I've been looking into alternatives for my candle-brown DRLs/sidelights, but am reluctant to splash out on "whiter" H15 bulbs - reviews seem a little mixed on how much of an improvement they make, and it would be just my luck for one to blow a few months down the line.

 

I've seen various flexible LED strips (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=flexible+led+strip+drl) that I understand are intended to be fitted inside the headlight units. How straightforward is it to remove a headlight, and can they even be opened up? I always assumed these were sealed units. There are also strips designed to stick on the outside (e.g. http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/Flexi-Day-Light-Running-Strips-NEW.html), but I have my doubts over durability given our weather extremes.

 

If I did fit something like this then I would want to turn off the original DRLs, but realise that disconnecting the wire would stop the sidelights working too. Would this fail an MOT? Just curious how they make a distinction between DRLs and sidelights - if the DRLs were permanently on then isn't that okay?

 

 

As you've probably found out the H15 is used for sidelights, DRL and main beam. The same filament is used for both sidelights and DRL but I believe the car dims to it about 30% when used as a sidelight.

 

The headlights will be sealed but you might be able to break the seal or cut them open, not ideal really and a good amount of work.

 

You can't have DRL permanently on, they either need to turn off or dim when the sidelights/dipped beams are used. It should fail an MOT if this isn't the case. DRL's are simply too bright for use at night!

 

No easy solution apart from 'whiter' H15's I'm afraid, even then they might not make much difference... :(

The headlights can be removed but it will require taking the bumper off. As for opening them up, that also can be done but there will be some damage to the headlight to do this.

The original DRL function of the H15 can be switched off to leave the side light and main beam working, if you did fit a strip you could have that working as DRL / side light combined and just have the H15 work the main beam only.

The great thing about the new MQB platform is the flexibility for us 'modders'

Have you considered a high quality fog light bulb replacement for LED? This could be then used as a dimmed DRL and then disable the H15 DRL.

Ps. The 2 links you have are total rubbish, I've tried the flexiday ones (those exact ones) and they just aren't very bright (side light brightness roughly)

Edited 2 September, 20169 yr by xpower

You can't have DRL permanently on, they either need to turn off or dim when the sidelights/dipped beams are used. It should fail an MOT if this isn't the case. DRL's are simply too bright for use at night!

DRLs are not checked in the MOT test, check the online MOT Testers Guide is you don't believe me.

 

DRLs do not have to turn off or dim when other lights come on - under the German law they do but under the Belgian law they don't, and both versions are legal in the EU. It's a complete farce that was brought about by some car manufacturers looking to save costs and persuading the Belgian government to pass a law that is cheaper for them to implement.