So, at lunch today, I took a few minutes to finally change the daylight running lights settings (IDS) on one of mine because it sees nearly full darkness as 'sunlight!!!!' for the purposes of the automatic headlights. Daylight running lights are fun anyway, and I'll do the other two time permitting (most of the time taken is booting the computer and typing the VIN).

The choices for DRLs in IDS under "Dealer Options" are ROW (the original setting in the US, no DRL), 'Canadian' and 'Scandinavian'.

Putting aside animelles vs lutefisk, the main difference appears to be that 'Canadian' never lets you turn them off with they ignition turned on (ever, even with 'off' on the headlight switch) while 'Scandinavian' turns the main lights off when the switch setting is for parking lights, but is on in all other settings (also including 'off').

So, tis 'Scandinavian' for me, to help avoid draining the battery with the main lights when 'fixing things' with the engine off.

I'll report back the first time I drain the battery at an inconvenient time because of this setting....

 

the Canadian and Scandinavian settings also include control over the interior and gauge lighting. If one sets the switch to off, the interior and gauge lighting are all at full brightness. Switching to parking and dipped beam uses whatever setting is dialed in on the dimmer control. Thus, using the auto setting makes the interior and gauge lights dim at at dusk which could be helpful.

it has been a while, but i believe that the Scandinavian setting also used the parking lights with the dipped (low) beams, whereas the Canadian setting is dipped beams only.

 

The VIN can be chosen quickly by 'clicking' on the SAVED sessions. There is a tab at the bottom of the screen with a stack of 'floppy-discs' that will let you choose a previous session and 're-open' the vehicle particulars.

I have a few cars that I regularly access (my personal vehicles and a few customer cars) so I can just choose one of them.

It also saves time in all the questions about optional equipment.

 

Are the tail lights also on for both Canadian and Scandinavian??

 

Don't know about Canada, since I didn't look when those were set, but do appear to be on for our Scandinavian friends.

I don't think tail lights were required for DRL in Canada during this time (or now?). US DOT fought against DRLs for various reasons, especially the rear lights because of brake and turn signal issues (say, in Phoenix as opposed to Stavanger).

 

Looked on line and it seems Canada will require rear tail lights by 2021. I happen to think this is a good idea since many driving lights are basically the low beam and many people keep driving after dark with their driving lights on and no tail light.

 

I am in Canada but my 2004 was imported from Florida. When I start the car the low/dipped beam headlamps and the tail lights as well as the dash lights come on. There is no way to shut them off when the key is on.

 

Barry, that is most interesting. Do you know if you or a dealer reprogrammed the DRL's for Canada?? Mine is a US 2004 and it has no running lights. If yours has front and rear DRL's and was reprogrammed for Canada, I would like to do the same thing.

 

I have no idea , sorry, the car was like this when I bought it from a guy in Ontario. I am the opposite of you. I wish I could turn off the DRL entirely and operate all the light manually

 

As noted in the first post, IDS did this quickly and easily. Choices (dealer options) for 2001/2002 are Scandinavian, Canadian, Rest of World (no DRL). Assuming the same dealer options in 2004, your dealer, or someone local with SDD/WDS should be able to do it.

I'd be happy to help out here, but seems like a long drive for you...

 

Juste hook DRL to my US XJS for Canada and the tail lights are on.