Easy Automatic headlight modification

I don't use the auto headlights. I like to turn my headlights on and off when I need to. On during rain, fog, or when getting dark. Off when running from the cops :)

I just completely disabled the DRLs (Daytime Running Lights). On U.S. sold trucks, there is an option in the menus to do that (but not on Canadian sold trucks). My lights are not always on, but if they are on, they are all on. Personally, I am OK with when the lights decide to come on.

Are you all afraid of wasting electricity by leaving the lights on?

Fizz wrote:
Are you all afraid of wasting electricity by leaving the lights on?

X2

Big peave of mine are folks who know they're smarter than the headlight controller and end up driving at dusk or in poor visibility with no lights at all.

I believe it was many years ago that "Grey Hound" found out that by leaving bus headlights on in the day time they reduced their accidents about 10 percent.
On dull hazy days certain vehicle colors like grey and med blues on a black top road will almost blend in and are hard to see.
Canada has had a day time running light law for about 40+ years and I wish that the US had one too.
On any vehicle that I have owned in the last 30 years, if they did not have daytime running lights I have added them. I figure the sooner someone sees me coming the less chance they will hit me.

I had them activated on my Ram.
One thing I didn't think about was pulling into a CG at night and not being able to turn my lights off while maneuvering. I end up lighting up someone else's campsite needlessly.

BTW, on Ram trucks the DRL's are actually the high-beams run at a 50% duty cycle.

ScottG wrote:
I had them activated on my Ram.
One thing I didn't think about was pulling into a CG at night and not being able to turn my lights off while maneuvering. I end up lighting up someone else's campsite needlessly.

BTW, on Ram trucks the DRL's are actually the high-beams run at a 50% duty cycle.

The dealer I bought my 2500 wouldn't flash the code for high beams, claiming USDOT specified low beams ... I couldn't find that specification but didn't argue with them. So the low beams are on dim instead.

I don't feel bad about driving around a campground with my headlights on. Being able to see people and objects in or near the narrow road is far more important than temporarily shining light onto someone's campfire.

I have experienced the same thing, My Ram 2500 does not have day time running lights and you can not adjust the auto headlight sensor like I can on my daughters Jeep Renegade, So I took half a lens from a pair of tinted safety glasses and covered the sensor with it, works great.

Yup, piece of electric tape on the automatic sensor works great on my Ram. I can easily turn the switch from AUTO to PARKING LIGHTS when I am backing into a parking spot at the campground.

I am a firm believer that lights on all the time makes me more visible and from a further distance, thus making me safer. Its a requirement on motorcycles and a lot of trucking companies believe in the theory of "lights on for safety". I rarely have a bulb burn out, and when they do its a couple dollars to replace. I currently have LED's in my Ram headlights, so I expect them to last longer than I own the truck.

spoon059 wrote:
Yup, piece of electric tape on the automatic sensor works great on my Ram. I can easily turn the switch from AUTO to PARKING LIGHTS when I am backing into a parking spot at the campground.

I am a firm believer that lights on all the time makes me more visible and from a further distance, thus making me safer. Its a requirement on motorcycles and a lot of trucking companies believe in the theory of "lights on for safety". I rarely have a bulb burn out, and when they do its a couple dollars to replace. I currently have LED's in my Ram headlights, so I expect them to last longer than I own the truck.

x2. it isn't as much to help me see and to make sure OTHERS SEE ME.