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[deleted] OP t1_j0gx5sv wrote

Reply to comment by Meatwad1313 in Day running lights aren’t “automatic” lights. You still need to turn your lights on in the rain. by [deleted]

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nowordsleft t1_j0h1dqm wrote

Headlights are always tied to taillights. If the headlights are on the taillights are on. Headlights and DRLs are two different things, though some DRLs use the same bulbs as the headlights, just dimmer.

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[deleted] OP t1_j0h354y wrote

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nowordsleft t1_j0h4rl3 wrote

You're using the word headlights to mean just the headlight bulbs. Others are using the term headlights with the understanding that when you turn the headlights on the taillights also come on. People that drive around in the dark and rain with their headlights off are stupid, I agree. DRLs are sometimes the problem, because they trun the headlight bulbs on without turning the taillights on. But if your headlight switch is in auto, the taillights will come on when the headlights (the actual headlights, not the DRLs) come on. People are saying to use the auto setting if it's available, and I'm agreeing with them.

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heili t1_j0h5xcg wrote

The DRLs on my old car were bright enough that it was possible to not notice if I hadn't turned my headlights on.

Now I have the auto feature so they're turned on for me. They will also automatically turn on if the wipers are on (even on intermittent).

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nowordsleft t1_j0h66jb wrote

My car does the same thing.

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heili t1_j0h8dgo wrote

Yeah this guy, if his car is really doing what he says it is, he needs to take it to the shop because he has an electrical problem. He actually thinks that the "Auto" setting for headlights will turn the DRLs on and not the taillights when it's dark.

Which is full on asinine and completely contrary to the meaning of DRL which are Daytime Running Lights. He somehow thinks they have wired all but a few very expensive luxury cars so that the "Auto" headlights feature turns the front lights on when it's dark, but not the rear ones.

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[deleted] OP t1_j0h8viu wrote

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nowordsleft t1_j0h9rfa wrote

Yes it does. There is not a car made for this country where the headlights would automatically turn on without turning on the taillights. It's federal law. The headlight bulbs might illuminate without the taillights turning on because of DRLs, but if you turn on the headlights or have the switch set to auto, the taillights will come on. Some manufacturers might add additional features like headlights (and therefore the taillights) come on when the wipers are on, but the auto switch, if it turns on the headlights, will also turn on the taillights. If it doesn't, then it's not controlling the headlights, it's controlling something else.

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[deleted] OP t1_j0hb0uy wrote

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nowordsleft t1_j0hchwy wrote

I don't know how it is confusing. When the headlights are on, the taillights are on. If your headlight switch is in auto mode, the headlights and taillights will come on when it gets dark out. Any other time the headlight bulbs are illuminated without the taillights being on is because of DRLs. DRLs are to increase the visibility of your car during the daytime and are not intended for use at night or any other time the headlights are needed (because headlights also turn on the taillights). If your actual headlights are on and the taillights aren't, there is a problem somewhere.

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[deleted] OP t1_j0hh7nn wrote

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nowordsleft t1_j0hira4 wrote

Yes, that is a blanket statement. If there is an “auto” setting for the headlights, headlights and taillights will come on when it’s dark if they are set to “auto”. For any car made for the US market in the last 20 years.

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[deleted] OP t1_j0hxnmk wrote

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nowordsleft t1_j0i2012 wrote

Correct. Either they've got their switch on "off" instead of "auto", or they don't have auto headlights. Or there is a problem with the system.

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