How to Enable Daytime Running Lights on a 2017 Ram 1500

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Submitted by Mary Conway on November 27, 2017 - 9:12PM

A new 2017 Ram 1500 owner asks members of a popular Ram Truck forum how to have Daytime Running Lights set up on his new vehicle. Surprisingly, the rules about Daytime Running Lights are different in the U.S. and Canada.

A Connecticut driver writes to a popular Ram truck forum wanting to know how difficult it is to change the lights on a 2017 Ram 1500. The truck has Daytime Running Lights, which are required in Massachusetts. Dodge writes, “I'm in the process of buying a 2017 Ram 1500 Laramie from a dealer in Massachusetts. I haven't actually seen this particular truck, so far everything has been done over the phone. The lights that come on though, are the low beams (I assume at reduced brightness). My question is, is it possible in this instance to change which lights come on as the DRL's? I would like to have the amber LED's on instead of the low beams, partially for looks but more importantly for longevity - the LED's should last a whole lot longer than the low beams. Is this just a matter of changing the sales code or is this somehow cast in stone?”

DRLs are different in U.S. and Canada

A number of 2017 Ram 1500 owners quickly responded and it quickly became apparent that the set up in Canada is different than in the U.S. Canadian trucks automatically have amber daytime running lights, but that isn’t true in the states. A driver named Stimpy explains, “US trucks don't have the DRL's activated from the factory (Canada trucks do). If you want them activated, you need to find a dealership that knows how to turn them on for you.”

A Canadian owner, who calls himself 300, says, “The amber LED's come on as soon as you start the engine; the low beams come on when daylight dims enough for the dash sensor to turn them on, and the LED's stay on even then. The LED's are always on except in "park".

Different model trucks will have different configurations

Swan, from Iowa, seems to be up on how to configure the lights. “In the United States, DRLs can be "turned on" thru dealership putting the correct sales code in. Also, depending on which model level of truck you have, also determines what comes on, LEDs or low beam on "low power", etc. I have a Limited so my DRLs are the LED parking lamps. The DRLs will come on when the engine is running, parking brake is disengaged and the shifter knob is in any position other then Park.”

Tread, from Kansas, has already been through the service questions and says it is best to be prepared. “I've had a couple of guys ask me about DRLs since I got mine turned on back in Sept. I downloaded the PDF, and copied & pasted several replies from another post about DRLs, and handed them to the service manager. Oh yeah, along with $50.00. They said we'll see if we can activate those for you. I told them, I hope so. I already told the insurance company I had DRLs. They're on now.”

Rammer, from North Carolina, had a great experience with his dealer. “My dealership activated my DRLs at no cost. It took less than 15 minutes......I like having them on. On my truck, the LED amber lights are the DRLs.”

Several people commented that their service departments seemed unfamiliar with the DRLs or were unwilling to do the work. Jeff suggests, “The dealer (any willing dealer) can do it by adding sales code LM5 to your VIN. Make friends with your local service advisor and they may do it for free, as it's quick. Search the forums for the wiki. You can print it out and give it to your dealer. That's what I did.”

While some of the drivers who responded were able to switch on their Daytime Running Lights for free or at minimal cost, you should be prepared to have to pay for the change. It is definitely possible to make the upgrade if you find a willing and competent service department.

Submitted by Robert (not verified) on March 22, 2018 - 1:00PM

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Just got my daytime running lights turned on today on a 2017 RAM 1500 Limited, at a cost of $75. Not especially happy about paying after just spending $58,000 on the truck. Guess my next truck won't be a RAM. Added sales code LM5.

Submitted by Stephanie Clayton (not verified) on April 3, 2018 - 8:40AM

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Can you only add LM5 to limited editions? It seems that way. We tried to add the sales code for a 2017 ram that was not a limited and waited hf hr and it wpuld not take. Any help would be greatly appropriated. Thank you. We are in Illinois.

Submitted by Stephanie Clayton (not verified) on April 3, 2018 - 8:42AM

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Please help with sales code needed to add DRL to a 2017 Ram that is not a Limited Edition. It will not take the LM5. thanks alot for any info.

Stephanie

Submitted by one tall man (not verified) on January 28, 2019 - 1:47PM

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Warning...Do don't buy the Diode Dynamics brand Switchback led/DRL kit unless you Know the truth,There introduction and instructions lead you to believe these are plug and play,in fact they say that in there ads,but they are far from that,I knew that you have to take your headlamps apart and remove your old led circuit board,there is instructions on youtube to do this and vage instructions in there very small booklet,even the wiring diagram shows connection to the drl wire,but after i installed the new boards and turned the lights on i had a problem with one of the drivers that came with it that acts like a flasher relay,they are sending me a new one but was told it could take up to two weeks to get,and my turn signal won't work hmmm,great customer service!,but what here is the real problem i thought oh WOW i like how bright the DRL's look but they will only work if your light are on...DAH,i called there support again and they told me i need to wire the light a different way and take my truck in and have the option code changed from the dealer,this is why i bought this kit,like i said they claim they are plug and play DRL and bragg that the have put allot of hours in research to make them that way,do they not know what DRL mean??? it doesn't mean you must turn you light on,and what there function is?,it is supposed to come on in the DAYLIGHT with no other lights on and the vehicle in gear with the emergency brake disengaged.So unless you like to tinker and have the parking lights bright white then go ahead and spend $160.00.It is false advertising!

Submitted by Rick Snyder (not verified) on February 28, 2019 - 2:29PM

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I just paid $90 for my DRL to be activated. Was told the computer took the code but the truck was not wired for them.