Daytime running lights - Can they be turned off ?

[35i-Nut]

Hey Guys

Is it possible to turn off the daytime running lights ? with the switch in the 0 position lights are still on regardless in the day

Can they be switched off ?

[Nictrix]

This must be something that can be programmed into the key.
One of our keys switches the lights on automatically and the other doesnt.
Never looked into changing them yet.

[Angie4m]

How olds the car? It became law for cars built after 2012 to have these and if you do have a car to which they are fitted and they are not working during a MOT it's a failure.

It was introduced to make cars more 'visable' but it's also lead to loads of tools forgetting to put their lights on and they have nothing on at the rear.

If the car is before 2012 then it can be programmed from the dash or the iDrive system. In the same way you can choose the follow me home lights time, the one or three indications and door locks.

[lowrider]

Why would you want to turn off daytime lights they make you more visible and are a safety feature. I have just sold my e86 and today started drive an e89 with daylight running lights. I wouldn't have like them on my e86.

[Maniac]

DRLs can be turned off/on in Idrive settings or console (stalk) settings. It's in the manual.

[35i-Nut]

thanks for the replies guys , mines a 2010 plate , I would like the option to be able to turn these off , will have to have a play with the stalk

[ronk]

It's in the IDrive - but why would you want to turn them off - I've often found that the zed becomes invisible at times !

[Nictrix]

I found it strange that the previous owner had set one key for them on and one for them off.
If they are meant to be on whats the point of an off switch on the dash?
Do the newer models still have an off switch even though they are never off?

[ronk]

I had them on a Saab 99 turbo back in 1980 - they seemed to loose popularity but now they're back with a vengeance! Every Tom Dick and Saxo has them.

[Nictrix]

Its been the norm now for years on bikes that lights are on as standard and do not have an off switch at all, you only have high beam and pass switches.
Having lights on all the time does not make them any safer as people still pull out in front of you and there have been studies done which say lights being on are more difficult to judge the speed and distance of the vehicle.

[ronk]

.....lights being on are more difficult to judge the speed and distance of the vehicle.

I think that's true of a single light source - twin lights however !,,,,,!

[Nictrix]

.....lights being on are more difficult to judge the speed and distance of the vehicle.

I think that's true of a single light source - twin lights however !,,,,,!

My bike has twin lights but at a distance the lights can look like one anyway.

[Number5]

Via the I-Drive its :
Vehicle Settings > Lights> Day Running Lights On/Off

[flybobbie]

Vehicles can sometimes disappear when lights are on in bright conditions.
Old example is the Truck on top of a hill, lights off front silhouette can be seen, lights on it disappears.
Same with aircraft and landing lights. Resulting in RAF Hawks going all black.

My bike as twin headlamps, but might look like a car a long way off.

Sat with friend in car who nearly drove straight on through a farm gate on a bend, because the farmers tractor had two bright lamps at front and two smaller dimmer side lights on top of cab. Looked like two vehicles coming towards us down a hill!

[flybobbie]

Also remember the most dangerous roads or junctions are the ones you pass everyday, because the brain is too lazy to update information and you may see what the brain wants you to see, a memory image and not what is actually there. Reason way probably a lot of elderly pull out in front of you.