Facelift S3 DRL Auto Lights??

[Phil_T]

I have auto lights on my 59 s3 but sometimes the main lights come on too early before it gets dark, If I take them off auto & put them to the sidelights are they the same as the LED lights as my mate with the same car says the sidelights are not the same as the LED ones even though they are in the same place.

Is this right or when I put them to the sidelights be the same as the led ones? As they seem just as bright

 

[Staz]

I don't understand what you mean Phil!

Make sure you don't confuse sidelights with DRLs though. Sidelights are just single bulbs in each headlight and the DRLs are either a couple of bulbs at the bottom of the headlight or they're the LED ones like this:

 

[h5djr]

I have a 2009 A3 with the LED DRLs, but I never switch my lights to anything other than Auto or Headlights ON. Sidelights as you call them are really parking lights and personally I don't think a car should ever be driven with just those on. To me it's either just DRLs or full headlights.

The only time my parking lights come on is if I have my headlights on and I turn off the ignition. The headlights go off as do the DRLs just leaving the parking lights.

 

[Phil_T]

I don't understand what you mean Phil!

Make sure you don't confuse sidelights with DRLs though. Sidelights are just single bulbs in each headlight and the DRLs are either a couple of bulbs at the bottom of the headlight or they're the LED ones like this:

I know its hard to explain lol, in the picture above are the LED lights right? (The really bright ones)

On my car I have auto, sidelights, then full lights. Auto has the LED lights on during the day then puts the full lights (xenons) on during the night but sometimes the full lights come on too soon when it isnt dark.

My question is how do I have just the LED lights on there own without having them on auto??? as sometimes the full lights (xenons) come on too soon.

In the above pic my mate with the same car was saying that there is two lots of lights in that bit thats shown in the pic (there are LEDs which are brigher & also side lights which are in the same position but not as bright as the LEDs)

Sorry but thats the best I can explain it lol

 

[h5djr]

The LED DRLs come on whenever the ignition is turned. It does not matter whether you have the car Auto Lights or not and it does not matter what position the light switch is set to. The Parking (side)lights on come on when the light switch in moved to the parking light position or Full Headlights position. With the light switch in the Auto position the Full Headlights will come on when the light sensor thinks they are needed. If you decide you want to override the sensor then just move the switch to the OFF position. What ever you do it will not change the LED DRLs. They will still be on as they are always ON whenever the ignition id on. If you turn the lighting switch to Full Headlights the headlights and parking lights will come on and the LED DRLs will also stay on. If you leave the lighting switch in the Full Headlights position and turn off the ignition and take out the keys the Headlights will go off, the LED DRL's will go off but the parking lights will stay on.

I hope that helps. It does get complicated. All Audi's and VWs have always had the sytem when you cannot leave your Full Headlights on with the ignition turned off.

On my previous 2007 A3 I had non-LED DRL's and there was also a small switch next to the instrument panel lighting level roll switch to be able to turn the DRLs off but that is no longer the case with my 2009 model.

 

[scottie123]

It may sound stupid, but couldn't you turn your lights on and get out and have a look?

You will see for your self what combinations do what.

May be easier than trying to explain:icon_thumright:

 

[h5djr]

At least this way it provokes conversation - well written at least!!

 

[scottie123]

ooo do I get a gold star?

 

[h5djr]

Yes of course. Move to the top of the class.

 

[Phil_T]

The LED DRLs come on whenever the ignition is turned. It does not matter whether you have the car Auto Lights or not and it does not matter what position the light switch is set to. The Parking (side)lights on come on when the light switch in moved to the parking light position or Full Headlights position. With the light switch in the Auto position the Full Headlights will come on when the light sensor thinks they are needed. If you decide you want to override the sensor then just move the switch to the OFF position. What ever you do it will not change the LED DRLs. They will still be on as they are always ON whenever the ignition id on. If you turn the lighting switch to Full Headlights the headlights and parking lights will come on and the LED DRLs will also stay on. If you leave the lighting switch in the Full Headlights position and turn off the ignition and take out the keys the Headlights will go off, the LED DRL's will go off but the parking lights will stay on.

I hope that helps. It does get complicated. All Audi's and VWs have always had the sytem when you cannot leave your Full Headlights on with the ignition turned off.

On my previous 2007 A3 I had non-LED DRL's and there was also a small switch next to the instrument panel lighting level roll switch to be able to turn the DRLs off but that is no longer the case with my 2009 model.

Thanks for that mate

It may sound stupid, but couldn't you turn your lights on and get out and have a look?

You will see for your self what combinations do what.

May be easier than trying to explain:icon_thumright:

Ive done this & the sidelights look like the DRLs as they are in the same position but my mate with the same car said they arnt the DRL's as they arnt as bright lol

 

[Lee_R]

Whats wrong with the xenons coming on early anyway?

Or are you just trying to find out what looks coolest when you drive round at dusk with your fogs on?

 

[h5djr]

Whats wrong with the xenons coming on early anyway?

Or are you just trying to find out what looks coolest when you drive round at dusk with your fogs on?

I tend to agree. The light levels must be going down for the lights to come on in the first place so why switch them off. The only time I override my Auto setting is the other way round. For instance as soon as it starts raining I switch on my headlights even if the Auto settings does think the light levels require it.

Driving 70 odd miles home yesterday in the rain, some on motorway some on dual-carriageway, the number of cars with front and/or rear fog lights on. Both totally un-necessary.

 

[GConn]

The LED DRLs come on whenever the ignition is turned. It does not matter whether you have the car Auto Lights or not and it does not matter what position the light switch is set to. The Parking (side)lights on come on when the light switch in moved to the parking light position or Full Headlights position. With the light switch in the Auto position the Full Headlights will come on when the light sensor thinks they are needed. If you decide you want to override the sensor then just move the switch to the OFF position. What ever you do it will not change the LED DRLs. They will still be on as they are always ON whenever the ignition id on. If you turn the lighting switch to Full Headlights the headlights and parking lights will come on and the LED DRLs will also stay on. If you leave the lighting switch in the Full Headlights position and turn off the ignition and take out the keys the Headlights will go off, the LED DRL's will go off but the parking lights will stay on.

I hope that helps. It does get complicated. All Audi's and VWs have always had the sytem when you cannot leave your Full Headlights on with the ignition turned off.

On my previous 2007 A3 I had non-LED DRL's and there was also a small switch next to the instrument panel lighting level roll switch to be able to turn the DRLs off but that is no longer the case with my 2009 model.

On my car I need to put the switch on DRL or AUTO for the LEDs to come on. If the switch is left at OFF, the leds (DRLs) are off too

 

[h5djr]

On my car I need to put the switch on DRL or AUTO for the LEDs to come on. If the switch is left at OFF, the leds (DRLs) are off too

Well you learn something new every day. My lighting switch does not have a DRL position only AUTO. I have just tried mine and you are right. I can turn the DRLs off by turning the switch to the OFF position. I had assumed that, as EU law will soon require all cars to run with DRLs all the time, Audi had taken out the switch so that they could not be turned off.

As I drive with the lighting switch in AUTO all the time I had not noticed what happens when it's in the OFF position. Another reason never to use the OFF position. Certainly I must remember never to put the switch in the off position when I'm on holiday in Austria because DRL's or dipped headlights are already required by law.

 

[pns2007]

I have the same problem in my A4, the xenons come on far to early. I am able to control the DRL's in the MMI, I know the A3's don't have the same system but is there anything in the DIS function?

To get round this I have enabled DRL's in the MMI and then used VDS to set the DRL's to scandanavian settings. (The position of the actual light swith is set to the off position). I can then drive with just the DRL's on until it gets, in my opinion, dark enough to put my headlights on. The only problem I have is that the cluster isn't illuminated and I am in negotiations with Ross Tech to find a setting for this.

My headlights (if set to auto) come on at 9.30 am when i think its quite light.

 

[beanoir]

Driving 70 odd miles home yesterday in the rain, some on motorway some on dual-carriageway, the number of cars with front and/or rear fog lights on. Both totally un-necessary.

If visibility is reduced, most motoring groups recommend that fog lights should be used and that a "better safe than sorry" approach is adopted, whether it's raining or foggy.

When the DRLs are on (led fronts) does that also mean the rear lights are on?

 

[A3_SSS]

I know its hard to explain lol, in the picture above are the LED lights right? (The really bright ones)

On my car I have auto, sidelights, then full lights. Auto has the LED lights on during the day then puts the full lights (xenons) on during the night but sometimes the full lights come on too soon when it isnt dark.

My question is how do I have just the LED lights on there own without having them on auto??? as sometimes the full lights (xenons) come on too soon.

In the above pic my mate with the same car was saying that there is two lots of lights in that bit thats shown in the pic (there are LEDs which are brigher & also side lights which are in the same position but not as bright as the LEDs)

Sorry but thats the best I can explain it lol

Your mate is correct regarding the side lights being dimmer.
Here is my set up on non-Auto with LED DRL's
OFF->DRL->Side Light->Headlights.

When OFF - all are off
When DRL - Bright Lights as in pic
When Side - Same lights used for DRL but dimmer
When Headlight - Xenons and Side Lights

 

[A3BE]

On my car I need to put the switch on DRL or AUTO for the LEDs to come on. If the switch is left at OFF, the leds (DRLs) are off too

Same here! there is basically a different swiitch lay out/set up for Bi-Xenon/non Xenon and on cars with the Auto lights/wiper function.

I raised this very issue on one of my earlier posts as when my wife took delivery of her A3 Black Edition it became apparent that it was not possible to switch the LED Drl's on without switching to "Auto" Unlike the S3 she test drove before ordering her Black Edition.

The 2010MY S3 which my wife test drove did not have the Auto lights/wiper function (which is a extra cost option) and which does allow you to switch the LED Drl's independent of the Xenons, so I guess if you want to be able to switch your LED Drl's independent of your xenons, do not specify the Auto lights and wiper option when ticking the options list at time of order.

 

[h5djr]

I have the same problem in my A4, the xenons come on far to early. I am able to control the DRL's in the MMI, I know the A3's don't have the same system but is there anything in the DIS function?

To get round this I have enabled DRL's in the MMI and then used VDS to set the DRL's to scandanavian settings. (The position of the actual light swith is set to the off position). I can then drive with just the DRL's on until it gets, in my opinion, dark enough to put my headlights on. The only problem I have is that the cluster isn't illuminated and I am in negotiations with Ross Tech to find a setting for this.

My headlights (if set to auto) come on at 9.30 am when i think its quite light.

I had the instrument cluster set to always on by the dealer before I took delivery of the car. This used to be standard on older A3 and I prefer it that way.

I have considered changing my DRLs to the Scandanavian seetings so that the rear lights come on as well, but I've not done it yet. I know it's a straight forward seetings with VCDS.

 

[Phil_T]

Whats wrong with the xenons coming on early anyway?

Or are you just trying to find out what looks coolest when you drive round at dusk with your fogs on?

Didnt know DRL's where now called fog lights lol

On my car I need to put the switch on DRL or AUTO for the LEDs to come on. If the switch is left at OFF, the leds (DRLs) are off too

Woohoo someone understands me lol

I have the same problem in my A4, the xenons come on far to early. I am able to control the DRL's in the MMI, I know the A3's don't have the same system but is there anything in the DIS function?

To get round this I have enabled DRL's in the MMI and then used VDS to set the DRL's to scandanavian settings. (The position of the actual light swith is set to the off position). I can then drive with just the DRL's on until it gets, in my opinion, dark enough to put my headlights on. The only problem I have is that the cluster isn't illuminated and I am in negotiations with Ross Tech to find a setting for this.

My headlights (if set to auto) come on at 9.30 am when i think its quite light.

Glad someone else knows what I mean, you cant just have them on if they come on too early

Your mate is correct regarding the side lights being dimmer.
Here is my set up on non-Auto with LED DRL's
OFF->DRL->Side Light->Headlights.

When OFF - all are off
When DRL - Bright Lights as in pic
When Side - Same lights used for DRL but dimmer
When Headlight - Xenons and Side Lights

Thanks I thought he was but the side lights do still look very bright & I think you cant tell the difference tbh. So the outcome is I cannot just have my DRL's on like he can because he hasnt got auto lights

 

[Phil_T]

I had the instrument cluster set to always on by the dealer before I took delivery of the car. This used to be standard on older A3 and I prefer it that way.

I have considered changing my DRLs to the Scandanavian seetings so that the rear lights come on as well, but I've not done it yet. I know it's a straight forward seetings with VCDS.

Can Audi enable this??

 

[h5djr]

If visibility is reduced, most motoring groups recommend that fog lights should be used and that a "better safe than sorry" approach is adopted, whether it's raining or foggy.

When the DRLs are on (led fronts) does that also mean the rear lights are on?

The Highway Code states:

226 - You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves (see Rule 236).

236 - You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226) as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.

These rules are also part of the current Road Traffic Act.

Part of the problem is in the switching of especially the rear fog lights. On an Audi, when you turn your headlights off it automatically makes you turn off your front and rear fog lights. I sure a lot of drivers who drive with the rear fog lights on don't even know it's on. It was probably switched on one day when it was foggy and has been left on ever since. If a flash my headlights at a car in front with a rear fog light on, usually they turn it off.


As far as DRLs and rear lights are concerned. If the DRL's are set to European standards then only the front DRLs lights are switched on. This is why, as soon as the visibility gets less than normal, I put my headlights and rear lights on. The DRL's can be set using VCDS to the Scandinavian standard with means its front DRLs and rear lights on all the time. The main purpose of DRL's in Europe is to make a car more visible to other cars waiting to exit from a junction or similar and to make a car more visible to pedestrians and therefore rear lights are of no benefit in this area. If the car needs to be more visible to other road users in general this should be done using the normal headlights and rear lights.

 

[h5djr]

Can Audi enable this??

Yes their diagnostic computer system can do everything that VCDS can do and more. If you have a look at this thread:

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?p=805337

it will show the settings that can be set for the A3 8P. Similar settings will exist for all Audis.

 

[h5djr]

Woohoo someone understands me lol
Glad someone else knows what I mean, you cant just have them on if they come on too early

Sorry if I confused you earlier, but we have both learned something about our A3s today.

Presumably if you want to keep your DRLs on but do not want your main headlights on, if you move the switch to the side/parking light postion that would do it. DRLs on, sidelights on, Headlights Off. - I think!!!

 

[beanoir]

Part of the problem is in the switching of especially the rear fog lights. On an Audi, when you turn your headlights off it automatically makes you turn off your front and rear fog lights.

Is that A3 specific, because none of my Audis have done that, including the A5 I currently have? The fog lights always default to "off" after the car headlights have been turned off.

 

[h5djr]

Is that A3 specific, because none of my Audis have done that, including the A5 I currently have? The fog lights always default to "off" after the car headlights have been turned off.

I don't know. But on an A3 you have to have the switch in the parking lights or full headlights position to be able to pull the switch outwards to the first click for front fog lights and the second click for the rear fog light.

When you turn the switch back to Auto or Off it pulls the switch back in and therefore turns off the front and rear fog lights.

This has been the same on all the Audi's and VW's I've owned since my first in 1976.

 

[beanoir]

I don't know. But on an A3 you have to have the switch in the parking lights or full headlights position to be able to pull the switch outwards to the first click for front fog lights and the second click for the rear fog light.

When you turn the switch back to Auto or Off it pulls the switch back in and therefore turns off the front and rear fog lights.

This has been the same on all the Audi's and VW's I've owned since my first in 1976.

Dave, I completely mis-read your previous post! Your fog lights automatcially turn off, and so do mine!

My excuse is that its too foggy in here and I couldn't read the screen properly....

 

[h5djr]

Dave, I completely mis-read your previous post! Your fog lights automatcially turn off, and so do mine!

My excuse is that its too foggy in here and I couldn't read the screen properly....

Perhaps it's you that needs the fog lights rather than the car!!

 

[lapsmith]

I just came back from the dealer (2009 A3) and wanted them to reprogram the DRL (LED's) so they come on whenever the ignition comes on and they told me Audi wouldn't let them (US spec). The only way to currently have them come on is in the Auto position. That's usually fine, but I park in a garage and I don't need the HID headlights coming on in the morning and then turning off in 10 seconds when I pull outside. I'm hoping I can reprogram it myself - one of the reasons to buy the Ross Tech program right?

Tom

 

[Phil_T]

Ive figured it out after parking the car up at night against a window putting the sidelights on (The one before full lights) are my DRL's as putting them to auto then back to side lights the are still as bright

 

[DeckedS3]

I am in negotiations with Ross Tech to find a setting for this.

Let us know how you get on

 

[S3RYE]

Your mate is correct regarding the side lights being dimmer.
Here is my set up on non-Auto with LED DRL's
OFF->DRL->Side Light->Headlights.

When OFF - all are off
When DRL - Bright Lights as in pic
When Side - Same lights used for DRL but dimmer
When Headlight - Xenons and Side Lights

mine is same as above....

when auto the LEDS are brightest (but go off way too early)
when on just "00" they are reduced brightness (same as one goes dimmer when indicating)

 

[h5djr]

Let us know how you get on

Doesn't this part of a thread from the A3/S3 FAQ section answer to query...

09 - Central Electronics​

Long Coding Helper:

Byte 0

Bit 3 - Daytime Running Lights (Scandinavia) active - (DRLs plus tailights)
Bit 4 - Daytime Running Lights (North America) active - (DRLs only)
Bit 5 - Assistance Driving Light _Leaving Home active - (Note 1)
Bit 7 - Coming Home active - (Note 1)
​

Byte 3

Bit 5 - Teardrop Wiping for Rear Window active - (Single delayed extra wipe after rear wash/wipe)
​

Byte 5

Headlight Washer Delay - (? x 50 = delay (ms)) - (Useful in the winter so you're not washing your headlights every 5 minutes)
​

Byte 8

Bit 7 - Daytime Running Light (DRL) Deactivation while Blinking active - (Turns off or dims (8P3) the DRL whilst indicating)
​

Byte 17

Bit 0 - Emergency Brake Flash Light active - (Hazards on when emergency braking)
Bit 4 - Daytime Light via Fog Lights - (For models without DRLs)
Bit 5 - Front Fog Lights deactivated with high beam
​

Byte 22

Bit 1 - DRLs switchable via menu - (Note 2)
​

Byte 23

Bit 1 - Advanced Comfort Menu active - (Note 2)
​

 

[DeckedS3]

Doesn't this part of a thread from the A3/S3 FAQ section answer to query...

Byte 8

Bit 7 - Daytime Running Light (DRL) Deactivation while Blinking active - (Turns off or dims (8P3) the DRL whilst indicating)
​

Thats the only change I made and it does stop the DRL's dimming whilst indicating but they still dim when you set the DRL's on manually.

 

[Herman]

Any solution to this? I hate how it dims automatically too.

 

[Lloydie22]

Did anyone actually resolve this? I got a friend round with VAGCOM and we tryed the scandinvian setting but all it changes it putting the rear lights on too. The dipped headlights still come on really early (when on auto setting). Anoying!

 

[DeckedS3]

Try coding in central electrics byte 18 to 26 (from 25 on a 3 door).

 

[Lloydie22]

Try coding in central electrics byte 18 to 26 (from 25 on a 3 door).

My friend came round yesterday with VAGCOM and we couldnt seem to find byte 18 and changing 26 to 25. Couldnt see any code that had those numbers in. However we are both new to the vagcom software :/

 

[Lloydie22]

I'm prepared to travel and pay for anybody to sort this out for me if its possible! Thanks.