What Are Running Lights on a Car?
Daytime running lights are low-wattage car lights designed to help other drivers see your vehicle in low-light conditions. Read this Jerry guide for more info.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- What are daytime running lights?
- What are the benefits of running lights?
- Are there any downsides to using DRLs?
- Can you add daytime running lights to your car?
- FAQs
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Daytime running lights—also called daytime running lamps and signature lights—are low-wattage, white light vehicle headlamps designed to increase road safety. They are found increasingly on new cars, and several countries have mandated their inclusion on all new vehicles.
When it comes to protecting you and your passengers, you can never have too many automotive
safety features
. Luckily, modern automakers are taking steps to ensure that each generation of new cars is safer than the last. One of the newer safety features growing in popularity is daytime running lights—designed to prevent collisions by making your vehicle more visible to other motorists.You came to the right place to find more information about running lights. Today, we'll break down everything you need to know about these safety features so yx ou can safely hit the road.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat are daytime running lights?
Older vehicles' light systems were typically limited to headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. While these lights are still in use on modern cars, they're no longer the only lights you're likely to encounter. Contemporary vehicles often have many lights—both for safety and aesthetic reasons—and one of the most prominent new lights you'll find on today's cars are daytime running lights.
Daytime running lights (DRLs) are car lights that are designed to help other drivers see your vehicle in low light conditions. Unlike headlights and high beams, which are intended to illuminate the road in front of you, the purpose of DRLs is to make other motorists aware of your car's presence.
They automatically turn on when you start your car and emit a low-wattage light, and while usually white, they can be yellow or amber. Unlike halogen headlight bulbs, DRLs are generally made with LED lights. LED DRLs are energy-efficient and provide a long-lasting, soft-white light.
Daytime running lights are located only on the front of the car—DRL systems do not have tail lights—and their strength typically falls between parking lights and low-beam headlights.
These features have increased in popularity since the '90s, and many countries have enacted laws requiring DRLs on all new vehicles. Several Scandinavian countries—like Norway, Finland, and Sweden—and Canada have laws requiring DRLs due to the seasonal lack of sunlight in these regions. While the U.S. does not currently require cars to have running lights, many manufacturers include them on newer vehicles.
What's the difference between daytime running lights, headlights, and fog lights?
The primary purpose of DRLs is to make other drivers and road users aware of your car's presence. On the other hand, headlights are designed to illuminate the road in front of you and help you avoid hazards.
Running lights are also different from fog lights. Fog lights—or fog lamps—are intended to cut through the dense fog without creating a glare. In most vehicles, there is one set of fog lights on the front of the car and one set in the rear.
Daytime running lights are not meant to function as headlights.
How do you use DRLs?
Daytime running lights are relatively simple to use. In most cars, they turn on automatically, and there is no switch to turn them off or disable the feature. However, that's not always the case, and some cars have controls that allow you to disable the automatic feature.
Check your vehicle owner's manual for model-specific information about your car and whether you have running lights, and how to use them.
What are the benefits of running lights?
Running lights provide a wide array of benefits for drivers and other road users. Let's take a look at some of the most prominent advantages of DRLs:
- They contribute to statistical reductions in accidents. According todata from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DRLs reduce the likelihood of accidents for light vans and trucks by 5.7 percent.
- They provide increased visibility in dim light conditions. When it's getting dark but still too light for headlights, DRLs can help you see oncoming traffic. They are especially useful for spotting darker-colored vehicles in low-light conditions.
- Insurance discounts. Some insurance companies will providediscountsfor drivers with DRLs installed on their vehicles.
- They're stylish. Finally, they look fantastic. While not a safety feature, many drivers like the way DRLs look, and they can definitely add a bit of flair to an otherwise boring front fascia.
Are there any downsides to using DRLs?
Not everything about daytime running lights is good. Let's explore some of the downsides to using DRLs in your car:
- They can lead to driver confusion. A top complaint about DRLs is that they're bright enough to make some drivers forget to turn on their headlights. This can be dangerous because, although other drivers may still see you, your DRLs will not illuminate the road in front of you. Additionally, your rear lights will not be on, which can contribute to accidents.
- They contribute to increased fuel consumption. DRLs add stress to the alternator, which can lead to increased fuel usage. However, this is largely negligible, thanks to the efficiency of modern LED daytime running light bulbs.
- They can be distracting. Motorcycle owners typically drive with their headlights on at all times in order to make themselves noticeable to other drivers. However, many motorcyclists claim that the use of DRLs distracts from motorcycles' headlights, decreasing their safety. Other anti-DRL advocates argue that running lights make drivers less likely to notice pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.
MORE: How to clean foggy headlights
Can you add daytime running lights to your car?
If your car does not have daytime running lights, don't worry—you can add this safety feature to basically any car using an aftermarket DRL kit.
While many of these kits are designed to be DIY projects, they do require more electrical and automotive know-how than a more straightforward project. If you are uncomfortable with electrical connections and wiring harnesses, the wisest idea is to contact a professional to install the kit for you.
How much does a DRL kit cost?
Daytime running light kits are relatively inexpensive, but the price will depend on your vehicle and location. Most DRL kits will cost between $50 and $200.
If you choose to hire a professional to install your lights, you can expect to pay an additional $75 to $150 for the labor cost.
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FAQs
Are running lights the same as headlights?
No—running lights are not the same as headlights.
Headlights are designed to illuminate the road in front of you. They help you avoid hazards and stay within your lane.
On the other hand, running lights are specifically designed to help other road users see your car in dark or low-light conditions. They are not bright enough to illuminate the road in front of you and should not be used as substitutes for working headlights.
What is the difference between parking lights and running lights?
Running lights turn on when you start your car. They are typically white and provide a low-wattage light to help your vehicle stand out in dim light conditions.
Parking lights are yellow or amber, and use the same light bulbs as your turn signals. They turn on when your car's transmission is in park, and highlight the corners of your vehicle, so passersby are aware of its presence.
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