Disabling Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

Gimli · Feb 2, 2009

I'd like to preface this with a disclaimer that I am not suggesting or recommending that anybody perform modifications to their Genesis's lighting system that would render the car less safe or illegal to drive on public roads.

There are a few situations where disabling DRLs is not only recommended but an obligation, such as for drivers who frequently drive on military grounds.

Thankfully it appears that disabling DRLs on the Genesis is a very easy affair. All one has to do is to pull the DRL fuse located in the driver-side under-hood sub-fuse panel. This is a blue 15A fuse which is labelled "DRL" in both the owner's manual and under the fuse box cover. I've highlighted the location of that fuse in the following diagram:

After a few tests in my driveway (longer-term tests to follow) it appears to completely disable the DRLs without affecting the operation of the high beams (same bulb) and without causing any idiot lights or error message to be displayed on the dashboard.

Mark_888 · Feb 2, 2009

Since the US model does not have DRL, I wonder if putting a fuse in would enable it?

ctrcbob · Feb 2, 2009

As I understand it, it is not legal to not have DRL in Canada. All newer cars must have DRL in Canada.

What do you mean, that it is an obligation for drivers who frequently drive on military reservations. If you are talking about Canada, do you mean to tell me that every time a Canadian military person drives his car on a military base, he has to get out of the car and pull the fuse, then when he goes back off base, he has to replace the fuse to follow Canadian law? I don't believe it. How you going to keep the OPP or the RCMP off your back without the DRL on?

Gimli · Feb 2, 2009

ctrcbob said:
As I understand it, it is not legal to not have DRL in Canada. All newer cars must have DRL in Canada.

Indeed they must.

ctrcbob said:
What do you mean, that it is an obligation for drivers who frequently drive on military reservations. If you are talking about Canada, do you mean to tell me that every time a Canadian military person drives his car on a military base, he has to get out of the car and pull the fuse, then when he goes back off base, he has to replace the fuse to follow Canadian law?

It's not quite as much of a problem in Canada as it is in the US but there are some bases (mostly where large scale exercises are conducted) where it is required that vehicles driving around the base and/or going through checkpoints be able to turn off all lighting.

There are also Canadians who visit American bases and they often get hassled about their DRLs. Some American MPs don't appreciate bright lights to be on when a car approaches a checkpoint and a lot of DRLs (like the Genesis) use the high beam bulb as DRL and, even though it's a lower wattage than full-on high beams, it's still quite annoying to have lights shone right in your face when you're trying to identify an approaching vehicle.

ctrcbob said:
I don't believe it. How you going to keep the OPP or the RCMP off your back without the DRL on?

I've never heard of someone being ticketed for not having their DRLs on. It's mostly a manufacturing standard (like NHTSA standards in the US), not really a ticketable offense.

Either way, that's only one of the many legitimate reasons one could have to disable DRLs.

Gimli · Feb 2, 2009

Mark_888 said:
Since the US model does not have DRL, I wonder if putting a fuse in would enable it?

Might be worth a try, there are spare fuses in the passenger-side under hood fuse box if you'd like to try it

Mark_888 · Feb 2, 2009

Gimli said:
Might be worth a try, there are spare fuses in the passenger-side under hood fuse box if you'd like to try it

One reason I might is that I don't like the way the automatic headlights work. Where I live headlights must be on when ever it is raining, and even on dark cloudy and rainy days they seem to stay off when on automatic. I was considering putting some kind of film over the sensors to cut down the light and make them come on earlier.

CanukV6 · Feb 3, 2009

Mark_888 said:
One reason I might is that I don't like the way the automatic headlights work. Where I live headlights must be on when ever it is raining, and even on dark cloudy and rainy days they seem to stay off when on automatic. I was considering putting some kind of film over the sensors to cut down the light and make them come on earlier.

I seem to have the opposite problem, in Auto setting my headlights are TOO sensitive. Driving under single lane bridges on the highway will bring on the headlights while dimming the Dash Display and changing the Nav display to night mode. I am going to mention it next time my car is in for service.

Mark_888 · Feb 3, 2009

CanukV6 said:
I seem to have the opposite problem, in Auto setting my headlights are TOO sensitive. Driving under single lane bridges on the highway will bring on the headlights while dimming the Dash Display and changing the Nav display to night mode. I am going to mention it next time my car is in for service.

I notice that when driving on a very sunny day about 3-4 PM with plenty of light, if I happen to be constantly in and out of the shade from roadside trees as I drive down the road, the auto headlights will come on. But it doesn't bother me, maybe because I don't have the tech package.

Gimli · Feb 4, 2009

You have to keep in mind though that DRLs and automatic headlights have nothing to do with each other. Disabling DRLs will NOT disable automatic headlights.

My problem with the automatic headlights on the Genesis isn't that they come on too dark or bright but that they keep switching between on and off too rapidly. Another annoyance for me is that it controls the dash lights independently from the headlights, which means sometimes my dash lights dim but my headlights don't come on, or the dash lights come back to normal while the headlights are still on, etc.

Even my 7 year-old Pontiac Grand Am (which is no luxury vehicle by any stretch of the imagination) has a better control of automatic headlights.

But enough off-topic babble, this is about DRLs and disabling them

MattP · Feb 4, 2009

Mark_888 said:
Since the US model does not have DRL, I wonder if putting a fuse in would enable it?

I looked at this at lunch. It will not work. The DRL slot is there on the U.S. models but in contains a contact on one side only there is no connector in the slot on the other side.

Tried a 15A fuse and indeed, the side lights did not turn on.

Gimli · Feb 4, 2009

MattP said:
Tried a 15A fuse and indeed, the side lights did not turn on.

It would actually be the high beams that would turn on, at reduced wattage.

MattP · Feb 4, 2009

Gimli said:
It would actually be the high beams that would turn on, at reduced wattage.

Neither light came on. Certainly on my V6 there is no second plug in contact in the DRL fuse slot, so the fuse is not connected to a DRL lighting circuit.

If you see anything differently let me know.

Gimli · Feb 8, 2009

BTW a week later and there is still no idiot light in the dash or any adverse effect to running with the DRL fuse removed. Time to put it back

fiscue · Aug 4, 2009

Daytime running lights are dangerous when it is foggy or raining, some people think that there is no need to turn on their headlights. With drl you do not have tail lights, when you are driving in these situations and come up on a vehicle with no tail lights they are using drl and are thinking that all is well. In my opinion they are the worst thing that have been put on cars/trucks. Motor cycles use there headlights as they are somewhat smaller and the lights give you a little awareness of said smaller vehicle.
Fiscue

PINGGOLF · Aug 4, 2009

ok...am I missing something??? I have the 4.6 Tech. The only DRL's we have are two 198 (or 194's???) that attach inside the high beam housing separate and apart from the high beam bulb. The high beams are never used for DRL's. Maybe this is a difference between the v6 and v8 models...not sure though.

Currently, my DRL's are LED wedge style bulbs.

Maybe I skimmed over things too quickly...sorry if I did

BacktoHyundaibychoice · Aug 4, 2009

PINGGOLF said:
ok...am I missing something??? I have the 4.6 Tech. The only DRL's we have are two 198 (or 194's???) that attach inside the high beam housing separate and apart from the high beam bulb. The high beams are never used for DRL's. Maybe this is a difference between the v6 and v8 models...not sure though.

Currently, my DRL's are LED wedge style bulbs.

Maybe I skimmed over things too quickly...sorry if I did

We don't have DRLs in the states. Those are the parking lights (which I use as DRLs every day).

Seattle Genesis · Aug 4, 2009

BacktoHyundaibychoice said:
We don't have DRLs in the states. Those are the parking lights (which I use as DRLs every day).

Same here. I just keep my parking lights on all the time and use them as DRLs and when I turn off my engine the lights are still on. they shut off when I open the door. no wasted battery juice.

Giostar · Aug 4, 2009

I always disable my DRL's, I've been doing it it with every car I've owned in the past. Never had a problem with the law and I live in Canada. I can't stand DRL's, if u can't see a car moving towards u during the day, then u shouldn't be driving and with common sense turn ur headlights on when the sun starts dropping below the horizon.

scottdk · Aug 4, 2009

PINGGOLF said:
ok...am I missing something??? I have the 4.6 Tech. The only DRL's we have are two 198 (or 194's???) that attach inside the high beam housing separate and apart from the high beam bulb. The high beams are never used for DRL's. Maybe this is a difference between the v6 and v8 models...not sure though.

Currently, my DRL's are LED wedge style bulbs.

Maybe I skimmed over things too quickly...sorry if I did

It's the Canadian model

fiscue · Aug 7, 2009

Do you people realize that it is against the law to drive with your parking lights on in some states? It is illigal in North carolina for sure. Most people that run their parking lights on in the daytime are just wanting to look cool, attract attention etc.
fiscue

Disabling Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

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