Are you a BMW owner wanting to activate your Angel Eyes as Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)? You’re not alone! Many BMW enthusiasts aim to customize their vehicle’s lighting for a more distinctive and modern look. While it seems like a straightforward coding tweak, achieving this with tools like the Carly app can sometimes be less intuitive than expected. This guide, born from personal experience and a bit of frustration, will walk you through how to successfully code your BMW Angel Eyes to function as DRLs using Carly, ensuring you don’t spend months pulling your hair out in confusion.
The Initial Frustration: “Can’t Be Done?” and Carly’s Confusing Settings
Like many, my journey started with the assumption that a BMW specialist could easily handle this. A local expert gave it a shot, armed with their professional programmer, but after an hour of effort, the verdict was a disappointing “Can’t be done.” This initial setback fueled my desire to explore DIY coding solutions.
Enter Carly, a popular app-based OBD-II adapter and coding tool favored by BMW owners for its user-friendly interface and range of customization options. Eager to make further modifications beyond just DRLs, I invested in Carly. Basic coding functions, like indicator flashes on locking/unlocking, audible lock confirmation, and auto door lock on drive away, were a breeze. However, enabling Angel Eyes as DRLs proved to be a different beast altogether.
Carly’s app prompts users to enable “Daytime running lights 1/2” and “Daytime running lights 2/2.” Logically, I followed these instructions. The result? My main headlights switched on – definitely not the desired Angel Eyes-only DRL setup. Digging deeper into Carly’s settings revealed options for “dipped main beams,” “standing lights,” and “Daytime running light brightness.” Experimenting with disabling dipped main beams and adjusting daytime brightness yielded no change to the unwanted headlight DRL behavior. The “standing lights” setting, described vaguely, seemed irrelevant. Frustration mounted as it appeared Carly’s DRL settings were geared towards headlights, not Angel Eyes. Ready to throw in the towel, I decided to revert all settings back to default.
The Accidental Discovery: “Standing Lights” Holds the Key
In a moment of near-defeat, while disabling the “Daytime running lights 1/2” and “2/2” settings, I inadvertently left the “standing lights” option enabled. And then, Eureka! With the ignition on and the light switch in the “Auto” or “Off” position, only my Angel Eyes were illuminated – exactly the DRL look I was after! Even in the side light position on the switch, the Angel Eyes remained lit.
This accidental discovery revealed a crucial insight: Carly’s instruction “Both daytime running lights 1/2 and daytime running lights 2/2 must be enabled” only applies if you intend to use the main headlights as DRLs. For Angel Eyes to function as DRLs, these settings need to be disabled, and the seemingly mislabeled “standing lights” setting is actually the key to activating your Angel Eyes as daytime runners.
Step-by-Step Guide to Carly Angel Eye DRL Coding
For BMW Z4 owners and potentially other models with similar lighting configurations, here’s a step-by-step guide to coding your Angel Eyes as DRLs using Carly, based on this hard-earned experience:
- Connect Carly Adapter: Plug your Carly OBD-II adapter into your BMW’s OBD-II port and establish a connection via the Carly app on your smartphone.
- Navigate to Coding: In the Carly app, navigate to the coding section for your specific BMW model.
- Access Lighting Settings: Locate the lighting or front electrics control unit within the coding menu.
- Disable “Daytime running lights 1/2” and “Daytime running lights 2/2”: Ensure these settings are disabled. This is contrary to Carly’s general DRL instructions, but crucial for Angel Eye DRLs.
- Enable “Standing Lights”: Activate the “standing lights” setting. Despite the name, this setting, when used in conjunction with disabled “Daytime running lights,” will enable your Angel Eyes as DRLs.
- Verify Functionality: Turn on your BMW’s ignition and set the headlight switch to “Auto,” “Off,” or “Side Lights.” Confirm that only your Angel Eyes are illuminated as DRLs. Your headlights should remain off during daytime conditions.
Carly App Settings Summary for Angel Eye DRLs:
- Daytime running lights 1/2: Disabled
- Daytime running lights 2/2: Disabled
- Standing lights: Enabled
- Daytime running light brightness: (Adjust to your preference – this may control Angel Eye brightness, though testing is recommended)
- Dipped main beams: (Likely irrelevant for Angel Eye DRLs – leave as default or disabled)
Important Note: The “standing lights” setting might be labeled differently or located in a slightly different menu depending on your exact BMW model and Carly app version. Always exercise caution and back up your original coding settings before making changes.
Conclusion: Enjoy Your Angel Eye DRLs!
Coding your BMW Angel Eyes as DRLs with Carly doesn’t have to be a six-month ordeal. By understanding the nuances of Carly’s “standing lights” setting and the importance of disabling the standard “Daytime running lights” options, you can achieve this stylish modification with ease. Hopefully, this guide saves fellow BMW owners, especially Z4 enthusiasts, from similar coding headaches and allows you to quickly enjoy the enhanced look of your Angel Eye daytime running lights. Happy coding!
