It's all in the name! Well...it is for me when it comes to the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). And the operative word for this neat little safety feature must surely be the term "Running". So here's my question:- why have the DRLs switched on when the car isn't "Running" (i.e. the car isn't actually moving)? Well it appears that the good Burghers in Germany have also considered this question and they have included a facility in the mk7 that allows the Handbrake to speak to the DRLs. What a clever lot they are in Germany!!
Turn-off DRLs when Handbrake is engaged
The instructions below describe how to implement a VCDS tweak that automatically turns-off the DRLs when the handbrake is engaged and then switches the DRLs back-on again when the Handbrake is disengaged. Grateful acknowledgement to the Stemei.de site for the original material.
Before proceeding, please consider any implications from this tweak on the Australian Design Rules and its application to vehicles fitted with DRLs.
1. Select 09 - Cent Elect. module control
2. Select Security Access-16
3. Enter the magic access code. Click Do it! tab
4. Select Adaptation - 10.
5. From the pull-down channel, select (5)-Daytime running lights- Tagfshrlicht-Tagfahrlicht Dauerfahrlicht bei Handbremse abschalten (it's about 10% down the channel list)
6. In the New Value box, select active
7. Click Do it! tab. Click Add to log to save a copy of the change and click Go Back tab
8. Exit from software
9. Test the facility by engaging and disengaging the handbrake (notice how the status of the handbrake modulates the operation of the DRLs)
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