Malibu Daytime Running Lights Mod

I read somewhere that amber is easier for the human eye to see during the day. This is the reason why some car manufacturers like Toyota have amber(yellow) daytime running lights (DRLs). After learning this fact I decided that I wanted to make a change to my DRLs. This mod would increase visibility during the day which I think is necessary because the factory DRLs on my 2011 Chevy Malibu are pitiful and almost pointless at times.

I started doing some research on this and I headed to my first stop for mod information for my car, the Chevy Malibu Forums. Luckily for me, there is a thread that details, step by step, how to construct a device that will force the car to use the amber colored signal lights as DRLs. This device also works with the existing signal light system so it will cancel the DRLs when either signal light is activated.

I used the wiring diagrams I found on the forum to construct this device:

 This device now fully controls my signal lights so if it fails, I lose front signals. I installed the device right next to the Body Control Module (BCM) since this is where I cut into the signal light wires. It’s secure and out of the way.

To break it down, the DRL device, as it’s called on the forums, uses logic, a relay, and diode to control the signals. I cut the power for the old DRLs at the fuse block in the engine compartment. I took that power and ran it to this device. When the DRLs activate they send a signal through the device and activate both signal lights. When I hit the left or right signal light, the signal hits this device and activates the relevant side of the DPDT relay. The other side is deactivated. When I cancel (or when the signal auto cancels) the device returns to DRL mode and both signal lights illuminate.

Here is a photo of the DRLs before installing the DRL device:

And here is a photo of the DRLs after installing the DRL device:

Overall, this mod serves multiple purposes. It improves daytime visibility, thus making my car safer, and I personally think it looks better than the original DRLs. Also, if I ever decide to install HID headlights, I would have to stop using the headlights as DRLs because it can damage the HIDs overtime. With this method, I can install HIDs and retain the safety of DRLs.