09 -- turn off DRLs? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

silverbrabus · 06-01-2009, 09:45 AM

Picked up an orphan Brabus last week. As an orphan, has a few options I wouldn't have chosen -- one being the DRLs. Can anyone detail how to turn them off?

Is something different with the 09s? Did a search on here and tried the HL flasher and remote button thing as described in several threads and on the Evilution site. No luck. Can hear a relay clicking under the dash when they come on. Is it as simple as pulling a relay?

Old smart · 06-01-2009, 10:51 AM

Your U.S. '09 with optional DRLs may be the same as the Canadians' '08+ non-optional DRLs (DRLs are mandated in CA). The Canadians can't turn theirs off, and apparently neither can we.

chieftmc · 06-01-2009, 11:59 AM

You can try this and see if it works

DRL's n 09 Models

silverbrabus · 06-01-2009, 01:43 PM

Post from above linked thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by W/B Smartie

Had the software install done to our 09 Cabrio. DRL's on all the time now. Redbluff's trick to turn them on and off does NOT work on our 09.

Same with mine, the headlight switch/alarm button thing doesn't work.

Does this mean another $50 to turn them off? Think I will investigate pulling the relay.

homeslice · 06-03-2009, 01:24 AM

Why on earth would you ever want to turn them off? That's a great safety feature to have. I remember going back and forth between different vehicles that have DRL's vs. ones that don't and I can definitly notice a difference how people react now with less people pulling out in front of me when they notice the DRL. That's the last thing I'd want to do in a smart car. That's why I want to get this feature turned on. At least that's the good thing I've liked about my crappy GM cars for the past 10 years.

Woody14619 · 06-04-2009, 01:27 PM

There have been plenty of flame-filled discussions about the merits of DRLs. Just do a quick search and you'll find a few. In the end, I look at it like I look at many things: Car manufacturers should give you a way of turning off optional (eg non-mandated) features in your car. Good manufacturers realize that in certain conditions any safety feature can change from helping to being a hindrance, and allow for each system to be disabled independently by the user. Smart got this one right... They turn it on by default (normally) when it's available and give you a way to turn it on an off on your own. (Same as the auto-locking doors.)

Now if they had only done it with the auto AC enable when the vents are set at front windshield flow only...

homeslice · 06-04-2009, 02:38 PM

When you don't need to pay $50 bucks to the dealer to turn it on? You can just turn it on or off by programming?

I like that deal. To me it sounds like common sense to have them on. I can't understand why there would be a debate or flaming over turning off daytime running lights. I think logically... using IF-THEN-ELSE logic...

Do you like people pulling in front of you?
YES
Turn lights off
ELSE
Turn them on

I'd rather not risk somebody who is talking on a cellphone while driving to pull out in front of me. At least if they see the lights, maybe their sub-concious will help them not pull out in front of you.

I've experienced the difference with cars with them and without. I would certainly want a car that has them. If they didn't work, car makers wouldn't have gone through the trouble to enable that option.

Old smart · 06-04-2009, 03:14 PM

While talking to my sc Service manager on other issues, I asked if they could activate DRLs on either '09s or '08s. They can neither activate them nor de-activate them at this point. Could that change in the future? - the sc did not know (but they did acknowledge that, finally, dealers could install OEM foglights and activate them, which once couldn't be done).

homeslice · 06-04-2009, 03:23 PM

I am all for safety features that save lives and prevent damage to vehicles.

I am just shocked right now at the "out the door" prices of these car. I am really depressed right now.

fpage77 · 06-04-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old smart

While talking to my sc Service manager on other issues, I asked if they could activate DRLs on either '09s or '08s. They can neither activate them nor de-activate them at this point. Could that change in the future? - the sc did not know (but they did acknowledge that, finally, dealers could install OEM foglights and activate them, which once couldn't be done).

They're sooooooooo wrong I have DRL added to my car. It's just a simple software update.