DTR lights installed on my DTR Marauder.

[2005Marauder]

That's Day-Time-Running Lights. Been on three days now and I really like this mod. Makes the car look more upscale and up-to-date. Since I'm an old motorcycle man, I've always run my cars with the lights on. Got many a comment and flashing headlights in the early days before it was 'cool' to have your lights on in the day time. The DTR kit was about $60 and the labor was about $90. I'd recommend this as one of the first mod that you should do to the MM. Wish it were and option from the factory. The kit also fits most of the Fords going back to 1996. My L/M dealer had never done one and in fact did not know the kit even existed. But this is the same dealership that told me that the MM did not come in Red. Got a loaner car while they installed. So for now my three mods are: 1. Bob White Bumper inserts. 2. Bra from "The Dealer" for road trips. 3. Day-time running lights.
Not sure what the next mod will be.

[woaface]

An SCT WILL BE YOUR NEXT MOD! Hey, ast for the running lights, do they work through the fogs? Or is it just the lights on? I leave my brights on during the day cause the sun is usually brigh as crap around here, especially during the summer.

[CRUZTAKER]

Nice touch. I thought about doing that mod to my GranMarquis a number of years ago. I never installed the kit. It's in the garage somewhere...I believe it still is anyway.

If anyone wants it, PM me and I'll try to dig it up, no charge.

***edit: Gone to Daily03***

[TAF]

Will the DRLs only activate the headlamps or will it run the fogs as well?

[MonsterD]

Nice touch. I thought about doing that mod to my GranMarquis a number of years ago. I never installed the kit. It's in the garage somewhere...I believe it still is anyway.

If anyone wants it, PM me and I'll try to dig it up, no charge.

***edit: Gone to Daily03***

I drive around downtown alot, and it gets annoying having the lights click on as you sit in a shadow of a building.

[jgc61sr2002]

I drive around downtown alot, and it gets annoying having the lights click on as you sit in a shadow of a building.
The DRL kit is available at Ford or Mercury dealers for about $60.00.

[woaface]

http://www.lightsout.org/ :shake:
I don't know about them, but I sure as hell pick out cars more quickly when I see the lights during the day. It never blinds me...I think maybe because the sun is out, and it's kinda bigger or something. Just a hunch!

[Dr Caleb]

Will the DRLs only activate the headlamps or will it run the fogs as well?

Headlamps only.

DRL's have been manditory in Canada since 1986. The unit in my CV burned out a week or two ago, and I haven't replaced it. I actually get flashed a lot because my lights aren't on :)

I can't stress enough, they really do prevent accidents.

[2005Marauder]

Day-time Lights just run the headlights at 75% intensity anytime the car is running. However, if you put on the parking brake then they go off. Handy if you are at the drive-in and need to defog the windows.;)

[2005Marauder]

http://www.lightsout.org/ :shake:
I don't know about them, but I sure as hell pick out cars more quickly when I see the lights during the day. It never blinds me...I think maybe because the sun is out, and it's kinda bigger or something. Just a hunch!
I'm with you James. I took a look at their website and I read some where else that folks in Oregon are trying to get them banned. I think there is a tie-in some where to the motorcycle riders. Any way, I think they should be available on all cars but not mandatory. Sounds like the same kind of arguments that were made against seat belts, shoulder straps, side door rails, air bags, minimum standards for bumpers, etc. Sound kind of feeble to me. Their statements make you wonder if they are against lights on at night too. I find headlights at night much more distracting than day-time lights.

[schuvwj]

That's Day-Time-Running Lights. Been on three days now and I really like this mod. Makes the car look more upscale and up-to-date. Since I'm an old motorcycle man, I've always run my cars with the lights on. Got many a comment and flashing headlights in the early days before it was 'cool' to have your lights on in the day time. The DTR kit was about $60 and the labor was about $90. I'd recommend this as one of the first mod that you should do to the MM. Wish it were and option from the factory. The kit also fits most of the Fords going back to 1996. My L/M dealer had never done one and in fact did not know the kit even existed. But this is the same dealership that told me that the MM did not come in Red. Got a loaner car while they installed. So for now my three mods are: 1. Bob White Bumper inserts. 2. Bra from "The Dealer" for road trips. 3. Day-time running lights.
Not sure what the next mod will be.

2005Marauder, do you have the Ford/Mercury part number of the day-time-running lights?

Thanks!

[RF Overlord]

I leave my brights on during the day cause the sun is usually brigh as crap around here, especially during the summer.

James:

(This is not meant as a flame)

While I am not against DRLs (the correct abbreviation) per se, I DO find that people who leave their high-beams on in the daylight don't really understand how annoying it is; the brights are pointed RIGHT AT oncoming drivers' eyes...as 2005Marauder said, actual DRLs run the lights at reduced intensity, so they are not as distracting...if you want to leave your LOW-beams on, then knock yourself out...

[TripleTransAm]

RF speaks the truth... nothing more ANNOYING then getting blinded by high beams. In case folks don't realize, high beams aren't called high beams because they're brighter. It's because they're geometrically aimed HIGHER, as in right freaking into oncoming driver's eyeballs! Depending on the company, DRLs sometimes use the high beam elements but at a MUCH reduced intensity. I'm not sure what the Marauder uses (high or low) for DRLs, because the wiring diagram manual contradicts itself in that particular circuit. And it's too cold for me to go outside and check for myself (I'm home sick today).

So, high beam usage in urban areas : DON'T DO IT. Otherwise, you risk mating your Marquis with the grille of an oncoming vehicle with a temporarily blinded driver.

2005Marauder, unfortunately the factory installed DRLs for the Marauder up here in Canada no longer use the parking brake as an input. As long as the key is ON (engine running or not), the DRLs are on. Talk about cheap. I don't know if the over-the-counter units we are describing follow that same 2003+ logic, but I can tell you it IS annoying in a drive-in situation, on a hot humid summer evening with a cranky overheated 1.5 year old boy in the car. :mad:

I really have NOTHING against DRLs (mandatory in Canada since 1990) and fully support their implementation, but unless I figure out a way to retrofit the parking brake switch, I'll be pulling the fuse.

[Dr Caleb]

... but unless I figure out a way to retrofit the parking brake switch, I'll be pulling the fuse.

Try starting the car with the parking brake engaged. Some vehicles, such as my company truck, will keep the DRL's off as long as the parking brake is engaged after starting the vehicle.

Don't know about the MM, never had the need to :(

[TripleTransAm]

Try starting the car with the parking brake engaged. Some vehicles, such as my company truck, will keep the DRL's off as long as the parking brake is engaged after starting the vehicle.

No, that's the whole thing. What you're describing is the operating characteristics of the traditional setup. On our Marauders, the lights flick on the moment the key is turned ON, regardless of the parking brake setting.

That means that as my Marauder sits in the service bay at my dealer with the key on as the technician works on it, the headlights are on... draining my battery... draining.... draining.... draining....

Really annoying.

[LincMercLover]

Said it before, I'll say it again... Running and fog all throughout the day, auto at night.

[2005Marauder]

Got the number from the mercuryvehicles.com website click on "Owners" Then Click on "Accesories"

Part-no. is: F6SZ-13B218-AA

P.S. Wife followed me from work today and the lights look really good. No glare at all from the back. Now I'll be able to pick out my MM from all the other Marauders on the road.

[schuvwj]

Got the number from the mercuryvehicles.com website click on "Owners" Then Click on "Accesories"

Part-no. is: F6SZ-13B218-AA

P.S. Wife followed me from work today and the lights look really good. No glare at all from the back. Now I'll be able to pick out my MM from all the other Marauders on the road.

Thanks 2005Marauder for the number!
I plan on ordering one on Friday.

[usamusl]

Has anyone personally installed the DRL kit on their MM? The electrical book
at work seemed to show a connector for the DRL module out at the radiator
support and I was wondering if installation is as simple as plugging in the
module?

Neil

[schuvwj]

Neil I have studied mine and I'm ready to install it soon but looks like we will have to splice eight wires of the DTR wire harness into the light control harness and insert the pug end of the wirng harness into the DRT unit.

Should not be bad.

[usamusl]

Bill,

I guess I'll find out this weekend, I ordered the kit today and expect it
to arrive by Friday. Shouldn't be too hard though. The only thing that
might hold me back is a nice sunny day with a little warmer temps to do
some cruzin' :)
Neil

[2005Marauder]

DTR lights have been on a little over a month now. I really like this mod. Have not seen another Ford CV or Mercury G/M on the road with just the day-time running lights on. Really gets alot of attention with just the headlights on at 75% intensity. I was driving with all lights and felt a little out of place on sunny days.

[woaface]

People took so long to respond I forgot about this thread:D

I've since changed my mind...I've had a few people come at me with brights on during the day, it is annoying...then I turn them down to regular, and it's just pointless...so if I need to flash someone, the lower the beam is to start with (like off) the more the beam will catch someone's eye because the change is more sudden. I just leave 'em off.

[SergntMac]

I'm an old fart who can't change his ways, my headlights are on before the car comes of of park. I've tried, it ain't gonna change, it's an automatic body reflex now, like blinking.

I can't say this has done anything to make my driving safer, but at least others know I'm coming their way...