10

I've noticed in several new vehicles the following scenario:

  1. Vehicle is traveling with LED day-time running lights around/adjacent to the headlights
  2. Vehicle activates turn signal indicator
  3. Vehicle shuts off LED running light while turn signal indicator is flashing
  4. LED running lights turn on once the turn signal indicator stops

Here are the cars I've seen seen this happen:

  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • Audi Q5
  • Kia Sportage
  • Ford Focus

Why don't the LED running lights stay on while the turn signal is on?

Trevor D
  • 1,193
  • 4
  • 12
  • 20

3 Answers3

16

The main purpose for this is so other drivers can see your turn signal. The LED lights are so intense, they do not allow the oncoming driver to be able to see the turn signal. By turning the LEDs off, it becomes readily apparent.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
  • 165,084
  • 32
  • 259
  • 508
1

I've read in this blog that if you place the DRLs away from the turn signal, then you would not need to turn of the DRLs when turning. I agree with this approach. Cars lose a lot of style points when they seem lopsided with one part of the DRLs turned off.

In fact there are many cars that do not have this issue.

I would go one step further and say that it is lazy or poor design. Take your pick.

Brian O'Reilly
  • 11
  • 1
-1

It is distracting and I believe it's a safety issue due to bad design. It's easy to design a light that has the led daytime driving light in another location that still allows the turn signal to perform properly. I have already seen many new cars with LED daytime running lights that do not require the light to turn off, to see the turn signal.

Call it what it is. Bad design.

Brian
  • 1