Driving Lights

[itaggart]

I have noticed that the driving lights are only activated on the front of the car, I was sure I hand read on here that there was a way of re-programming such that the tail lights would also activate. Has anyone else done this that can advise how to go about it?

[PetrolDave]

By Driving lights I presume you mean the DRL (Daytime Running Lights)?

The standard UK coding enables only the front lights, but a simple coding changes enables the rear lights as well. I did this to my RS4 a couple of months ago - you need to change the coding of the Central Electronics Module (address 09) from xxx2x to xxx4x.

[itaggart]

Thanks Dave, Would'nt know where to start with the electronics of the car is this a DIY job or should I get my dealer to do it next time it's in?

[PetrolDave]

A few seconds job for anyone with VAG-COM - at the next meet you go to?

Some dealers will do it - others will say "oh dunno if I'm allowed to do that?"

[Andyuk911]

I am still after replacing the DRL bulbs with Blue Vision ... if you spot any, please let me know

[gw007]

What type of VAG-COM cable do I need to get? I have seen a few on eBay and it seems to be a bit hazy about whether they will work... some only mention pre-2004 models, etc, etc...

[PetrolDave]

On a B7 RS4 you need either a HEX-COM+CAN (if your laptop has a serial port) or a HEX-USB+CAN (if your laptop only has USB ports).

The cheaper micro-CAN will only work on Golf V platform cars (like the 8P A3), and older ones like the HEX-COM or KEY-COM won't be able to talk to all the control modules on a B7 so IMHO they're a false economy.

Most, probably all, the leads on eBay won't work with recent versions of VAG-COM so there will be some settings you can't read or change.

Many people with these third party leads have problems accessing control modules that just go away when they use a genuine lead.

The choice is yours - save a bit of money and maybe have problems that are only solved by spending on the proper thing, or ...

[Riz_RS4]

It might be a dumb question but what daytime running lights exactly?

I assumed it was just a fancy name for switch on your side lights.....

Riz

[PetrolDave]

It might be a dumb question but what daytime running lights exactly?

I assumed it was just a fancy name for switch on your side lights.....

All B7 RS4 have bi-xenon lights which means both dipped and main beam use the same (centre) lens in the headlamp.

The outer lens is obviously the indicators (even more obviously for those unlucky enough to have the nasty piece of orange plastic!).

Which leaves the inner lens - which has two bulbs, one 5W one for sidelights and one 21W one for Daytime Running Lights.

Press and turn on the tiny switch marked DRL just beside your light switch - with the engine running you'll see the brighter bulb in the middle of the lens lit (the sidelight bulb is offset).