Everytime I actuate my Forester headlights I hear the 'pop' of a relay somewhere under the right side dashboard. I question the use of a relay. Is this technology simply because you can?
Now, I remember when headlights were turned on by pulling out a knob two clicks. (I also remember a time when Americans would have been outraged to pay for water, one of the slickest scams every perpetrated on people, but I digress.) How is the newer system an improvement? Only 2 possible ways: one, the modern system prevents dead-battery by turning off your lights, and two, the daytime running-light safety feature.
Everyone suffered from the dead battery syndrome from time to time, but only really stupid people were afflicted often, so it wasn't a huge problem. Also, the warning buzzers that began in the 80s or so modified the system so that you had to be really really stupid to get stung.
As for a safety feature, I wonder if it couldn't be done more simply without a relay. I remember when daytime running lights were a trick mostly only used by motorcycles. One wonders if the safety effect will be lost when all cars have the feature.
At any rate, I think the headlight relay is another unnecessary sophistication that can break down. I guess I have sufficient affluence that it will be someone else's problem, as I will trade in 5 years or less.
Okay, lay on boys, that's my rant, and damned be him who first cries, "Hold! Enough!"
Old fashioned Pete