It's due to sunlight in your face at times, or going through a tunnel, or around a curve with heavy trees, etc. It's not always visible.

I'm happy mine only uses the front park lights.

 

Because I keep my HHR garaged I don't like how the dash board dims whenever I start it. I have the procedure ingrained in my brain now to turn off the auto lights and hit the info switch anytime I start the car during the day. It's now second nature for me...

Fred

 

That is the part that messes with me!! After a year or so of getting used to turning them off at every engine start, I will start doing it to other cars!

 

Is there any way to change it back to the turn signals?

 

+1, well, technically, it's +2

 

I liked the parking light DRL's...I would even be fine with a reduced light from the fog lamps. I am not a fan of DRL's, and I never have been. Just like CHMSL's (third brake light), and other safety features - it is just a matter of time before people don't pay attention to the headlights - I do like the auto headlights, and the headlights on with the wipers. There are other safety features I am a huge fan of...safety belts, airbags, ABS, traction control (wish my 96 Mustang and my 07 HHR had this feature)..and others.. the staggered LED brake lights you are seeing on trucks, the blind spot warning in Volvos, etc. DRL's though, no thanks.

 

OK, stupid question # 7, "What are HIDs???"
Mo

 

HID = High Intensity Discharge headlamps. It's the extra-bright lights you'll see on a lot of higher end vehicles such as BMWs, Benz's, etc. that are also available on high-end trim models or as options on other models. HID's on Wikipedia.

In most if not all places, aftermarket HID setups are not street legal, but it's generally not something that I've heard of people getting stopped for on its own merit, i.e. they were speeding and the officer also ticketed them for the HIDs, not just getting stopped for the HIDs. Part of the reason they're illegal in non-factory configurations is that the light cut-off is different and non-factory HIDs can scatter a LOT of really bright light in places it's not meant to go, and potentially interfere with oncoming traffic.

I had a set on my old Scion and really liked the light output and color. I haven't gone HID on the SS yet because I don't want to get into messing with splicing wires and such. In the Scion it was plug and play so it was just a matter of hiding the balasts.

 

I'm also very anti-DRL. They just look bad IMO. I've just gotten into the habit of turning off the auto headlights whenever I start the car during the day as long as the weather's not bad. Me getting into my car consists of way too many steps...

1) turn key in ignition
2) seat belt
3) remove radar detector from console
4) plug in radar detector
5) turn on iPod
6) turn off TCS to Competitive
7) turn off DRLs
8) turn on A/C
9) turn A/C to recirculate
10) turn on foglights at night (like the look of my yellow bulbs whether weather dictates or not)
11) go.

I wish the SS had a factory HID option because for some reason the yellowed standard headlight color just looks really bad to me on all cars, and I hate wasting money on bulbs like Silverstars that will burn out every three months.

 

Is it bad to have HIDs run on the DRL? I have very nice 8k HIDs and I love the look. I am not sure if 1. it will significantly decrease the life of the HID to have it DRL or if they last much. much longer than standard bulbs and 2. If it damages the HID to not run at full strength like DRL.

Thanks.