I have a 2006 Ford Escape XLT and I was wondering if there is a way to make it where the daytime running lamps aren‘t always on. I thought Daytime Running Lights (DRL) were supposed to turn off if it was sunny outside, but I guess I was wrong.
Ford Escape Daytime Running Lights
It's a great safety feature that really shouldn't be messed with. Why not disconnect the airbags too. They are pretty expensive to replace if you hit something. DRL's help other people see you and are proven effective even on sunny day's.
Unlike GM's there is no easy way (pressing of switches in a certain order) to turn off the DRL. For Ford's you are stuck with this feature, unless you want to start tampering with the LCM (lighting control module) very expensive to replace if you FUBAR it. Here's my pet peeve about DRL's-I understand they are a safety feature, but in city driving the benefits are lowered vs. country/highway driving, so there is really no use for it in that situation. Also, constant on/off of the lights (such as turning on and off the car) and high hour use of the lights means more frequent bulb replacements and a drain on the electrical system (impacting your battery and alternator). The later isn't much of an issue unless you run alot of aftermarket equipment that draws a lot of power. Also, if everyone has DRLs it's almost a pointless thing. Kinda like if everyone had HID lights. Since it just becomes an annoyance for other drivers. These are just some of the things that auto makers neglect to think of when they push these safety features on the public.
