The car’s lighting system always plays a very important role, in which DRLs are no exception.
However, a few drivers are still quite confused when it comes to the Volkswagen DRL light meaning. So, what does it do, or is it required?
If you are also wondering about this, the article below is what you need. Scroll down and get detailed answers.
What Is Volkswagen DRL Light Meaning?
DRL light meaning is right on its name. DRL (Daytime Running Lights) is a series of LED lights mounted on the front of the car.
It can be above the fog lights or in the headlamp cluster and is usually a pair.
Its main role is to help pedestrians, or oncoming traffic, easily detect your vehicle from a distance.
Besides an audible warning and pre-glow system, this helps to ensure the benefits in the safety performance of vehicles already on the road.
By default, this device will automatically light up every time we start the engine and emit bright lights, amber lights, green lights, or yellow indicator lights.
When you see the DRLs of a vehicle, it means that the car has started and is ready to run, not parked.
Aware of DRL’s great role in ensuring safety, Volkswagen began using it as an essential part of an average vehicle more than a decade ago.
To date, you can see it appearing in most of the company’s car models. So, what is special about DRL meaning volkswagen?
What Are The Benefits Of Volkswagen Drl Light?
Its benefits are always one of the most interesting things when drivers search by keyword: what does DRL mean in a Volkswagen?
Using DRLs on cars is a solution to help increase visual brightness so that drivers can easily detect oncoming vehicles from afar.
This has a great role in reducing the risk of traffic accidents during the day.
In addition to helping drivers easily detect oncoming vehicles, they are also responsible for signaling that the vehicle is running.
This helps people avoid unexpected situations of misunderstanding, especially with cars parked on the roadside.
Some versions have the function of blinking simultaneously as the turn signal.
This is another plus for DRLs, especially if you don’t get the audible warning, restart warning, or warning lights from the system.
Besides, the installation of DRL also increases the aesthetics because it is located right in front of the car.
This is why Volkswagen often takes care of this detail on their models, like Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen CC, etc.
Although some drivers say they find this device distracting, it still complies with brightness regulations. It is an extremely important device for definitive safety benefits.
How Do Daytime Running Lights Work?
In the previous section, we learned “what does the DRL light mean?” but another question arises: How does it work? How do you know if your lights are working properly?
The DRLs are quite similar to low-level headlamps during the day. They can turn it on when you start the car thanks to a light recognition sensor and a computer module.
However, these LED strips have a lower wattage than the headlights. There is also some suggestion that its operation of it can affect the life of the headlights, but it is still a device worth the investment for what it does.
In some cases, it can also take on the function of fog light, or beam headlights, a potential headlight in the more fuel-efficient version.
This device’s working principle is a simple issue. Thus, if your lamp suddenly does not light up, It’s not an engine issue. The cause can only be due to one of the following errors:
- Fire socket
- Faulty bulb
- Light sensor error
- Faulty electronic power control
- Fuse broken
Are Daytime Running Lights Compulsory?
No. But these lights bring positivity to the traffic.
DRL lamps appeared for the first time in some cities of the United States, such as Washington D.C., New York, etc., and showed outstanding advantages.
By 1989, it was available in Canada and gradually became the standard for vehicles for safety benefits.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has approved this device since 1993. Today, it is also mandatory for vehicles in Nordic countries, Scandinavian countries.
According to a European countries report, the traffic accident rate has recorded positive changes after applying the regulation to use DRLs when participating in traffic.
Specifically, within just two months of the law’s implementation, the rate of accidents involving cars during daytime in Germany has decreased by 25%, and even in Norway, it has decreased by 37%.
Regulating the use of daytime lights brings a lot of positive results. Shortly, their application in other countries will certainly make a big change in the traffic habits of people around the world.
FAQs
Does DRL Drain Car Battery?
Car DRLs are usually LED with very low power consumption, about 25 – 30% more energy than standard lights, and only cost 5 – 10W
Therefore, using this car device is an effective and safe solution to save fuel levels for the vehicle. It doesn’t drain the battery and oil level too much.
How Do I Fix My DRL Light?
Besides some common errors such as ABS malfunction (Anti-Lock Braking System), rain sensor malfunction, automatic transmission malfunction, brake pad wear, etc., your DRLs sometimes don’t work as they should.
Depending on the test results, there will be a way to correct it; here are some commonly used measures:
- Change the bulb failure solid
- Replace the bridge
- Tighten the connectors
- Replace socket
- Change or clean the light sensor
If you have no experience in such things, it is best to leave it to the expert technicians in the service department or auto service center.
There are many places for you to go, such as Hamilton Volkswagen, Leith Volkswagen, Timmons Volkswagen, Alexandria Volkswagen, Gunther Volkswagen, Karen Radley Volkswagen, etc.
Can I Turn Off My DRLs?
YES! You can turn it off by activating the emergency brake pads. As soon as the car stops, the lights will turn off. Another way you can permanently disable it is to modify the wiring.
However, be aware that turning off this device can’t be a safety measure.
Not to mention, in countries where the use of DRLs in vehicles is mandatory, it is illegal to do so, and you will be responsible for that.
Conclusion
Above is information about Volkswagen DRL light meaning. Although it is only a small accessory in front of the car, it brings many important benefits to road users.
Make sure your car has all of these devices. Wish you a safe driving and see you in the next posts.
Thanks for reading,