With the fact that running lights significantly increase road safety, no one argues anymore, as a few years ago. In terms of providing this option, owners of foreign cars are in a better position. But what about comrades deprived of such an opportunity? It turns out that there are options, but subject to certain rules regarding the legal and technical aspects of the issue.

New paragraphs of traffic rules oblige drivers to operate vehicles in the daytime with low beam lights or daytime running lights on. The latter, of course, is preferable, but, unfortunately, this option is available only in cars that have been released relatively recently. This is where all sorts of ideas of a handmade nature arise, especially since their advantages are quite objective:

• Do-it-yourself DRL organization from a high beam requires only refinement in the form of connecting an electronic relay.
• Self-made tuning is much cheaper than buying branded lighting fixtures.
• Extend lamp life.
• Reducing the load on the generator and saving fuel.

Do not forget about the practical benefits - the car immediately becomes more noticeable, this is especially important when driving against the sun. Some lazy motorists may argue that, they say, the low beams are quite suitable for the role of running lights, except that the dimensions and the backlight of the number will be on. And, you know, if we mean the owners of "stale" models, then such thoughts are in a sense logical.

What are the rules for installing and connecting DRLs in Russia: is it possible to do this on your own?

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation has such a document as the Appendix of the Procedure for Controlling Changes to the Vehicle Design. It regulates the list of changes that do not require a conclusion, that is, they can be performed without the permission of an authorized organization. It should be noted right away that the equipment of the car with running lights is not in this list.

Thus, the rules for installing DRLs in Russia prescribe the installation of equipment only in regular places. If there are none, then you will have to obtain permission for reconstruction. For example, the owner of the VAZ 2106 is recommended to turn on the dipped beam, but in the case of self-installation of daytime lights, he violates the law. The situation is reminiscent of a and can lead to punishment, up to and including deprivation of rights.

How to get permission for reconstruction?

In order not to break the law, you need to come to the traffic police, where a base has been created for the installation of daylight lighting for almost all models of cars. It is worth considering that when choosing lighting devices on their own, traffic police officers will measure the level of their luminous flux.

In the case when the DRL is delivered even in accordance with the standards, without permission, this will be considered as unauthorized interference in the design of the car. In addition, the law fights against such violations as bottom lighting, an equalizer on glass and other lighting equipment that imitates a special signal.

Popular options for organizing daylight lighting on a car

After reading all of the above, some motorists may be upset. But in vain - there is a way out of this situation, because it is not necessary to use branded LED headlights. Light sources that can be installed independently, taking into account the technical tolerances of a certain car design, are quite suitable. There are many electrical circuits with which the system will be involved, including - everyone chooses his own option.

For example, do-it-yourself DRLs in standard headlights can be made from fog lights or at the place where they are installed. This does not require permission, it remains only to connect the system as follows:

1. Turning the ignition key turns on the running lights automatically.
2. When the headlights are turned on, the running lights turn on, except for those cases when the headlights are switched on for a short time.

Budget ways to implement daylights

• LED running lights Eagle Eye HD-202b are mounted in regular PTF plugs.
• A flexible LED strip attached around the fog lamp with double-sided tape.
• Installation of round lined luminaires in places of standard PTF attachment.
• The use of an electronic relay to control the power of standard lamps, which allows them to be used as running lights.

The latter option is quite simple to implement, so it is worth considering it in more detail.

How to make do-it-yourself DRL on Priore from high beam headlights using a relay?

Application of electronic relay DXO-30 makes it possible to turn on high-beam lamps only at 30% of their full power. This is enough to use them as running lights. They turn on when the ignition is on, the dimensions are off and the handbrake is released. The relay is installed in place of the standard microprocessor device and connected using the following technology:

• Disconnect the ground terminal from the battery.
• Open the cover of the relay box, remove it with your own hands from the high beam relay socket K7 and install DRL 30 in his place.
• Unscrew the screws securing the instrument panel frame and remove the instrument cluster by pressing the latch.
• Route the relay wires under the panel so that the ends are at the level of the instrument connector.
• Connect the wires using connectors according to the diagram.
• Connect the connector and battery ground terminal.

After completing the work, check the operation of the electronic relay in the following sequence:

• Turn on the ignition and put the car on the handbrake - the lamps should not burn.
• Release the handbrake lever - the indication and high-beam lamps should light up half-heartedly (30%).
• Blink with distant headlights - the lamps should light up at full strength, and then return to 30%.
• Turn on the dimensions - the lights should go out.
• Turn on the high beam - the lamps should be 100% lit.
• Turn off the ignition - the lamps should go out.

If the lights burn at full power immediately after connecting the ground, it is necessary to swap terminals 30 and 87 in the mounting block.

Modernization of standard lamps with the help of an electronic relay eliminates the hassle of installing additional lamps. In addition, the load on the generator is reduced and the operational life of lighting fixtures is extended. If necessary, you can easily return to the stock connection.