

As far as the "flashers" are concerned:

Are they all in cars that sit lower than you? Do you have a load in your bed? Do you have a lift? Does your bed sag due to extensive use?

We had a thread about this several months ago. Many people think the Tacoma lights are too high (both 1st and 2nd generations). I love mine, and yes - I get flashed all the time.

[007Tacoma]

By the way - I noticed that this is your first post.

Welcome to TW!!!

[tecopa]

Originally Posted by 007Tacoma

Are they all in cars that sit lower than you? Do you have a load in your bed? Do you have a lift? Does your bed sag due to extensive use?

I've never noticed what type of car flashes me. No, nothing in the bed. No, lift. And no sag.

The whole thing is a little annoying, since I can't stand when people drive towards me with their highs on ... I just don't like having people flash me when I don't have my high beams on.

[tecopa]

Originally Posted by 007Tacoma

By the way - I noticed that this is your first post.

Welcome to TW!!!

Thanks. I've driven and owned every type of truck
over the years ... but owning my first Tacoma (2003), I
will never drive anything else.

A really great truck, all around.

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by tecopa

I've never noticed what type of car flashes me. No, nothing in the bed. No, lift. And no sag.

The whole thing is a little annoying, since I can't stand when people drive towards me with their highs on ... I just don't like having people flash me when I don't have my high beams on.

Sorry about that. I have the same problem on mine. It is pretty much stock. There have been no changes to the suspension/body, and I don't carry "heavy" loads...

We are just doomed to be bright buggers going down the road.

[newsma]

hey guys, you guys on this site rock!!! i did the DRL mod to my truck this morning. i took the turn signal light out and on the back side where the empty hole was, i pulled out the "plug" and bridged a wire from the hot side of my corner lights and then put the plug back in the hole around the wire. now i have the turn signals as DRL as well as the corner lights. thanks alot guys

[lsocoee]

I'm not familiar with the OP's 1st gen Tacoma, but I know a lot of cars have screws that allow you to adjust the angle of the headlight. You should go check for little screws around your headlight and start fiddling. If your headlight falls off, you should start un-fiddling immediately and go to bed.

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by lsocoee

I'm not familiar with the OP's 1st gen Tacoma, but I know a lot of cars have screws that allow you to adjust the angle of the headlight. You should go check for little screws around your headlight and start fiddling. If your headlight falls off, you should start un-fiddling immediately and go to bed.

So that's where I went wrong. I should have just gone to bed.

[concrete jedi]

Here is the problem I see, when running daylight lights, your tailights are not on, or your dashlights, could pose a problem from the rear, and we should all avoid problems in the rear !