Daytime running lights

[RichV12]

Might just be me, but the first thing I turn on when I get in the V12V, no 2nd thing - 1st thing is the Sport button, is the side lights. I notice however in the manual that in certain countries the Vantage is set up to have daytime running lights. Is there an easy option to configure this so I too can have the lights on as soon as I start the engine?

I'm getting used to the various "dongs" in the car now but think this could be one I could stop...
reversing into my garage I have the front sensors going off, the rear sensors, the fact my seat belt is off and then the lights on warning. I'll soon print my own "check list".

[drcarrera]

If you just leave the switch in the "sidelight" position, don't the light's go off when you leave the car anyway? And of course come on again when you turn on the ignition ...

[RichV12]

In the headlight position yes. Otherwise with the ignition off the sidelights / parking lights stay on.

[JohnG1]

RichV12 said:

the first thing I turn on when I get in the V12V, no 2nd thing - 1st thing is the Sport button, is the side lights.

Why? Genuine question - not taking the mickey.

[yeti]

JohnG1 said:

Why? Genuine question - not taking the mickey.

Depends on the colour of your car. I used to have a Venetian blue TVR which was a kind of grey blue, it was invisible basically on a cloudy day! Got used to running my sidelights all the time. Now I have a Chiltern green car, again a greyish green. Have noticed people coming towards me on single lane roads then slamming their brakes on as they have just perceived the shape of the car coming towards them. Much like a motorbike, it makes you more visible...

[RichV12]

Safety yes.... and I believe now a legal requirement for all new cars

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/02/new-cars-to-be...

[Jockman]

JohnG1 said:

Why? Genuine question - not taking the mickey.

My interpretation of John's question was 'why' turn on the sport button. Indeed, why has this car got a sports button? Isn't the default setting 'sport' ?

As for side lights, I NEVER drive the DB9 without them on, even in the Summer, not only as a safety measure but also to highlight and accentuate the car's profile

[JohnG1]

Jockman said:

My interpretation of John's question was 'why' turn on the sport button. Indeed, why has this car got a sports button? Isn't the default setting 'sport' ?

As for side lights, I NEVER drive the DB9 without them on, even in the Summer, not only as a safety measure but also to highlight and accentuate the car's profile

Jockman is part right in his interpretation of my question. I was actually asking why press the sport button and why switch on the side lights.

By way of explanation, the sport button does two things:
1. Opens the exhaust - this is the same as removing fuse 22
2. Alters the fly-by-wire throttle mapping - makes the throttle more responsive. As a simple example - if you are driving along in say 3rd at 40mph with the throttle depressed by 10 degrees and then you press the sport button - with the throttle unmoved - you will accelerate to about 44-46mph.

Someone clever with an engineering background (DMS Rick or Bamford Mike) can probably explain that in a way that make more sense!

I find having the sport button pressed when I get in the car straight away makes the car a bit "twitchy". Hence wondering why you'd always press the button when you start up.

Also - why DRLs? I think if you cannot spot a DB9 or a V12V comin' at ya then you will not spot one with some pretty LEDs lit up?

Edited by JohnG1 on Tuesday 24th May 12:47

Edited by JohnG1 on Tuesday 24th May 12:54

[Adam2S]

I too find the sport button makes the car too twitchy, especially when the engine is cold, but I love the extra noise hence I have fuse 22 pulled on my car but hardly ever user the sport button. At the end of the day the sport button doesnt actually make the car any faster - it just gives you a heavy right foot which of course has then has the direct effect of making you go faster!

I prefer the increased throttle adjustability of the normal setting and I prefer to just push my right foot that bit further to the floor if I want to go faster.

[JohnG1]

Adam2S said:

I too find the sport button makes the car too twitchy, especially when the engine is cold, but I love the extra noise hence I have fuse 22 pulled on my car but hardly ever user the sport button. At the end of the day the sport button doesnt actually make the car any faster - it just gives you a heavy right foot which of course has then has the direct effect of making you go faster!

I prefer the increased throttle adjustability of the normal setting and I prefer to just push my right foot that bit further to the floor if I want to go faster.

I find the sport button a bit like the PASM button on my 997 C2S. If you pressed that button the result was that the suspension changed from "firm" to "bone rattling, oh my word my teeth will fall out". In other words, not the most useful item...

What I would like is a three stage sport button:
1. Standard settings - exhaust to "quiet" and normal throttle mapping
2. Exhaust only - fuse 22 removed and normal throttle mapping
3. Sport - fuse 22 removed and sport throttle mapping

Same idea as the DSC button on the V12...

[RichV12]

Why the sport button? Without it I stall it.....
I'm used to an F430 where a simple touch of the throttle and you were off, I find without the sport button there is too much 'play' with the clutch and throttle and I normally end up looking like a learner driver on day 1 pulling out of a junction.....OK maybe I'm not used to using a clutch in a supercar anymore.....