daytime flasher 456M | FerrariChat

daytime flasher 456M

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by chrismic, Aug 11, 2014.

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  1. chrismic

    chrismic Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2012
    272
    hi all,

    has anyone considered converting the daytime flashers on the 456M to permanent headlight function? Many countries in Europe now require the use of lights during daytime (eg on high-ways). I think the parking lights only don't comply, but it bothers me a bit driving around with the pop-up lights all day long.

    thanks
    Chris
     
    F456M likes this.
  2. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    You could use the fog lights, although that might bother oncoming motorists.
     
  3. Flore

    Flore Karting

    Jan 22, 2013
    98
    Dubai
    Excellent question. How are the fog lights different from the "flashers"?
     
  4. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,153
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Converting the parking light to HID projectors would probably be pretty straight forward. 575M headlight low beams are about the size of parking lights and there are plenty of kits out there.
     
  5. chrismic

    chrismic Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2012
    272
    Allan, I assume you mean the flashers? I don't have front fog lights.
    Thanks Terry, will look into that - I would have thought the 575 low beams are much bigger. I also wonder whether the parking lights on the 456 are central enough...
    The idea with the flashers is that I never use them anyway...
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,153
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Chris- I use the headlight flashers all the time, but do not have to raise the headlamps to do it.
     
  7. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    #7 2000 456M, Aug 12, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2014
    Well there's a switch on my dash that has the foglight symbol on it and when I rock it forward, the round lights inside the grill go on. I flash with my turn signal stalk, which actuates the same lights. I'll take some pics and upload what I mean.
     
  8. chrismic

    chrismic Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2012
    272
    Terry, hahaha, you must be doing a lot of overtaking then! I assume your flashing with your high beam? On the 456M you can't flash the high beam (in the pop up lights), but only the round lights in the grill.

    Allan, interesting, I assume you're talking about the switch on the 7 switch center console? I have that switch as well, but it only activates the rear fog lights. I can only use the two round lights in the front grill as flashers with the indicator lever.

    Ideally, I'd like to have those two round lights in the grill as daytime driving light AND flasher
     
  9. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    #9 2000 456M, Aug 12, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. chrismic

    chrismic Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2012
    272
    interesting - that's what I want. does it light up anything in the rear as well? and how do you flash? with the side markers?

    (btw, always jealous about the lack of front plates - makes the front look so nice - mine is "destroyed" by an ugly big number plate)
     
  11. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    Flashes with the same lights (never tried to flash with the foglights on). Haven't looked in the back, but I'm pretty sure the rear lights are just illuminated in the normal way that they would in parking position. (I use a plate clip to hold my front plate on when I go to places where the police are likely to ticket me). There are threads about them.
     
  12. chrismic

    chrismic Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2012
    272
    ok, this is definitely a difference between US and Euro versions then....will see that I convert that aspect of my Euro car....
     
  13. Flore

    Flore Karting

    Jan 22, 2013
    98
    Dubai
    Chris, that's confusing me as well.

    I think one my car, there are 4 types of lights and I'll try to describe how they work:

    - Parking: The small lights on the outside with the indicators in the front and back
    - Fog: Only the back lights up
    - Normal light: Pop up lamps
    - Flash light: via the indicator lever, the round lights inside the grill

    That's the same for you right? But seems to be different for Allan, whose Fog light includes the round lights inside the grill?
     
  14. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    Mine is different, as shown in the photo. I had the engine on and the light stalk in the parking light position and the fog light rocker switch pulled toward me. (no one else was with me in the car and pulling back the flasher stalk to deceive you guys). :D

    If you both have euro versions of the 456M, then most likely it is a transatlantic difference. If one is a US model, then maybe a prior owner of my car had the lamps rewired. I'm waiting for other US-spec 456M owners to chime in on this.
     
  15. Flore

    Flore Karting

    Jan 22, 2013
    98
    Dubai
    Yes, we both have the Euro version, afaik Chris' is from Italy, so is mine.
    So we do need another non-Euro spec car owner to chime in here.

    Are the fog lights reasonable to use as daytime driving lights in terms of impact for other drivers?

    Edit: Here is another question, did you just turn on the parking light to show both of them or is there some sort of dependency for either to work (which might be a sign of rewiring)?
     
  16. chrismic

    chrismic Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2012
    272
    Flore: well described, set up is the same on my (Euro/Italian) car.

    Yes, two key questions are:

    a) what's the wiring?
    b) would permanent flasher lights blind oncoming drivers

    How do our Italian and Swiss colleagues handle it? Driving with pop-up lights all the time?
     
  17. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    From the pattern they make on my wall, the lights have a sharp cutoff and should theoretically not bother oncoming traffic; I've never had people flash their lights at me as a sign to lower the beams. HOWEVER, Taz, whose opinion I highly respect, has said that it can be an irritant.
     
  18. redcaruser

    redcaruser Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 8, 2012
    2,426
    switzerland
    Full Name:
    daniel
    To use the daytime flasher as a permanent headlight doesn't work, light is too bright for the oncoming traffic. We installed a separate switch under the dashboard, the oncoming traffic had really no joy! ;)

    Now I have found a compact aftermarket light from AEG Automotive, my dealer will install it during the coming weeks. Not the perfect solution regarding the look, but comply with the law. Will send pictures if it is installed.
    AEG Automotive :*Products*: LED Daytime Running Lights LS*18
     
  19. chrismic

    chrismic Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2012
    272
    Daniel, did they complain about this at the technical inspection? Have you considered installing a less bright light? And where are you planning to place the AEG one...in the grill?
     
  20. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    I'm curious as to whether the US (foglights) and Euro Flashers have the same or different part numbers. It may be possible that, although they look alike, they have different beam characteristics.
     
  21. Flore

    Flore Karting

    Jan 22, 2013
    98
    Dubai
    #21 Flore, Aug 14, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I was thinking the same thing.
    It's strange - why would they put these lights in purely for flashing in the Euro car? And if they did - why make them so strong that oncoming traffic is bothered by it?

    Edit: Check this, Ricambi gives the answer - Ferrari 456M Parts : Table 127 - FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS - OUTSIDE FINISHINGS

    Question remains, why have they done this? Essentially the Euro cars have no fog lights in the front, but have a flasher, which the US cars do not have?

    Allan, what happens when you try and flash while the front fog light is on?

    Here is what the manual says in the EU version. It looks like these are intended to be for high beam? Or is the high beam light part of the pop up light, I never actually checked that.

    Anyone have the US manual?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  22. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    I'll check when I get home. The manual is in my glove box. I'll also try out the flashers when the fogs are on and see if there's an incremental difference of some sort.
     
  23. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,153
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Flore- You can download the US 456 manual for free at ferraridatabase.com.
     
  24. Lionworks Auto

    Lionworks Auto Formula 3

    Oct 16, 2013
    1,023
    Worthington OH
    Full Name:
    Ed
    Mine is also wired similar to Allan - not sure if was an aftermarket tweak - but I drive around with them on 90% of the time (and thanks to the 456m shutting off power to them when ignition killed). They are definitely not over bright and provide great look and read in the daylight. I've often driven in the late dusk with only the grill lights. Definitely will also try the stalk pull when on to see if ejects passenger.

    Here's a couple pix... Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  25. chrismic

    chrismic Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2012
    272
    #25 chrismic, Aug 14, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2014
    Great pictures!

    OK, so it seems we (Europeans) can get a pair of US spec grill lights for 500$, and, assuming their beam characteristics are different, use them as daydriving lights...provided they comply with technical inspection requirements (who cares, really).

    Flore: high beam is part of pop up light on my car.

    Two questions remain:

    - how do you flash on US 456Ms when fog light is on
    - if you switch on fog light, what happens in the rear of US cars?

    edit: or at Eurospares for 152.38 Euros each
     

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