Can't wait to get my hands on the new vRS (1st March hopefully) but was wondering what reaction existing owners have had to the DRLs? I quite like them, although some might say they are abit Chav-like . (I am aware they can easily be deacivated if you want)

My concern is that they are fitted where foglights traditionally live.... and so I would imagine that to most of the non petrol-head public it would appear that you may be driving around with your fogs either deliberatley/accidentally left on....?

Was wondering if anybody gets repeatedly flashed or told off by those who don't realise they are DRLs?!

Can I just butt in and ask how easy it is to change the bulbs? It's not a bumper off job like the MkI vRS I hope?

Drivers will soon have to get used to DLRs as the EU direct that as from 7 February this year all new cars and light vans will have to be supplied with them fitted.

As for the Skodas, your comment has been well answered lately in these columns.

I collect my new Fabia vRS next Tuesday and it will be an interesting time as I find out for myself !

I personally don't like the DRL's on the new vRS sure it's 4 wee LED's IIRC. but I'm all in favour of them for you to be seen, but think they should be incorporated into the headlight cluster.

Ive got normal DRL`s on my Fabia SE and I havent had anyone flash me indicating they are on. They arent as bright as normal headlights or fogs anyway. Similar brightness to a indicator......

Grahame

Drivers will soon have to get used to DLRs as the EU direct that as from 7 February this year all new cars and light vans will have to be supplied with them fitted.

Can someone please clarify that statement. Until last week I was also of the opinion that all new cars sold from Feb 11 would have to have DRLs. I was thinking that some Manufacturers were leaving it a bit late, but I read just last week that it only applied to newly introduced models and after appeals ( whines ) from some Manufacturers, new means new, facelifted models are exempt.

Does seem to make sense as we are now so close to 07-02-11.

Stewart.

Hi, StewartM

It looks as if you are correct. See attachment.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-runninglights.pdf

Hi, StewartM

It looks as if you are correct. See attachment.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-runninglights.pdf

Thanks for that FB, just out of interest I saw a new problem today in the fog, a number of cars driving with just DRLs on, the problem being that it meant no lights at all at the rear.

Stewart.

So after reading the document can I ask specific to the Fabia VRS

DRLs are on all the time whilst the engine is running - correct ?

Are your rear lights on too ?

Do the DRL's turn off when you put your normal headlights on or do they stay on as well ?

Someone mentioned they can be turned off / on - is this a 'mod' or is there a switch in the cabin ?

Many thanks.

At the moment BMW seem to be the only Manufacturer who has tail lights on with DRLs, plus Volvo who still use the Scandinavian system.

I was under the impression that it was optional whether tail lights came on or not and indeed there has been plenty discussion about it on this Forum. However, the referenced document which is dated Nov 2010, so very recent seems to state that tail lights with DRLs will be allowed for a while then outlawed.

I can see more and more people driving in fog or twilight with just DRL, so no illumination at the rear. Vauxhall are clever, DRLs work only with light switch at auto, if you turn light switch to off, then turn ignition off, light switch jumps to auto. Not sure how many others do it that way.

Stewart.

So after reading the document can I ask specific to the Fabia VRS

DRLs are on all the time whilst the engine is running - correct ?

Are your rear lights on too ?

Do the DRL's turn off when you put your normal headlights on or do they stay on as well ?

Someone mentioned they can be turned off / on - is this a 'mod' or is there a switch in the cabin ?

Many thanks.

If they follow other Skodas...

No, on when ignition is on and headlights are off. Mine stay on when the stop/start system switches the engine off.

No, front lights only for DRL.

Yes, they go out when the headlights go on.

Yes, it can be turned off on the Maxi-dot I believe.

CT17- Thanks.

Edited 20 January, 201115 yr by Bullyboy

If you are speaking specifically about the new Fabia VRS mate, the DRL's are as follows:

-DRLs are on FULL BRIGHTNESS when ignition is on and main beam off. No lights at the rear.

-DRLs are on DIMMED BRIGHTNESS when sidelights are activated (the DRLs double up as sidelights, therefore they dim)

-The same as above applies when when main beam is on (DRLs dimmed).

-I believe they can be deactivated for when no lights are on, however, they cannot be permanently switched off, because as mentioned, they are the sidelights too so will come on when the sidelights are on, even if deactivated.

Hope this helps mate.

At the moment BMW seem to be the only Manufacturer who has tail lights on with DRLs, plus Volvo who still use the Scandinavian system.

I was under the impression that it was optional whether tail lights came on or not and indeed there has been plenty discussion about it on this Forum. However, the referenced document which is dated Nov 2010, so very recent seems to state that tail lights with DRLs will be allowed for a while then outlawed.

I can see more and more people driving in fog or twilight with just DRL, so no illumination at the rear. Vauxhall are clever, DRLs work only with light switch at auto, if you turn light switch to off, then turn ignition off, light switch jumps to auto. Not sure how many others do it that way.

Stewart.

VW have rear lights on with DRL. Well my wifes 10 plate polo does.

Certain that Merc and Audi also have rear illumination with DRLs too.

My fear with this extra level of lighting is that normal folk will have even LESS idea about what lighting they should be showing for a particular situation, than they do at the moment!

If you are speaking specifically about the new Fabia VRS mate, the DRL's are as follows:

-DRLs are on FULL BRIGHTNESS when ignition is on and main beam off. No lights at the rear.

-DRLs are on DIMMED BRIGHTNESS when sidelights are activated (the DRLs double up as sidelights, therefore they dim)

-The same as above applies when when main beam is on (DRLs dimmed).

-I believe they can be deactivated for when no lights are on, however, they cannot be permanently switched off, because as mentioned, they are the sidelights too so will come on when the sidelights are on, even if deactivated.

Hope this helps mate.

so as soon as u switch on they are on? so its just them thats on then....

Cheers I forgot the Polo DRL is different from other VWs.

Yes, I can see a lot of problems arising.

To be honest I was always in favour of the Scandinavian permanent headlight system, it was brought in because they have far longer twilight hours than we have and people were not switching lights on when they should have done.

Unfortunately the EU bowed to pressure which is why we have the DRL laws we have.

The thing I find amusing is the fact that they banned the dedicated DRLs which Volvo and Saab used to have and banned the dim-dip which the UK had, now both these things are basically back in.

Stewart

Had my Fabia vRS for 2 months or so now. DRL's are quite uncommon from my experience of day to day driving, which might go some way to explaining why I get flashed once a day by someone who thinks my fogs are on. It's most common when going up or downhill. Does get a little frustrating as it makes you feel like YOU have done something wrong. Or even worse that you have a puncture or a problem with the car

My DRL's aren't as bright as they should be when I first start the car up, as they are always misted up inside the glass.

Anyone else have this problem ?

so as soon as u switch on they are on? so its just them thats on then....

Yep. Sidelights are DRLs dimmed as mentioned.

My DRL's aren't as bright as they should be when I first start the car up, as they are always misted up inside the glass.

Anyone else have this problem ?

Common problem, apparently clears as you start driving, never jumped out mid journey to check though!

My DRL's aren't as bright as they should be when I first start the car up, as they are always misted up inside the glass.

Anyone else have this problem ?

Hi this may be due to the extreme temperature changes we are getting at the moment?

If you are speaking specifically about the new Fabia VRS mate, the DRL's are as follows:

-DRLs are on FULL BRIGHTNESS when ignition is on and main beam off. No lights at the rear.

-DRLs are on DIMMED BRIGHTNESS when sidelights are activated (the DRLs double up as sidelights, therefore they dim)

-The same as above applies when when main beam is on (DRLs dimmed).

-I believe they can be deactivated for when no lights are on, however, they cannot be permanently switched off, because as mentioned, they are the sidelights too so will come on when the sidelights are on, even if deactivated.

Hope this helps mate.

Stu vRS - can I just check then, when side lights are on (i.e. DRLs dimmed) is there any light from the main headlights? (Did not check on the test drive - doh!)

My DRL's aren't as bright as they should be when I first start the car up, as they are always misted up inside the glass.

Anyone else have this problem ?

marcusfordus - agreeing that this could be common - I saw this on the vehicle that I test drove yesterday. The dealer shown me another Fabia vRS that hadn't been started up that day and there was no misting on that one. Just the one we took out had misted - he gave a reasonable explanation that with that car being new, delivery to them was held up (due to bad weather) and he was thinking that maybe there was a residue of damp that would clear eventually... I'm beginning to think not!

Carl

Stu vRS - can I just check then, when side lights are on (i.e. DRLs dimmed) is there any light from the main headlights? (Did not check on the test drive - doh!)

Carl

No, sidelights literally just dims the DRL's, no light from the main headlights.

Had my Fabia vRS for 2 months or so now. DRL's are quite uncommon from my experience of day to day driving, which might go some way to explaining why I get flashed once a day by someone who thinks my fogs are on. It's most common when going up or downhill. Does get a little frustrating as it makes you feel like YOU have done something wrong. Or even worse that you have a puncture or a problem with the car

This was what I was thinking. Anybody else been flashed for this?

There does seem to be a growing group of people who are very anit-DRL. Check this out: My link

Its the website for the "Associtation of Drivers against Daytime Running Lights" .... sound like a bunch of loonies

This was what I was thinking. Anybody else been flashed for this?

Oh yes, in 5 months ownership I've been flashed dozens of times.

These are 4 different types of reaction I have seen;

1. Oncoming traffic flashes their headlights,

2. Oncoming traffic flashes their foglights,

3. Car in front on motorway flashes their rear fogs, then you pass them and they flash the fronts,

4. Pedestrians shout and point!

Remember VRS DRL LED's are techno-lights so techno-notice.