Hi all!

Most of us are aware that the pre facelift Octavia does not have DRL's (although I am aware it is possible to enable the headlights to be used as DRL's using VCDS).

I am talking specifically about the pre facelift vRS and Scout models as these both have the same round front fog lights...

I have noticed that LED DRL's are available as a factory option on the facelift Scout (in lieu of the front fogs) and that the latest Fabia vRS has the LED DRL's (again, the front fog light feature is removed as the LED DRL's use the front fog light aperture)...

Facelift Scout with LED DRL's in lieu of front fog lights:

Latest Fabia vRS with LED DRL's in lieu of front fog lights:

The LED DRL light unit on the Scout and Fabia are identical and are a direct fit into the front fog light aperture of both the pre-facelift Octavia vRS and Scout.

I understand that it is possible to set up the existing non-LED front fog lights as DRL's, again using VCDS. They can be set to come on at a lower brightness than the normal setting for front fogs, for example 70%.

I am aware that this is not legal as the standard front fogs are not designed to be used as DRL's and there is a risk that that they may dazzle other road users (even if they are set at 70%).

Each to their own but I am not a fan of the aftermarket look of the strip of LED's that some members have fitted to their pre-FL vRS's / Scout's and much prefer the OEM look if possible. OK so the eagle eyed will be able to tell that the pre-FL Scout doesn't have DRL's but I'm not too fussed.

Looking at Super Skoda and eBay I notice that a pair of the OEM LED light units are now available for around £100 delivered.

My question is, if using VCDS and I set up my front fogs as DRL's and then retrofit a set of the LED DRL's, is this simply a plug and play option?

As above, I know I can tell my car to use its front fogs as DRL’s and that the actual physical fitment will work, however does anyone know if the electrical connection is the same?

Will I have any voltage / bulb error issues with the lower power LED's if my car expects them to be standard tungsten bulb fog lights or is there a ballast already built into the light units?

Sorry for the long post, it takes some explaining! Any help would be much appreciated!

eBay (£99.99 delivered):

Super Skoda (€89.99 + Delivery):

If they're not too much of a nightmare to fit then I'll buy them too. How would the car know to turn them on when the ignition is on without using the old fog light switch?

I asked a few members this very quetion, but at a meet , not on the forum , can you be our guinea pig then post pictures of removing fitting and then turned on :yes:

If they're not too much of a nightmare to fit then I'll buy them too. How would the car know to turn them on when the ignition is on without using the old fog light switch?

I am relying on assurances from a friendly fellow Briskoda member who told me that he knows how it can be done using VCDS.

Another member also claims to have done it too, see post number 7...

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/192349-drl-and-cornering-fogs-pre-fl/

I'm guessing it will only work on Octavia's after a certain build date but it has been done on a pre-FL.

As far as I am aware (check out the thread linked above) they work exactly the same as the non LED DRL's on the FL Octavia i.e. they automatically turn on and off with the ignition/engine or when side/dipped headlights are on.

One grey area is what happens when these changes are made and then those of us with front fogs on the headlight switch turn them on, would the LED DRL's then double up as front fogs (although probably not very effective as actual fog lights!) or would this function of the headlight switch simply become defunct?

I asked a few members this very quetion, but at a meet , not on the forum , can you be our guinea pig then post pictures of removing fitting and then turned on :yes:

Unfortunately I don't have VCDS so it would involve a drive over to see another friendly member.

What I'll probably have to do is first set-up the DRL's to use my current fog lights (but much dimmer of course) so that I'm happy it can actually be done (not that I don't 100% trust the information provided on forums )

(The only problem here is that I could be driving illeagally?)

Then buy the LED DRL's and fit them to see if they work the same. I then assume I'll need hooking back up to VCDS to turn them back up to full strength?

Another slight concern is the fitment to the bumper, if you take a look at the brackets on the new LED DRL vs. the standard front fog from a vRS the brackets look different to me (see below)? I'm guessing the Scout could be different again?

However both the eBay seller and Super Skoda claim they are a straight swap on the Fabia, Octavia vRS and Octavia Scout (both pre and post facelift).

Not sure I'd want to buy the new LED DRL's before I was certain they were a straight swap

I guess what I'm saying is I'm too much of a wuss to be the guinea pig :no:

Here is a comparison of the two light fitments...

Top picture are the LED DRL's, bottom picture are the standard tungsten fog lights, note the different length brackets...

I also notice that the front fogs are manufactured by Valeo and the LED DRL's are by Hella, I wonder if the electrical connections are therefore different too?

Edited 8 May, 201115 yr by silver1011

Pre-FL Octavia, 100% certainty you can have fogs coded to work as DRL's, you can set the brightness too - done it myself, realised how poop they looked & turned it straight off again.

Thanks Simbo, you are the "friendly member" I referred to earlier, didn't want to mention you by name though!

I'm still trying to persuade the wife that she needs some bits and bobs from Macro so that I can pay you a visit to have the front fogs / DRL's activated

The other alternative............

which look much better and more OEM than those at the start of the thread to me...

Pagey - they do look very very nice! Do you have a build thread?

(likewise with the colour coded front end, is there a build thread for doing that?)

Superskodas site says they are for 09 fl though :no:

which look much better and more OEM than those at the start of the thread to me...

Thanks for that, they look even more OE now I have re-wired the controller to switch them off when the dipped beam is turned on.

Pagey - they do look very very nice! Do you have a build thread?

(likewise with the colour coded front end, is there a build thread for doing that?)

Again thank you, there is a tutorial knocking around produced by vRS Carl the pioneer of these particular DRL's, however I have recieved a few PM's regarding the retro fit including wiring so I plan on stripping mine out then refitting with a guide including pictures. Regarding the colour coding, are you referring to the front grille? If so this is a simply job for any panel beater or even DIY if you feel confident, some members have wrapped there grilles which is another option.

Superskodas site says they are for 09 fl though :no:

Well spotted, would they really change the fog light for the facelift I wonder?

I know the bumper is slightly different, especially with the integrated strip of LED's but I'd be suprised if they'd changed the way in which the fog lights are fastened to the bumper..?

A silly question: What are the rules in UK about DRL? In some EU countries DRL means dipped beams "must" be on and not LED's at fog lights, in the bumper or wherever else. Some countries even totally forbid Fog lights to be on if no fog, and even if fog is there, you only switch fog lights out of the city. You will be stopped by police if no fog and asked in a ironic manner: is there any fog, sir?

Sure enough these LED's save xenon usage and power.

A policemen in Croatia stopped a Golf Mk2 who had some cheap nasty blue led's around main lights and no dipped beams on, and policemen's question was: What are these x-mass tree lights? Put dipped beams on. It was funny and i couldn't stop laughing

my mate has got both an Fl octavia vrs and a m2 Fabia VRS, and I must admit they look ( led on Fabia) closer to the fl than mine

DRL`s are law now in the uk from 11 plate onwards (ie 1st March 2011) they are on in daytime without lights, most people do not understand DRL means, daytime running lights so you do not have them on at night, ie with sidelights etc

Here's what EU says:

DRL involves motor vehicles having their headlights on during hours of daylight. These can be their dipped headlights or a special lighting unit. (So it can be either dipped or LED)

What are the options for implementing DRL?

The EC requested that various options for DRL introduction in the EU be given (Commandeur et al.,2003). These are:

1. only a behavioural measure with manual operation of dipped lights;

2. same as 1, but with a compulsory automatic DRL switch for new cars;

3. same as 1, but with a compulsory advanced DRL unit for new cars;

4. a compulsory automatic DRL switch for all new cars; 'old' cars without this facility do not have to use DRL;

5. same as 4, but with a compulsory advanced DRL unit.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, was looking at some other legal stuff.

Please continue the meaningful discussion

Mounting does look totally different on the DRL's and wonder how bright they will be. I need a set of either the fogs or these DRL's for my VRS's estate as were missing when i bought it so currently thinking which to fit.

Go for the LED DRL's so we can all learn if it is possible and follow your lead

DRL`s are law now in the uk from 11 plate onwards (ie 1st March 2011) they are on in daytime without lights, most people do not understand DRL means, daytime running lights so you do not have them on at night, ie with sidelights etc

So where will the drl be on a new octavia se?

So where will the drl be on a new octavia se?

Probably two bulbs in the fog housing

Go for the LED DRL's so we can all learn if it is possible and follow your lead

I was waiting for that one lol, but have to see what the bank manager says before i can bite the bullet.

Probably two bulbs in the fog housing

But se dont have fogs thats why i wonder where they will fit it if it is needed

But se dont have fogs thats why i wonder where they will fit it if it is needed

Then they will just have sidelights activated, have you asked your dealer

But se dont have fogs thats why i wonder where they will fit it if it is needed

It's only brand new models that require DRL's from March, not just new current models.

As the Octavia has been around for a while in its current guise DRL's aren't required by law.

Skoda have fitted them anyway as they are seen as an attractive feature by some customers. They are actually a cost factory option on the Scout.

The DRL's on the non vRS / Scout Octavia's are part of the fog light assembly hence the S and SE don't get them as they don't have front fog lights.

Thank you, that clears things up now. was hoping i got drl fitted so i can mod it to look like VRS pagey as that looks so cool and looks factory fit