V50 Electrics : Daylight Running Lights

[Fast Reg]

Is there some override so that I can actually turn my headlights off or is this a dealer job?

[Dave Brown]

I'm afraid it's a dealer job, needs a software update,
Worth talking to your insurers also,as some see it as changing a safety feature on the car

Dave

[Flanaia1]

Originally Posted by Dave Brown

I'm afraid it's a dealer job, needs a software update,
Worth talking to your insurers also,as some see it as changing a safety feature on the car

Dave

Yep will confirm that insurers take a poor view of it as they see it as reducing your cars safety sytems and your visibility and hence may try to increase your premium as a result as they now see you as a higher risk.

[southportvolvo]

Either a dealer or a decent independant garage with VIDA diagnostics

[dan 244]

you can turn the headlight switch to the parked position, and only sidelights will be on, I doo this as I reverse into my garage as it is down a slope and lights shine at neighbours bedroom windows. You must however remember to turn them back to normal when parked or sidelights will stay on.

Why do you want to turn them off, I think all cars should have dipped headlights on it would stop idiots driving around with just sidelights or no lights at all on misty dull mornings. (Probably the same idiots that keep rear fog lights on for three weeks after the fog has cleared or turn them on in the rain)

[christhesham]

i'm with dan. insurers now ask you if you have your lights on at the time of an accident. must be a reason for it

[Fast Reg]

It sounds like just another dodge to avoid paying an otherwise valid claim, I would imagine. However, I will place a call to my insurer just to check with them first.

As a biker as well as a driver I have to say that jury is still out on the real benefit of daylight running lights. It really depends which piece of research you read as to whether or not they really are an aid to safety. However, I just want to have to ability to choose. There are times when having dipped headlights on is appropriate but there are times when it is completely unnecessary, and I'd like to think that I'm adult and experienced enough to know the difference between the two. It annoys me that such matters have been legislated out of my own hands.

[Mark Hygate]

Don't forget the change in law (one of those lovely little items to come from Europe) that will require DRLs on at all times.

2012 I think it is.

Insurers and Manufacturers now thinking of it. Test drove a Pug a little while ago and it had them on - so new cars are being so configured.

[avtur]

Originally Posted by Fast Reg

...... I'd like to think that I'm adult and experienced enough to know the difference between the two. It annoys me that such matters have been legislated out of my own hands......

Good point that holds true for so many things in life, unfortunately the powers that be seem to legislate for lowest common denominator which deprives the rest of us of choice.

However on the matter of DRL I do think they are good and although I'm a none Volvo driver at present have been using my dipped headlamps as DRL for about 4 years now.

I'm currently driving a V50 demonstrator (which is great) it has most of the 'options' fitted including Xenon headlights, which it uses as DRL, is there a cost implication (expensive replacement bulbs) in using Xenons as DRL??

[TheEnglishman]

Originally Posted by avtur

is there a cost implication (expensive replacement bulbs) in using Xenons as DRL??

IME - HID bulbs last much longer than fillament ones - I've seen 500 hours or less quoted for high berformance bulbs. HID's are quoted at 3-5000 hours (well, the ones on my motorbike are) and are ~£30-40 to replace (I looked at getting 4000k burners instead of the 6000k ones that it came with when new)