No, it was running in daylight. But maybe I had the door open? I swear they were on, my wife told me and I looked. But they weren't on today.

 

No DRL's. I believe they will deminish the life expectancy of the high cost Xenons over time.

I instead run parking lights with fogs on those grey days where it would be a safety benifit. Those H8's are way cheaper to replace and the fogs are aimed so low and produce such a diffused beam, that I'm not worried that they're going to annoy anything other than the fasion sence of a few other driver's.

 

I'm suprised how many folks don't use them for the reason of "It's too expensive to replace the xenon's....".

Common, how much is your life worth? That's a bad excuse if you ask me.

 

I use the daytime running lights typically when its anything but totally sunny. I didnt think the daytime running lights activated the xenon's

 

So what is the different between running with parking lights on and DRL? As I cannot find a switch to turn on DRL, then all I can do is turn on the parking lights.

My only fear is I will forget about them when I get out of the car and the batter will be dead in short order. Or does the Mini turn off the lights when you kill the ignition? I have not tried this.

 

No worries!! The mini has a mind of it's own, and will shut off the parking lights for you when you forget. But the probem with this is, you will also forget to turn on the parking lights when you drive in the daytime....

hmmmm.. really wish they had used the parking lights as daytime running lights......

DRL mod anyone?

 

At least on mine, an 05, the DRL must be programmed to turn on. Once programmed they (brights at one-half intensity) come on automatically when I start the MINI and turn off when I turn the key off. No other lights come on unless you manually turn them on.

 

Thats a good questions but Halogens you can get for $10, Xenons cost $150 or so?

But you got a good point since the studies show it saves lives.

 

Agree, actually the xenon bulbs are covered under the 3/36 maintenance plan

 

Here you go...go to autobarn.com and buy this module for $29.95 http://www.autobarn.net/des20013.htmlmodule

Hook it up to your fog lamps. When the motor is running, the fog lamps will burn at 75% intensity. If you turn on your parking lights, or headlights, the daytime running fog lights will switch off, and fog light switch can be operated normally. Easy install...the hardest part is finding switched 12v, which, after much searching, I could only find at the interior fuse panel.

 

Coffee,
Thanks!! I just might do that...

And let me say, I love your color choice!

 

You're welcome! Thanks for the compliment...great minds think alike !

 

But no DRL's doesn't necessarily mean no lights and therefore no safety benifit...

 

Over the last several years I've ridden my motorcycle much more than I've driven my Blazer. The lights are always on. I added a lightbar and keep it and the highbeam on all the time during daylight hours. After adding the lightbar with the additional lights I noticed that the number of idiots who pulled in front of me was reduced dramatically. I may have to replace my bulb more often but if it saves me from a single collision it is money well spent. Although I don’t yet have a MINI I intend to do the same thing. I also intend to replace the horn with a Stebel 139 db airhorn, or maybe a pair of them, for the same reason.

 

I have Xenons. I dont use the DRL. I do turn my lights on in any sort of inclimate weather, on twisty roads, and of course before sunset and early mornings.
I also use them to flash a 'HELLO' to other MINIs I may come across.
If I lived in a place that had more traffic, and I thought they helped, well then, I think I might leave them on.
I also always make sure I give all motorcyclists a wide berth. I have had experience on road bikes, and it is true, many times they are not seen, or not given enough respect on the road.

 

Are the xenos' really covered under the 3/36? (wati, isn't it 3/50?). And if so, aree they also covered under the extended warnty?

 

Dealer told me that the ballasts/assembly was covered by the 4yr/50k mile warranty, and that the actual lamps were covered under the 3/36 maintenance plan.

 

Thanks. How about extended warrty?

Oh, and PS - I jsut installed the Chrome Bonnet scoop. WHAT A difference that makes, looks GREAT. Especially if you have the chrome ext package.

 

As an avid biker I think it may be the opposite. In addition to simply not seeing you drivers also subconsciously prioritize threats while driving. Vehicles they consider threats they make way for, non threatening vehicles get cut off. Over 20 years ago a motorcycle magazine did a non scientific study where they took two bikes, Kawasaki 900 or 1000’s I think, made one a black and white Cop Bike clone and set the other up as a red or orange street bike. What they found was that the much more highly visible, but obviously civilian, bike was cut off and maltreated much more than the much less visible bike that happened to look like a police bike.

For a time several years ago I drove a FedEx truck. Very seldom was I cut off or did idiots pull right in front of me. My Blazer is much smaller but still larger than most cars. They tend to not run stop signs or lights in front of it either. When I had only a single light on my bike I was always dodging cell phone talking, burger eating morons who looked right at me but didn’t actually see me because I didn’t register as a threat.

I put a set of fairly widely spaced running lights on a lightbar on either side of the headlight and the incidents of people failing to yield the right of way have fallen by at least 80%. With multiple lights I’m not so obviously a motorcycle and they have to actually look at me, and see me, to tell what I am. Once my presence has been registered on their brain almost all of them will follow the law and drive courteously.

Other, much larger, vehicles routinely driving with their lights on increases the chances that the lights might belong to a cement truck or a big Caddy rather than a non threatening motorcycle (or MINI). I think that enhances rather than diminishes the chance that the smaller vehicle will be noticed.

 

I can fully understand that some people might "prioritize threats while driving", even if doing so subconsciously. I do not. If I see a bike, no matter the bike-cop on a Harley or kid on a bulletbike, it doesnt matter, I give them all the leeway I can.
I do know what you mean though. The smaller the vehicle, the more chances you have of being overlooked. I have a commercial license, and have driven big trucks. Rarely did anyone pull out in front of me. On the other hand, with a bike...or worst in a Geo Metro-with DRL-I got pushed off the the road by 'mergers' that didnt see me, had people (at the last possible moment) pull out in front of me, got cut off, etc., on a daily basis. I have noticed that the people around here seem to give me a little more respect in the MINI, than any Geo I have driven. Maybe the thought of repairing or replacing a Geo vs. a MINI enter into their decision making subconsious? I dont know what it was, but the Geo had the DRL, and the MINIs are off. Maybe its because the MINI is always clean, and they are blinded by the sun reflecting off of it, whereas the Geo, well maybe not so clean? It would be cool to actually see data that would support either DRL or no DLR...and what factors they take into consideration.

 

don't have them on. i manually turn the headlight on when it's dark streets; when on busy street or jammed freeways.

 

I was contemplating having the dealer turn off my DRL but after reading the posts I've decided to keep the DRL on.
I leave for work pretty early on my MINI (about 645am) so my DRL definitley gets notice. I also notice I don't get cut off on the highway as often as when I had my Honda Accord. Thanks.

 

I do everything possible that can remotely improve my safety on the road. Thus, the DRL are always on. If it means having to replace my bulbs sooner, I don't care.

 

I don't use mine.
Lock/Unlock: Open all doors, lights blink
Turn signal: 3 blinks
Parking light: 10s
DRL: off.

 

Is this something that has to be programed at the dealer or can it be done by me? I've fried the wireing harness from driving months with the headlamps on with my commute. Guess the heat was too much.