disabling drl (daytime running lights) please help

[h82bslo]

hey guys,
did a search and can't find anyone that have disabled the daytime running lights for the gti. just wondering if any of you have disabled the daytime running lights?
correct me if i'm wrong, i think there are more options on the light switch for the euro gti.
i do understand it's the law to for you canadian guys, but i really don't want to run my HID's all the time until i have to.
thanks

[JJ-R32]

You can do this with VagCom (http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/hex-usb+can.html)


Use the following coding:

Select 09 (Central Electronics)
Long Coding -> Function 07

Original Coding:
17078E234004180000140000001400000028770B5C

Working with byte 00:
17 = 00010111, drl off = 00000111 = hex 07

New coding:
07078E234004180000140000001400000028770B5C

[TeknoGroover]

What about taking out the DRL fuse?

[Dubdr]

Technically you aren't supposed to remove the DTR. Due to that fact that they are considered a saftey feature it is again the law to tamper with them. I wouldn't worry too much about it, unless you get a ass for a cop.

[TeknoGroover]

These HID bulbs are much better than Halogen anyway. They can last up to 3 times as long as Halogen. Don't think we're gonna have any problems.

[h82bslo]

was just in the garage looking at members pix and saw that one of the members have removed the DRL using the euro switch. i wonder where i can find that.

[Jerome81]

Man, can't the dealer do it? Messing with the computer programming sounds like a bad idea to me.

[loccusst]

Well....you could just find the wire that sends the signal to the DRL from the E-brake. The E-brake is a ground wire. I would asume that you would meerly have to just ground the wire. One of these days I will check and figure it out. Probably the same time I put my alarm and remote start on.

[asuckiel]

Even with the Euro Switch you are going to need A Vag-Com to disable the DRL.

[JT_GTI]

Technically you aren't supposed to remove the DTR. Due to that fact that they are considered a saftey feature it is again the law to tamper with them. I wouldn't worry too much about it, unless you get a ass for a cop.

Heya Dubdr, would you happen to have a link or some proof that it's against the law to disable daytime headlights? The reason I am asking is that I am trying to get the dealership to disable based on the fact that in the US it is NOT against the law. If it is, in fact illegal, I will stop trying to get the dealer to do it for me.
As far as I know though (without proof) it is not illegal because that would require all cars to have this installed at the factory. It is, however VW's policy to install them

[JT_GTI]

Just found this. Tons of info here...
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2537571

[loccusst]

It isn't a Federal law. All cars would have to have them here in the states if it was. Each state is differant though...might be why all the cars come with them. Easier to just have them all have them here in NA instead of doing it at the dealerships. Not sure.

[BMWDavid]

I tried the Steve-Hall site but no one replied to my request for help. This is so frustrating! I want my DRL's off and the dealer and VW are insulting me by saying its the law when we all know it is not.

Please, anyone in Indy or Chicago that can disable my DRL's so I can install my Euro switch?

Thanks

David

[HotLanta MKfizzle]

buy the vag-com yourself...it's a good investment for you because no one in your area has one... and you could charge future people for work.

[BMWDavid]

Don't feel like spending the $700-$900 that a VAG-COM cost. For me it would be a one time shot to change settings on my GTI.

David

[VDUBB]

I know how much it bugs you to have headlights on when it's bright as hell outside, it bugs me too. It's a waste of enegy I think. One positive note, the bulbs are under warranty.

[davesee]

hmm, i drive all the time with my headlights on.. i like them. It's just habit for me to turn my headlights on everytime i start my car, sort of like the seatbelt.

i wish the vag-com were cheaper, id like to make a few mods

[BMWDavid]

I just located a shop that works on Euro/Jap cars. They have a VAG-COM and are willing to turn off my DRL's. I've copied the coding above and will drop in at the shop soon.

What's so funny is they are just 1 mile down the road from the VW dealer that sold me my GTI. Can't wait to drop in at the dealer sometime with my Euro switch installed and no DRL's!

David

[seung]

hmm...
i just noticed that my 3- day- old gti does not have drl...
seems like a lot of people want it off,
but i want it on-
and it kinda bugs the pants out of me that it is disabled out the dealer's door.

i assume you can turn it on with vag- com?
should i go to my dealer for this?
or should i find someone in my area who has vag-com?

[bigdyno]

If you really want an explination ask VW or your dealer to identify the specific part of the hiway traffic act that it contravines.
Here in Ontario we can purchase (for about a twenty) a copy of the HTA. It can be some droll reading, but it can also give you a leg up anytime there is question.

Eg: according to the HTA, it is illegal to cross a solid white line, but it says nothing about a solid yellow. If you were to cross one and get stopped they can't charge you with crossing the yellow line. Crossing the centerline, however, is another headache...

[tydale3]

Are you sure you dont have DRL, If the parking brake is on they stay off. It is a law that manufacters have to install them, dont think its a law that you have to use them.

[seung]

Are you sure you dont have DRL, If the parking brake is on they stay off...

i am pretty sure...
i know that parking brake turns the drl off-
i actually just spent about 20 min. in my garage
experimenting and all trying to figure out what's wrong... :frown:

[bbong73]

The Ross Tech VAG is more like $349 not $700.

Anyway it is only illegal in Canada to turn off the DRLs. In the US it's more of a safety thing and that is why VW refuses to turn them off.

By the way you can have them turned off and not need the euroswitch. It will work just fine. But if you get the euroswitch then it's a must to turn the DRL off because if not it will through a burnt bulb fault.

[atomoverride]

It isn't a Federal law. All cars would have to have them here in the states if it was. Each state is differant though...might be why all the cars come with them. Easier to just have them all have them here in NA instead of doing it at the dealerships. Not sure.
funny story, when I recieved my new car it didnt have the DRL's enabled. Later when I had the window up / down thing added even the application said it was already disabled. hmm thanks VW. BREAKING THE LAW BREAKING THE LAW!:headbang:

[danger]

my DRl's also came from the dealer turned off. I almost went in to have them fix it, but then decided to hold off because maybe I don't want them. I'm sure if you go back there they can help you out.

My dealer is actually very nice to me - they offer free car washes any time I stop by, got me free touch-up paint, and seem to actually be good guys.

Unlike when I went to the honda dealership to testdrive an SI... bunch of dicks.

[Mary and Phil]

You can do this with VagCom (http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/hex-usb+can.html)


Use the following coding:

Select 09 (Central Electronics)
Long Coding -> Function 07

Original Coding:
17078E234004180000140000001400000028770B5C

Working with byte 00:
17 = 00010111, drl off = 00000111 = hex 07

New coding:
07078E234004180000140000001400000028770B5C

do dealers have a vag-com? it's too much for me to buy. it's $600 to $100 for the software! O_O

[Mary and Phil]

my DRl's also came from the dealer turned off. I almost went in to have them fix it, but then decided to hold off because maybe I don't want them. I'm sure if you go back there they can help you out.

My dealer is actually very nice to me - they offer free car washes any time I stop by, got me free touch-up paint, and seem to actually be good guys.

Unlike when I went to the honda dealership to testdrive an SI... bunch of dicks.

my dealer has free washes and 2 free details a year under warranty!

[trick000]

The Ross Tech VAG is more like $349 not $700.

Anyway it is only illegal in Canada to turn off the DRLs. In the US it's more of a safety thing and that is why VW refuses to turn them off.

By the way you can have them turned off and not need the euroswitch. It will work just fine. But if you get the euroswitch then it's a must to turn the DRL off because if not it will through a burnt bulb fault.


Actually their microcan is even cheaper at $250.

[Fuzzbear]

my DRl's also came from the dealer turned off. I almost went in to have them fix it, but then decided to hold off because maybe I don't want them. I'm sure if you go back there they can help you out.

My dealer is actually very nice to me - they offer free car washes any time I stop by, got me free touch-up paint, and seem to actually be good guys.

Unlike when I went to the honda dealership to testdrive an SI... bunch of dicks.
Wow.. you let the dealer wash your car?

I always go outta my way to tell them not to TOUCH it... swirl mark city.

[Mary and Phil]

Wow.. you let the dealer wash your car?

I always go outta my way to tell them not to TOUCH it... swirl mark city.

line does free washes for life! they're good at it!

btw, how do you remove swirl mmarks if they should show up?

[CDN_MKV]

Pull your headlight switch out and look for a TFL pin... ben it over or put electrical tape on it.

JJ

[CDN_MKV]

The Ross Tech VAG is more like $349 not $700.

Anyway it is only illegal in Canada to turn off the DRLs. In the US it's more of a safety thing and that is why VW refuses to turn them off.

By the way you can have them turned off and not need the euroswitch. It will work just fine. But if you get the euroswitch then it's a must to turn the DRL off because if not it will through a burnt bulb fault.


Ran no DRL's on my MKIV for 3 years... may be illegal but cops don't seem to enforce it.

JJ

[mach5]

Pull your headlight switch out and look for a TFL pin... ben it over or put electrical tape on it.

JJ

Got a pic of the pin?

I might try the electrical tape trick since I can't find anyone near me with a vag.

[Fuzzbear]

line does free washes for life! they're good at it!

btw, how do you remove swirl marks if they should show up?

By Hand
Wash
Claybar if neccessary

Using a random orbital buffer.
Poorboys SSR 2.0 or 2.5 depending on how bad the car is (with an orange cutting pad)
Pink Moose (mixture of Clearkote Red Moose Machine wax glaze and Vanilla
Moose Hand Wax Glaze) with grey pad

By Hand
Poorboys World EX-P
Top coat of your choice... we use Either nattys blue or pinnacle souveran wax



Check out www.autopia.org for advice and tips

[maypo59]

Are you sure you dont have DRL, If the parking brake is on they stay off. It is a law that manufacters have to install them, dont think its a law that you have to use them.


No law says they have to put them on. I have an 05 Mustang GT, and an '06 Explorer, niether has DRL's..My wife's MKV does have them, for now.

[rickyC]

Part of the problem for the dealerships is, every time the plug in their Vas diagnostic tool, if you have the DRL's turned off, their tool will nag the service tech to turn them back on as they move through the modules. The service tech asked me if I wanted them on, and I said no, I turned them off and I'd like to keep them off. He was cool about it. I showed him the remote windows and he was impressed and just warned me about tweaking the codes.

[grasshopper]

I thought I would try to quel some misinformation...

The only reason DRLs ever popped up in the US is because GM was required to put them in their cars sold in Canada. Not wanting to alter their production lines, they made them standard on all North American cars and marketed them as a safety feature. As far as I know, Toyota adopted them in the US for similar reasons, but I am unsure of exactly what politics governed it. Given that [passive] safety is the hottest thing since sliced bread, DRLs have slowly trickled out across the industry.

DRLs were first introduced in northern Europe where they came about due to the extended twilight hours experienced during the winter months. For this reason Canada adopted them as well. There is no conclusive evidence to show that they have any benefit in any region other than the higher latitudes.

My dealer would not disable them for the simple fact that I could get in an accident and swiftly sue them claiming that if my DRLs were functioning the accident wouldn't have occurred. There are no legal reasons for them to refuse, it's just simple business sense.

In the end, the best safety feature is a competant driver, and no manufacturer is required to make those standard.

[Rabbit GTI]

I thought I would try to quel some misinformation...

The only reason DRLs ever popped up in the US is because GM was required to put them in their cars sold in Canada. Not wanting to alter their production lines, they made them standard on all North American cars and marketed them as a safety feature. As far as I know, Toyota adopted them in the US for similar reasons, but I am unsure of exactly what politics governed it. Given that [passive] safety is the hottest thing since sliced bread, DRLs have slowly trickled out across the industry.

DRLs were first introduced in northern Europe where they came about due to the extended twilight hours experienced during the winter months. For this reason Canada adopted them as well. There is no conclusive evidence to show that they have any benefit in any region other than the higher latitudes.

My dealer would not disable them for the simple fact that I could get in an accident and swiftly sue them claiming that if my DRLs were functioning the accident wouldn't have occurred. There are no legal reasons for them to refuse, it's just simple business sense.

In the end, the best safety feature is a competant driver, and no manufacturer is required to make those standard.

that's completely true...and the ironic part is that with our DRL's being the regular xenon headlights, i think it can actually be a hinderance instead of a safety feature for the simple fact that if you forgot to turn on your headlights, someone could rearend you real quick. (now i know this isnt really feasible since the blue lights dont come on in the daytime, but it could happen i suppose...)

[SoCalComatose]

Don't feel like spending the $700-$900 that a VAG-COM cost. For me it would be a one time shot to change settings on my GTI.

David

LOL - I got my Micro-CAN for $230. VAG-com is free with the purchase. My DRL's = off. :thumbsup:

[Fuzzbear]

that's completely true...and the ironic part is that with our DRL's being the regular xenon headlights, i think it can actually be a hinderance instead of a safety feature for the simple fact that if you forgot to turn on your headlights, someone could rearend you real quick. (now i know this isnt really feasible since the blue lights dont come on in the daytime, but it could happen i suppose...)

I would hope that

A) The big glowing DRL indicator would be the first clue that you forgot to turn them on

B) The fact that you cant read anything on the dashboard

would clue you in that you need to turn the "headlights" on

Would have been smarter for them just to leave the auto light sensor in so that it turns your tail lights on automatically at a certain light level

[maypo59]

I would hope that

A) The big glowing DRL indicator would be the first clue that you forgot to turn them on

B) The fact that you cant read anything on the dashboard

would clue you in that you need to turn the "headlights" on

Would have been smarter for them just to leave the auto light sensor in so that it turns your tail lights on automatically at a certain light level

LOL, you can't belive how true your statments are... My wife has been driving Explorer Limiteds now for about 6 years, she's on her third one now. 1st time she drove the GTI and it got dark, she called me from where she was at to tell me the car was broke, because the dash and gauge lights didn't come on when it got dark... I had to explain to her that she had to TURN them on.. and then she called me later to tell me that she had to dim her rear view mirror manually... "so retro" she said..lol

[sk8chip98]

hey all i just wanted to add some thing for the people with the DRLs still off. It is most likely that your car is still in ttransport mode. My car was in transport mode till i brought it in for the 5k work and then my DRLs where on when i picked the car up. If you want them on just head over to the dealer and they should have no problem turning them on for you.

[dpham00]

hey all i just wanted to add some thing for the people with the DRLs still off. It is most likely that your car is still in ttransport mode. My car was in transport mode till i brought it in for the 5k work and then my DRLs where on when i picked the car up. If you want them on just head over to the dealer and they should have no problem turning them on for you.

the dealer has to turn it on for you if it's on the sticker, which it should be for all us-spec cars.

[Jayhawker]

Well, I remember the Saturn commercials where the driver was going down roads with a film crew and all the people were yelling "your lights are on" and the point they were making back the was that people noticed you more when your lights are on. Yeah, I am an old phuker. :biggrin:

Someone else on here has to remember that.

[nc-gti]

Technically you aren't supposed to remove the DTR. Due to that fact that they are considered a saftey feature it is again the law to tamper with them. I wouldn't worry too much about it, unless you get a ass for a cop.

In the USA, DRL are not required. As you may have noticed, many new cars in the USA don't even have DRL.

[mk5nrg]

we pay less for insurance because of DRL, by turning them we would cheat our insurance companies

[GTIMKVDSG]

I think it can actually be a hinderance instead of a safety feature for the simple fact that if you forgot to turn on your headlights, someone could rearend you real quick.

I agree 1000%. I have done this twice already. I'll pull out of the driveway thinking the headlights are on and not realize they are off until I notice there's no dash lights. Watching the HIDs come on kind of hypnotizes me.

Ooooo! Look at the pretty lights. :eyebulge:

[A Fast GTI]

There is NO legislation that requires DRL's in the States. It's all BS from your favorite insurance company and VW NA. Along with all their other garbage. It's easy to understand why they are required in Canada and Scandanavia-it's call Winter light deprevation......most countries in the EU require you to have your headlights etc....on at a certain time to adjust for sunset. Mostly 1630 to 1700. As a German friend once said....DRL's are for people who are mentally unable to decide when to turn their lights on! My 05Porsche C2S DOESN'T have DRL's(neither do the 06's or 07's). My VW dealer turned mine back on and I promptly shut them off!

A Fast GTI
San Antonio Texas