Topic: CTC Review: 2008 Subaru Tribeca

[Dante]

Our Nissan's have an "auto" setting on the headlight switch. The headlights (not the DRL's) come on automaticly when you start the car if it is dark out (or when you enter a parking garage for that matter) and switch off 60 seconds after you switch off the ignition. I've left my Pathfinder's lights on the auto mode since I bought the car in 02 and have never turned the headlights on or off.

This is the feature I'm talking about. I have it in my Mazda3, but I don't have it in my Outlander and I miss it. Of course, I could leave my headlights on, but I'm not sure if this is quite normal as the lights are too powerfull. This is why another set of lights has been mandated I believe.

[wing]

All of them.... even my '01 Tiburon did this.

[mmret]

"The price debate is always hot when I review a Subaru, so I will clearly point out the pricing of the 2008 Tribeca. Starting at only $41,995 and well-equipped the Tribeca may very well be one of the pricing stars for Subaru of Canada."

Are you kidding?  The Tribeca opens at US$29995..  That's an exchange rate of 1.40 in my books!

US 29995 equals around 31700 CAD at present exchange rate. So SOC.....where does the other $10,295 CAD go?

*shrug*

Ever look at how much a 350Z costs in the US vs. up here?

[Dante]

All of them.... even my '01 Tiburon did this.

I don't want to start an argument here, but I think the vast majority of the Canadian vehicles (including Hyundai) do not have DRL on the taillights.
I just went to the corner store and I saw a Hyundai Elantra (previous model) with the DRL on, but no lights in the back.

[wing]

I know the Tib does and the Sonata and most Mercs as well, what do you have against this?  I think it is a huge bonus.  Especially in the evening in the city when half the people are too dumb to remember to turn their headlights on.

[quadzilla]

I know the Tib does and the Sonata and most Mercs as well, what do you have against this?  I think it is a huge bonus.  Especially in the evening in the city when half the people are too dumb to remember to turn their headlights on.

   Plus rain, snow, driving out of the sun....what is wrong with these people?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

All of them.... even my '01 Tiburon did this.

I don't want to start an argument here, but I think the vast majority of the Canadian vehicles (including Hyundai) do not have DRL on the taillights.
I just went to the corner store and I saw a Hyundai Elantra (previous model) with the DRL on, but no lights in the back.

I think they used to (my '97 Accent had rear tail lights on when the DRLs were) but no longer. Likely uses gas.

[Dante]

I know the Tib does and the Sonata and most Mercs as well, what do you have against this?  I think it is a huge bonus.  Especially in the evening in the city when half the people are too dumb to remember to turn their headlights on.

I think you misunderstood my points:
1. I like the "Auto ON/OFF Headlights" feature very much. I have it in my Mazda3, but I miss it my Outlander. I consider it very helpful to avoid the situations you described (in bold in my quote from your post), which I often see on the roads.
2. I do not think that you are supposed to use your headlights in daylight except for the situations with low visibility (snow, heavy rain, fog, etc.). For normal weather conditions, the DRL are sufficient and this is what they are meant for and mandatory on all vehicles in Canada. What would be the reason to have them if you could use the headlights instead?
3. I do not agree with you that the majority of the vehicles in Canada have any taillights on with the DRL. The taillights only light up when the parking lights (I think this is how it's called the first position on the light stalk) or the headlights are turned on.
I drive every day on packed highways so I see hundreds of cars in my way, but I don't see any lights in the back of the cars (I'm talking broad daylight and I'm not talking brake lights). I will pay attention today in my way home.

[wing]

Oh I'm not saying the Majority of cars have taillights that light up, certainly not.  I just said there are SOME, very few in fact.

Using your headlights use more fuel, this is why they use a lower voltage DRL nothing to do with it being to bright or anything like that, the reason for the mandated DRL is because people would never turn on their headlights and it uses more fuel.

I agree with 1. sure I like the auto on/off lights as well, just pointing out that ALL subarus are the same, they all have auto OFF lights.

[quadzilla]

Using your headlights use more fuel, this is why they use a lower voltage DRL nothing to do with it being to bright or anything like that, the reason for the mandated DRL is because people would never turn on their headlights and it uses more fuel.

How much extra fuel can this really use? 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Using your headlights use more fuel, this is why they use a lower voltage DRL nothing to do with it being to bright or anything like that, the reason for the mandated DRL is because people would never turn on their headlights and it uses more fuel.

How much extra fuel can this really use? 

Would be surprised. I think switching to LED tail lamps shaves 0.2 mpg or something. Same with the switch to electric steering.

I read it's estimated for the average driver, front DRLs alone cost $10 in fuel per year.

[Dante]

Oh I'm not saying the Majority of cars have taillights that light up, certainly not.  I just said there are SOME, very few in fact.

Using your headlights use more fuel, this is why they use a lower voltage DRL nothing to do with it being to bright or anything like that, the reason for the mandated DRL is because people would never turn on their headlights and it uses more fuel.

I agree with 1. sure I like the auto on/off lights as well, just pointing out that ALL subarus are the same, they all have auto OFF lights.

Not that it matters, but from here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytime_running_lamp and from other sources, it seems like the DRLs have more to do with the light intensity rather than the fuel consumption.

Going back to Tribeca, the "Auto On/Off Headlights", leather steering wheel w/audio controls and to a certain extent the Bluetooth interface, are features that one should find in a new 2008MY vehicle, selling for $42K. Did I mention that the steering wheel does not telescope? I'm sure that I could find a comfortable driving position, but this feature should be there for many others.
Unfortunately, Tribeca is just another overpriced Subaru (in Canada at least) and their sales numbers show it every month. For the right price, they would sell much better since they are good vehicles.

[Arthur Dent]

Using your headlights use more fuel, this is why they use a lower voltage DRL nothing to do with it being to bright or anything like that, the reason for the mandated DRL is because people would never turn on their headlights and it uses more fuel.

How much extra fuel can this really use? 

Headlights are a huge draw on power. Some cars even have a relay type system so when you go to engage the starter the headlights turn off briefly.

[Dante]

Correction: All Tribeca's have leather steering wheel w/audio controls according with Subaru USA web site.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Using your headlights use more fuel, this is why they use a lower voltage DRL nothing to do with it being to bright or anything like that, the reason for the mandated DRL is because people would never turn on their headlights and it uses more fuel.

How much extra fuel can this really use? 

Would be surprised. I think switching to LED tail lamps shaves 0.2 mpg or something. Same with the switch to electric steering.

I read it's estimated for the average driver, front DRLs alone cost $10 in fuel per year.

The reason for LED lights is less amperage,
less amperage small wire,
small wire less weight,
less weight more mileage

[avtoller]

Lighting requires electricity. Electricity needs to be generated - and that takes energy expenditure. Why do you think A/C decreases gas mileage?  The law of conservation of energy applies.

[mmret]

Using your headlights use more fuel, this is why they use a lower voltage DRL nothing to do with it being to bright or anything like that, the reason for the mandated DRL is because people would never turn on their headlights and it uses more fuel.

How much extra fuel can this really use? 

Would be surprised. I think switching to LED tail lamps shaves 0.2 mpg or something. Same with the switch to electric steering.

I read it's estimated for the average driver, front DRLs alone cost $10 in fuel per year.

The reason for LED lights is less amperage,
less amperage small wire,
small wire less weight,
less weight more mileage

Less amperage lower power.

Unless someone really jacked up the voltage. But I doubt this.

Still, I would think that the energy required to run the lights is a very, very small fraction of the total energy required to run the car.

[The Mighty Duck]

I turn my headlights on every time I get in the car...  this is taught in Young Drivers.  It's a visibility thing - you want to be MORE visible, not less, and headlights > DRLs for being seen.  DRLs were mandated because many people are too stupid to use their headlights, even in rain/fog/dark.  DRLs let them at least be seen.  But headlights are better still.

Why not regulate all cars must have Auto Off headlights?  I don't know, but I would support such a change.

[tpl]

Oh I'm not saying the Majority of cars have taillights that light up, certainly not.  I just said there are SOME, very few in fact.

Using your headlights use more fuel, this is why they use a lower voltage DRL nothing to do with it being to bright or anything like that, the reason for the mandated DRL is because people would never turn on their headlights and it uses more fuel.

I agree with 1. sure I like the auto on/off lights as well, just pointing out that ALL subarus are the same, they all have auto OFF lights.

They use a lower voltage for drls for two reasons.
because they use the MAIN BEAM filament for the DRLS and people would get tickets for driving with main beams on all the time.
The use the main beam filaments to equalize the lifespan of the two filaments in the standard 800x bulb otherwise people would whine about their headlights burning out.
It is a cheapshit way of doing the job.

My old A4 used the fog lights as drls AND turned on all the tail and front markers as well... a good way to do it. rear lights were on and the fogs were not focussed main beams lights. ( the car spolied this somewhat by having red rear indicators but thats another thread    )
My 330 uses separate "headlights" on dipped beam as drls also at low voltage. The other filament is used at full power for flashing at people when the HIDs are not on and so save blinding people with flashing the HID up and down.

[Blueprint]

Another light twist : my old '86 Celica would turn off the headlights when you opened the driver's door.  It was probably a feature designed to avoid closing the pop-ups when ice and snow built up on them.