[Q] 9-4x Day Time Running light behavior?

[Mark_Venture]

Hi, I picked up my 9-4x Premium last week, and I have a question about the Day Time Running lights...

On my past 2005 9-3 Arc, and my wife's 2008 9-3 Aero, the DTRL's stayed on all the time when the car was running no matter what.

On my 9-4 I've noticed that when the car is in park, the DTRL are off.

Also, when I'm on the road driving, if I've come to stop lights and my turn signal is on, I've noticed (via the reflection in the car in front me me) that the DTRL in the front, on the side with the turn signal, turns off. Once the turn signal is off, the front light comes on. (i.e. If I'm stopped at a traffic light, and I have my right turn signal on, the right front DTRL is off. Soon as I switch the turn signal off, the DTRL lights up.)

Is this normal??

[Shazam]

I know it many new cars, they have the DTRL turn off on the side that the turn signal is on. It supposed to allow the turn signal to be more apparent I guess. I assume the rest is normal, but I'm not sure.

[nordwulf]

When my 9-4X is in Park, the DRL's are off. But when I use the turn signals and the car is in Drive, both head lamps remain on. One of them turning off when using the turn signal sounds unusual.

I have never been a big fan of DRLs but it is nice you can easily turn them off with the headlight switch when needed.

Welcome fellow 9-4X owner!

[Shazam]

Audi has been doing it with their new headlights...
UK Spec Audi A4 (B8) - DRLS and Turn Signals - YouTubeApparently Chrysler is another user of the DRL turning off on the indicating side.

[Mark_Venture]

Thank you both for the quick replies.

Frank, Are you able to confirm the action when turn signal on, ...either have your 9-4 in drive with your foot on the break and someone standing outside, or via reflection from car/truck in front of you)? Reason I ask, because I called my dealer who said what I'm seeing is normal, plus Shazam's link...

Also, Frank, a side question... in your "Garage" posting about your 9-4, you mention its serial number being 378.. where did you find that number? was it the last digits of the VIN? If so, mine is 258

[nordwulf]

I checked it with the reflection in an office window with my foot on the brake and the car in Drive. I check the CONFIG / Vehicle Settings to see if there is a setting for this but there isn't. Strange..

The last digits in the VIN is the serial number of the vehicle.

[Mark_Venture]

I checked it with the reflection in an office window with my foot on the brake and the car in Drive. I check the CONFIG / Vehicle Settings to see if there is a setting for this but there isn't. Strange..

Thank you.

wow.

Do you have the Bi-xenon with cornering headlights, or the regular ones that come in the Premium? Could that make a difference?

Or was feeding me a line while over the phone.

We have to take wife's car in for service this weekend, so I'll ask this dealer (in Delaware, rather than the PA dealer I got my 9-4x from).. and see if they have a 9-4x on the lot I can look at.

[nordwulf]

Do you have the Bi-xenon with cornering headlights, or the regular ones that come in the Premium? Could that make a difference?

You're on to something. I forgot about the difference between the halogen and Xenon lights. I believe the Xenon equipped 9-4X uses the inner halogen lights for the DRL. Are your DRLs the regular Xenon lamps/headlights (blue arrows in picture) or the inner two halogen lights (red arrows)?



I don't have the Xenon lights and my DRLs are the regular headlights (blue arrows). The inner halogen lights are my high beams.

[Mark_Venture]

The red arrow points to what is DRLs on mine, blue my low beams (and based on book, my high as well)

[Mark_Venture]

We have to take wife's car in for service this weekend, so I'll ask this dealer (in Delaware, rather than the PA dealer I got my 9-4x from).. and see if they have a 9-4x on the lot I can look at.

Took the wife's car to Delaware Saab in Wilmington. They had only one 9-4x on the lot. It did not have Bi-xenon/cornering headlights.

PA dealer I got the car from, Scott Saab in Allentown, is 90+ miles away (its 5 min from my Mom's house which is why I was there in the first place). General Sales Saab in West Chester, PA, doesn't have any on the Lot.

I have noticed other cars on the road (other brands) doing this too, so maybe it is normal for the Bi-xenon?