NK
Nishant Kanodia
•3dWhy do DRLs fade and become creamy in most cars? If DRLs work separately from turn indicators, would they be less likely to become creamy? Can't we have red DRLs at the back of cars for enhanced safety?
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Autocar India
DRLs themselves usually do not become creamy or yellow. What you are typically seeing is the outer plastic lens ageing due to UV exposure, heat, pollution, car wash chemicals and oxidation. Over time, the clear polycarbonate lens develops a hazy or yellowish appearance, which makes the bright white DRL behind it appear creamy. The effect is more noticeable in countries like India because of the harsh sun and heat.
Whether the DRL doubles up as a turn indicator generally has little to do with the lens turning creamy. However, systems where the DRL frequently dims or switches off for the turn signal do generate more thermal cycling, which can contribute marginally to ageing over many years. The biggest culprit remains UV exposure and lens quality rather than the DRL function itself.
As for red DRLs at the rear, regulations in most countries do not permit them because they could be confused with brake lights. The idea behind a DRL is to make a vehicle more conspicuous without creating ambiguity. If a red rear light were permanently illuminated during the day, drivers behind might have a harder time recognising when the brakes are actually applied.
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NK
Nishant Kanodia
•56mThank you for your reply and suggestion for better understanding
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Posted on: 5 Jun 2026
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