Day time running lights

[col996s]

Hi. The daytime running lights on my 2015 Mazda 3 Sport Nav go out when the handbrake is on. WHY?
Never had this on any car before. It is annoying in start stop traffic. Is there a fix to get around it and keep them on?

[Alfisto]

Mine do too. I suspect it's because when stood with your handbrake on you're not "running" It may also be some fob to the Ecoterrorists to reduce emissions

[UraniumSnake]

They still do with the recent face lift even after changes to the head light system (they now switch on when the car is unlocked).
I too find it annoying as the car looks good with them on and there is no system setting to keep them on all the time, just to switch them off.

I guess if there was a constant supply in the headlights you'd just need to tap into that. Other than that don't use your handbrake 

[Willpower]

This is perfectly correct and in accordance with the EU ruling    UN ECE Regulation 48     see below.


Page 65  Para 6.19.7.1.2.


                         --------------------------------------------------------

E/ECE/324/Rev.1/Add.47/Rev.9
E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.1/Add.47/Rev.9
65
6.19.6. Orientation
Towards the front.
6.19.7. Electrical connections
6.19.7.1. The daytime running lamps shall be switched ON automatically when the
device which starts and/or stops the engine (propulsion system) is set in a
position which makes it possible for the engine (propulsion system) to
operate. However, the daytime running lamps may remain OFF while the
following conditions exist:
6.19.7.1.1. The automatic transmission control is in the park position; or
6.19.7.1.2. The parking brake is in the applied position; or
6.19.7.1.3. Prior to the vehicle being set in motion for the first time after each manual
activation of the propulsion system.
6.19.7.2. The daytime running lamps may be switched OFF manually when the vehicle
speed does not exceed 10 km/h provided they switch ON automatically when
the vehicle speed exceeds 10 km/h or when the vehicle has travelled more
than 100 m and they remain ON until deliberately switched off again.
6.19.7.3. The daytime running lamp shall switch OFF automatically when the device
which starts and/or stops the engine (propulsion system) is set in a position
which makes it impossible for the engine (propulsion system) to operate or
the front fog lamps or headlamps are switched ON, except when the latter are
used to give intermittent luminous warnings at short intervals15
.
6.19.7.4. The lamps referred to in paragraph 5.11. may be switched ON when the
daytime running lamps are switched ON, except if daytime running lamps are
operating according to paragraph 6.2.7.6.2., where at least the rear position
lamps shall be activated.
6.19.7.5. If the distance between the front direction-indicator lamp and the daytime
running lamp is equal or less than 40 mm, the electrical connections of the
daytime running lamp on the relevant side of the vehicle may be such that
either:
(a) It is switched OFF; or
(b) Its luminous intensity is reduced during the entire period (both ON
and OFF cycle) of activation of a front direction-indicator lamp.
6.19.7.6. If a direction-indicator lamp is reciprocally incorporated with a daytime
running lamp, the electrical connections of the daytime running lamp on the
relevant side of the vehicle shall be such that the daytime running lamp is
switched OFF during the entire period (both ON and OFF cycle) of activation
of the direction-indicator lamp

[StevenRB45]

That is odd...

Tbf the ones on the Citroen are on even if the handbrake is on and the stop start is active.

Either no one ever uses a handbrake anymore or Mazda is the only manufacturer that read the rule book. It does make sense as a ruling, given the lights are meant to make moving vehicles easier to pick out.

[Willpower]

Mine go off when the handbrake is applied.  Makes sense really, the whole idea of running lights in the original form, was to make other road users and pedestrians aware that the vehicle was moving towards them .  Obviously not the case when the handbrake is applied or the vehicle is stationary.

[col996s]

Thanks everyone for their input.

[Engineer Andy]

Can they be either temporarily or permanently turned off?  I know that the current model's stop-start system can be, but has to be done every time your start the car.  I'd personally only use DRLs when the ambient light level is low enough that I'd be using side lights (I know they are supposed to be for parking and that you're supposed to use dipped, but most people still do this, and I think it's perfectly fine and safe coming up to dusk or soemtimes in light rain/dull weather) on my older non-DRL mk1.  Obviously I would be using dripped headlights in actual darkness/very low light conditions.

[Willpower]

Can they be either temporarily or permanently turned off?

The answer is not legally.  EU  and UK legislation dictates that they were made compulsory on all new cars from the date of the introduction.  There was never any consideration given to DRL's where fitted, being optional on/off.

[Engineer Andy]

Can they be either temporarily or permanently turned off?

The answer is not legally.  EU  and UK legislation dictates that they were made compulsory on all new cars from the date of the introduction.  There was never any consideration given to DRL's where fitted, being optional on/off.

To clarify - does this mean, like the stop-start system, you can physically turn them off manually in the car, but next time you start it up the system defaults back to 'on' again?  Its just that I've seen a lot of cars (not necessarily Mazdas) with DRLs off that are obviously quite new, and others that have had partial LED failures after seemingly a short period (1 - 2 years).  Seems an awful waste of money and battery power/bulbs outside of low light conditions or more generally in winter when the days are shorter and the weather more dull.

[Willpower]

To my knowledge. No you cannot turn them off. No there is not a turn on by default setting that you can alter.   

If you have seen "New" cars without DRL's then there are a few of scenarios.

• If the headlamps are turned on then the DRL's will extinguish, they are meant to.
  
• They will have been physically disconnected (Which is breaking the law). 
• They have suffered a bulb failure.  Also illegal and an MOT failure if submitted to an MOT in that condition.

This may be of some interest to you https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/daytime-running-lights/daytime-running-lights

Also see reply  #3  above. Regarding item 6.19.7.2. As far as I am aware Mazda have not provided a switch to manually switch the lights off. Probably working on the principle that they consider being on all the time (subject to conditions) is safer for us as drivers. 
 

[moozmooz]

Norway, Sweden and numerous other countries had DRLs, in the form of mandatory side lights during daylight hours, at least 40 years ago.