What are HUD and DRL?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by evebill8, Feb 29, 2012.

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  1. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    But headlight drl's are not as bright as the headlights themselves, they are reduced wattage when acting as drl's.

    Or do you mean just running your actual headlights as daytime ruining lights... Probably that one lol. I personally hate when people run their headlights during the daytime, just me.

    EVO 4G ?.
     
    #21 Paradox, Mar 1, 2012
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  2. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    DOT/NHTSA has concluded that the effects of DRL are not statistically significant for passenger cars and a 5.7% reduction for light trucks/vans. There's actually negative consequences for pedestrians and motorcyclists.

    Regulations.gov

    In which case, I'm not sure of the purpose DRLs which are supposed to be used when there is plenty of ambient light.

    Where it has been helpful is in Scandinavian countries where it is routinely dark during the daytime in winter.
    I'm not sure why if it is dark, why normal headlights aren't used, b/c, well, it's dark.

    I don't know if WA is comparable to Scandinavian countries. But if it is comparably dark, I would think using regular headlights should as good or better than DRLs.
     
    #22 ryogajyc, Mar 1, 2012
  3. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    DRL are required in Canada, right? I wonder if there is a good reason, or is it simply bureaucratic inertia.:confused:
     
    #23 CharlesH, Mar 1, 2012
  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    My previous car had DRL. It runs the highbeam with 1/3 the power. It is visible to other cars even under the sun light.
     
    #24 usbseawolf2000, Mar 2, 2012
  5. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    Yes. That's what I do. In Canada it's required by law, and I like the idea, so I do it here, too.

    The latitude of Oslo is 60 degrees north. Spokane is just north of 47 degrees north. So WA is not as far north, and not dark in the daytime, though the sun sets early in winter. But after sundown you're required to use headlights.

    I have no idea whether running the high beam headlights at 1/3 power makes you more or less visible than running the low beans at full power. I suppose it uses a little less power, but again I doubt it's much different. Headlights just don't use all that much power. In the Tesla all the lights are LEDs anyway, and in the Prius maybe my 7-hour drive up to Canada would use a tablespoon less gas without the lights.

    I find that cars with their headlights on during the day are more visible than cars with them off. I want to use less gas, but not at the cost of safety.
     
    #25 daniel, Mar 2, 2012
  6. iRun26.2

    iRun26.2 New Member

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    I really thought I would love to have the 'Heads Up Display'. I wanted to see it and the Softtex (fake leather) on the Advanced Trim in person before considering it over the Base Trim that I ordered. So I went and saw a 2012 Prius 4 with the solar roof option at a local dealer.

    I didn't like either and actually thought that the HUD was annoying. That, and the fact that I think the Advanced Trim is overpriced, finalized my decision to keep the Base Trim I originally ordered.
     
    #26 iRun26.2, Mar 2, 2012
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    There's good reason for that (although if you're in Toronto, you may think there isn't since they're fairly far south compared to the rest of us and Canada is a huge country that spans many latitudes).

    Ever since I've moved farther north, DRLs have become much more apparent and I can see why nordic countries use them. During the day in the dead of winter, it's a blessing as you can't rely on the other drivers on turning on their headlights because it's the middle of the day, never mind that the sun is low on the horizon and you can only see a big black shadow coming towards you if they don't have DRLs. And remember, that's driving south, not east or west, where the sun is in your eyes (think about it)

    DRLs aren't usually as bright as low beams (unless they actually are low beams like the smart fortwo or certain Audis before their use of LED DRLs that ran the full headlights as DRLs).

    They're usually high beams at reduced intensity (because high beams are pointed up to shine further down the road) so that they're visible from afar or they're really bright amber lights (that double as parking lights or indicators).

    If you've ever seen any LED DRLs (like those on the Lexus, Kia and Audi models), you'll know they're really really bright.
     
    #27 Tideland Prius, Mar 4, 2012
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