Running Lights

[RMA37]

Good evening all.

I only acquired my XK8 Convertible last summer and on one of my first trips out, I drove through Thetford Forrest and the road through the trees there is very dark, even on a bright sunny day. The car is also blue and I was suddenly aware that other drivers coming towards me would have difficulty seeing the front of my car. Today we take running lights for granted and although they seem to be getting brighter with each new model, I think they are valuable for road safety.

With that in mind I thought about how I could introduce them on the car without changing any of the original looks. At the moment I'm thinking of converting the fog lights, not sure how at the moment, but maybe some LED's could be fitted inside. If I can find some old second hand ones I might give it a go.

Any thoughts; suggestions, or even 'yes I've done that' would be welcome. I feel another winter project coming on!

[mike020150]

I seem to recall seeing one of the regular XK8 accessory firms advertising LED kits for the front of XK8s. Try checking the JE magazine for advertisements or at least the names of useful websites. Mike.

[RMA37]

Thanks Mike, I'll keep searching.

[RMA37]

There are some running lights on ebay at the moment. I'd be interested to hear if anyone bought some of these.

[RichardSEL]

"Fogs as Running Lights" is a normal operation -- with lower intnsity than full on fogs -- on the continent. They also have "fogs as direction indicator assist lights too" as an option subject to manufacturer. Those illuminate a NS or OS fog on the side a direction indicator's set. That further illuminates the corner you're turning into.

Enthussiasts tried both over here but I'm afraid traffic Police took a dim view (geddit ) and were stopping people with either combination enabled on UK-registered cars claiming that to have fogs on when visibility was more than 100M was an "offence" and trying to extract a "fine" for said "offence". VAG group cars can be set up with ease for any of those options that are switched off by default for UK cars by the use of a diagnostic tool (eg VCDS aka VAG-Com)

"indicators as DRLs" is a usual US/Canada lighting feature. That's another option that sets indicators to be on continuously but only at 40% intensity -- they go to full intensity when you set your indicator.

Whether those features listed above can be set by the use of say Autologic or some other diagnostic tool on XK8 I don't know. I have iCarsoft i930 that doesn't give that flexibility that VCDS did for my previous Passat. Mebe worth enquiring at an indie with dealer or near-dealer level diagnostics?

UK Passats also have side DRLs fitted that for US/Canada have an additional bulb holder inside wired to the sidelights' circuit. But on UK models that side amber light fitting is empty of bulb holder or wiring. XK8 does have those side fittings too but I don't know whether there's anything in them.

Changing a sidelight bulb for an LED would brighten things up a little on the front and rear. But the LED replacement would have to be "CANbus friendly" otherwise your ECU could see the replaced LED (that take far less current than a filiament bulb) as a blown bulb and light a warning icon on your dash.

I've had LEDs as VRM lights on an '06MY that's still current production shape.
But on an older car they just look naff