Can I code my fog lights to come on as DRL's using VCDS as I'm contemplating getting some LED bulbs fitted then coded. Also as is with the new cars today, can I set it up so that only the front lights are automatically active during the day and rears off?

I've just found a Chinese chrome VW auto light switch and sensor on eBay for £22, I'm guessing that will work for my side lights and not the fogs? Would it be easy to install?

Take a look at this:

http://www.caristaapp.com/customizations/?car=skoda_octavia_1z_2006

This app says it can set your fogs as DRLs. Note you have to use the app to activate DRLs first then select fogs for DRL's.

This link above is for pre FL from 2004 onwards and the sample list is for a 2006 car.

I used the same app to switch on the factory fitted DRLs on mine, plus a few other things shown in the list.

I've activated the fogs on mine to work as DRL's. I've received the H1 LED bulbs I ordered yesterday which I will fit tomorrow.

Only down side is the sidelights and rear lights come on with the fogs.

Using Carista I've managed to get mine to come on using fogs only. No side/tail lights. Only on with the handbrake off but I've got used to it.

I used VCDS, Maybe there's an option for fogs only, I'm used to tail lights on now though.

Tail lights on is Scandanavian mode. IIRC the other mode is American, which is no tail lights and fronts only when hand brake off. It should also be possible to reduce the intensity of the front fogs so that they're not at 100% brightness when functioning as DRLs.

Will be interested in how you get on with the LED bulbs. I expect they may throw a bulb failure warning light. It'd be good if they don't though.

Not sure I like the idea off them going off when handbrake is on tbh.

 

I shall report back on the LEDs, Apparently they're canbus ready so shouldn't flag up but so are the reverse light bulbs and one of them gives a warning on the dash :|

I'd rather they didn't go off with the handbrake but the other option was to have sidelights on all the time, which is worse.

I've got used to it.

Because it looks like you've just switched the fog lights and side lights on manually. Like what all the yoofs do.

Dipped heads doesn't have the same look but I don't want the Xenons on all the time.

Edited 26 September, 201510 yr by phil5556

I am still looking for a answer on how to swap the fog lights on the Vrs and which are the correct bulbs to fit!!

I think they can be used as long as they are below a certain intensity. At the moment I assume mine aren't below that intensity but once I manage to plug it into VCDS I will turn them down. I think the 60% setting is the one to go for.

I think I'd be more likely to get pulled for having fogs and sidelights on than just fogs.

Because I'd imagine (I could obviously be very wrong) that the majority of police officers would look at the front of my car and not give it a second thought as it would just look like another car with DRLS down low in the bumper.

Having the extra side lights on might draw attention to it.

Mine are bright, probably not as bright to look at but more illuminating than LEDS, so serve the purpose of making me more visible. Which is what I'm aiming for. They certainly aren't any more dazzling than a lot of the new LED type.

I'm not missing the point about brightness. I agree that they should be bright during the day time, (and as they are DRLS think they should be off completely in anything other than daylight).

But I believe the law allows fog lights to be used as long as they are set at an equivalent brightness to a lower wattage bulb. I'm not saying they are more effective at a dimmer setting, but possibly legal.

I'll see if I can find some info later.

I have the front fogs on our Octavia set as DRL's, I reduced their brightness from 92 to 60. This wasn't possible using Carista in the early days but they must have since enabled this feature.

 

Ours aren't bright enough to dazzle but are bright enough to be convincing and effective as DRL's. Looking at the Octavia and Superb on the drive next to each other they are about the same in terms of light output.

 

I perhaps pay too much attention to other cars lights but I wouldn't want sidelights on with dedicated DRL's as it will look as though I'm driving round with front fog lights on to look cool. The only exception to this would be if the dipped headlights were being used for DRL's.

 

I can only assume there is some legislation in place to allow the use of front fog lights for other functions. The cornering lights on my Superb utilise the front fogs but at full brightness.

Can the intensity be set down to 60% with the carista app?

It couldn't when I last tried.

Can any one say how to replace the pre fl fog lights and what are the correct bulbs :-/

Can any one say how to replace the pre fl fog lights and what are the correct bulbs :-/

The actual fog light unit or bulb do you mean? Bulbs are H1 and I know you can do the N/S by removing the headlight, Gives you access to the top of the unit.

Just the bulbs I wanna pop LEDs in

Just had a look at mine, N/S can be done by removing the headlight but O/S has the washer bottle in the way

Balls Hahahah

Do the covers pop off?

Which covers? Bulb covers? Think they twist iirc.

The surrounds the ring things which as you look at them at the front

I just went to activate my fogs as DRL's by pressig Save on Carista and a pop up appeared asking for £15.36, I thought someone said £7 odd, that's some Inflation!