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Hello !

I have started noticing yellowing of DRL Strips on both the headlights from corners - anyone else feel this ?

I have observed this on several Carens cars on the road, some probably 3-4 months old (looking at their regn. # series). I believe this is a common problem and should be replaced under warranty.

OT: Carens,Taigun, Kushaq, new Verna seem to be most common victims of yellowing DRLs fairly early in their life.

I had the same issue and have got my headlamps replaced twice under warranty. Bought my car in April 2022. The second replacement headlamps have also started showing yellowing after a period of 6 months, plan to get them replaced before April next year before the warranty runs out.

The cars mentioned above, all have a single LED which in turn runs into an optical fibre setup, which transmits the light across the entire length of the DRL. Probably the optical fibre setup starts yellowing with time and hence the yellowing effect as compared to other cars like say Hector, whose DRL's are made up of multiple LEDs and have no optical fibre. Similarly MG ZS EV/Astor is also one where yellowing can be seen easily, again has an optical fibre setup.

I thought that the issue was specific to the Carens and Verna, so this affects all cars which have an optical fibre setup right ?, so basically this is inevitable and there is no way around it, even if we get our headlamps replaced under warranty, they will show up after a certain period is what I understand. Is there any way we can avoid this or should the headlamp setup be changed entirely to ensure this doesn't happen?

Again, thanks for the valuable information

Unfortunately yes, including cars like Merc E Class and Skoda Superb

That's what happened with me twice. Infact the second time around, one of DRL partially fused, there was no illumination reaching the inner side.

I researched a bit when I first got this problem which was 6 months post the purchase, but could not find a solution. Then started noticing cars with similar DRLs and saw the issue in them as well. I even looked at the Luxury and Luxury Plus variants which have the integrated turn indicator (mine is Prestige Plus), but those variants also suffer from this issue. They change the entire headlamp assembly under warranty, no way you can just change the DRLs. I would love to learn if someone has found a way around this.

Someone who works in automotive service field told me that the yellowing happens due to dust entering the optical fibre channels. It can be fixed by blowing air or vacuuming the channel to remove the dust. They had done it for a few cars and with good results.

Even I thought of this, but YouTube research revealed that the entire Optical fiber needs to be replaced. If you look at the headlamp assembly, there's barely any room to open the DRL assembly. With that said, not a good idea to attempt to open it up till your warranty is valid!lol:

Mine is too first week April 2022.
Damn, what will happen after extended warranty runs out. I'll open a case with Kia soon to get these changed for now.

Forget 6 months or more, the FL Sonet's have started to show this issue in under 3 months. I have come across way too many Sonet's with their LED DRL's yellowed, primarily the RHS.

This can be a specific issue but if this tech of 'Optical Fiber' thingy is true than it for sure is a downgrade v/s the earlier full LED set-up of the pre-FL Sonet.

You're absolutely right, the older Sonet had multiple small LEDs in the DRLs as compared to the facelift one, which has optical fibers. Not sure if this is a cost cutting measure:unhappy

Aah! It surely is. And this is just one of the cost cutting measures in the FL Sonet & Seltos.

Just have a look at the 2020 Sonet and then the FL Sonet and you’ll be amazed at the difference. The plastics quality / texture is a major give away. Kia has started counting its pennies and it surely isn’t a good sign.

Drop in quality with increase in the prices over thr years - one can do the math themselves.

Could this be due to quality of optical fiber used in the DRL?

I have not looked closer at DRL of XUV700 if it uses optical fiber also. I have not seen XUV700 showing yellowing of DRLs

Quitr possible. Like I said, cost-cutting in the lastest Kia cars is very apparent which could be a reason.

We’ve seen such yellowing LED issue in the Indian-ised Skoda-VW cars too and I think that kinda says it all.

I have noticed slight yellowing on a few XUV700 as well. Gen 1 and Gen 2 Nexons had them too.

Forget India specific models, the old Superb/Octavia have had this as a common problem as well. If you find old Audis, they have it too. It’s possible our climate isn’t suitable for those fibre based DRLs.

Hello All,

I have shortlisted XL6 & Carens to replace my 10 yr old Grand i10 car. I have heard that the Carens facelift is expected sometime mid of next year and no news on XL6 facelift so far. Is it worth waiting for the upgrade or should I give in to my new car itch and get one now? Please suggest. Unable to decide :confused::Frustrati