Save on lighting

As early as 2011, new vehicles will be equipped with LED daytime running lights. However, now every driver can install them. However, you will have to pay at least a few hundred zlotys for this.

For several years now, we have been required to drive at a traffic light XNUMX hours a day. Basically, we use low beam headlights for this. Their disadvantage is the high power consumption, which in turn increases fuel consumption. The solution is to use specially designed daytime running lights, also known as DRLs (Daytime Running Lights).

Halogen lamps are not used in DRLs. The illumination of the road here does not matter much. It is only important that our car be seen. This is why DRL headlights are much smaller and produce less glare.

“The benefits of installing daytime running lights are clear,” says Marcin Koterba from Toyota Alan Auto in Wroclaw. – After all, light bulbs change much less often, fuel consumption is lower and carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere are lower.

Instead of conventional incandescent lamps, LEDs are used. They emit an intense light that drivers and passers-by cannot miss. The concept of using LEDs for the exterior lighting of vehicles is nothing new, but so far it has mostly been limited to rear lights and, above all, an additional brake light.

Lanterns of this type do not wear out quickly, their service life is estimated at 250 6. kilometers. Therefore, when we choose LEDs, we save a lot. The reduction in power consumption is also significant - these headlights consume 9-100 watts compared to 130-XNUMX watts when using standard low beam.

– Installation and purchase of new lamps costs up to PLN 800. Therefore, rarely does anyone decide to replace the dipped headlights with LEDs. In addition, more and more vehicles are equipped with such lighting at the factory,” explains Marcin Koterba.

LEDs are also small in size, which allows flexible design of the car exterior. Additional lamps can be placed, for example, on the front bumper. According to the regulations, the distance between the lamps must be at least 60 cm, and the height from the road surface - from 25 to 150 cm.

Until 2009, Polish regulations required the parking lights to be switched on when driving with daytime running lights. This was contrary to EU law. The situation was changed by the order of the Minister of Infrastructure of 4 May 2009, which amended the current regulations, adapted to European legal standards.

Daytime running lights must carry the E approval mark. However, not all LED daytime running lights can be used legally. For example, some lamps from Taiwan with E4 approval but without RL do not meet any standards. Also, they are not sealed.

The European Commission wants LED daytime running lights to be mandatory for all vehicles manufactured after 2011.