Daytime "Flash-to-Pass"

[BusaMan]

OK, it's possible I've missed this subject in my search of existing threads; if so, I apologize.

IMO, if there ever were a car that could use the "Flash-to-Pass" (FTP), I'd have to vote for the XLR. It's low, small, kinda hard to see w/o lights on, etc. Given that, I am dismayed that the FTP doesn't work during the day on my '06 XLR. Reading the manual (yeah, I know: RTFM...) just tells one how to use FTP when the lights are already on. My '11 SRX has FTP during the day; works super. Even my '03 Escalade had daytime FTP. Why doesn't my XLR?

Could there be a relay that's fried? Is it really NOT supposed to work when the headlights are off?

TIA

Tim

 

[cubby558]

Tim,

I don't know the correct answer but, being HID lighting is a single filiment (not really a filiment, but an arc tube) igniting and turning off (flash to pass) shortens the lamp life. The XLR uses a shield for low and high beam, so that may be the reason. Most flash to pass, turn on the high beam when doing this operation, so the XLR lamp must be on to accomplish this, by moving the shield up and down. My 2011 CTS-V Coupe doesn't have flash to pass either with the headlamps off. However there must be a way for them to accomplish this, as I believe the Europeon export models have to have it.

OK, it's possible I've missed this subject in my search of existing threads; if so, I apologize.

IMO, if there ever were a car that could use the "Flash-to-Pass" (FTP), I'd have to vote for the XLR. It's low, small, kinda hard to see w/o lights on, etc. Given that, I am dismayed that the FTP doesn't work during the day on my '06 XLR. Reading the manual (yeah, I know: RTFM...) just tells one how to use FTP when the lights are already on. My '11 SRX has FTP during the day; works super. Even my '03 Escalade had daytime FTP. Why doesn't my XLR?

Could there be a relay that's fried? Is it really NOT supposed to work when the headlights are off?

TIA

Tim

 

[XLRATING]

At least per this slightly old Consumer Reports blog, looks like GM doesn't include that feature w/HID headlamps: The stalk that broke the Cadillac CTS' back

This must be for single bulb lights - HID equipped Caddies with separate low & high beam bulbs have a FTP that works whether the lights are on or not (at least for a STS)

No need for FTP for actual passing where I live - it's a waste of time because at best the person doesn't understand or ignores it (or is too busy on their phone), at worst you get a dose of road rage in return. Hope it's better where you are.

 

[Stella]

Hope this helps I have a 04 but didn't they change the headlights in some year?<a href="http://s1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg620/topila/?action=view&current=97986a86.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg620/topila/97986a86.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>. Mine seems to work but seems others on the road don't know what it means. I think their just ignorant and go around them anyway. Aggressive driving is my only way to get away from them can't wait for them.

 

[sschooley]

I understand the frustration with other drivers but I've decided that fumbling around with FTP just slows me down. Just shoot the gaps and keep it moving and those folks always fade away in the rear view mirror.

It's an XLR.....and they sadly only saw a blur....

STEVE

 

[BusaMan]

Why FTP?

I was REALLY hoping someone would tell me that I had a bad relay, and that all I had to do was replace it. I agree w/ the Consumer Reports guy, on the importance of FTP, particularly for our cars. FTP is used around here a lot, especially to remind the flat-landers to get over in the mountains. It's not as rude as blowing the horn, yet still wakes the criminally-unalert to the reality that there are others in this universe who can drive curves or snow better than they.

Cubby said, "However there must be a way for them to accomplish this, as I believe the Europeon export models have to have it.", and I agree. Some folks commented on the CR report on the CTS (thanks for that link, BTW) that all they had to do was push the lever forward to do the same thing, but we XLR jockeys have to "spin" the little dial. They also said that GM was supposed to "fix" this in early 2010; has anyone heard of such a fix? Is it like this on the '09's, too?

I don't know for sure how long I can put up with my better-half's smug smirk, when she uses FTP when I'm riding as a passenger in her '11 SRX.



Tim

 

[ChicagoDave]

I was REALLY hoping someone would tell me that I had a bad relay, and that all I had to do was replace it. I agree w/ the Consumer Reports guy, on the importance of FTP, particularly for our cars. FTP is used around here a lot, especially to remind the flat-landers to get over in the mountains. It's not as rude as blowing the horn, yet still wakes the criminally-unalert to the reality that there are others in this universe who can drive curves or snow better than they.

Cubby said, "However there must be a way for them to accomplish this, as I believe the Europeon export models have to have it.", and I agree. Some folks commented on the CR report on the CTS (thanks for that link, BTW) that all they had to do was push the lever forward to do the same thing, but we XLR jockeys have to "spin" the little dial. They also said that GM was supposed to "fix" this in early 2010; has anyone heard of such a fix? Is it like this on the '09's, too?

I don't know for sure how long I can put up with my better-half's smug smirk, when she uses FTP when I'm riding as a passenger in her '11 SRX.



Tim

One thought - if you really want to use FTP - just leave your headlights on all the time (they will shut off when your car goes into "Battery Run Down Protection"). In some of our get-togethers, I have seen some of our owners run with their headlights on all the time (instead of seeing the amber DRL's on). Just a thought.
Another thought might be to somehow rig a switch to your Fog lights - a convenient switch that you just tap a couple of times to act as a FTP function.
IMHO - I'm guessing, not have the FTP has to do with the HID's, as Cubby mentioned. There is a "delay" when the headlights turn on, as they warm up a bit and get to full brightness.