Vida - turning off DRL

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Tatsfield

Can I just ask, is there a reason other than appearance that would favour turning them off?

I made mine switchable with Vida but leave them on 99% of the time.
Being able to switch them off is handy though as there can be occasions where I have the engine running on the drive but don't want to be illuminating the house across the road. There have been several other occasions where switchable lights are handy.

[apersson850]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Cars older than 2018 do not need to have operational day time running lights (they can’t fail an MOT for this either). They may have them fitted from the factory, but they don’t need to work.

Thank you, but that's not exactly what I meant. I wanted to ask if you don't have to drive with lights on around the clock in the UK?
Here in Sweden, you don't need DRL. You can just as well turn the light on yourself, as long as you don't forget that.

Well, actually, if there's a rule that DRL must be operational on a 2018 here too, then I don't know. I don't have anything newer than 2016 right now.

[apersson850]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Being able to switch them off is handy though as there can be occasions where I have the engine running on the drive but don't want to be illuminating the house across the road.

Switching to parking light works for me in such a case.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by apersson850

Thank you, but that's not exactly what I meant. I wanted to ask if you don't have to drive with lights on around the clock in the UK?
Here in Sweden, you don't need DRL. You can just as well turn the light on yourself, as long as you don't forget that.

Well, actually, if there's a rule that DRL must be operational on a 2018 here too, then I don't know. I don't have anything newer than 2016 right now.

In the UK they were not legally required until recently.

- All models that went through a type approval process since August 2011 had to have DRL's

- The UK annual MOT test now includes daytime running lights on cars first used after 1st March 2018 but only if they are fitted.

- Technically it is still possible that older models of cars sold that have not had to be re-type approved since 2011 may not have DRL's. The last model I can think of that didn't was the old Defender.

A sensible read if you are interested : https://www.gov.uk/government/public...running-lights

In my opinion a fundamental flaw of the DRL legislation is that rear lights do not come on as well. We've had a few foggy mornings recently over in Yorkshire and over 50% of newer cars are being driven around in fog with DRL's that are quite effective but no rear lights (drivers used to automatic switching).

[apersson850]

Yes, but no matter whether you have DRL or not on your car, you still have to have lights on in daytime? That's kind of what I'm trying to figure out.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by apersson850

Yes, but no matter whether you have DRL or not on your car, you still have to have lights on in daytime? That's kind of what I'm trying to figure out.

No, you don’t have to have lights on during the day.

Cars made after 2011 had DRL’s fitted (some, not all) - They don’t have to work though for an MOT perspective. So in theory, you could get them disabled & not have to worry about an MOT failure.

2018 & newer also have DRL’s, but they must work for an MOT. Therefore, its not logical to get them disabled because its an MOT failure. Unless, you disable them & get them working before the MOT, but that’s a bit over the top.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by apersson850

Switching to parking light works for me in such a case.

That isn't the only situation for me though as there are times where I want no lighting on at all.

Switching to parking lights also disables the lights on warning so there's a risk of a flat battery if I forget.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

That isn't the only situation for me though as there are times where I want no lighting on at all.

Switching to parking lights also disables the lights on warning so there's a risk of a flat battery if I forget.

Same here. Not a great idea... I would have thought they would have turned off after so long, but no. If you forget, you’re buggered!

[monkeh]

Vdash - worked, they relieved me of 35 euro for the privelage.
Other reason is I like to approach my garage with lights off. I feel antisocial coming in hot at 5am lighting up their curtains.
With parking lights? Guilty of leaving those on on the 940 plenty of times. That's why I want to turn my headlights off!