Panda 4x4 been tackling snow and icy hill well up here in Scotland over past week. But noticed something strange when not using dipped lights when actually snowing.
In normal driving saw that only the front sidelights are on in the DRL mode. No lights on at rear. Has a bulb gone or are the lights only set to work at front?

Hi @doric Welcome to Fiat Forum,
That is correct operation of DRL's. They are front only. DRL's are on all the time the engine is running if no other lights (side or headlights) are switched on. With other lights on they either go off if separate from the sidelights or dim if they are also providing the sidelight function.

Robert G8RPI>

Hi.
I think this catches out many drivers, I see so many around lighting up time and later with no lights turned on just the Front DRL's shining away, obviously no rear lights on in that situation.
Snag today most dashboard functions and instruments are illuminated all the time the ignition is on so some perhaps don't realise they need to actually turn the lights on!

doric said:

...when not using dipped lights when actually snowing...

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Presumably to prevent the snowflakes becoming mesmerizing in the light beams. If your 4x4 is not too new, if you turn off the headlights but put the front foglights on (which will light up the road ahead but not the snowflakes - one of the permitted uses of front fogs), the tail lights will come on.

(I say not too new, as I believe the newer versions work like the 500 where both front and rear fog lights are on the same switch can only be used with the headlights on, the first press turning on the fronts and the second adds the rears)

g8rpi said:

Hi @doric Welcome to Fiat Forum,
That is correct operation of DRL's. They are front only. DRL's are on all the time the engine is running if no other lights (side or headlights) are switched on. With other lights on they either go off if separate from the sidelights or dim if they are also providing the sidelight function.

Robert G8RPI>

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On the PAnda there is not an option to turn on 'sidelights only' - its headlights on DRLs only (An exception: if you turn the lightswitch on-off-on without the ignition key in, it will turn on the side and tail lights for parking)

Herts Hillhopper said:

On the PAnda there is not an option to turn on 'sidelights only' - its headlights on DRLs only (An exception: if you turn the lightswitch on-off-on without the ignition key in, it will turn on the side and tail lights for parking)

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That is acceptable as long as the "sidelights" come on with the headlights. Legally in the UK there is no such thing as a sidelight, they are front and rear position lights. See Schedules 2 and 10 of http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/contents/made
Two front and two rear position lights are mandatory but there is no "electrical connections" requirement so there is no specific requirement to have a sidelight only switch position. Personally I think not having one is a good idea. There are very few situations when moving that you would want sidelights when dipped headlights would not do the job. I never use side lights only. My Croma does not have DRLs.

Robert G8RPI.

I feel that the DRL lightning can be very dangerous in certain circumstances. In fog people don't turn on their lights and this is very dangerous. I always drive with the normal lights on. In the Panda they automaticly switch off when you turn off the engine and take out the keys anyway.

Herts Hillhopper said:

Presumably to prevent the snowflakes becoming mesmerizing in the light beams. If your 4x4 is not too new, if you turn off the headlights but put the front foglights on (which will light up the road ahead but not the snowflakes - one of the permitted uses of front fogs), the tail lights will come on.

(I say not too new, as I believe the newer versions work like the 500 where both front and rear fog lights are on the same switch can only be used with the headlights on, the first press turning on the fronts and the second adds the rears)

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Mine is 2017 and works as you suggested. One push for front fogs and rear lights a second push brings the rear fog on and a third switches them all off.

Will certainly used dip from now - especially later this week when heavy snow forecast up here - having never realised I was driving on front only lights around dusk.
Agree that it seems a potentially dangerous feature, having re-read manual and confirming it's not clear in there that daylight lighting means front lighting only!
Anyway, thanks for the helpful replies everyone...

The Panda Nut said:

Mine is 2017 and works as you suggested. One push for front fogs and rear lights a second push brings the rear fog on and a third switches them all off.

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Thought that might be the case. Mine (2013 model) has two separate switches, and I can use the front fogs without the headlights. Not sure when, or why, they changed this.

No doubt some hidden regulation, the next doors Kia works the same way too.