TDI NB Disabling Daytime Running Lights - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

SwamiSalami · 05-13-2011, 12:47 PM

I found a great diy step-by-step online showing how to disable DRLs.

Here: Disabling Daily Runing Lights (DRL's) - How-To - NewBeetle.org Forums

I have but one critique. And, that is that the pictures of the connection are a bit misleading (or at least they were to me).

In an attempt to make it clearer which connection is to be disrupted, I have taken what I feel to be a better picture.

Good for around a 1.5% mpg improvement!!!

good luck

euromodder · 05-13-2011, 02:12 PM

Holy smoke !
Ditching the DRLs was a 1.?? euro software mod on my Volvo

SwamiSalami · 05-13-2011, 02:20 PM

According to research I've done this mod is good for around 1-1.5% improvement.

Here's the link: HowStuffWorks "How much extra gasoline would Americans use if daytime running lights were mandatory?"

Great article, too, btw.

UFO · 05-13-2011, 02:51 PM

Do you know how much current the DRLs draw? 1.5% sounds like a whole lot of improvement, yet very difficult to measure - 1% is less than half an mpg.

SwamiSalami · 05-13-2011, 03:10 PM

I sure don't. I know what you're saying, though. very hard to measure indeed. I'm not going to rack my brain trying to figure it out so specifically.

All that I know is that with my kammback attached I get 55.4mpg. if this improves mpgs by 1.5%, that theoretically should bump me up to 56!

SwamiSalami · 05-13-2011, 03:13 PM

p.s. UFO, you have a beetle! I'm telling you, this is worth your time. It took me 10 minutes.

Varn · 05-13-2011, 10:26 PM

At 49 mpg my jetta is burning 2.5oz of fuel a mile. Small things might make a difference. Be sure to drive without your AC and turn off your radio too.

guudasitgets · 05-14-2011, 08:01 AM

I'm surprized they still have them

SwamiSalami · 05-14-2011, 10:57 AM

they're mandatory in a lot of places.

Arragonis · 05-14-2011, 06:04 PM

I don't have DRLs on my (or Mrs A's TDIs) but we both run with headlights on (Xenons).

The result may be 1-2% MPG loss but to be honest a mistake on timing a light or timing a lane change or selecting when to shift up/down on a hill may make the same difference for or against FE on most journeys.

The positive result of lights on is that we have cut down the number of people pulling out without 'seeing' us by quite a bit. It is amazing how many do a double-take before deciding not to set off from a side road or change lanes.

So I'll stick with the lights.