At last Neville is sporting a pair of Daytime Running Lights! This is something that I've been trying to organise since November, when things were getting dark and dingy, but it's taken until the days are brightening - heyho, 'tis the Cumbrian way! I have to say I'm really pleased with them - they will certainly improve his visibility to other road users. One thing I'm not sure about - does the insurance company need to know and is it going to cost me a fee to 'change details'?
A woman recently had her insurance claim refused after thieves stole the sump off her car. She didn't realise she had no oil, drove the car and wrecked the engine. The reason they gave for refusing the claim was the religious (Jesus loves you) graphics she had on various panels of the car. She hadn't told her insurers and they classed the graphics as modifications and so refused the claim. Obviously the graphics had nothing to do with her sump being stolen but insurers always look for reasons not to pay out. It might be an idea to tell your insurers, daytime lights shouldn't increase your premium. Did you fit the lights yourself? If you did could you give a quick rundown of the fitting and maybe a close up picture of how they are fixed to the grill or behind it?
Hi Jules, Great mod I had a pair of DRLs fitted by an auto electrician in exactly the same place behind the front grill, they certainly get you noticed. I did not notify my insurance company & agree with the last post they improve the safety and in such a small car every little helps when getting noticed out on the road.
Well, magsjm, I had a chat with the insurers today and they decided that the DRLs are not a 'modification' (something to do with the current legislation) and didn't charge me for lowering my risk! Thank heavens - didn't want to fork out yet more dosh on this! Like you, I used a professional - don't trust my non-existent electrical skills! Cheers Badger - appreciate the thumbs up!
Hi Jules, Good to know they are all OK with the insurers, just out of interest were they fitted inside the grill? Mine were fitted inside the grill. keep up the good work
Yes indeedy, magsjm - fitted behind the grille as you suggested. The auto-electrician started to drill into what he thought was a metal bracket running behind the grille on which he wanted to mount the DRLs ... turned out it was plastic but still seemed sturdy enough to screw them on to. Hopefully it'll last the course!
Jules, did he cut the shape of the lights out of the grill or is the light shining through the grill holes? I read a tutorial on a light sellers site and they cut a slot in the grill that the light fitted into and the light was then held in place with silicone. Do your lights go off automatically when you switch on your headlights or are they wired through a switch so you have to switch them off manually? I fancy fitting some daytime lights but I don't want to cut the grill to fit them. http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/installing-aftermarket-daytime-running-lights.html
The good news, DaG, is that they are mounted behind the grille and no hole has been cut in the grille - that's simply the DRL's shining through it. One of the reasons that they are so noticeable is that I have chosen a good set of lights: Ring BRL0397 to be precise. They come complete with all the wiring and ancilliaries which ensure that the lights comply with the law so that they switch on when the engine starts and off when the headlights are switched on. Hope that helps you in making a decision!
Hi, Mine are also Ring but they come on very bright with the ignition and dim down to half the brightness when the lights a turned on.They also came complete with all wiring etc.
