[mikev]

Is anyone aware of an aftermarket kit for modifying US Odysseys to have DRLs like the Canadian version? I've been told about a company called Hamar Diversco that makes DRL kits, but they currently have nothing available for an Odyssey.

Much thanks,

Mike

 

[chan_man]

I just leave my lights on, the EX has a circuit to turn off the lights after after a certain amount of time when the ignition is off.

 

[darelldd]

It would be nice to NOT have all the dash and marker lights burning during the day though.

- Darell

 

[odypinoy]

The Helm shop manual's electrical section shows a module for the DRL. My guess is that if you order this module from a Canadian dealer then install it yourself then you will get true DRLs. I was planning on doing this but decided the cost was not worth it.

 

[Saltygarfy]

Hi, I'm from Canada and I don't use my DRL at all. I just leave my lights on all the time. With the EX, when I lock my car with the remote all the lights goes off. I prefer the regular lights on instead of the dimmer DRL, and my rear lights are on too. I've been driving with my lights on way before DRL were mandated in Canada ( I started in about 1980). Just my 2 cents worth.

Centre Honda in Toronto, Ontario is willing to ship items to the US. You can reach them at 416-364-8040 (parts), www.centrehonda.com.

Regards,

Paul

 

[jimblock]

I have a 2000 EX NAV and I had daytime running lights installed when I bought it. The dealer installed them for about $180, but my alarm guy would have done it for about $90.

This is NOT the same as the Honda DRL for Canadian models (unfortunately) -- it is a simple add-on. The full headlights are on whenever the car is running but no taillights.

I got them for safety and I do get a very small insurance discount -- about $25 a year.

 

[odypinoy]

jimblock, can you provide some details on how your dealer wired the DRLs? Seems like the insurance discount pays off after a few years. Thanks.

 

[1ODY2NV]

jim block

Which dealer did you use.

I am getting my car at Nardy Honda

 

[errol]

Hi ya folks,

Same as saltygarfy. I've been driving with the headlights on since my trip to Jax, FL in '87. There was a sign on I-95 about turning on the headlights. It dawned on me then that that was a good idea ... way before I even learned about DRLs.

I've been driving my cars with the lights on ever since. My wife has been doing the same thing. If it helps make me more visible to other cars and hence preventing accidents, then a few bucks spent replacing lights is well worth it. You can't put a price on one's safety especially if your driving with your loved ones.

Thanks,
Errol

------------------
Keohi Web Design
Keohi HDTV

 

[1ODY2NV]

Errol,
I agree. I went to school in Upstate NY and have been doing it since 1984.

My wife doesn't alway remember this which is why I want DRLs when she drives our kids!!!

 

[chan_man]

I drove with lights on on a Jeep for the last 4 years. It had full auto headlights but I placed a piece of electrical tape over the photo detector so the lights would always stay on. The only draw back is the headlights will go out sooner. Two sets after 80k miles.

 

[ckonarske]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by chan_man:
I drove with lights on on a Jeep for the last 4 years. It had full auto headlights but I placed a piece of electrical tape over the photo detector so the lights would always stay on. The only draw back is the headlights will go out sooner. Two sets after 80k miles. </font>

That's odd. I've driven with my headlights on at all times for as long as I can remember and haven't found any correlation with headlights burning out sooner.

In my experience, it just seems to have something to do with the individual car. We had one Camry and one Celica that seemed to go through headlights like crazy, but they were both my wife's cars and didn't get the "headlight on" treatment near as much as mine did, and I can't remember the last time I replaced a headlight on one of my own vehicles. Go figure.

On the other hand, I wish I had stock in a company who makes bulbs for my fog lamps because I've gone through a LOT of them.

(Not on the Ody so far, though.)



------------------
Chuck
Click here for Ody pics, mods and fixes on FotoTime.

 

[jimblock]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by odypinoy:
jimblock, can you provide some details on how your dealer wired the DRLs? Seems like the insurance discount pays off after a few years. Thanks.</font>

Unfortunately, I don't know any details. The Odyssey was purched in 9/1999 -- one of the first 2000 models. The dealer was Honda City in Levitown, NY (Long Island). I got the 2000 EX NAVI for MSRP through Autobytel and luck -- no one on their waiting list had specified a Navigation System.

The dealer did not push any options, although they offered them, but at too high a price. They did push add-on DRL -- in fact they mistated that NY State law was going to require them. I checked and knew that claim was false but I did want them, and knew I'd get a small insurance discount. (I believe the dealer was pushing DRL on all Honda sales, not just Odyssey.)

The kit was installed before delivery and my insurer accepted it once they received the invoice stating it had been installed.

I thought they were adding the Honda DRL feature, but not so -- it does work though. When the ignition is on, so are the headlights, but not tailights or dash lights (The Navigation System also correctly thinks the headlights are off, so it does not dim.) If I turn on the headlights, the tail light and amber running lights go on as does dash lighting. There is a small green LED installed to remind you that DRL are on. It goes out when regular headlights are turned on.

The true Honda (Canadian) DRL are a little smarter -- if the car is in park and the parking brake is pressed the headlights go out. And I think they run the headlights dimmer than full lighting. It also iluminates something in the dash (I think the bright light symbol) to remind you DRL is on. (All this info is from the Owners manual.)

The dealer charged about $160 for DRL including installation. I had a non-Honda but integrated alarm added the day I picked up the car and my alarm installer told me that he could have added DRL for about $85.

Only annoyance: when parked, if I keep the ignition on, the headlights stay on, but this is NOT true in the accessory position that runs the radio and Nav system.

Would I do it again, YES. Would I have the dealer install -- NO. But I think many alarm shops can add it for you.

 

[jimblock]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 1ODY2NV:
jim block

Which dealer did you use.

I am getting my car at Nardy Honda</font>

As I posted above, I got my 2000 Ody EX NAV from Honda City in Levittown. I do live in Smithtown (where Nardy is) and have bought my 1994 Acord EX there. I also bought a HondaCare Extended Warranty for the Odyssey at Nardy even though I did NOT buy the car there and I had been driving it for 22 months and had about 20,000 miles on it.

I shopped Warranty prices on the net and sent them an e-mail asking if they would match. I got a call back from Lee Nardy (one of the owners) in less than an hour (shocked me, actually). They met the price. I paid $705 for a 7yr/75K/$0 ded Hondacare policy. (I don't drive enough to want the 100,000 miles. I probably will drive about 75,000 miles in 7 years and this was cheaper.)

I recommend Nardy as an honest place to buy from -- based on previous experience. I didn't buy the Odyssey there because I found it for MSRP with delivery in 7 days. Pure luck, but I didn't want to wait longer.

 

[Razorback]

Chuck, sounds like another great mod for the expert!!

 

[DP]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jimblock:
There is a small green LED installed to remind you that DRL are on. It goes out when regular headlights are turned on.
</font>

The opposite is correct. The DRL LED is on when the engine is running and DRL is off, i.e. effectively only when the parking brake is pressed and transmission is in P (also probably in case of malfunction/blowing out etc., but I had no chance to test it yet).
Normally that LED is off.

 

[nds]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DP:
The opposite is correct. The DRL LED is on when the engine is running and DRL is off, i.e. effectively only when the parking brake is pressed and transmission is in P (also probably in case of malfunction/blowing out etc., but I had no chance to test it yet).
Normally that LED is off.

I think you are talking about the Honda Canadian system, and the poster was talking about a different aftermarket system.

</font>

 

[jimblock]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DP:
The opposite is correct. The DRL LED is on when the engine is running and DRL is off, i.e. effectively only when the parking brake is pressed and transmission is in P (also probably in case of malfunction/blowing out etc., but I had no chance to test it yet).
Normally that LED is off.

</font>

As nds points out, I was talking about a 3rd-party add on system. On that system the green LED (not located in the dash) is ON when the DRL system is on and OFF when regular headlights are on.

I would have preferred the Honda Canadian DRL system, but was not able to obtain it on a US car.

 

[habib36]

DRL Light (Daytime Running Light) Installation shop

I found a shop that installs the DRL system on Odyssey's for just $80. I just got mines done today as I imported my Touring a couple of days back from Illinois:

Active Auto
3211 Wolfedale Rd.
Unit 11
Mississauga, Ontario
(416) 826-5169
Ask for Ron

He is recommended by RIV (Registered Imported Vehicle Bureau) of Canada.