How to Turn Off the Daytime Running Lights on the Golf 7?
4 Answers
To turn off the daytime running lights on the Golf 7, you can only visit a 4S shop and ask professionals to do it for you. Daytime running lights are not designed to help the driver see the road but to let others know that a car is approaching. Therefore, these lights are not for illumination but serve as signal lights. The Golf 7 is a model under FAW-Volkswagen, with body dimensions of 4255mm in length, 1799mm in width, and 1452mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2637mm. In terms of appearance, the Golf 7's front grille, accentuated by chrome trim, outlines a rugged front face. The lines extending from the grille pass beneath the headlight assembly, dividing the functional areas of the headlights while connecting with the side waistline of the car, making the front design more visually impactful.
I'm a Golf 7 owner who's driven it for over five years. The daytime running lights (DRLs) indeed can't be turned off via a button like regular lights. Volkswagen designed it this way primarily for safety, making your car more visible to others. If you really want to disable them, you'll need to adjust settings in the infotainment system: first turn off the engine but keep the ignition on (without starting), long-press the CAR button to enter the menu, then find the lighting settings to check for DRL options. My 2017 model would still automatically reactivate them upon each ignition after adjustment, until I visited the dealership where they permanently disabled the program via computer. I'd advise against DIY attempts - improper coding might affect the dynamic cornering light function; some online users reported malfunctioning auto headlights after tampering with hidden settings. Honestly, DRLs consume minimal power (they dim automatically at night) and prove quite hassle-free once you get used to them.
As an enthusiast who frequently tinkers with automotive electronics, disabling the Golf 7's daytime running lights (DRLs) requires a software solution. Connect a laptop to the OBD port, use the ODIS software to access the 09 Central Electric Control Unit, locate the daytime running light activation option in the matching channels, and change the value to "inactive." Remember to back up the original data before making changes, as incorrect parameters may trigger fault codes on the dashboard. In earlier years, some European models could disable DRLs directly through the engineering menu, but this feature was removed in domestic versions. It's not recommended to completely disable DRLs—EU regulations mandate their use during daytime, and though not compulsory in China, they can reduce accident rates by 30%. If you must disable them, consider applying semi-transparent frosted film to reduce brightness instead, which maintains the warning function without violating regulations.
The daytime running lights (DRLs) on the 7th generation Volkswagen Golf are set to be always on from the factory, and the physical switch doesn't work. The reliable way to turn them off is to have them reprogrammed with a diagnostic tool at a 4S shop or a modification shop. You can also try it yourself: disconnect the negative terminal of the battery for five minutes to reset the system, which may temporarily turn them off on some cars. On modification forums, some people share the method of pulling out the F22 fuse, located in the fuse box under the steering wheel, but doing so might disable the auto start-stop function. A simpler solution is to buy a 5053 data cable and connect it to a computer to modify the coding, but beginners might accidentally trigger an electronic parking brake fault. If the brightness really bothers you, you can replace them with halogen bulbs to reduce the brightness, which are much dimmer than the original LED ones.
