Just bought a new 2009 S60 and am confused about the daytime running lights.

With the light switch in the "O" position, the low beam headlights come on when I start the car, but so do all the parking lights. It's essentially no different than turning the lights to the ON position.

I thought daytime running lights would only turn on the headlights. What am I missing here?

 

Here is what I discovered about my S60. North American models use DRL's (Day Time Running Lamps). This means no matter if your light switch is in the 0 or l your lights are providing the same output/intensity. However you can not switch your brights on (and leave them on) unless your switch is in the 'l' position. If I remember correctly the lights will stay on too (when the car is turned off) when in the 'l' position. The parking lights do turn off the headlights but retain the front and rear parking lights, the parking lights do not go off when the ignition is turned off. I just leave mine in the 0 position all the time, that way I never forget to turn on/off my lights.

The crap part is that if you are using a standard aftermarket halogen bulb the life is much shorter because the lights are generating 100% of available power all the time. Now this goes true for my 2002. I am not sure what changes in power output and features Volvo has made since...hope this helps a bit.

Volvo can change the way your switch works, you will have to enquire with your dealer. There are a lot of things your dealer can do with your Volvo.
Matt

 

Thanks for the reply Matt.

My lights work exactly as you describe so I guess all is as designed.

 

I have HID for the headlights and dedicated halogens for the DRLs, but I didn't like all the parking lights on in the off mode with the DRLs. I had the dealer set the software so only the DRLs come on and no other lights come on in the off mode. Any dealer can do it for you.

 

How much did the dealer charge you to do this? I want only the DRL lights to come on when I turn on my S60R during the day. Right now, the DRL lights and the parking lights come on in position zero during the day.

 

should be 80 bucks or so.

 

$80 to do that???

I suggest you just leave it as is.

 

1/4 to 1/2 hour of labor and 40ish for the software

 

How were u able to get this done? Aren't DRL using the same bulbs as the regular headlights? How were you able to use HID headlights and halogen for DRL?

thanks