Yes, some insurance companies give a discount for DRL's. USAA gives me a $3 discount every 6 months. Hardly worth it. But, I do agree they might help to prevent a collision. Apparently, the insurance companies agree also, but the reduction of risk is very small.

 

Wow 0.9 MPG is a big hit for headlights being on. That would mean DRL's would be about 0.45 MPG hit. 0.9 MPG seems a bit high IMO but if its what the Ford Techs said...

NJM gives 1% off collision

 

200 watt hours gives you 1 mile of EV drive.

So running 200 watts of lights for 1 hour would take away 1 mile of "free" drive distance. Running 200 watts of lights would deplete your battery by 50% in 1 hour... which can only be recharged by burning more gasoline.

-John

 

John, it adds up. Now figure 10k+ miles a year at $3 and see how much you saved.

When I'm removing roof racks, pumping up tires to the max and driving like a grandma, do you think I'm going to want DL's?

 

You won't find DRL on my car either.
I even switched to LED tail-lamps.
Let's say that saves me 50 watts.
That's one-quarter mile of "free" gas per hour.
Use 35 MPG as an average.
Use 50% driving at night.

That's 357 "free" miles worth of gas each 100,000 miles. ( if 50,000 are at night ).

Not huge, but not insignificant either.
DRL would be about double that, or cost you about 700 miles every 100,000.
( you'll buy 2 more tanks every 100,000 miles )

 

Why do daytime running lights provide additional safety? I don't get it.

 

It's not about whether you hit some other vehicle. It's about reducing the chance that someone else will hit you.

If the other driver sees your car, he/she is less likely to run into it. DRL's help the other driver to see your car. It is very hard to see a gray car on a drizzling, overcast, gray day, even if you are paying attention. Other colors are also harder to see on dull overcast days, especially at dusk or dawn. And, many drivers forget to turn their lights on at dusk, until it is fully dark.

 

Based on your figures, DRL, which run at 50% power, reduce FE by .45 MPG - about 1/2 of 1%. This is acceptable to me in return for the additional insurance premium reduction and my belief that DRL increase visibility and safety.

I called up USAA, and they ALREADY HAD the DRL on my policy - the agent I spoke with said they probably picked it up from the vehicle ID information.

 

Check in the fuse box. On the HCH all you have to do is pull a 15 amp fuse. H

 

The FEH is a FORD product, it has to be programmed at the SMJ. Pulling fuses is not advised.