[WhiteWolf]

Even our 3 years old TAIGUN faces the same issue with the DRLs so we got the lights changed under warranty this annual service, but the question is will the lights give up after 3 years now as well considering the lights are the same and next time they go yellow we will have to get them replaced on our own by paying for them.

[ant_vas]

Had similar yellowing issue with my Carens and when I complained to KIA, they replaced both the headlights under warranty.

Apparently it's not possible to replace only the DRL assembly and the entire headlight assembly will need to be replaced. when I looked at the invoice, each headlight assembly was around 35K per piece!

[Aviator_guy]

DRLs in my 2021 Creta has not shown any yellowish tint. Haven't come across many complaints in Hyundai cars here in the forum or in my circle. Seeing messages here related to Kia and VAG cars makes me wonder if it has to with these specific brands/their vendors?

Originally Posted by im_revhead

If this yellowing issue is due to high temperatures, why can't manufacturers just turn them off once the temperature crosses a threshold? LEDs generally cools down relatively quickly after being turned off. Does the law mandate the DRLs to be ON all the time?

Yes, DRLs are mandated by govt, just like the 80/120 kmph speed chimes.

Originally Posted by vignesh207

One thing I note in my Verna is, the DRL is on full brightness when headlamps are off. When headlamps are turned on, the DRL brightness reduces. May be making the DRL brightness less always will help save it?

Same in Creta also. Isn't it the case with other brands too ?

Originally Posted by Drive-right

I went for a Test Drive of Hyundai Alcazar Turbo Petrol , Signature model . I noticed during 3rd TD only that they have quietly done away with Fog Lights . Thanks to many BHPians who mentioned their struggles with driving in monsoon nights and struggling because fogs are not there and these hyper new LEDs are not sufficient . Asked the Salesperson also , who obliged by checking with accessories department . Seems like for Hyundai , it's an order from top

I had the same thought looking at Facelift version. But I noticed that the headlights are now placed much lower compared to earlier versions. May be there is no place or need for fog lights ?

[Aviator_guy]

Originally Posted by Drive-right

I went for a Test Drive of Hyundai Alcazar Turbo Petrol , Signature model . I noticed during 3rd TD only that they have quietly done away with Fog Lights . Thanks to many BHPians who mentioned their struggles with driving in monsoon nights and struggling because fogs are not there and these hyper new LEDs are not sufficient . Asked the Salesperson also , who obliged by checking with accessories department . Seems like for Hyundai , it's an order from top

Note to Mod : Please delete this reply, I posted duplicate message by mistake.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by Aviator_guy

Yes, DRLs are mandated by govt, just like the 80/120 kmph speed chimes.

Sure?

AHO (Automatic Headlights ON) is mandatory in two wheelers, but don't think DRL is yet to be mandatory in India. Only heard of it being mandatory in North European countries as they have long dark winters.

Most vehicles under 15 lakhs don't have DRLs, and even if they have would be limited to top variants. It is a show off/style feature in India, like yesteryears foglamps.

[Aviator_guy]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Sure?

AHO (Automatic Headlights ON) is mandatory in two wheelers, but don't think DRL is yet to be mandatory in India. Only heard of it being mandatory in North European countries as they have long dark winters.

Most vehicles under 15 lakhs don't have DRLs, and even if they have would be limited to top variants. It is a show off/style feature in India, like yesteryears foglamps.

Humm. AFAIK, it has been made mandatory a few years ago, I think 2019 onwards. That's why such a deluge of fancy patterns. But ok to stand corrected if that's not the case.

[ssjr0498]

With all the "Yellow" DRL's being talked upon, BMW missed you guys... Walks right in, with the top scorer being the G01 X3! lol!

[Col Mehta]

Originally Posted by Aviator_guy

DRLs in my 2021 Creta has not shown any yellowish tint. Haven't come across many complaints in Hyundai cars here in the forum or in my circle. Seeing messages here related to Kia and VAG cars makes me wonder if it has to with these specific brands/their vendors?

I haven't seen many Hyundai cars with yellow DRLs either. Our 2021 Creta's DRLs are as white as new. Surprisingly, Kia being the sister concern has too many complaints. After reading multiple posts on the forum, I have started seeing lots of Seltos with yellow DRLs, which I never noticed earlier . Worries me as a new Seltos owner. Kia really needs to work with its vendors to fix this glaring quality issue.

[harikrishnansp]

Originally Posted by SR5471

Most cars are not designed to endure the extreme and very random climate of India. Here in Kerala you can expect a heavy shower even on a very hot day. This will cause rapid aging to plastic,rubber and paint.

Tell me about it..! If you are nearby the coast also, the aging will be atleast 50% faster.

Coming to the discussion on why only DRLs and not other LED lights are affected, DRLs won't have any dedicated cooling system in them due to the very narrow space they occupy. Most of the time it will only be passive cooling, while LED headlamp bulbs can be full units with a heatsink/fan or both combined. This means better longevity, but from what I see here even that is comparable to halogen units. Kind of appreciate the simple halogen units in my car now. Cheap to maintain with better visibility in rain..!

[arunphilip]

Excellent and informative thread, thank you for the comprehensive detail.

I have noticed the yellow DRLs - particularly on Taiguns and newer VWs - and just assumed that it was just the colour temperature of those lights. I never in a million years realized that they were fading to yellow.

[UD17]

Originally Posted by AShubrah

make them switch from white to yellow/amber on purpose for every car in the household.

I really like your comment.

Be it a quality defect or not, how does the end results (of a DRL function) affected by this white light turning yellow. I have seen in North America, most of the DRLs are usually yellow.

So i think its a blessing in disguise, the function of DRL is visibility in day light and yellow perform equally (or mostly better) in this regard. But i agree aesthetically the yellow does look bad.

[Joe367]

Originally Posted by Joe367

I thought there might be some plastic light diffusing layer inside which is turning yellow when exposed to sunlight.

Found this video which shows similar issue with Audi headlight unit and how to resolve it:

https://youtu.be/W3efYI4qw-M?si=hqfaDUtVYGBzEVJp

It shows the light from LED passed through a tube for diffusing the light. The heat from the LEDs eventually burns the end of the tube causing the light to turn yellow.

[V0id2003]

Originally Posted by Aviator_guy

DRLs in my 2021 Creta has not shown any yellowish tint. Haven't come across many complaints in Hyundai cars here in the forum or in my circle. Seeing messages here related to Kia and VAG cars makes me wonder if it has to with these specific brands/their vendors?

My almost 7 year year Verna has also avoided this issue inspite of being driven in Gurgaon's aggressive dry heat during summer. I have noticed that my car dims the DRLs when the headlights are turned on, maybe that could be a factor.

[VNair]

This seems to be not there in Hyundai (at least in my case and the ones driven by friends and family). Our Venue is almost 5 years and no issue in its DRL. My Alcazar 1st gen is 3.6 years old and the DRLs are as good as new.

[CylinderHead]

I am experiencing a similar issue with my 5th Gen Honda City (September 2020 model). The DRL on the right side has turned a dim yellow, while the one on the left remains a bright white. During the daytime, the dim yellow light is barely visible, almost as if the DRL is completely off.

Dim DRL on the right side:


White, bright DRL on the left side:


The vehicle is under an extended warranty, but when I contacted the dealer, they informed me that the headlight can only be replaced under the standard warranty, which expired in 2023, and not under the 5-year extended warranty. They quoted Rs. 19,000 for the entire headlight assembly, stating that Honda Cars India and the dealership would cover Rs. 10,000, leaving me to pay the remaining amount.

So far, I have come across the same issue in about 15–20 5th Gen Honda City cars in my home town.