Daytime running lights ?

[bmcecosse]

Does anyone know the Law regarding these lights? ie - How bright/what wattage - location?? Are ONLY LED s allowed ?

[PSL184]

My wifes Fiat has these. Just normal sidelights that come on with ign.

[bmcecosse]

I think they are rather brighter.........and not the normal 'sidelights' which will still be there in with the headlights ?

[charlie_morris_minor]

like psl i thought they were just the side lights.. at least that's what volvo and saab used / still use in sweden.

[ASL642]

My Volvo uses the ordinary sideslights as driving/running lights

[bmcecosse]

I suspect - like my old SAABs - they use 10 watt bulbs in 'daylight' - and the normal 4 watt bulbs at night/when parked. But many new cars (soon ALL new cars) have daylight running lights - often low mounted - and often LED. But I can't find the regulations that govern them ! Can anyone help ??

[Alec]

Hello BMCE,

if you have more patience than I, you may like to search here:- http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/uksi_19891796_en_1.htm. Whilst an old document it may give you some lead to current regulations?

Good luck.

Alec

[bmcecosse]

Thanks Alec - I have had a good read through that already and yes - it's horribly out of date! My interest in this matter of course is not Minor related - I was wondering if I had finally found a use for the hopeless standard issue fog lights on my TR7 ..............[frame][/frame] need to know if they are too low to be used as daytime running - and what max wattage is allowed.

[Alec]

Hello BMCE,

I had another web search and as I suspect you already know, it is difficult to find the current regulations.

However I suspect that your foglights will be too low but that is purely my feeling, with no evidence to go on.
You could remove them entirely and use the apertures for brake cooling ducting, for when you fit a Sprint engine?

I did find an association of drivers against DRL's by the way

Alec

[PSL184]

Ask a Policeman what the regs are - If he says "I don't know then just use them"

[PSL184]

These regs apply, apparently....

2 Dim-dip device and running lamp Schedule 3, Part II and Parts I of Schedules 2 to 5, 7, 9 to 13 and 17 to 21 to the extent specified in Parts II of those Schedules.
SCHEDULE 3
(Regulations 18 and 20)
PART II
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO OPTIONAL DIM-DIP DEVICES AND RUNNING LAMPS

There is no requirement relating to an optional dim-dip device or an optional running lamp.

The remaining guff is covered here....

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_1 ... .htm#nsch2

[dalebrignall]

i think my dads old shape saab 900 had running lights but my new shape one does not

[PSL184]

The key word in theses regs is "optional" ie not factory fitted items...

[Alec]

Hello PSL184,

one aspect that BMCE might encounter with an overzealous officer is that using fog lights when the visibility is over 100 Metres is an offence. He would have to argue the case using the defence that the wattage is reduced from conventional fog lights.

Alec

[PSL184]

Absolutely correct Alec - I would expect only normal sidelight wattage bulbs to be used in daytime running circumstances - as with my wifes Fiat I mentioned above. Interestingly I noticed that Audi uses a border of LED's around the indicator apperture and these actually dim when the indicators are in use....

[bmcecosse]

The Audi 'string of pearls' looks really naff! I'm surprised at Audi - whose cars normally look very good. As an aside - the latest big Audi looks exactly like a Rover 3 litre P5 saloon - especially if in black - as most seem to be...... Same shape body - and same big square grille!
Yes - I did find that association against DRL! And yes - I don't want to get nabbed for using the fog lamps as running lamps - unless it's legal to do so. And 5 watt bulbs will barely glimmer - unlesss of course 5 watts of LEDs!! Measured the lamps today - and only ~ 250 mm from ground to base of lamp. I did read somewhere (but can't find it now of course) that they should be 400 mm from the ground.
It's ok Alec - I have no plans to fit a Sprint motor - in fact - a 1275 Minor engine is perhaps on the cards.

[Alec]

Hello BMCE,

my comment about the Sprint engine is something I feel that Triumph should have pursued. This is based on my recollection of the introduction of the 7 which seemed rather retrograde in view of the 'beefier' 6 it replaced. I know they later went to the V8, especially in rallying but I still think that the lighter Sprint engine would have made a better sports car.

Alec

[RogerRust]

My standard 2008 Volvo had it's ordinary dip beam on during the day as standard. I think the same is the case for s60 and S80s

[MarkyB]

I like the Audi 'string of pearls', I've been wondering if I could fabricate smileys to go in the Minor lights.

[bmcecosse]

Some 'Sprint' cars were produced Alec - but yet another strike happened just as they were starting to get them going. Genuine Sprints are much sought after! Some have retro fitted Sprint engines of course - but it's actually quite easy to get the Sprint power from the standard engine anyway - cam change - head and manifold clean up - decent exhaust manifold and different needles and air cleaners on the carbs. I just read that Spen King has died - his famous comment about the Stag "they told me the Buick engine wouldn't fit - I should have checked" - must have haunted him......... And of course - the TR7 engine is half the Triumph Stag V8 engine - it had already been produced for sale to SAAB for use in the 99. Without that - I believe the TR7 would have continued with the 6 cylinder Triumph engine, after they decided the V8 was too much at the time. Comparing under the bonnet of a T2000 and a TR7 - very much the same - except obvious outward 'bulges' in the TR7 chassis legs - to give the planned V8 exhaust manifolds room!