Zyr, welcome aboard.

For the record, it's probably best not to turn on the HIDs all the time. DRLs are supposed to use your high beams at a lower power rating than normal. I don't think you can ignite the HIDs without running lots of power into them.

 

Chazmo,

Why shouldn't we drive with the HID's on? I remember reading somewhere that the system should outlast the car.

 

Hmm.... That's a good question, actually.

I guess there's no real concern driving with the HIDs on, mugen. The more visibility the better. And, yes, the HID tubes do last a long time although I've read about quite a few replacements here on the board for one reason or another. One thing to avoid is rapid off/on cycles because I believe that can mess up the ballast, and unfortunately when you flick your high beams it triggers the HIDs too (unless they changed that in the MY04+ cars).

For daytime use, though, the idea of DRL is for other drivers to see you, and not necessarily for your own illumination of the road. The HIDs, as you may know, are aimed fairly low and cast very little light outside the field in which they're aimed. For purposes of being seen, they are less effective I guess than the high beams being run at low power. Since the incandescent high-beam bulb can be driven that way, they are a better choice.

But, again, in answer to your question, there really isn't any reason not to drive with your HIDs on. It's just better to drive your high-beams for DRL usage.