Kia Forum banner

No drl???

35K views 67 replies 17 participants last post by  Kia-Driver 
#1 ·
I love my 2017 Cadenza Technology but can't believe this car with all its safety features does not have daytime running lights. It must be wired for it, does anyone have any knowledge on how to turn this feature or or modify the current set up to allow DRL?
 
#2 ·
I feel your pain buddy. Same thing with 17 Sorento. Lucky for us the "positioning lights" look like they are led drls. So one guy on here made a kit to get them going as drls. I recently purchased the kit cause I felt like you. He did it to his sorento already. Look in the sorento forum.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
 
#3 ·
your only choice might be to run with the position or parking lights on. They should shut off automatically when you turn off the car and lock it if it works anything like my SX.

At least with the parking lights on you will have rear lights on as well, which DRLs don't give you
 
#17 ·
I love my 2017 Cadenza Technology but can't believe this car with all its safety features does not have daytime running lights. It must be wired for it, does anyone have any knowledge on how to turn this feature or- modify the current set up to allow DRL?
I have a 2016 Cadenza Technology and they have DRL's what they run is the LED's on the outside of the actual lights, not the lights themselves. Remember what the purpose of the DRL are is to notify ongoing traffic and they certainly will. It is a law in Canad since 1990
 
#18 ·
That I already know. My 2013 Optima had LED DRL's near the bottom of the front fender on either side. I am running the parking lights as a substitute for the time being but it's not ideal since they are yellow and it keeps the taillights on. Still awaiting Kia's answer if it's possible to activate DRL's on the American version of the Cadenza. When I receive a response I will share it with the forum.
 
#20 ·
I finally figured this out. I was confused when seeing this members Canadian Sorento. I assumed you guys were talking about the positioning led lights on the Sorento being the drls but alas they are not. The drls are the high beams. And now I see why this Canadian member made those led lights drls even though he already has drls. The led are way better lol. I just saw a pic of his vehicle and both the led positioning lights and high beams operate as drls. Then when his head lights come on I assume the high beam drls go off. Sorry for all the confusion. But that was pretty basic of kia to use the high beams as drls when those led lights are in there and ready to go.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
 
#26 ·
I'm interested in eventually upgrading to this car from my Kia Soul once I graduate and start working for a few years. Every video I've seen with the Cadenza has DRLs. I though the base premium trim has white LED Z-shaped DRLs, while the technology and limited trim has amber DRLs. Am I missing something?
 
#28 ·
Here is what has transpired since my last post. No one from Kia called back as I was promised would happen. I contacted them again and the same woman called back telling me she contacted the dealership where I bought the car and two salesmen went out and checked the Cadenza they had on the lot. According to her and them the Cadenza they checked did indeed have DRL's when the light switch is in auto and the car in gear. I told her mine doesn't regardless of what position the light switch is in. She said mine must have a problem and I should take it to the dealer. Off I went and when I got there I was met by a salesman I talked to earlier. As hard as they tried they could not make DRL's work on my Cadenza. The service manager came out and said the Cadenza does not have DRL's and there is nothing the dealer can do to change that. Canadian cars use different software then American cars that is why they have them and we don't. I asked if Canadian software could be used in my car and the answer was an emphatic no. So boys and girls, if you want DRL's on a 2017 Cadenza or any other Kia you need to put the light switch in the parking position. Not what I call DRL's because when it gets dark your headlights will not come on until you change the light switch to auto or headlights. When I got home I wrote Kia again telling them what I think of their engineering. As far as I'm concerned DRL's are as important as any of the other safety features on my car. I suggest if your Kia does not have DRL's you let Kia know how you feel, maybe they'll get the message if enough people tell them.
 
#33 ·
Hi guys. I just got a new cadenza sxl and like yours not LDR. I was looking in kia's website and I found this...
Yep, it's definitely odd that Kia didn't activate the DRLs on our cars... especially since the Optima and others have had LED DRLs for several years now.

My 2017 needs to make a trip to the dealer in the near future to have a defective sunroof switch replaced, and while it's there I plan to ask the service manager (a friend) to delve into this more closely. I know that others haven't had much luck in this regard, but it must be possible to turn them "on" somehow.

Speaking of weird Kia decisions, I noticed a few days after taking delivery that mine doesn't have the Alcantara headliner trim that's supposedly standard in the SXL, either.
 
#40 ·
Headlight cutoff

I got both headlights replaced on my new car last week but I noticed the headlights cutoff are different from the headlights that came with the car from factory, also when I use the high beams seems to be kind of yellowish than the low beams. I was wondering if someone can post some pictures with the headlights cutoffs and also using the high beams. Thanks
 
#41 ·
I got both headlights replaced on my new car last week but I noticed the headlights cutoff are different from the headlights that came with the car from factory, also when I use the high beams seems to be kind of yellowish than the low beams. I was wondering if someone can post some pictures with the headlights cutoffs and also using the high beams. Thanks
Did you have LED headlights before (easy to tell, it has 3 projectors, like the picture you included)? The other headlight type has two projectors - low beam is HID, and high beam is Halogen. What you describe sounds like the dealer took off your 3 projector LED headlights, and replaced it with the HID/Halogen type. This would explain why the cutoff looks different, and the yellowish high beam.

If that happened, I'd recommend going right back to the dealer.
 
#43 ·
What's this need of DRL's in Arizona? Just leave the lights on "Auto" and they turn on at low ambient light!

The DRL was mandated in some northern countries/states, because the duration of twilight is much longer on higher latitudes to the point that almost the whole day is in twilight (Scandinavian countries). At that time (in 70's) "Auto" lights on wasn't a feasible technology. Today it's nothing special.

A 2008 study by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration analyzed the effect of DRLs on frontal and side-on crashes between two vehicles and on vehicle collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The analysis determined that DRLs offer no statistically significant reduction in the frequency or severity of the collisions studied, except for a reduction in light trucks' and vans' involvement in two-vehicle crashes by a statistically significant 5.7%
 
#45 ·
If someone has the wiring diagram for the +17 Cadenzas, I can probably advise how to wire the LEDs in there to come on and act like DRLs. Without the manual, I need more info on the stock behavior of the Z shaped LEDs.

My understanding is there are two versions - an all white and all amber version. Is all amber version only found on the all LED headlight (headlight with three projectors)?

Same questions for both white and amber versions:

- When you turn on the parking lights, does the Z shaped light illuminate?
- If yes, what does the Z shape light do when a blinker is activated?
- When you turn on low beams, does the Z shape light dim at all?

And for the more adventourous, exLED has a sequential switchback module available. Would require opening the headlights.

All New K7 Eye Line 2Way Sequential Power LED Modules (pair)
 
#48 ·
For my 2017 SXL...

My understanding is there are two versions - an all white and all amber version. Is all amber version only found on the all LED headlight (headlight with three projectors)?
At least for U.S. versions it appears both halogen and LED headlamp assemblies share clear-lens LED "Zs" that light up in amber for parking lights and turn signals.

Same questions for both white and amber versions:

- When you turn on the parking lights, does the Z shaped light illuminate?
- If yes, what does the Z shape light do when a blinker is activated?
- When you turn on low beams, does the Z shape light dim at all?
In order:

Yes, at low intensity
The lower portion flashes brightly, but the upper "Z" remains lit at low intensity.
No, it remains at the same brightness as when parking lights are engaged.
 
#46 ·
on the weekend I drove through the George Massey Tunnel ( Vancouver BC) .This tunnel runs under the Fraser river and is part of our Highway 99 system which Joins I5 in Washington State. The problem with DRL's is that it does not light up the rear red lamps .although lights are required to be turned on and sunglasses removed rarely do anyone follow this although I do remove my sunglasses . I found that it was very hard to see the cars in front of me without the lights tuned on. Yes the auto function does turn on my lights but it takes about 50% of the tunnel to activate .The tunnel is about .6 of a mile . DRL do nothing in my view to stop accidents without the rear lights activating at the same time . BC like all of Canada mandates DRI .Don't waste ant time nor money to re wire I don't think there is much advantage .If you are concerned turn on your lights
 
#47 ·
I disagree that the rear parking lights are needed to turn on with DRLs - the idea of DRLs is to prevent an accident occurring directly in front of you - not from behind.

Agree that you should turn on your lights in tunnels - in dark situations you need to be seen from the rear too. I usually never rely on Auto lights in tunnels, I turn on the lights manually.

DRLs don't seem to matter anyway, a NHSTA study found that it doesn't really make a difference: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811029

DRLs are more a fashion statement than anything, although the study above mentions DRLs may help pedestrians and motorcycles see you and avoid being hit.
 
#50 ·
Thinking about it more - if you can figure out which wire is powering the Z light at low power, you could cut it and then find a switched power source (power source only on when the car comes on). It would only illuminate at low intensity.

I personally wouldn't try to run it at full intesity - it might not be thermally designed to run at the brighter light constantly. Even if you could get it to run at a higher insensity, chances are it would only be the lower portion. The wiring diagram probably doesn't have these details, only opening up the light and looking at the DRL module could help reveal something.
 
#56 ·
I know I'm late to the party on this, but I thought I remembered reading somewhere that the idea for pushing DRLs was abandoned because there were too many clueless people out there that were running at night with just their DRLs on (and often with no taillights). It became a safety issue, so they dropped it.

If lighting the taillights was a part of the DRL setup, then it would be less dangerous, but there are just too many clueless people that run around thinking the DRLs being on means their headlights are on. Automatic lights are so much better. Lit when you need them, off when you don't.
 
#59 ·
I saw a 2019 Sorento SX in the wild yesterday on the freeway. It appears, at least, that the LED headlights have the turn signals on as an amber DRL strip under the 3 projectors. This looks similar to the higher trim Cadenza's, where in Canada(I think) the LED turn signals also functions as an amber DRL.

This gives some hope for a possible future mid-cycle Cadenza refresh that brings DRLs functionality.
 
#61 ·
I just bought a 2014 Cadenza Premium with White Leather Package and was very surprised to find it didn't have DRL but it has the headlights that move with your steering wheel (I don't recall the technical term for it). It just seemed obscure to have a fancy headlight feature but not something basic like DRLs which my 2007 VW Passat has. I have been experimenting with different options and have been using the Parking Light option as DRLs and then switching to Auto at dusk.
 
#64 ·
Greetings from another 2014 Cadenza Premium owner. I don't know what it is about Kia but they put DRL's in the cars that they sell in other countries but not in the US. The crazy thing is, if you go out to your car and look carefully inside your Headlight housing, you will see where they go in the lower part of the housing. I don't have DRL's on my 2016 Kia Sorento SX either I think they added them in the 2019 Sorento but I'm not sure what year they appeared on the Cadenza.

We have a user on this forum that goes by Yooshaw (I hope I spelled that correctly!) and he did a whole bunch of lighting mods to his 2014 Cadenza. He did great work. If he reads this post, maybe he will post some pictures and video of what he did. It will only make you feel envious!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top