Is there a way to turn off headlights while driving?

[Seiren]

I'm going to an event where I'll need to drive along a well lit path at night and they recommend turning off headlights. Is there a way to do this? Thanks.

It's a 2005 convertible.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Seiren

I'm going to an event where I'll need to drive along a well lit path at night and they recommend turning off headlights. Is there a way to do this? Thanks.

It's a 2005 convertible.

You're referring to what are called DRL (daylite running lights), they exist in America because of laws in Canada. They either have to be disabled, or with the use of a Euro switch turned off, however, with the Euro switch, your running lights and marker lights will still be on as it allows for separate control of those and your headlights. I have to review the switch specs to check on independent operation of the DRLs but I doubt it. Here's the link to buy the switch. It is a very easy p&p, no screws, plugs, wires, etc to fool with.
Home Page > ES#8602 European Headlight Switch (Euroswitch) - 1C0941531AKOS

I know I have read threads about disabling the URLs but I have no idea of what is involved. There is a lot of controversy about their use and it's argued on here all the time.

MORAV

[Tico4Life]

Here is a DIY thread, hope it helps

Disabling Daily Runing Lights (DRL's) - How-To

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by J.Arce

Here is a DIY thread, hope it helps

Disabling Daily Runing Lights (DRL's) - How-To

Beat me to it

In addition to that how to, you can also break off that prong vs. taping it over. Just be mindful that once you break it off, you're forever stuck without your DRL's.

I have a Euro switch and you still have to disable the DRL's, but like MORAV said, the DRL's will be gone, and you can rock your fog lights without the DRL's messing up the cool factor. However your marker lights will remain on.

[Tico4Life]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

Beat me to it

In addition to that how to, you can also break off that prong vs. taping it over. Just be mindful that once you break it off, you're forever stuck without your DRL's.

I have a Euro switch and you still have to disable the DRL's, but like MORAV said, the DRL's will be gone, and you can rock your fog lights without the DRL's messing up the cool factor. However your marker lights will remain on.

Sorry mate, I have been burning my eyebrows on all the good stuff you guys have posted in the past and I have to put it to good use some how LOL next one is yours!

[Duffy]

Simple and quick fix: Pull the hand brake up ONE notch. Walla, the lights go out!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Duffy

Simple and quick fix: Pull the hand brake up ONE notch. Walla, the lights go out!

Appears Duffy has taken the lead and upstaged you both!

[Tico4Life]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Appears Duffy has taken the lead and upstaged you both!

Oh well, I had my 2 min of glory!!! :roflmao

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Appears Duffy has taken the lead and upstaged you both!

Originally Posted by J.Arce

Oh well, I had my 2 min of glory!!!

And i'm left looking like

[Zann]

Originally Posted by Duffy

Simple and quick fix: Pull the hand brake up ONE notch. Walla, the lights go out!

Couldn't do that on mine as my brake is strung so tight one click and my car doesn't move

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by Zann

Couldn't do that on mine as my brake is strung so tight one click and my car doesn't move

Hence doing it the way I mentioned. It's an easy mod.

[Opelmania]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

Hence doing it the way I mentioned. It's an easy mod.

Taping it didn't work on mine and I didn't want to break the tab on the switch so I just cut the wire to that tab. (purlple I think). That way if you want to, resplice with a butt connector.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by Opelmania

Taping it didn't work on mine and I didn't want to break the tab on the switch so I just cut the wire to that tab. (purlple I think). That way if you want to, resplice with a butt connector.

All you had to do was bend the pin on the headlight switch.... If you wanted DRLs back, all you had to do was unbend it

[jason m]

Originally Posted by Zann

Couldn't do that on mine as my brake is strung so tight one click and my car doesn't move

they are adjustable you know

[Opelmania]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

All you had to do was bend the pin on the headlight switch.... If you wanted DRLs back, all you had to do was unbend it

Bending twice = breakdown on thin metal = broken tab possibly. I'm a building engineer so I don't like bending pins on switches.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Opelmania

Bending twice = breakdown on thin metal = broken tab possibly. I'm a building engineer so I don't like bending pins on switches.

Ditto! Maybe tape on the contacts as someone suggested. The break thing or the Euro switch.

MORAV

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Ditto! Maybe tape on the contacts as someone suggested. The break thing or the Euro switch.

MORAV

Euroswitch doesn't disable DRLs. It just gives the option for parking/city lights.... I have a euroswitch, and I also had to bend the pins on it to disable my DRLs.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

Euroswitch doesn't disable DRLs. It just gives the option for parking/city lights.... I have a euroswitch, and I also had to bend the pins on it to disable my DRLs.

No, I know, I stated that in my first post to the thread suggesting the Euro Switch as one way to not have the headlights on.

MORAV

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

DRL's are great for those twits who drive like fools, don't pay attention cause they are too busy talking about nothing on their cell phone and/or regularly forget to turn their headlights on when it starts getting dark, great that is, for the "other driver" who needs to see them in order to avoid them.

For the good drivers they are nothing more than a bulb life shortener, I installed the Euro headlight switch years ago, this added some old school car feature including the 86ing of the DRL's, you could not pay me to reconnect them...

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

DRL's are great for those twits who drive like fools, don't pay attention cause they are too busy talking about nothing on their cell phone and/or regularly forget to turn their headlights on when it starts getting dark, great that is, for the "other driver" who needs to see them in order to avoid them.

For the good drivers they are nothing more than a bulb life shortener, I installed the Euro headlight switch years ago, this added some old school car feature including the 86ing of the DRL's, you could not pay me to reconnect them...

Oh, I don't know about old school, VW's the only car I've ever owned with such a stupid two (well three) position headlight switch. My GMs have a DRL temp defeat feature, individual running/headlight positions and fogs are still seperate. But I'm sure, the concept was developed for the people you are referring to.

MORAV