1Hondalover

Been searching this forum and all I can find is discussion on LED DRL's. Our 2008 has recently started chewing through DRL lamps, but it was fine with no lamps out until about 90K. I've tried cheapos and long life Sylvania.....they all go in about 30 days.

I see the white plastic connector is a bit brown from the heat, and a bit has cracked away. This is only at the top near the glass, not near the electrical connection. The contacts are pristine, including the shell on any of the lamps I've taken out.

Unless someone tells me this is a common issue and the only way to fix it is with LED, I'm not interested in them. Just want the OE style lamp to work and the indicator on the dash to stop screaming. If I knew what to solder in place of them to keep the computer in check, I'd just scrap the lamps altogether.

Can't believe I'm the only one.....appreciate any help here.

D3Audi

Just buy two new bulbs. And turn off the DRLs in your MMI. That's what I do. Just keep in mind that they're off so if it's slightly cloudy outside make sure you turn on your headlights. I personally do not like the halogen DRL and the car looks nicer going down the road with them off. Since you are in California there is no regulation on DRLs. In Canada they are required.

Clues

Are you wearing gloves when you change the bulbs? Oils from your skin on the glass will cause halogens to burn out prematurely.

I have tried many DRL bulbs in my 2007 Q7. The high performance (blue/white) bulbs burn out the fastest. The standard bulbs fair better (esp Osram). The long life bulbs held up the best. I really hate the color of the standard/LL bulbs. I am currently running yellow 1156 21w Nokya bulbs and they've been in since last summer. I really like the different look.

Lastly, there is a lot of confusion between P21w, 1156, and 7506 size bulbs. All will fit and work in the 2007/2008 Q7 DRL housing but you need to ensure that the bulb is rated at 21 watts. Anything higher will likely burn out faster - or worse, fry your harness.

1Hondalover

I'm an electrical contractor and as such understand the skin oil on the lamp glass thing, but I've never done that on a standard automotive lamp like an 1156 because they're not halogen. I suppose it could still affect the Silverstars I put in there last time.

May have to have my wife try it. My hands can barely manage that little port hole as it is. The Sylvania catalog tells what lamp(s) to be used for this, but I'll double check the 21 watt thing.

Thanks for the info.

1Hondalover

I like this solution the best, but have no idea how or what to do in the MMI. Is it simple or do I have to deal with VAG or whatever so many others are always playing with?

Please advise.....thanks for the info!

D3Audi

I'm pretty sure you click the 'Car' button and then scroll down the list until 'Exterior Lighting' And it will give you the option to turn on or off your DRLs.. Given that you have a USA spec model. Canadian models don't allow that.

Clues

Silverstars were the worst of all the bulbs I used in terms of longevity. I subsequently discovered that they are rated by Sylvania/Osram as having a 200 hour life! So if you drive an average of 1 hour/day during the day, that mean's they'll burn out in under 7 months... The Long Life bulbs are rated for 1000 hours so you should get almost 3 years out of them.

Filament Life (hrs): SS = 200; LL = 1000; Std = 480.

1Hondalover

DRL off just like you guys said. Second best modification I've made to this Q7.

Thanks for the info!