Audi A5 running lights - can they be switched off?

JHMEG

Every A5 I've seen to date has had those LED running lights turned on. I don't like them in the R8 and I don't like them in the A5.. I share Clarkson's view that they remind me of a council house at Christmas time.

But anyway, are they the new HIDs, in that the owners simply have to turn them on as "they look cool", or are they like Volvo genuine running lights?



(Post inspired by Audi LED running lights? No thanks)

E92

You can turn off the lights in Volvos before you start. It rests to DRL every time you restart though:D!

Presumably the L eyes in Audis can be turned off too, otherwise they'd be illegal to drive in Portugal(in Portugal it's against the law to have any lights on during the day).

mickdw

JHMEG wrote: »

Every A5 I've seen to date has had those LED running lights turned on. I don't like them in the R8 and I don't like them in the A5.. I share Clarkson's view that they remind me of a council house at Christmas time.

But anyway, are they the new HIDs, in that the owners simply have to turn them on as "they look cool", or are they like Volvo genuine running lights?



(Post inspired by Audi LED running lights? No thanks)

I just picked up my A5 last week. The DRL are set on the in car display to either come on with the ignition or to stay off. I have them on. I like the look when its just getting dark in the evening. Dont like them on the new model A4 though as they are an odd shape.

JHMEG

mickdw wrote: »

I just picked up my A5 last week. The DRL are set on the in car display to either come on with the ignition or to stay off. I have them on. I like the look when its just getting dark in the evening. Dont like them on the new model A4 though as they are an odd shape.

Ok, thanks. It's the "they look cool" reason then..

mickdw

JHMEG wrote: »

Ok, thanks. It's the "they look cool" reason then..

Well they are 'daytime running lights'. Just watch everyone else follow with the LEDs

JHMEG

mickdw wrote: »

Well they are 'daytime running lights'.

Which are only required in Scandanavia and a few other places...

mickdw

JHMEG wrote: »

Which are only required in Scandanavia and a few other places...

There is a push on here in ireland also to drive with lights on during the day. It a good thing in my opinion. Then being LEDs they use very little energy while producing quite a piercing light so its all good.

If ya had them, you would use them!:D

ninty9er

mickdw wrote: »

There is a push on here in ireland also to drive with lights on during the day. It a good thing in my opinion. Then being LEDs they use very little energy while producing quite a piercing light so its all good.

If ya had them, you would use them!:D

I don't think those Audi LEDs are very effective, they're just a design feature IMO. Proper headlight DRLs on the other hand I would wholeheartedly applaud Audi for installing.

TychoCaine

JHMEG wrote: »

Which are only required in Scandanavia and a few other places...

...true, but they do make your car more visible, especially on dirty winter days. A few years ago Eircom told all their van drivers to leave lights on day and night for the winter and their accident rate halved. It costs nothing so I'll leave the DRLs switched on in my Volvo if you don't mind. Only a dealer can disable it on the S80 anyway.

mickdw

They sure turn heads on the A5!

JHMEG

mickdw wrote: »

They sure turn heads on the A5!

Which I'd say is the real reason for leaving them on!

@TychoCaine, it was estimated a few years ago by one of the motoring magazines that it costs €40 a year to leave DRL on on a typical car. Fuel prices have doubled, so unless you're using Audi LEDs you're looking at €80 year. In the case of LEDs it's probably €10 a year or less. One thing is for sure tho, it doesn't cost nothing.

-Chris-

ninty9er wrote: »

I don't think those Audi LEDs are very effective, they're just a design feature IMO. Proper headlight DRLs on the other hand I would wholeheartedly applaud Audi for installing.

Ask yourself what the point of DRLs is... is it to illuminate things you're driving towards or is it to ensure that other people see you?

The LEDs are VERY visible, and whether you like the look or not, you can't argue with the fact that you'll spot an A5 quicker if the driver has them on.

Therefore, they are perfectly effective!

TychoCaine wrote: »

...true, but they do make your car more visible, especially on dirty winter days. A few years ago Eircom told all their van drivers to leave lights on day and night for the winter and their accident rate halved. It costs nothing so I'll leave the DRLs switched on in my Volvo if you don't mind. Only a dealer can disable it on the S80 anyway.

+1

It's repeatedly statistically proven that having either DRLs or leaving your dips on all the time will reduce the likelihood you'll be involved in an accident.

If you have a Volvo or Saab (or A4/A5...), leave the lights enabled. If you don't, then turn your lights on manually and keep them on - it'll keep you safe!

-Chris-

JHMEG wrote: »

@TychoCaine, it was estimated a few years ago by one of the motoring magazines that it costs €40 a year to leave DRL on on a typical car. Fuel prices have doubled, so unless you're using Audi LEDs you're looking at €80 year. In the case of LEDs it's probably €10 a year or less. One thing is for sure tho, it doesn't cost nothing.

I'll happily pay €80 a year to decrease the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

I think you're nit-picking this point...

ninty9er

I completely disagree that they are as effective as DRL, They are NOT DRL. They are jumped up parking lights and are NOT very visible. I can't say I've ever noticed them on an A5 apart from passing one that was stopped in traffic while walking at dusk. Not at all noticible otherwise.

On the original question. Autocar tells us that they can be disabled somewhere in the depths of the MMI system.

JHMEG

AudiChris wrote: »

I'll happily pay €80 a year to decrease the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

I think you're nit-picking this point...

Chris, my point is are people leaving them on cos they "decrease the liklihood of an accident" or "they look cool". The one A5 owner on this thread leaves them on cos he likes the look of them.

I think you're codding yourself at this point:)

-Chris-

ninty9er wrote: »

On the original question. Autocar tells us that they can be disabled somewhere in the depths of the MMI system.

Iirc - Push the "Car" button on your MMI, scroll down to Day Running Lights, change setting to Off.

Hardly "in the depths"... :rolleyes:

JHMEG

AudiChris wrote: »

Iirc - Push the "Car" button on your MMI, scroll down to Day Running Lights, change setting to Off.

Hardly "in the depths"... :rolleyes:

99er drives an Astra. Forgive him for not knowing his way around the MMI, whatever that is.

But since it's so easy to turn off, makes me curious why no A5 I've seen has them off?

-Chris-

JHMEG wrote: »

Chris, my point is are people leaving them on cos they "decrease the liklihood of an accident" or "they look cool". The one A5 owner on this thread leaves them on cos he likes the look of them.

I think you're codding yourself at this point:)

I read three questions in your OP:

first was "can they be turned off?"
Yep

second was "are people leaving them on because they think they look cool?"
Mickdw, as a new owner thinks they do, and so is leaving them on. I'm sure people who don't like them, but who like the rest of the A5 enough to buy one will turn them off.

and third was "are they real DRLs?"
This is my point to ninety9er - if the definition of a DRL is a light on the car that's on during the day with the purpose of making the car more visible, then I think they are real DRLs.

ninty9er

JHMEG wrote: »

99er drives an Astra. Forgive him for not knowing his way around the MMI, whatever that is.

I do indeed and I manage to find the headlight switch and turn it on whatever time of the day I'm driving;)

-Chris-

JHMEG wrote: »

99er drives an Astra. Forgive him for not knowing his way around the MMI, whatever that is.

But since it's so easy to turn off, makes me curious why no A5 I've seen has them off?

My :rolleyes: was for Autocar for describing the functionality as "in the depths". I don't know ninety9er's knowledge of MMI.

As for turning them off, I don't know why either. Whenever I'm driving ours I always have the dips on, which dims the LEDs. I prefer driving with dims, as it lights up the rear lights too.

tossy

DRL daytime (time when the sun is visible in the sky) running (when you are out driving ) lights (a source of illumination)

I tihnk the check all of the above boxes! if the look cool then thats an added bonus!

Such a typical irish repsonse isnt it "look at your man with his LEDs on his A5 who does he tihnk he is,why doesnt he turn them off and not make it so obvious he is driving an A5"

Would one say the same tihng about countless BMW drives with their praking..oops sorry i mean celis rings(angel eyes) on?

Did you start a similiar thread back in the day when BMW introduced these,i tried searching but the database didnt go back that far

Another pointless nit picking audi bashing thread!!

What next? "can that annoying chirp on audi alarms be de-activated?" it really annoys me when im in tesco car park and some hooray henry of an audi driver has the cheek to open his car while im around!

Ferris

tossy wrote: »

Would one say the same tihng about countless BMW drives with their praking..oops sorry i mean celis rings(angel eyes) on?

Those AND their foglights of course :rolleyes:

cabrwab

I think these lights are very effective.
I dont drive an audi, i don't really like audi's but i have noticed A5's and the few R8's around due to these lights.

They really stand out in traffic during the day.

As i drive a horrible Van most days its all the easier to see these people in mirrors, when somebody has notice me lights on!

While the owner of the audi thinks they look cool i do agree, mostly a show off thing. But if every car had them they would be an effective safety device!

RobAMerc

cabrwab wrote: »

They really stand out in traffic during the day.
As i drive a horrible Van most days its all the easier these people in mirrors, when somebody has notice me lights on!

Nuff said - anything else is just "Look what they've got that I don't"

this thread is total nonsense.

cabrwab

fair enough made a mistake!

No i don't care if they have one! just saying it is easy to see them! not in a wow they have an A4 with no back doors!

R8 respect. But the type of light LED's produce stands out

RobAMerc

cabrwab - I'm not sure if you were refering to my post - I was agreeing with you, you hit the nail on the head - cars with them on stand out - therefore its an important safety device.

My point was anyone bitching about them is probably just jealous they don't have an A5.

JHMEG

tossy wrote: »

Did you start a similiar thread back in the day when BMW introduced these,

Every BMW driver didn't drive around with them on all the time.

Personally I find the glare from the Audi lights distracting and if anything I'd say they are more likely to cause an accident when on.

I do think that they detract from an otherwise very handsome car.

cabrwab

Oh sorry rob thought you were whoops!

Thanks for the back up!

bman

JHMEG wrote: »

Personally I find the glare from the Audi lights distracting and if anything I'd say they are more likely to cause an accident when on.

Do you find all DRLs distracting? I think you're making up BS now just to save face.

These lights are useful for making other road users aware of their presence. If they look good also then good for the driver. But at the end of the day they increase safety so I don't see what your problem with them is.

TheBazman

tossy wrote: »

Would one say the same tihng about countless BMW drives with their praking..oops sorry i mean celis rings(angel eyes) on?

QUOTE]

On the newer LCI models there are DRL also. These are seperate to the parking lights and run with the lights off. Again they can be switched off thru the idrive if desired.

TBH if someone buys a car and likes the idea of leaving the DRL on (even if it is because the look "cool" , best of luck to them.) I dont see why the Op should "pick on" some A5 drivers because they think DRLs are cool. Why not pick on S-Line or M-Sport model owners who think they look cooler than the standard model. Why not pick on the owners of white cars who think they look cool... where do you draw the line? As far as I'm concerned as long as they are not overly distracting then I have no problem.

C_Breeze

Fact is they do look good - majority of people would agree and it can't be denied that they do catch the eye which makes the car instantly noticeable on the road and hence, increased safety/visbilty ... most of the time accompanied by envy :rolleyes:


Mickdw .. congrats - its a gorgeous car!

WHITE_P

AudiChris wrote: »

I'll happily pay €80 a year to decrease the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

I think you're nit-picking this point...

Totally agree, I always drive with dips or front fogs on during the day (turn the fogs off at normal lighting up time though), €80 is nothing compared to the cost of being in an accident.

DLR's should be standard safety kit, just like seat belts and ABS.

WHITE_P

ninty9er wrote: »

I completely disagree that they are as effective as DRL, They are NOT DRL. They are jumped up parking lights and are NOT very visible. I can't say I've ever noticed them on an A5 apart from passing one that was stopped in traffic while walking at dusk. Not at all noticible otherwise.

On the original question. Autocar tells us that they can be disabled somewhere in the depths of the MMI system.

Do you drive much, I've passed plenty of A5's on the road, and they are very noticable with those lights. Maybe its time for an eye test ninty9er.

JHMEG

bman wrote: »

Do you find all DRLs distracting?

Not the normal ones, no.

bman wrote: »

But at the end of the day they increase safety so I don't see what your problem with them is.

If they're distracting they're harldy increasing safety.

The real BS is that people are turning them on cos the look cool, and trying to disguise it as a safety thing. At least Mickdw is being honest.

copacetic

JHMEG wrote: »

Not the normal ones, no.


If they're distracting they're harldy increasing safety.

The real BS is that people are turning them on cos the look cool, and trying to disguise it as a safety thing. At least Mickdw is being honest.

I love this logic, they aren't any good as DRLs but they are 'distracting'. You can't have it both ways.

Imo the look good and are a safety feature also. Only the worst of begrudgers could have a problem with that.

JHMEG

copacetic wrote: »

I love this logic, they aren't any good as DRLs

Where did I say that?

copacetic

presumably it is what you meant with the absolute rubbish below:

JHMEG wrote: »

Personally I find the glare from the Audi lights distracting and if anything I'd say they are more likely to cause an accident when on.

apparently they are so bright they blind people who then crash into you?
:rolleyes:

pburns

I was about to say they are the 21st Century, celtic tiger equivilant of those 'Knight Rider' lights from the '80s but apparantly if you expess an opinion about something you consider distasteful you will automatically be labelled as a begrudger...

i'm ambivilant about them to be honest - don't consider them as vulgar as Clarkson suggests nor do I consider them as ****-cool as some.

tossy

JHMEG wrote: »

Every BMW driver didn't drive around with them on all the time.

I presume you canvased every BMW driver at the time yes? just like you have canvassed every A5 driver today.

What a nonsense statement,it reeks of back tracking and BS to cover up what is nothing more than nit picking on your behalf-ive noticed that saab are the latest manufacturer to copy these lights,when are we going to see the saab bashing posts?

Whats even more incredulous is the OP,when i first opened this thread i thought he/she was thinking of buying an A5 or had an A% and was wondering about it for ma personal perspective,no no they were just sick to the teth of A5 users on the road with there "look at me" lights turned on,jesus if people cared half as much about the real issues of the day!

This country and its begrudgery had gone to the dogs.

JHMEG

copacetic wrote: »

presumably it is what you meant with the absolute rubbish below:



apparently they are so bright they blind people who then crash into you?
:rolleyes:

Yesterday there was an A5 waiting at a side road to pull out with his LEDs on. They caught my eye and I glanced over (ie distracted me). In the split second that I did so I nearly rear ended the car in front of me.

I have already said that the A5 is otherwise handsome, here and on other threads.

Now copaceptic, tossy etc, if you're too thick to understand this, then please don't post any more crap on this thread.

tossy

JHMEG wrote: »

Yesterday there was an A5 waiting at a side road to pull out with his LEDs on. They caught my eye and I glanced over (ie distracted me). In the split second that I did so I nearly rear ended the car in front of me.

I have already said that the A5 is otherwise handsome, here and on other threads.

Now copaceptic, tossy etc, if you're too thick to understand this, then please don't post any more crap on this thread.

Sign of less than competent driving to me letting every little thing draw your attention from the road esp in traffic? if a set of shiny lights does this i'd hate to see your reaction to a beautiful girl or man or a nice shiney flawless (perfect car in every way even the little round lights) BMW,i'd say you'd rear end the car in front instantly in the excitement!

Now the above bit is petty on my behalf but deliberately so,you have drawn it out of me with your last pointless post,i'm too thick to realize you haven't got a valid point beyond audi nit picking? or am i too thick because you realize you are losing this argument and you have resorted to personal insults to try find and out? i feel its the latter.

JHMEG

What did I say about posting crap, tossy?:rolleyes:

C_Breeze

tossy wrote: »

Sign of less than competent driving to me letting every little thing draw your attention from the road esp in traffic? if a set of shiny lights does this i'd hate to see your reaction to a beautiful girl or man or a nice shiney flawless (perfect car in every way even the little round lights) BMW,i'd say you'd rear end the car in front instantly in the excitement!

Now the above bit is petty on my behalf but deliberately so,you have drawn it out of me with your last pointless post,i'm too thick to realize you haven't got a valid point beyond audi nit picking? or am i too thick because you realize you are losing this argument and you have resorted to personal insults to try find and out? i feel its the latter.

Very well put,

To be honest I was gonna say stop being such a begrudger JHMEG but i edited it out of my last post incase you took it personally...

They do their job in increasing the cars visibility AND look good - whats wrong with that.

...If Honda came up with the idea you would forever be prasing them :rolleyes: and don't say you wouldn't because you know you would.

...Also, LED will be the next major jump in Lighting technology as Xenon was to Halogens .... although youll probably have had your nervous breakdown by then!

JHMEG

Ok, it's been established that:
a) they can be turned off
b) they are turned off by default
c) some people turn them on cos they "look cool"
d) some people think they are a safety feature
e) some people find them distracting
f) some people think they look tacky
g) the people in f) are apparently begrudgers

Unkle or kbannon, will one of ye close this thread please.

EDIT: @C_Breeze, you're going back on the ignore list. I thought you had gotten over your little 'problem'.

tossy

a) they can be turned off
b) they are turned off by default
c) some people turn them on cos they "look cool"
d) some people think they are a safety feature
e) some people find them distracting
f) some people think they look tacky
g) the people in
h) are apparently begrudgers
i)you seem to have a problem with audi
j)you get peyty when losing a debate.

why close the thread is because its done to death or because you are on the back foot??

C_Breeze

JHMEG wrote: »

@C_Breeze, you're going back on the ignore list. I thought you had gotten over your little 'problem'.

Honestly why are you so easily irritated, i've nothing personally against you but it's just my opinion.

You just come out with some funny stuff sometimes

Anyway, theyre only lights FFS who cares :pac:!!!

NiSmO

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NiSmO

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NiSmO

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JHMEG

Classy

Slaanesh

I have to give my 2 cents. I passed an 08 A5 this morning and thought it was absolutely gorgeous. I then noticed the lights, they stood out but definitely were not distracting. JHMEG is perfectly entitled to think they are distracting because this is his own opinion, on the other hand if he finds that they are distracting then I can only imagine that alot less smaller distractions could cause serious trouble