I was surprised to find that my (and evidently all other) '04 Zs don't have Daytime Running Lights. This eliminates the possibility of obtaining yet another insurance safety deduction. I was under the impression that since 2000 DRLs were required on ALL cars either manufactured or imported into the United States.

Does anyone know if the DRL absence is relegated only to the Zs or it is true of all Nissan automobile products?

 

There is no regulation for DRLs in the states. Canada requires all new cars to be equipped with daytime running lights. This is a stupid ill conceived idea from General Motors to standarize all North American cars. Only a few picked up on it. Volvo, some Toyotas and GM seem to be the biggest. Just be thankful that you don't have it---because the little insurance savings that you think you may get, would be quickly eaten up by the cost of replacing your xenon headlights every 6 months.

 

Not at all true...

The DRLs run on the high-beams, which are standard halogens.

 

Being in Canada you would know better as to how Nissan lights up the DRLs. Every car company does it differently. Some use the turn signal/parking lights and some have a separate light altogether and as you state, some use the high beams. In the states, there are no DRLs at all on any Nissans---and that is just fine with me. I won't even take a rental car that has DRLs on it. I avoid Avis because they rent mostly GM, and use Hertz because they use a large percentage of Fords.

 

does DRL really make it safer?

 

Safer? Don't know. It is definitely more visible. Try drive with your head lights on during the day and see quickly people will tell you that you left the lights on.

 

Why would you NOT want DRLs? I mean, aside from burning out Xenons (which is not the case for us), there are only benefits and increased safety with DRLs. Especially when you're driving into the sun: When a car is coming at you from the opposite direction (driving out of the sun) with it's lights on, it's MUCH easier to see.