What's DRL intensity on Canadian M5's?

[mfish23]

Hi all,

Bought a new Mazda 5 and will need to take it into Canada to visit family a few times a year. So, I'll probably end up installing DRLs. Canadian M5's are on the low beam, but what is the intensity, 75%, 50%? I'd rather play by DRL rules... Any info is great. Thanks.

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

You won't need DRLs to visit Canada, there are plenty of cars driving around the Great White North without them.

 

[Tsuru]

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being pulled over because their DRL's weren't working. I drove a Ford with a busted DRL control circuit from 2005 to 2010 without a single hassle. Since you'll be wearing out of country plates I doubt the cops would even look at you twice if your lights were off during the day.

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

To be clear, the DRL law in Canada is not a concern to visitors, only Canadians, and only during inspection of the car (and only if required by your province). You will not be subjected to scrutiny by any police or government officials. If you are still concerned about it, just turn on your lights! Otherwise enjoy driving in Canada.

 

[Tsuru]

To be clear, the DRL law in Canada is not a concern to visitors, only Canadians, and only during inspection of the car (and only if required by your province).

...and sometimes not even then. That same Ford passed a provincial safety inspection with no DRL's.

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

Which makes you wonder about the validity of the inspections, eh?

BC used to have province wide official inspections, along with expensive buildings and unionized staff back in the late 70s & early 80s. I had a 1967 Barracuda that passed the "safety test", and the ball joint failed within a block of leaving their property! Sheesh!

 

[SleepyMSP]

yeah I wouldn't be worried but if you need to know the DRL runs the lights at 7v instead of the full 12v

 

[skyhawk]

To be clear, the DRL law in Canada is not a concern to visitors, only Canadians, and only during inspection of the car (and only if required by your province). You will not be subjected to scrutiny by any police or government officials. If you are still concerned about it, just turn on your lights! Otherwise enjoy driving in Canada.

I have not tried this but:

If your mazda5 has the automatic headlights on/off, locate the ambient light sensor and maybe put a tape to cover it. Car will think its night time
and will turn on your headlights.. and tail lights for even more visibility.
Then you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn off the headlights
everytime.

 

[Tsuru]

Which makes you wonder about the validity of the inspections, eh?

BC used to have province wide official inspections, along with expensive buildings and unionized staff back in the late 70s & early 80s. I had a 1967 Barracuda that passed the "safety test", and the ball joint failed within a block of leaving their property! Sheesh!

Actually the more I think about it I don't think the Manitoba safety form has a DRL section on it. I feel your pain with the ball joint. With the same Ford the safety checklist indicated that the ball joints in the front needed work for the first inspection and that it had been fixed by the time they brought it back. Guess what I ended up replacing within 6 months of that inspection? I too remember the "inspection stations" that would be setup. I seem to remember my Mother's '78 Acadian being on a dynamometer for some reason.

 

[mfish23]

Awesome! Thanks so much for all of the information. I just assumed that DRLs had to be on every car, even out of country ones. Thanks again!

 

[DKaz]

I wonder if lack of DRLs has ever played a role in determining the driver at fault during certain collisions.

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

I have never heard of such a thing. I have a friend that works for Corporate ICBC, and I'll ask her.

Personally I think that DRLs are a bunch of hooey. Motorcycles have had them for decades, and still constantly get mowed over by inattentive drivers. Though they may improve dawn and dusk visibility. I sure have seen lots of people driving around at night with only the DRLs on (I've done this myself!), so whatever improvement in visibility they may offer during daylight, gets zeroed out otherwise.

One of the neatest features of my 5 is the Auto-on headlights. I love them!

 

[mfish23]

I have never heard of such a thing. I have a friend that works for Corporate ICBC, and I'll ask her.

Personally I think that DRLs are a bunch of hooey. Motorcycles have had them for decades, and still constantly get mowed over by inattentive drivers. Though they may improve dawn and dusk visibility. I sure have seen lots of people driving around at night with only the DRLs on (I've done this myself!), so whatever improvement in visibility they may offer during daylight, gets zeroed out otherwise.

One of the neatest features of my 5 is the Auto-on headlights. I love them!

I wish I had the auto headlights, but I wanted a 5-speed. I know that Hamsar sells an automatic headlight kit with a sensor...I wonder if that would work with the 5?

I'm not a huge fan of DRLs either, however, we now have a silver/gray M5 that is virtually invisible on a gray day. Combine that with most cars that do have DRLs and ours is a target waiting to get hit! So, I like the idea of having a "level playing field" so not so stellar drivers actually see me and my 2 kids. I can see now why some people don't use headlights at night and just DRLs. Took our M5 out at night for the first time and the dash lights up like at night with the lights off.

I've ordered a DRL kit from GNU Industries www.commandoalarms.com. This one activates the low beams at 50% instead of the brighter 75%; I hate bright DRLS. I was thinking of doing the high beam DRLs, but low beams are fine for me. Will post how-to once I install it.

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

Did they stop offering the auto-on lights with MT 5s? My '06 GT is MT and has both the auto-on lights and wipers.

 

[joeym509]

I wish I had the auto headlights, but I wanted a 5-speed. I know that Hamsar sells an automatic headlight kit with a sensor...I wonder if that would work with the 5?

I'm not a huge fan of DRLs either, however, we now have a silver/gray M5 that is virtually invisible on a gray day. Combine that with most cars that do have DRLs and ours is a target waiting to get hit! So, I like the idea of having a "level playing field" so not so stellar drivers actually see me and my 2 kids. I can see now why some people don't use headlights at night and just DRLs. Took our M5 out at night for the first time and the dash lights up like at night with the lights off.

I've ordered a DRL kit from GNU Industries www.commandoalarms.com. This one activates the low beams at 50% instead of the brighter 75%; I hate bright DRLS. I was thinking of doing the high beam DRLs, but low beams are fine for me. Will post how-to once I install it.

I can;t locate the drl kit on the link you provided. Could you please provide a direct link as I am interested in adding them to my 5. Thanks!

 

[mfish23]

The actual link is (http://www.commandoalarms.com/itm100035.htm). For some reason, it doesn't come up on the site, but they still sell it, as I was able to purchase it.

 

[joeym509]

The actual link is (http://www.commandoalarms.com/itm100035.htm). For some reason, it doesn't come up on the site, but they still sell it, as I was able to purchase it.

Cool that worked, thanks! Have you installed your yet? I would love to know how you like it and even better some install description of how you put it in and pics would be very awesome!