This wait is killing me. My car is currently in the body shop stage of the build process and it seems like forever (it's only been 2 weeks since I ordered, LOL). I've already read through the owners manual and I noticed that there is a section that talks about Daytime running lights. I didn't know the Mini had them. I was thinking that it may only apply to Canadian models but I thought I'd ask here.

Are there DRL's on the Mini? If yes, which bulbs are they? Are the DRL's the main headlights? Or is it like some VWs where there is a "city" light.

 

unless it has changed recently

the DRL in a gen2 is an owner programmable option

in Canada it is a requirement and in the US an option

US you can turn it on and off (on a GEN2)

 

On my '08, having the DRLs on simply keeps all exterior lights on all the time, including heads, tails, sidemarker, and license plate lights. With DRL active, the only lights that turn on and off automatically according to the level of light outside are the dash and mood lights (assuming you have auto-lights).

 

They have DRLs, it's the light above the fog light.

 

thanks for the replies. Yes, I saw where you can turn them off. I don't mind having them, in fact, like having them. I just didn't want them to be the headlights on all the time. I would think that would not be good for the HID ballasts.

 

yes you can program them to be on or off. I turned mine off but I can always just keep the headlight switch on. The cars lights turn off when you turn the car off.

 

Do the DRL's come on when you turn the foglights on or do you have to manually turn on the DRL's or have them programmed to be "on". In other words, when do the DRL's come on?

 

On mine the DRLs are the regular headlights. It's a user programmable option and if you set them for "on", they come on when you put the car in gear. Nothing to do with the foglights.

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/c...Picture008.jpg

I put these on as DRL. I don't really want to drive around with my lights on.
It decreased the close calls by a lot.

 

Is there any negative to driving around with my regular headlights on as DRLs?

 

Other than your bulbs burning out sooner, no issues at all. Or if you have HID's, then your ballasts could go out sooner.

I like daytime running lights if they are separate bulbs.

 

I am convinced it detracts from your tail lights.

I've been rear ended 6 times in my life.
One time, really bad.

I have blinking third lights in all my cars, plus, LEDs, which fill the
lenses much better and are about twice as bright. I did not buy the
cheapo LEDs either. $200 a bumper. Those "superbrights" at an advertised
website, are not.

It seems this effort would be diminished if I use my lights all the time.

 

Are you guy serious when you think that the bulbs OR the Ballasts Will last shorter if you are using the mainlight as DRL ??? In Sweden it is à law since 30 years and I have never lost à bulb or à ballastfunction and I drives about 50.000 km /year since 1983..