[Mark86]

I have noticed that in some x3 and BMW models the rear led strips stay on with the daytime running lights. On my 2013 35i, I have the drl feature enabled on I drive and only my front led corona rings illuminate. Is there a way to activate the tail lights to stay on during the day? Thanks!

[Beyu]

What position do you have the switch in?

In neutral postion (0) the rear led tail lights should stay on.

[02420X3]

Not sure about that... I wasn't aware that the rear LED bars are turned on when DRL are enabled (thanks for the education). I just looked, and my rear LED bars are on whenever DRL are enabled, no matter what the light switch position is. More lamps light up, as well as the top center brake light, whenever the brakes are stepped on. It may depend on the packages on the X3. My '11 has Sports, Cold Weather, DHP, Premium, Tech, and a handful of additional options.

[StepfordBMW]

Originally Posted by Mark86

I have noticed that in some x3 and BMW models the rear led strips stay on with the daytime running lights. On my 2013 35i, I have the drl feature enabled on I drive and only my front led corona rings illuminate. Is there a way to activate the tail lights to stay on during the day? Thanks!

Noticed the same thing---2013 here

On a 2013 5 series I noticed her rings were on but tails not--- but, web she braked the brake lights came on along with the rear LED strips that are usually on in conjunction with the DRLs

[Mark86]

My switch is in the Auto position at all times but no change at the off position. I think the X3's I saw like that have been either 11's or 12's. Why would they eliminate something that is a safety feature?

StepfordBMW, does your X3 have xenons? The reason I ask is X3's with halogens do not get LED tail lights so they may act differently.

[Nahoa]

Do you have Xenon headlights? That made the difference on earlier models.

[02420X3]

I have Xenons...

[StepfordBMW]

Originally Posted by Mark86

My switch is in the Auto position at all times but no change at the off position. I think the X3's I saw like that have been either 11's or 12's. Why would they eliminate something that is a safety feature?

StepfordBMW, does your X3 have xenons? The reason I ask is X3's with halogens do not get LED tail lights so they may act differently.

Xenons here - couldn't live without

[beto_L.A.]

You need to have XENON lights to run the LED bars...

[Mark86]

I have the xenons and the rear LED's don't stay on during the day.

[xDrive35i]

But seriously...read it. You won't have to ask. If you don't have your car yet, it's available for download from this forum and from bmwusa.com.

[Mark86]

I went through the 2013 manual again and it says nothing about the rear DRL's/driving lights. Basically if my light switch is off or on auto, the drl's are supposed to be on according to the manual (which is true for the front).

[nyalpine90]

i saw an X3 with xenons and im pretty sure he had DRL as halo were lit but the tail light were lit as well. The reason i did a search to find out how to activate the rear tails to stay on, i found this thread lol

[Yeltzer]

The rear LED strips are only illuminated when the front lights are on dipped or full beam. It makes no difference if you have the DRL's on or off. But you need xenons in the first place to the the rear LED t-bar strips at all.

[The X Men]

If you guys are talking about these lights, they are the rear fog lights. It is not offer in the US models but you can change the headlight rotatry switch to activate it since the LED themselfs are already there.

[02420X3]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

i saw an X3 with xenons and im pretty sure he had DRL as halo were lit but the tail light were lit as well. The reason i did a search to find out how to activate the rear tails to stay on, i found this thread lol

If you have Xenons then you also have the rear LED strips. If you have Xenons and turn on DRL then the rear LED strips illuminate too. This happens without the european headlight switch which allows for rear fog lights.

I don't know what would illuminate at the rear if you have Xenons, DRL on, and a european headlight switch with rear fogs turned on.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

If you have Xenons and turn on DRL then the rear LED strips illuminate too. This happens without the european headlight switch which allows for rear fog lights.

The LED strip will light up if you are in the parking light mode. The rear fog lights are a bit brighter than the rear parking lights. I am not sure which lights are the OP refering to.

[Teemo Panda]

That's probably my car you seen on the road.

It's not a MY issue, it's a coding thing but you still need the Xenon package~
If you want, I can refer my friend that coded my car and he had coded numerous BMWs of all Models~

[ianfp]

My car has the visibility package, which adds quite a few features that Xenons alone do not provide. I wonder if that is why some have the rear strips light up and some not?

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Teemo Panda

That's probably my car you seen on the road.

It's not a MY issue, it's a coding thing but you still need the Xenon package~
If you want, I can refer my friend that coded my car and he had coded numerous BMWs of all Models~

I agree, its a coding thing.
I had this done on my 3 series too so I know for a fact.

I was driving a 2013 X3 28i rental the past month & even though it didn't have Xenons I noticed the rear fogs weren't on either.

[Polar_Bimmer]

I have a 2011 and the rear led strips stay on with the daytime running lights.

With headlights and turn signal on


Only daytime running lights


With rear fog lights on


One more for fun

[nyalpine90]

rear fogs is different feature that can only be activated with EURO switch. i have 2012 models with xenon but rear tailight bars are not lit on DRL, only when headlights are on or parking lights are on.