Hmmm... picked up my new car May 2011.. Doesn't have DRL's?

The DRL's on the non-vRS Octavia are incorporated into the fog light.

The SE doesn't get front fog lights and therefore no DRL's either.

However it is possible to program non-DRL equipped Octavia's to use dipped headlights as DRL's.

The only reason DRL's can be described as a distraction is if you are easily distracted. I've seen quite a few facelift vRS's with their LED DRL's and can see them coming from a long way away. Anyone wanting to turn them off completely misses the point of DRL's.

The only reason DRL's can be described as a distraction is if you are easily distracted. I've seen quite a few facelift vRS's with their LED DRL's and can see them coming from a long way away. Anyone wanting to turn them off completely misses the point of DRL's.

....or just naturally aware.

My point is that there's almost a competition amongst manufacturers to make theirs more intense than any others, with VW being one of the worst offenders in my opinion. This "arms race" has also led to a proliferation of retro-fit units joining the race. I've got no issue with using the right lights for the prevailing conditions and have even been known to use my front fogs (with headlights of course) on the one or two days a year when visibility is less than 100m.

It's not really about how far away the source is; more to do with the "immediate" (depends on context of course) risk. A lighthouse may be visible from miles away, but closing speeds are comparatively low. Rear fog lights may make you highly visible in adverse conditions, but they're very distracting when left on and the fog has turned to rain or spray. High level brake lights are also very distracting if you're stuck behind them when static, but unquestionably a great advantage to safety - so the two things can co-exist.

I'd be happier to see DRLs saved for motorbikes where I think the advantage is far greater. Otherwise the more there are, then the marginal advantage of having them becomes more diluted.

On some VW group cars DRLs come on when the headlights are in "auto" setting, but I'd rather keep them off and use common sense and experience to tell me when to turn on the headlights.

I think it has to be realised that the distraction complained of is not one of not seeing the vehicle with DRLs but one of not seeing other things. It is for this very reason that traffic cameras, sleeping policemen, rear fogs etc do not necessarily promote more safety; they take one's attention away from what we should really be concentrating on which is the entire road situation rather than a single element of it.

On DRLs I am not certain either way but I certainly don't switch mine off.

Be seen be safe. Simple. If you don't like the yellowish light, upgrade to led. I always drive with some sort of front light on, had these activated on my pre f/l to save the cost of headlight bulbs. Brilliant feature

G

I have not headlight bulb blow in years & years. DRLs will not save me a penny in headlight bulbs!

Be seen be safe. Simple. If you don't like the yellowish light, upgrade to led. I always drive with some sort of front light on, had these activated on my pre f/l to save the cost of headlight bulbs. Brilliant feature

G

Know it's an Octavia thread ,but I'm now driving on DIPS - wish mine had some form of DRL - AMAZING NUMBER OF OPTICALLY CHALLENGED FOLKS OUT THERE .

Know it's an Octavia thread ,but I'm now driving on DIPS - wish mine had some form of DRL - AMAZING NUMBER OF OPTICALLY CHALLENGED FOLKS OUT THERE .

You can set it with VCDS. Either fronts and rears or just fronts (US style).

Hummmm!!!

Does your foglamp have to bulbs, one (nearest the grill) is your foglamp light.

The DRL's on the non-vRS Octavia are incorporated into the fog light.

The SE doesn't get front fog lights and therefore no DRL's either.

However it is possible to program non-DRL equipped Octavia's to use dipped headlights as DRL's.

You're right I don't have fogs... company car and didn't get any choice in extra's :'( Looks like the "programming list" is getting longer now

Just got my 2011 Octavia VRS last week. Probably being a complete clown, but can someone tell me if and how you switch off the daytime running lights. The owners manual doesn't seem to make sense

Not sure if your opening post has been answered.

Try this:

a. Pull the turn signal lever towards the steering within 3 seconds of turning on the ignition.

b. Holding it in that state slide it up immediately and hold it there for 3 seconds. Once the DRL's are de-activated you will hear a chime.

Do the opposite i.e. slide it downwards for deactivating DRL.

I have tested this and found it to be working on non-maxi dot Octavia.

Edited 11 January, 201214 yr by vickys

There has been plenty of discussion around DRL around on or off, if they are such a distraction on cars, why is it not the same for motorbikes who drive around with either DRL or headlights on.

I suspect the arguement for NOT having them on for cars is that bikes will dissappear into the background again amongst all the lights that are on, where they were previously invisible when no one had lights on.

I was converted to DRL on, when I sold my furby & had a short time with a 500, which had DRL's on, I found that the number of people cutting out of junctions or roundabouts in front of me dramatically decreased, becasue they saw me comming, & those that did just drive out in front, it was very obvious that they didnt even bother checking before pulling out.

Its nice to have a choice

I suspect the arguement for NOT having them on for cars is that bikes will dissappear into the background again amongst all the lights that are on, where they were previously invisible when no one had lights on.

What happens a night then?..........

I have tested this and found it to be working on non-maxi dot Octavia.

You have DRL's, the OP doesn't.

Octavia's with front fog lights as standard don't get the separate DRL's, just a black plastic grill/cover.

You have DRL's, the OP doesn't.

I think the OP might have DRLs seeing as he's asking how to turn them off (and his 2011 vRS Octavia definitely has them)

Hi Guys, I have a 60 Reg Elegance and whilst the car was getting its 20k service I asked if the Daytime lights could be activated. I assumed that this would be the (spare) lights next to the front fogs, but actually they have activated the dipped beam?? Can anyone advise whether this is correct? I will go back to the dealer but wanted to hear from our experts on the site first. many thanks.

Hi Guys, I have a 60 Reg Elegance and whilst the car was getting its 20k service I asked if the Daytime lights could be activated. I assumed that this would be the (spare) lights next to the front fogs, but actually they have activated the dipped beam?? Can anyone advise whether this is correct? I will go back to the dealer but wanted to hear from our experts on the site first. many thanks.

There are various different drl settings, either dipped beam or sidelights (generally for cars without dedicated DRL's - think Sweden etc.) or the dedicated lights, either seperately (on some vrs's) or built into the fogs.

Your garage have simply enabled the wrong ones, either take it back ( if they know what they're doing) or find someone local with vcds who would be willing to do it for you.

There are various different drl settings, either dipped beam or sidelights (generally for cars without dedicated DRL's - think Sweden etc.) or the dedicated lights, either seperately (on some vrs's) or built into the fogs.

DRLs, if using the main beams, don't use the dipped (low) beam - they use the high beam at 20-40% power. this is because the high beam is designed to throw the beam higher, making the light more visible. however instead of running at full power (100%), the DRL will use it at 20-40%, depending on how its configured. this makes it less dazzling during the day.

common setup on some new VW models like the golfs.

there r plenty of kits available to buy, that enable u to use ur high beams as DRLs.

i was planning on doing this to my previous car - a 2002 opel astra.

I think the OP might have DRLs seeing as he's asking how to turn them off (and his 2011 vRS Octavia definitely has them)

When I said OP I actually meant the poster that vickys was referring to, he doesn't have DRL's.

DRLs, if using the main beams, don't use the dipped (low) beam - they use the high beam at 20-40% power.

On Octavia's that don't come fitted with separate DRL's (including the pre-facelift and low spec facelift) it is possible to use dipped headlights as DRL's. I don't doubt using one of the aftermarket kits you mention would work but the selectable option on VCDS/dealer diagnotics is to use dipped beam.

Also the Audi you show already has dedicated DRL's that are next to the indicators. It's owner has rigged up main beam to also function as a DRL. I like it, it looks neat.

Early Audi's (around 2005 / 2006) fitted with xenon headlights had DRL's that used the main beam bulbs running at reduced power.

I wonder then if this is an option that can be enabled in VCDS!?

If not where can you get the 'kit's from?

I wonder then if this is an option that can be enabled in VCDS!?

If not where can you get the 'kit's from?

there is mob called Hamsar who provide DRLs kits to work with various headlight setups.

In particular there is the 45035 or 45060 or DRL Modules

have a look at page 94 of their product catalogue.

there is a how-to here:- www.hamsar.com/images/InstructionSheets/IS27.pdf

Edited 13 January, 201214 yr by JR RS

as above, now legally required on cars built on or after a certain time

Only on new models not current models, therefore the FL from 2009 onwards isn't legally required to have operational DRLs

Sorry, posted this before reading rest of thread!

Edited 13 January, 201214 yr by szking