DRL Question

[Hummerguy04]

Hey Guys, I have just purchased a 2006 H3 and I have noticed that my headlights are on as my DRL's. All the other H3's I have seen use the parking lights as the DRL's, however I did see one yesterday that had the headlights on as the DRL's. I read the manual and it didn't specify as to which lights should be on as DRL's, but I did read that by using the key switch and the keyless entry remote you can select different alarm warning feedbacks and other such options so I was curious if there is a way to specify which lights run as the DRL's. If not why does mine use the headlights and most all others I have seen use the parking lights? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Scott.

[Hummer Guy]

The factory switched to 'dim mode' on the headlights instead of the orange lights to the side of the headlights around the first of the year...unfortunately, there is no way to switch it without a gm/hummer computer wizard...

[Hummerguy04]

Thanks alot for that info. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have a lemon.

[fourfourto]

I like the DRL on the corner lights.
I beleve you can shut them off with the button on the dash(on left side near headlight switch) untill next start up.

[Interleukin]

Fourfourtwo is correct, just turn the headlight switch to the left and the DRLs (headlights) shut off until the next time you start it up.

My H3 was built in April 2006 and purchased in July and my headlights are the DRLs. However, it's kind of a pain in the ass to always remember to turn them off, so I have just got accustomed to the idea of them probably burning out quicker than usual.

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by Interleukin

Fourfourtwo is correct, just turn the headlight switch to the left and the DRLs (headlights) shut off until the next time you start it up.

My H3 was built in April 2006 and purchased in July and my headlights are the DRLs. However, it's kind of a pain in the ass to always remember to turn them off, so I have just got accustomed to the idea of them probably burning out quicker than usual.

Never had one burn out yet in any of my vehicles, and most have been headlamp DRLs. My vettes had signal DRLs and never replaced a bulb.

[raptorman53]

Mine was built Jan. of 06 and has the headlight DRL's. I wish I could change them, because I want to upgrade the headlights. But, I don't know how long the aftermarket lights will last.

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Originally Posted by raptorman53

Mine was built Jan. of 06 and has the headlight DRL's. I wish I could change them, because I want to upgrade the headlights. But, I don't know how long the aftermarket lights will last.

I've used Sylvania Silverstars in my other vehicles with DRLs for several years and they always last about a year. Don't know if they have any for the H3 tho.

What I've noticed is that after the 1st of Jan '06 the DRL, are the slightly dimmer headlights and the position of the GM Accent plate on the body is located higher on the fender, just forward of the doors.

The first '06 H3's which had the parking lamps as the DRL, also appear to have had the GM Accent plate located on the front door by the H3 logo.

I looked at the '07's, and they follow the same design as the later production '06's. FWIW.

[fw888]

how do you know what month and yr. the car is built ?

Originally Posted by fw888

how do you know what month and yr. the car is built ?

On the inside of the Driver side door, there is a label. Probably on the actual Vehicle frame rather than the door. On the top right corner there will be a 4 digit date stamp. Mine is 03/06.

This is the Month and year of the build. Remember though that the Shreveport Plant is turning out something like 23 or 24 H3's a day. You may find as I did some labels attached to some of the chasis components. These are Bar Coded labels that had the specific date of 03/27/06. This must have been my truck's born on date and was how the assembly plant monitored the completion of the vehicle in it's different stages on the line.
HTH

[f5fstop]

They are turning out a lot more than 25 per day. Even if the plant was running 365 days per year, that is only a little over 9K units per year. They are sellling upward of 40K H3s per year. Actual plant days is probably around 250 depending on weekend builds and units required.
The labels on the components are added by the manufacturer, and the Shreveport plant is on the Kanban system, so that date is only good for the actual part build. Depending on where that axle is built, it could have been shipped to the plant the actual day it was manufactured by AAM. (Not sure where AAM's plant is for that particular axle.)
H3 Builder step in if I'm incorrect. I'm assuming Shreveport is similar to Spring Hill with the Kanban system.

Thanks F5Stop, I didn't know that about the parts. I'm already learning more about this truck!