Simon's new Xantia V6 and Leaf blog

[Hell Razor5543]

I would rather that DRLs were not so bright. I have seen (on a couple of occasions) cars travelling at night only using DRLs (but, as they are so bright the road is reasonable well lit in front of them), which means their rear lights are not on, and (as these cars have illuminated instrument panels) their drivers are blithe to the danger they present to vehicles coming up behind them.

[CitroJim]

I would rather that DRLs were not so bright. I have seen (on a couple of occasions) cars travelling at night only using DRLs (but, as they are so bright the road is reasonable well lit in front of them), which means their rear lights are not on, and (as these cars have illuminated instrument panels) their drivers are blithe to the danger they present to vehicles coming up behind them.

That's a very good point well made James... Explains perhaps why I have seen a good few new cars apparently driving with no lights on when approaching them from the rear...

[Stickyfinger]

DRL's are great, they can be seen in the dappled light you get a lot in my area.

I think they are a great way of being seen (like Volvo did with their lights in the 80's)

[mickeymoon]

(like Volvo did with their lights in the 80's)

yes, how many times did you hear someone in the 70s and 80s saying "Why does that Volvo have it's lights on in the day?"... proves that they work, you always noticed a Volvo..

[harryp]

I agree with DRL's although I have noticed some "super bright" ones - a tad unnecessary. I really don't know why the rear lights are not on as well. With the speedo etc in the computerised dash these days, some drivers don not seem to realise that they are driving without lights, provided there is adequate street lighting for them to see where THEY are going, quite oblivious to the fact that they are practically invisible from behind.

[Hell Razor5543]

This is where my 2004 C5 Mk1 is so much better. She has automatic headlights, where (when the ambient light drops below a pre-defined level) she will switch on the headlights by herself.

[Stickyfinger]

Auto headlamps do not always work in dappled/flickering tree shade however....A combo of both is the ideal as with the X7C5

[myglaren]

The SAAB/Volvo solution was far better than most of the DRLs, Far too many are far too bright - C3s/DS3s being about the worst of them IMO.

[white exec]

Whole ribbons of LEDs on many vehicles now - and you're right, recent Citroens among the worst.
More of a fashion statement than anything to do with simple visibility. Idiot stuff.

[bobins]

There's a handy two-and-a-little-bit page PDF from the Dept of Transport regarding the regulations and reasoning behind DRLs.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... lights.pdf

[Mandrake]

I went out and checked the lights tonight and they seem to be functioning as expected.

The round fog light at the bottom does indeed have two bulbs - a rear mounted focused bulb for the fog-light function, and a small round low wattage bulb at the bottom near the front glass for the daytime running light function.

With the motor "started" and headlights off the DRL illuminates. When I turn the main headlight stalk to side lights the DRL goes out and the tiny barely visible sidelights in the side of the main headlight cluster light up. Optionally, I can turn the fog light ring to turn on the fog lights which use the rear bulb in the fog light housing.

So, a bit disappointed, but mystery solved. Personally I find the DRL far too bright and would rather not have them. In theory I could just unplug them without affecting the fog-light as they are separate bulbs but I guess I'll just live with it.

[CitroJim]

Whole ribbons of LEDs on many vehicles now - and you're right, recent Citroens among the worst.
More of a fashion statement than anything to do with simple visibility. Idiot stuff.

I'll certainly agree with that Chris. Style and fashion over function Many DRLs I find far too bright and the glare from them I find hamper my visibility - the reverse of what they should do...

[white exec]

Simon,

Don't know if this is any use to you...
http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/Mitsubishi- ... SwKtVW0ePk

C.

[Mandrake]

Can anyone tell me what size the nylock nut is on the outer track rod end on a Xantia V6 ? (And does it differ from other Xantia's ?)

All going well the hub will be coming off the car this weekend for the extraction of a very stubborn lower ball joint and I've only just realised I don't have any replacement nylock nuts for the track rod end for reassembly!

I suppose I can put the old nut back on for the few days that it takes to order a some replacements, especially when the car is not really being driven. I have a bag full of the next two sizes up (including drop link and lower ball joint size) but not the one for the track rod.

[RichardW]

M10 AFAIK - Citroen ones are usually 16mm AF; aftermarket ones often 17mm AF. Pretty sure these are std pitch as well, not a Citroen fine pitch special.

I've got a spare set of (used) caliper bolts in case we have to sacrifice the old ones to get them out - you're supposed to replace those too....!