Use Fog Lights As DRL

5342 Views 17 Replies 6 Participants Last post by janitz, Apr 20, 2012

Connelly

Discussion Starter · Feb 2, 2012

I tried searching for this on previous threads & I'm sorry but I just can't find anything, so if this has already been discussed hurl a link my way :goodjob:

I have a 2000 Beetle so it was super easy to disable my DRL, but now I want to use my fog lights as my DRL's

I know this might sound stupid but I just think it will look better.

How would I go at this?
Does a Euro Switch allow JUST fog lights to be on?
Or is wiring necessary? Is it easy? Has anyone done this before?

I also want your opinions on putting HID's in fog lights spot
(I live in Vancouver, BC so there is ZERO fog so I do understand that yellow is best for fog lights but it's never foggy here so I'm going just for looks, not functionality)

Thanks guys! :goodjob:

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98_käfer

· #2 · Feb 2, 2012

Connelly said:
I know this might sound stupid but I just think it will look better.

A lot of Audi have fog for DRL, so your not stupid

Does a Euro Switch allow JUST fog lights to be on?

and yes the euro switch will help, but on my 2005 passat, I had to remove one relay(185 i think) but i don't know for your case. For sure is doable
good luck

by the way love your black roof, any more pict?

Connelly

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 2, 2012

98_käfer said:
by the way love your black roof, any more pict?

for sure! Just click "View my Bug" I have a little blog going on :goodjob:

janitz

· #4 · Feb 2, 2012

Euro switch is what you'd want to do this, disable the DRL and then use the switch to turn on the fogs without turning on the lights.

Not sure about HID in the fogs, you'd need to install a ballast and a different harness, etc. Can't just stick an HID in there.

If you wanted something different in there I think an LED based light would work and give a different look and I don't think they need special wiring.

Connelly

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 2, 2012

janitz said:
If you wanted something different in there I think an LED based light would work and give a different look and I don't think they need special wiring.

What should I look up?
Any links you could provide is infinitely helpful.

IndyTom

· #6 · Feb 2, 2012

janitz said:
Euro switch is what you'd want to do this, disable the DRL and then use the switch to turn on the fogs without turning on the lights.

Not sure about HID in the fogs, you'd need to install a ballast and a different harness, etc. Can't just stick an HID in there.

If you wanted something different in there I think an LED based light would work and give a different look and I don't think they need special wiring.

Actually, HID's would work in the Fog light housing. You just need to drill a hole to let the wire to the Ballast through.
No special harness required. The stock connectors hooks into the wires for the HID Bulbs and the HID bulbs run wires into a connector that hooks into the ballast. Really quite simple. The hardest part is finding a location for mounting the ballasts.

I have HID's on my Low Beams and am thinking about putting matching ones in my Fog lights since the HID's are a bright White Light (5000K) and the Fog lights look really yellow in comparison.

Yes, you can use the Euro switch to just turn on the Fogs without any other front lights.
Very easy.

On the 2000 Beetle all the lights are H1 bulbs. Low, High and Fog. H1 H1 H1. Makes things a lot easier.

janitz

· #7 · Feb 2, 2012

Connelly said:
What should I look up?
Any links you could provide is infinitely helpful.

This is just from a quick search on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Generic-LED-9-H1-6000K-Xenon-White/dp/B0026766CQ

They basically just fit right into the socket.

Based on what you want to use them for, DRL they might be what you want over the HID which requires some work with the Ballast (although not as much as I thought based on Indytom's post).

The LED should be a brilliant white light, basically what you see on new Audi cars with that light eyebrow strip for the DRL.

Just to note for anyone thinking of these LEDs, they're not really good for your headlight, the color temp may be 6000K but that doesn't actually measure light output which is in Lumens. These don't list Lumen output because I'm quite certain it is going to be low.

Duffy

· #8 · Feb 2, 2012

DRL's (low beams) are on all the time. Fogs are on with low beams only (DOT). If you want to use the fogs as DRL's just wire the fog light power lead to switch 12Volts - ignition on, DRL's on. You will need to remove or break the connection from the light switch controlling the fog lights. Basically not a good idea due to DOT requirement that fogs are to be turned off with high beams on.

janitz

· #9 · Feb 2, 2012

Duffy said:
DRL's (low beams) are on all the time. Fogs are on with low beams only (DOT). If you want to use the fogs as DRL's just wire the fog light power lead to switch 12Volts - ignition on, DRL's on. You will need to remove or break the connection from the light switch controlling the fog lights. Basically not a good idea due to DOT requirement that fogs are to be turned off with high beams on.

No...

Just replace the North American switch with the Euro switch and disable the pin that controls DRL function.

The Euro switch has an extra switch position in which the fog lights are on and the low beams are off.

North American switch with default config:

DRL on automatically
Low Beam
Low Beam+Fog
High Beam (no fog)

When he disables the DRL and switches to the Euro switch he'll have these options if I understand things correctly:

DRL off when car in drive
Low Beam
Fog
Low Beam+Fog
High Beam (no fog)

Someone with the Euro switch will know for certain.

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Duffy

· #10 · Feb 2, 2012

OK, you say defeat DRL's then use the fogs as DRL's during daytime. That'll work! And you will get switchable DRL's, neat. Euro switch not needed for this.

IndyTom

· #11 · Feb 3, 2012

janitz said:
This is just from a quick search on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Generic LED-9-H1: LED 9 SMDs H1 6000K (Xenon White) Light Bulbs -One Pair: Automotive

They basically just fit right into the socket.

Based on what you want to use them for, DRL they might be what you want over the HID which requires some work with the Ballast (although not as much as I thought based on Indytom's post).

The LED should be a brilliant white light, basically what you see on new Audi cars with that light eyebrow strip for the DRL.

Just to note for anyone thinking of these LEDs, they're not really good for your headlight, the color temp may be 6000K but that doesn't actually measure light output which is in Lumens. These don't list Lumen output because I'm quite certain it is going to be low.

I agree, the LED technology just isn't there quite yet. The light output is pathetic on most of the LEDs you can buy. They are great for interior lighting or the license plate bulbs but I wouldn't use them for Low, High or even Fog lights.
Give it another year and I am certain I will change my mind. Audi/Volkswagon is making some remarkable advances in LED headlight technology. It even frightens Vampires.

Audi 2012 Game Day Commercial - Vampire Party - YouTube

But for the here and NOW. These are the ones I would recommend for Low or FOG lights. Less hassle than HID ballasts and they are pretty damn bright. You can't find them in stores. They are German Made Osram bulbs and have to be mail ordered. Oh, stay away from Sylvania Silverstars. They are not as bright as their German Made counterpart and the quality $ucks. Go Osram. There isn't a more High quality brighter bulb made.

http://www.amazon.com/OSRAM-Night-Breaker-Plus-H1/dp/B004HUBEEK

Connelly

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 3, 2012

Duffy said:
DRL's (low beams) are on all the time. Fogs are on with low beams only (DOT). If you want to use the fogs as DRL's just wire the fog light power lead to switch 12Volts - ignition on, DRL's on. You will need to remove or break the connection from the light switch controlling the fog lights. Basically not a good idea due to DOT requirement that fogs are to be turned off with high beams on.

Is there any easy way to do this?
It sounds quite complicated

BillyMagnum

· #13 · Feb 5, 2012

Connelly said:
Is there any easy way to do this?
It sounds quite complicated

Just get the euro switch as said above. It's a 10 second install and I love mine!

Duffy

· #14 · Feb 5, 2012 (Edited)

I have changed to the euro switch on two cars, neither will turn off the DRLs. The switch is not designed to do that. DRLs are a separate function from the headlight switch. The euro switch does have a parking light position that will turn off low beams - a nice function.

Connelly

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 17, 2012

4

So I finally just bit the bullet and got my beetle's DRL rewired.

I also put 8000K hid kit into her! I enjoy them alot! But mounting the ballasts under there was tricky!

Cost me $65 for some asian kid to do it.

It was quite funny because he didn't know how to get the beetle into reverse!!!

I didn't like the dash lights being on 24/7 because I thought that was to mean to her

Just keeping you guys posted on my little things I do to my car

DRL no other lights on

Night time driving lights (fogs are permanently on now)

Yay asian teenagers!

Neat chrome Euro Switch I got for FREE

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Connelly

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 19, 2012

ALSO WORTH MENTIONING

I totally forgot to mention this before but it's really worth noting!

Before my DRL mod whenever I used my fog lights (usually in the rain at night which is quite common here in the Westcoast) every time I turned on my high beams my fog lights would go out, ever since my DRL mod I can have the fog lights on, night time lights on AND high beams

It's absolutely breathingly MAGNIFICENT for isolated rainy Canadian roads!

I just really thought it was worth mentioning because it had that much impact on my driving habits.

Duffy

· #17 · Apr 19, 2012

Connelly said:
. . . every time I turned on my high beams my fog lights would go out, . . . .

Yep, that's a DOT regulation.

janitz

· #18 · Apr 20, 2012

Yah, fogs on with high beams is against the law.

So now all your lighting is illegal and dangerous.

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