Our factory xenons... burn out if used as running lights?

PlatinumGraph

In my area, people act as though "platinum graphite" is "asphalt" which has led to constantly having to dodge cars that don't see me (lots of oncoming traffic trying to pass, then seeing me at the last minute as I'm doing evasive maneuvers... white of their eyes distances). So I've taken to turning my factory Xenons on for every drive. Is this bad for them? I'd hate to have them burn out early.

Do any of you do this too, or has anyone found a better way to use easily visible running lights during the day without using the xenons?

Thanks guys.

kenchan

canadian Z's have DRL's, no? if so, would the dealer be able to program your car so that your highbeams are on with <1/2 the power?

KanataZ

This is a good question for anyone who has imported a US car into Canada.

DRL's are required here so they would have had to equip their Zed with them.

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Also drives: '01 Maxima AE 5sp, Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom

ShinyBlueZ

I saw a few 370's imported from the US here. I asked the salesman and he told me that they just rewire the headlights so they come on when the car starts. The owner's manual (and a couple places online) claim there's a separate daytime lamp and then there are the Xenons for night time to prolong their life. But I looked (and took pics) and the DRL's seem to just be the Xenons am I right? Unless Xenons and non-Xenons can exist in the same bulb/lamp lol

A few pics of my DRLs in the other thread:

New Z owner from Canada =D

To the OP though.. my buddy's Mitsubishi Lancer is wired so his Xenons are on day and night whenever the car is running. It's been over 3 years and he's only replaced them once, so I don't think we need to be too worried about them burning out too quickly

azn370z

I'm surprised other drivers don't see you. I live in cloudy and rainy Seattle and haven't had any problems. I'm sure drivers wouldn't miss seeing you if you had the led drl. I don't think the hid bulbs are hard to replace if it burns out. Just turn them on.

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2010 k23
H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

Chteelers

I have my low beams on every time I drive, in every vehicle. I have not noticed burn-outs any more frequently than before I started this practice 10 years ago. And if they are burning out sooner, the difference is so slight that I don't notice it. I think the safety advantage of being more visible (potential accident costs) is far greater than any additional lamp replacement cost ($60-80).

B&W_Evader

Those LED headlight mods might be the ticket. Saw something on them in the DIY section.

supunna_picta

IIRC the manual says something about frequently turning the lights off and on will decrease their lifespan but nothing about the impact of them spending more time in the on position. I guess let us know when your first burn out occurs

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kenchan

how long do those LED's last though... would suck if you have to keep opening up your lamps every year or so especially on a dd prone to rain/snow/ice/extreme temps.

i dont trust aftermarket bulbs.

i suppose if you dont use your high beams all that much, you can maybe unplug the factory harness to the high beam, get a lower wattage bulb in there and wireup new leads with relay so that it turns on as soon as your accessory is on.

if you can find the lower wattage bulb, should be very easy to do. maybe put a wedge and make an adapter or something...

GaleForce

The DRL are the front headlights. My car is a US model imported to Canada and has the DRL mod done to it to appease RIV. I found a fuse tied to the battery, did some investigating and found it is wired to the IPDM E/R. There is a location for DRL's in the IPDM E/R. Start looking at PCS-21 in the service manual. It's location is terminal #6 (R) in the E5 plug it is an input. I don't believe any programming by the dealership is required.

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kenchan

GaleForce

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11Thumper

Can anyone translate? I read pictures in EVERY language FYI

GaleForce

I made a link, http://db.tt/PwJE659u you will find everything PCS related including the IPDM E/R, it's pin outs, what they do in what "state". If you're at all handy with schematics and electronics, this will help. Reference my previous post for locations of where to start looking.

Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

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juicypinkkk

I'm still in for whether DRL's use the xenon headlights, and if so how long have any of you Canadians lasted on these headlights?