Illumination device

1. A method for operating a illumination device of an automotive vehicle, the method comprising the step of:

operating the illumination device as a day travelling light, the illumination device being switched on during daylight use of the vehicle and without any one of a low beam, a high beam and a fog light being in operation, wherein the illumination device comprises an illumination housing disposed in a head light region of the vehicle and a light source disposed in said illumination housing, said light source having at least one LED which is switched on during operation of the illumination device as a day travelling light, and with means for directing light emitted by said light source.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said directing means comprises a reflector.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one LED is installed in an optics having a Cassegrain mirror reflector geometry.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said directing means comprises a Fresnel optics.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating a second illumination device disposed as a second day travelling light in an external mirror, said second illumination device having a second light source with at least one second LED and with second means for directing light emitted by said second light source.

6. The, method of claim 5 , wherein said second directing means comprises a Fresnel optics disposed in a covering plate of said external mirror.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising an additional illumination means, wherein the day travelling light comprises several LEDs disposed about said additional illumination means.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said additional illumination means comprises one of a low beam, high beam, and a fog light module.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one LED is white.