Halo and Headlight Operation Question

[5th_GEN_SS]

about headlights and halos @ night...

if turning the knob to the left turns off the day time runninf lights..
then turning the knob to the right leaves on the halos
couldnt you just do this @ night to kill the hids?
or would the comp over ride it? and turn the headlights on as well...

[CanadianCamaro]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

To answer your questions.

Once the car is started, turning the headlight knob to the left (it will spring back) shuts off the Daytime running lights (which are the lights that look like Fog Lamps) -- if you click the knob to the right one click, the halos come on.......just the halos........






...............which tends to make most mustangs 'squeak'........



That's the way I drive 130 all the time (other than when it gets dark....)

Just to add to that (if I may) I think in Canada the DRLs come back on when you put it in gear after turning the knob to the left (legal issue - at least that's how my Avy is programed). I'd love to be corrected on this however .

Usually one click to the right (clockwise) is parking lights. So one click to the right, halos on, parking lights on too?

[CommandoSS]

Originally Posted by 5th_GEN_SS

about headlights and halos @ night...

if turning the knob to the left turns off the day time runninf lights..
then turning the knob to the right leaves on the halos
couldnt you just do this @ night to kill the hids?
or would the comp over ride it? and turn the headlights on as well...

On current GM vehicles (at least, in my 05 Avalanche), if you turn the knob to the LEFT (to OFF) at night, ALL of the headlights will be turned off. The car will beep at you to let you know that you are a dumb ass but all of the lights will remain off.

[CamaroSkooter]

Are people these days really so spoiled that they need their car to turn their headlights on for them when it's dark/raining outside?

It's just a switch. There's nothing complicated. And the father has already confirmed that the halos can be run by themselves. What else do we need?

[CanadianCamaro]

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

Are people these days really so spoiled that they need their car to turn their headlights on for them when it's dark/raining outside?
It's just a switch. There's nothing complicated. And the father has already confirmed that the halos can be run by themselves. What else do we need?

In a word - yes. I have had it on my last 3 vehicles and I love the feature. No wondering "did I turn off the lights?" 1 fewer distraction while driving and increased safety. I think it s/b mandatory. I come across about 2 dumba$$'s per week coming home late at night that "think" they have their headlights on when in fact it's just their DRL's (so no tails). I flash my lights or beep at them and they look at me like I'm stupid!

[CamaroSkooter]

In this case, ignorance is not bliss. I've seen a lot of bad accidents because someone thinks their DRL's are going to do everything for them and they end up being almost invisible in bad weather.

Whenever I get in a different or new car, figuring out how the headlights work is always the first thing I do....followed by adjusting mirrors. Isn't that common sense?

It almost seems like there's a serious lack these days in quality driver's education. But I guess the same could be said for education in general. /rant

[jstein]

I agree with you on the lack of driving education, there is no driving test to get a license anymore unless requested by a parent and honestly Driver's Ed. was just look for the answers in a text book and then do the driving times.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

Do the HID's automatically come on at night in this setting or does the knob need to be in another position?

Pretty much what I want to be able to do is drive with the halo's on during the day and have the HID's come on at night without having to change the knob every time.

If you leave the knob in the 'auto' position -- the HID Headlamps will come on at dusk.

If you have put it in the first position -- just to turn the halos on manually, I don't believe the HIDs come on.......you have to turn them on manually.

[CanadianCamaro]

Agree 100% CamaroSkooter (on all comments). Fortunately GM seems to have a good system for their automatic lights. I laugh when I'm on the highway and I see the lights turning on and off on certain other cars (makes shall remain nameless) everytime they go under a bridge! And similarly I see many that don't turn on their lights in bad whether. Mine seem to come perfectly - even in a day-time snow storm. But a couple times I've turned them on manually.

[CanadianCamaro]

Originally Posted by jstein

I agree with you on the lack of driving education, there is no driving test to get a license anymore unless requested by a parent and honestly Driver's Ed. was just look for the answers in a text book and then do the driving times.

HUH!?!??? Seriously? Is this just Tx? Here we now have graduated licensing which in a nut shell means multiple writen and driving tests over a long period of time with driving restrictions until you have your full license (like number of occupants under a certain age, highway driving, time of driving I think - not sure of all the details - I was before graduated licensing). No practicle test? That's crazy!

[CamaroSkooter]

I love my '95 S-10 Blazer. No DRL's and the fog lights have their own switch.

Sadly, everything these days has to be "idiot-proofed" to keep the manufacturer's rear ends covered legally. I think it sucks, but what can you do?

As far as the driving test goes, I have no idea. I got my license back in '99, and the laws have changed considerably since then. I'm pretty sure kids these days now have to go through a graduated licensing system as well...

[jstein]

How it works is, take a test either written or on computer to get a permit at age 15 while enrolled at a Driver's Ed. "school." You must have a permit for 6 months and be 16 and complted your Driver's Ed. class and simply go to the DPS office with the paperwork and bam there's your license. As long as you pass the vision test.

My mom drives a LeSabre which by all means I think is an old person car but reguardless the auto on/off for the lights works great and the automatic windshield wipers are pretty cool.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

If you leave the knob in the 'auto' position -- the HID Headlamps will come on at dusk.

If you have put it in the first position -- just to turn the halos on manually, I don't believe the HIDs come on.......you have to turn them on manually.

Thanks Scott.

Looks like I'll have to get use to turning the knob then:(

[Hylton]

Sounds like the amber lights are for hazzards and signalling only on the RS cars. Am I correct?