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Disabling DRLs on a S60?

posted by  tonyg on  Sat Mar 14 03:49 CST 2009
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last visit: Fri Aug 22 10:44 CST 2014
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I purchased a brand new Canadian 2009 S60 2.5T yesterday, fully loaded including luxury pkg, body kit, rear wing, and special order rims. So yea, I'm pretty excited. Car should be ready in about two weeks.
Question: Their is a firmware flash that is available from Volvo that disables the DRL's (Daytime Running Lights) if requested. No problem in the U.S.A, but the folks up here just refuse to do it as their is some misinformation out there about the law here in Ontario regarding DRL's. I wrote an article about this a few years ago that was published in a National Newspaper after interviewing a spokesperson from the Ministry of Transportation. The law states: That all cars built after 1990 MUST have DRL's. HOWEVER, their is NO LAW that says you have to use them! In other words, police are not stopping people in the middle of the day if your headlights are not on. My 850 (that was traded in) had the DRLs disabled and I want to do the same with my new purchase.
Does anyone know of a modification, other then the firmware flash, that will disable the DRL's?
For example, American S70s had a screw inbedded in the light switch that when turned, would turn off the DRLs, giving the owner a choice. On my 850, I had to remove the light switch and disconnect one wire.
Just to be clear. I advocate the use of DRLs and drive frequently during the day with my headlights on as a safety concern. However, I want to be able turn them off when desired. My beef with Volvo is ALL the lamps come on including the rear license lamps, taillights, side markers and more. Bulb life is shortened, more draw on the alternator is used which is just plain annoying in my opinion.

Anyone got a "fix"?

TIA








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    Disabling DRLs on a S60?

    posted by  KlausC on  Sat Mar 14 06:48 CST 2009
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    It's time for a shot trip across the border! I can understand the reluctance of the Canadian Volvo dealers to change the soft/firm ware. Sounds a bit like the motorcycle rider who got a ticket for riding without a helmet in Atlanta, years ago. He had the helmet on his knee, and won the case because he WAS wearing a helmet, just not on his head. The law did not specify a body part for the helmet!

    I agree with your reasoning. Volvo, and other European cars, use the headlight for DRLs. I think the DRLs should be a separate light which should turn off when the headlights are turned on. This would allow for longer lasting bulbs for lights that are required for safety at night, and less confusion for drivers that never read the owner's manual and wonder why the highbeams don't work.

    In the mid to late 1960's, people added running lights to the front grill. A great idea when most of the highways were only 2 lanes.
    --
    My name is Klaus and I am a Volvoholic.








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      Disabling DRLs on a S60?

      posted by  tonyg on  Sat Mar 14 07:16 CST 2009
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      last visit: Fri Aug 22 10:44 CST 2014
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      "It's time for a short trip across the border!"

      That's exactly what the salesperson and their head technician told me!
      I have sent an email to my independent mechanic who also runs VADIS (you don't want to know where he gets the software...;) asking if he can do it for me.








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        Disabling DRLs on a S60?

        posted by  LilHelpHere on  Sat Mar 14 07:24 CST 2009
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        last visit: Wed Oct 15 22:09 CST 2014
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        I like the tiny notched switch on the 850 where you can actually have control of it yourself. Good luck and have a good trip.
        --
        '97 855na, Mobil 1, K&N, various IPD's and eBay's








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          Why would you want to??

          posted by  rancher rick on  Sat Mar 14 08:01 CST 2009
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          last visit: Thu Sep 25 21:22 CST 2014
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          Tony,
          I see part of your point here but truly, DRL`s have proved to be effective from a safety perspective. Is your position another example of "gov`t isn`t going to tell me what to do?". If so, perhaps you move to Alberta!
          I`ve experienced a few personal instances of DRL`S being effective, specially at dusk.
          Motorcycle helmets re: safety is a lame argument as here in Canada there aren`t really any standards other than legislation that cyclists must wear a helmet.
          Do you drive without a seatbelt? Would you if it wan`t mandated by law?
          Rich







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            Why would you want to??

            posted by  tonyg on  Sat Mar 14 11:43 CST 2009
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            last visit: Fri Aug 22 10:44 CST 2014
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            Hello Rich;
            As stated in my first post. "Just to be clear. I advocate the use of DRLs and drive frequently during the day with my headlights on as a safety concern."

            Occasions when I want the headlights off are for example:

            Picking my wife up at the commuter train parking lot in the middle of winter. I'm in the passenger pick-up lot with the engine running and its dark outside. I want the headlamps off as to not annoy others facing me.

            I pull into a friends driveway at night to pickup or drop off someone. I want the headlamps off.

            Parked on the side of the road at night, engine running while reading a map for example. I want the headlamps off (side markers are on for safety, as used in Europe for example).

            Driving through the grounds of a Car Show or Volvo Meet on a beautiful sunny day. I want the headlamps off.

            For safety while driving however, I recommend the use of headlamps.






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