Headlights Constantly On XC60

[Deck1ng]

Originally Posted by MacV50

Just to add, on cars that use the main headlights as DRLs, I believe there is a specific long life bulb type for this to avoid more frequent failures

That is quite correct, some bulbs do say “long life”, I have no evidence they last any longer than a bulb from Halfords. I just use bog standard H7.

[Adrian B]

For what it's worth. My XC60, 2012 has no lights on unless you switch them on and off in the car manually. I presume the previous owner may have got the dealer to reprogram the car. Maybe the previous owner thought this would help the known battery drain! Hence why a lot of us including I still plug in a ctek occasionally. Regards

[Chrisv60]

Originally Posted by MacV50

I would imagine that disabling the DRL function would also be an MOT failure but the tester may not care as long as the lights all work off the switch

DRLs are only MOT testable on cars first used after 1st March 2018.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Deck1ng

That is quite correct, some bulbs do say “long life”, I have no evidence they last any longer than a bulb from Halfords. I just use bog standard H7.

It's the Volvo lamps that are long life, and they do last longer, but with any long life incandescent lamp, the colour temperature is lower and the light output slightly lower.

On some Volvo models (maybe all) when the lights are in DRL mode the input voltage is slightly lower (circa 10 volts) to increase lamp life. Another reason why it can be difficult to retrofit LED and HID lamps to halogen cars.