Disabling daytime running lights depends on your car's make and model

Daytime running lights (DRLs) are the headlights that stay on automatically when your engine starts, even in daylight. Most cars built after 2011 have them as standard. You can turn them off, but the method varies — some cars have a dashboard setting, others require adjusting the headlight stalk, and a few need a mechanic or dealer to disable them through the vehicle's computer system.

Before you start, check your owner's manual for your specific car. The manual will tell you whether your model supports driver-controlled DRL shutdown and where to find the setting. If you don't have the manual, you can usually download a PDF from the manufacturer's website by entering your year, make, and model.

Key Takeaways

  • Most cars let you turn off DRLs through the headlight stalk, dashboard menu, or settings screen without visiting a dealer.
  • Some vehicles require a mechanic or dealer to disable DRLs permanently through the car's computer because the feature cannot be turned off by the driver.
  • Your owner's manual is the fastest way to find the exact steps for your car — manufacturer websites let you download it free if you don't have the physical copy.
  • Disabling DRLs does not affect your regular headlights or any safety systems; you can still turn headlights on and off normally.

Using the headlight stalk to turn off DRLs

The simplest method works on many cars: rotate or pull the headlight stalk (the lever on the left side of the steering column) to the off position. On some vehicles, this turns off the DRLs while leaving the parking lights on. On others, it shuts down all automatic lighting.

The exact position varies by manufacturer. Common options include rotating the stalk counterclockwise to "off," pulling it toward you, or twisting it to a position marked with a light symbol with a line through it. Try each position slowly and watch your dashboard lights to see what turns off.

If rotating or pulling the stalk does nothing, your car likely does not support driver control of DRLs through this method. Move on to checking the dashboard settings or contact your dealer.

Accessing DRL settings through your dashboard menu

Many newer cars, especially those with touchscreen displays, let you disable DRLs through the settings menu. Start your engine and look for a settings or vehicle options button on your dashboard screen or steering wheel controls.

Navigate to lighting, exterior lights, or daytime running lights — the exact menu name depends on your manufacturer. Once you find the DRL option, select it and choose "off" or "disable." Some cars require you to confirm the change. The setting usually stays off until you manually turn it back on, even after you restart the car.

If your car has a physical button panel instead of a touchscreen, look for a button labeled with a light symbol or the letters DRL. Press and hold it for a few seconds — your dashboard should show a message confirming the change.

When you need a dealer or mechanic to disable DRLs

Some vehicles do not allow drivers to turn off DRLs through any manual method. These cars are programmed to run DRLs whenever the engine is on, and only a dealer or independent mechanic with diagnostic software can change this setting.

If you have tried the headlight stalk and dashboard menu with no result, contact your car's dealership and ask whether they can disable DRLs through the vehicle's computer system. Some dealers charge a small fee for this service (typically $50 to $150), while others do it free. A may have access to independent mechanic can often do the same work, sometimes at a lower cost.

Before you schedule an appointment, ask the dealer or mechanic whether they have done this for your specific car model before. Not all shops have the software or training to access every vehicle's computer system safely.

Why you might want to disable DRLs

Drivers disable DRLs for several reasons. Some find that constant headlight use drains the battery faster, especially on older cars or vehicles with frequent short trips. Others disable them to reduce wear on the headlight bulbs, or because they prefer the look of the car without them on during the day.

In some countries or regions, DRLs are not standard, and drivers who move to areas where they are common sometimes turn them off out of habit. A few drivers disable them to reduce glare or because they find the automatic behavior confusing.

Disabling DRLs does not affect your car's safety systems, airbags, or any other features. Your regular headlights will still work normally when you turn them on manually or when darkness triggers automatic headlights.

What happens to your headlights after you disable DRLs

Turning off DRLs only stops the automatic daytime lights — it does not change how your regular headlights work. You can still turn your headlights on and off using the stalk or automatic headlight sensor, just as you always have.

If your car has automatic headlights (a feature that turns on full headlights when it gets dark), that feature continues to work normally. Disabling DRLs simply removes the bright lights that run during daylight hours.

Your parking lights, brake lights, and turn signals are not affected by DRL settings. All of these systems operate independently and will continue to function as designed.

Troubleshooting if DRLs stay on after you try to disable them

If you have adjusted the headlight stalk or changed the dashboard setting but the DRLs are still on, first restart your engine. Some cars require a full restart to apply changes to lighting settings.

Next, check your owner's manual again to make sure you followed the correct steps for your model. Manufacturers sometimes use different terminology — what you think is the DRL setting might actually control a different lighting feature.

If the DRLs still will not turn off after a restart and you have confirmed the correct procedure, your car may not support driver control of this feature. Contact your dealership to ask whether they can disable DRLs through the vehicle's computer, or ask a mechanic to inspect the headlight system for any faults that might be forcing the lights to stay on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling DRLs hurt my car's electrical system?

No. Disabling DRLs simply stops one lighting feature — it does not damage the electrical system or any other components. Your battery, alternator, and wiring will function normally. If anything, you may see a slight reduction in electrical load if your car was running the DRLs constantly.

Can I disable DRLs on only one side of the car?

No. DRL settings control both headlights together. If you want to disable only one light because it is burned out, that is a bulb replacement issue, not a DRL setting. Replace the burned-out bulb or have a mechanic do it for you.

Do I need to disable DRLs to save battery power?

On most modern cars, DRLs use very little battery power — modern LED DRLs draw far less current than older halogen headlights. Unless you drive a very old car or take only short trips, battery drain from DRLs is not usually a real concern. If your battery is dying quickly, the problem is more likely a failing alternator or battery itself.

What if my car is still under warranty and I disable DRLs?

Disabling DRLs through the dashboard menu or headlight stalk does not void your warranty. If you have a dealer disable them through the computer system, ask them to document the change in your service records. This protects you if a lighting issue comes up later and the dealer tries to blame the DRL change.

Can I turn DRLs back on after I disable them?

Yes. If you disabled them through the headlight stalk or dashboard menu, simply reverse the steps to turn them back on. If a dealer disabled them through the computer, the dealer can re-enable them the same way, usually at no charge if done during the same visit.