Daylight Running Lights problem/question

tecopa · 06-05-2007, 04:42 AM

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 · 06-05-2007, 05:10 AM

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 · 06-05-2007, 05:11 AM

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

Welcome to TW!!!

tecopa · 06-05-2007, 05:15 AM

Quote:

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 · 06-05-2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

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 · 06-05-2007, 05:31 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-29-2007, 07:33 PM

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 · 11-29-2007, 08:25 PM

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 · 11-30-2007, 04:42 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-30-2007, 07:17 PM

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 !

06-05-2007, 04:42 AM	#1
tecopa Junior Member Joined: Jun 2007, #1760 Posts: 3	Daylight Running Lights problem/question 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.

06-05-2007, 05:10 AM	#2
007Tacoma I dub thee malicious! Name: Mark the poo flinger Joined: Jan 2007, #643 Location: San Antonio, TX Age: 28 Gender: Guy Posts: 7,155 08 PreRunner SR5 DoubleCab LongBed BSP 2008 Double Cab Automatic 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 TacomaWorld.com Sticker, URD True Cold Air Intake, Debadged, Blackened Headlight Mod, 30% Window Tint, Access LE Tonneau, Bed Mat, +6 D-Rings, LED Bed lighting w/ dual switches, OEM Daytime Running Lights + On/Off Switch, Fogs-On-Anytime Mod, Alternating Turn-Signal Mod, Canvas Seat Covers, Pioneer Stereo AVIC-F700BT (hacked OS3.0), Phoenix Gold 500W Amp, Phoenix Gold 6.5" Components, Pioneer 10" Subwoofer, MRMARV built Sub Enclosure, RAAMAudio RAAMmat Sound Deadening, iPod Connection, PAC steering wheel remote, BOYO VTL400 Rear Camera, Homemade Bike Rack (3 bikes), Firestone Destination ATs 265/75R16, TRD Suspension Upgrade, and a Sportz Truck Tent III for camping.	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. __________________ San Antonio October 2009 Wrench Meet... Upcoming TacomaWorld.com TEXAS Region: Texas Offroading Meet, November 20-22, ~~Barnwell Mountain~~ er... Hidden Falls

06-05-2007, 05:11 AM	#3
007Tacoma I dub thee malicious! Name: Mark the poo flinger Joined: Jan 2007, #643 Location: San Antonio, TX Age: 28 Gender: Guy Posts: 7,155 08 PreRunner SR5 DoubleCab LongBed BSP 2008 Double Cab Automatic 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 TacomaWorld.com Sticker, URD True Cold Air Intake, Debadged, Blackened Headlight Mod, 30% Window Tint, Access LE Tonneau, Bed Mat, +6 D-Rings, LED Bed lighting w/ dual switches, OEM Daytime Running Lights + On/Off Switch, Fogs-On-Anytime Mod, Alternating Turn-Signal Mod, Canvas Seat Covers, Pioneer Stereo AVIC-F700BT (hacked OS3.0), Phoenix Gold 500W Amp, Phoenix Gold 6.5" Components, Pioneer 10" Subwoofer, MRMARV built Sub Enclosure, RAAMAudio RAAMmat Sound Deadening, iPod Connection, PAC steering wheel remote, BOYO VTL400 Rear Camera, Homemade Bike Rack (3 bikes), Firestone Destination ATs 265/75R16, TRD Suspension Upgrade, and a Sportz Truck Tent III for camping.	By the way - I noticed that this is your first post. Welcome to TW!!! __________________ San Antonio October 2009 Wrench Meet... Upcoming TacomaWorld.com TEXAS Region: Texas Offroading Meet, November 20-22, ~~Barnwell Mountain~~ er... Hidden Falls

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11-29-2007, 07:33 PM	#7
newsma Junior Member Joined: Nov 2007, #3650 Location: Biscoe NC Posts: 2 2006 Double Cab SR5 4x4 2006 Double Cab Automatic Window Tint-20% all the way around (on top of factory too), Vent Shades, Bug Guard, Fog Light Mod, DRL Mod, 4 Strobe Lights for Fire Dept and red light in windshield	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

11-30-2007, 07:17 PM	#10
concrete jedi Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3142 Location: Rochester N.Y Age: 44 Posts: 2,755 06 Tacoma 4 door indigo blue 2006 Double Cab Manual V-6 4.0 liter Broken and scratched tailgate, cracked rear tail light lens, coffee stain in driver seat.	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 !