Is there a guide that covers how to get to the light cluster that contains fog and DRL bulbs in the front bumper? A quick look didn't make it obvious how to remove the cluster without a lot of fuss, and searching all the topics for 30 mins didn't show what I wanted to know (too many posts with 'useful' "Hi There" topic titles...!).

My car is set to have DRLs on all the time (unless the headlights are on), so it's likely the DRL bulbs will accumulate a lot of run-time, and thus need replacing sooner than I want.

I expect some bureaucrats paid themselves big bonuses for devising a scheme to pump more C02 into the atmosphere with this DRL thing!

Thanks.

PS I read that they can be turned off by some messing with the indicator stalks or similar (I have no maxi-dot toy, or vagcom) but cannot find a combination that works. Is this just for certain models?

Is there a guide that covers how to get to the light cluster that contains fog and DRL bulbs in the front bumper? A quick look didn't make it obvious how to remove the cluster without a lot of fuss, and searching all the topics for 30 mins didn't show what I wanted to know (too many posts with 'useful' "Hi There" topic titles...!).

My car is set to have DRLs on all the time (unless the headlights are on), so it's likely the DRL bulbs will accumulate a lot of run-time, and thus need replacing sooner than I want.

I expect some bureaucrats paid themselves big bonuses for devising a scheme to pump more C02 into the atmosphere with this DRL thing!

Thanks.

PS I read that they can be turned off by some messing with the indicator stalks or similar (I have no maxi-dot toy, or vagcom) but cannot find a combination that works. Is this just for certain models?

They are LEDs so they should have a decent lifespan to be honest

Most probably the car will need replacing before the LED's need to be replaced.

The DRL's are not LED's on all models of the Octy

They aren't LED's, only the vRS has LED's, all other Octavia's (excluding the S, SE & Greenline which don't have any DRL's) use a standard 21W bulb.

How to remove them and how to activate/deactivte them (using the indicator stalk) is all detailed in the manual.

As for the extra CO² the DRL's generate I think the extra squeeze of the accelerator when you sneeze will generate just as much over an average month

I'm assuming the 30 minutes you spent searching on here means that the manual isn't close to hand. You can download it here:

http://www.skoda-auto.com/en/service/documentation/Pages/documentation.aspx

Hi the answer to your question is reasonably simple. Looking at the lower grill left and right side should have a two covers that come off to gain access to the fog and drl unit. Using your fingers feel for a small cut out on each I think is under the first ledge down . Using the first three fingers put them inside the cut out and and lever down to get the top loose and then lever up to release the bottom. Whilst doing this try to pull down/up and towards you. Carefully do this as the tangs on the cover can snap. Once cover is off feel for a plastic clip just inside the bumper where the drl/fog is and press clip and push in an outwards fashion. Hooray unit should be free. Failing this guide go to owners handbook and read on bulb changing fog / drl

Sorry little bit long winded but try to be as helpful as i can be as the pictures in book don't really help ; )

I had to replace a DRL bulb and found it impossible to get the side cover off without causing possible damage, so I gave up and tried another and probably simpler method.

I gained access by partial removal of the flexible wheel-arch lining. First make sure the steering is fully locked over to one side or the other depending which side you need to access. Then remove the two lower star bolts (size T25) from the outer edge and the lining will flex out enough so that your hand/arm can reach in behind to the far side of the light housing, release the catch and out pops the complete light housing.

When replacing the housing make sure the catch is secure by giving the unit a sharp thump (not too hard mind you) with the heel of your palm, otherwise it may come loose.

Mac

I encountered this problem a few weeks ago on my May 11 Elegance model and found it impossible to gain access by any of these suggestions. The bulb 'failure' was intermittent - not working for a few days then coming back on for a few more days! I assumed faulty bulb. I took the car to the Skoda dealer in the end and it seems this is a known fault. Under warranty new modified bulb holders were fitted and new long life bulbs and it has been ok since. Warning I did have to press the light fitting hard in place after (as one reader advises) as after return from the garage I noticed it was not fitted one side! Skoda must realise that it is difficult to change these bulbs hence the long life bulbs. So if I had just changed the bulb (if I had managed to get in!) I would have missed this modification. Moral - if within warranty go to the dealer!

Davernip

Any difficulties in removing the lower gril pieces can be countered by warming them up with a hairdryer or hot water. This also greatly reduces the risk of snapping off tangs as the plastic is a lot more pliable and so, less brittle.

I had to replace a DRL bulb and found it impossible to get the side cover off without causing possible damage, so I gave up and tried another and probably simpler method.

I gained access by partial removal of the flexible wheel-arch lining. First make sure the steering is fully locked over to one side or the other depending which side you need to access. Then remove the two lower star bolts (size T25) from the outer edge and the lining will flex out enough so that your hand/arm can reach in behind to the far side of the light housing, release the catch and out pops the complete light housing.

Mac

Yup this works, but only on the nearside. Offside has the windscreen washer bottle in the way!

Any difficulties in removing the lower gril pieces can be countered by warming them up with a hairdryer or hot water. This also greatly reduces the risk of snapping off tangs as the plastic is a lot more pliable and so, less brittle.

The hairdryer method definitely works having resorted to this through desperation, as I have big fat fingers, trying to remove the cover as described by the manual, you stand no chance!

Have noticed now, having had the covers off for the first time since I got the car new, they come off as per the instructions in the manual quite easily now. Maybe the fact that since they have never been off before, they may be too tight when you actually need to get them off. It may be a good suggestion to all to get the covers off when you have a spare moment, try the hairdryer method, otherwise you may be stuck if you need to get to the towing eye situated behind the nearside cover.......

After a lot of struggling I managed to get the front trim off approx as per the handbook. Once you have it off and in your hand you can see it is designed purely for snap in assembly when new; i.e. not designed as a removeable part for access to the DRL/foglamp assembly. Fortunately it came off with only minor distortion of one of the tangs and has gone back OK. I took a few photos which might help "first timers" attempting this. However I am not sure how to upload them as they are greater file size than the 1MB this Forum permits so I will need some guidance on how to do this.

Also I used an "L" shaped tool to hook through the "finger" opening and pull the trim towards me.

Finally, Youtube is often a good source of info for this sort of thing and there is a video of an Octavia being converted to LED lights and this trim part just comes off with one hand! I think they must have "made one earlier"....

After a lot of struggling I managed to get the front trim off approx as per the handbook. Once you have it off and in your hand you can see it is designed purely for snap in assembly when new; i.e. not designed as a removeable part for access to the DRL/foglamp assembly. Fortunately it came off with only minor distortion of one of the tangs and has gone back OK. I took a few photos which might help "first timers" attempting this. However I am not sure how to upload them as they are greater file size than the 1MB this Forum permits so I will need some guidance on how to do this.

Just open the piccy files in an editor prog and then save as same name with a suffix (e.g. dsc017a). On the next screen you will get the option to change the file size. PAINT.NET is an excellent freebie editor that gives the save- size option mentioned above

Even skoda dealer told me not to touch the front covers to change the bulb, easy to brake them. Their advice was to take the arch carpet off. I've done one side for 5min and did not take the wheel out! Very simple job.

I've had the drivers side (erm... passenger side to you) grille cover off and it didn't let go without breaking slightly. You can't tell though, and I had forgot all about it until i saw this thread.

Worst case scenario I'll just buy another one, they can't be very expensive.

"Just open the piccy files in an editor prog and then save as same name with a suffix (e.g. dsc017a). On the next screen you will get the option to change the file size. PAINT.NET is an excellent freebie editor that gives the save- size option mentioned above" Thanks to EB11GUM. Attached are some pictures.

For those supporters of the wheel arch removal method of access, does this work on the offside where there is the screenwash reservoir?

"Just open the piccy files in an editor prog and then save as same name with a suffix (e.g. dsc017a). On the next screen you will get the option to change the file size. PAINT.NET is an excellent freebie editor that gives the save- size option mentioned above" Thanks to EB11GUM. Attached are some pictures.

For those supporters of the wheel arch removal method of access, does this work on the offside where there is the screenwash reservoir?

Anyone?.....................

Further to the removal of end trim dilema.  At last. Finally had the nerve to go at it! The perfect tool is a junior hacksaw. Remove the blade, insert the short bent length into the slot pointing upwards and pull like f~**. Nothing broke either.

Not sure about yours but on mine you can switch the DRL's "off" via the maxidot. If that option is on yours it takes a few seconds. Think this was mentioned earlier when someone advised about doing it via the stalk.

Regards

Changed my DRLs recently, heating the plastic with a hair dryer definately helps.

I had to replace a DRL bulb and found it impossible to get the side cover off without causing possible damage, so I gave up and tried another and probably simpler method.

I gained access by partial removal of the flexible wheel-arch lining. First make sure the steering is fully locked over to one side or the other depending which side you need to access. Then remove the two lower star bolts (size T25) from the outer edge and the lining will flex out enough so that your hand/arm can reach in behind to the far side of the light housing, release the catch and out pops the complete light housing.

When replacing the housing make sure the catch is secure by giving the unit a sharp thump (not too hard mind you) with the heel of your palm, otherwise it may come loose.

Mac

Just had n/side DRL info come on showing bulb fault. Tried to pull grille section off & sure it would break if I pulled on it so tried the wheelarch liner method & hey presto job done in 5 minutes. Bulb connector corroded so just a quick bulb replacement. Thanks to Mac1961 for the useful guide.

Can recommend the heating with a hairdryer method - although I used a heat gun on low setting and was very careful not to overheat the plastic.  Works though with no damage so many thanks for the suggestion.

Installed mine today with my personal method:

 

The grill was almost impossible to remove (I slightly broke one of them but luckily is unnoticeable...) and I didn't wanted to try the wheel method since someone says works only for one side.

 

I gained access from the hood after removing both the main optics...

 

I lighted up down and was able to see the clamp for fog/drl housing, reached with a straight piece of steel...

 

I'm going to the garage to make them remove the grill once so for future changes I have easily access...

Just wanted to add to this topic. I know it's old but in case anyone else is trying to change the bulbs.

 

The above methods of ripping those covers off or removing the arch liners is just mad and way over the top.

 

It actually takes 2 seconds to remove the light units without having to remove any trim at all.

 

Simply take something long and flat (I used a butter knife), shove it in between the inner side of the light and push the clip in. The light unit just releases and pops out.

 

Super easy and zero damage.

Edited 8 January, 20215 yr by Phil-E

41 minutes ago, Phil-E said:

Just wanted to add to this topic. I know it's old but in case anyone else is trying to change the bulbs.

 

The above methods of ripping those covers off or removing the arch liners is just mad and way over the top.

 

It actually takes 2 seconds to remove the light units without having to remove any trim at all.

 

Simply take something long and flat (I used a butter knife), shove it in between the inner side of the light and push the clip in. The light unit just releases and pops out.

 

Super easy and zero damage.

This. +1 I got the thing out with just a credit card.