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Does the User Manual refer anywhere to "daylight running lights" ? On my X350 one could set the headlamps to be daylight running lights. Now, of course, we have these "rope" lights that do the same job. They are obligatory if fitted in Europe so cannot be switched off, but the US may be different.
On my US-model 2012 XJ, the rope or "accent" lamps are hard-wired with the parking lamp circuit. I'm pretty sure this configuration is applicable to the entire model run. The accent lamps are aptly-named; they are decorative only. Some folks have rewired them to mimic Daylight Running Lamps, but IMO they are far too meager to provide that function.
(Again on the US-2012-XJ) The dealer can software-enable Jaguar's version of DRL's. This essentially turns on your headlights whenever the car is running. In my opinion, this is a terrible idea. Not only are the headlamps illuminated, but also the parking, side and rear lamps. There are of course several instances where headlight engagement is desirable during daylight hours; rain, fog, etc. But in normal daylight, I contend that using headlights, etc. is counter-productive and possibly unsafe. Humans are good at recognizing contrast. No light to brake light = good. Parking light to brake light = bad. The driver of such a vehicle is relying a great deal on the CHMSL (3rd brake light) to catch the attention of the following driver.
Another reason headlamps are a poor substitute for DRL's is their beam pattern. In the bad old days, our sealed beam headlamps threw light everywhere. Modern bulb-and-reflector lamps, like Europe has had for decades, provide a sharp upper cutoff to minimize blinding oncoming drivers. The US headlamp aiming spec actually has the upper edge of the pattern on a slightly downward tilt. The newer the car, the less effective its headlights as DRL's. BTW, the US DRL vertical spec is ±10°, about what you see on high-beams. That's why many manufacturers can use a reduced-voltage high-beam lamp as DRL's.
Sorry for the ramble; the OP didn't even mention DRL's But if you do want them, buy purpose-made ones, install them separately, and wire them appropriately. The German manufacturer "Hella" makes a lamp that's a good choice for our car:
Can you turn off the "rope" lights at the bottom of the headlight assemblys...?
But if you do want them, buy purpose-made ones, install them separately, and wire them appropriately. The German manufacturer "Hella" makes a lamp that's a good choice for our car:
