If you own a Ford Bronco Big Bend and want to turn off the daytime running lamps (DRLs), you may be looking for a setting that lets the front daytime lights stay off while you drive.
For the Ford Bronco Big Bend, the important detail is that Ford lists the vehicle’s Daytime Running Lamps as “Non-Configurable.” That means Ford provides no standard vehicle setting to manually disable the DRLs.
There is also a distinction between temporarily changing how the lamps operate under specific conditions and permanently disabling the DRL function. Canadian lighting regulations establish requirements for daytime running lamps, so modifying the system requires additional consideration.
Can You Turn Off the DRLs on a 2026 Bronco Big Bend?
Not through a normal factory setting.
Ford Canada specifically lists Non-Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) as standard equipment on the Bronco Big Bend.
This wording is important. A configurable lighting function would normally provide the driver with a vehicle setting or selectable operating mode. Ford does not identify a user-adjustable DRL setting for the Canadian-market Big Bend. The Bronco Big Bend also includes LED headlamps, while Ford lists the DRLs separately and does not allow drivers to configure them.
Therefore, if the goal is simply to find a menu option that says DRL Off, that option is not provided for this configuration.
Why Are the DRLs Non-Configurable?
Daytime running lamps make a vehicle more visible to other road users during daylight conditions.
Ford has programmed the Bronco lighting system to operate the DRLs automatically rather than providing a normal user setting to switch them off.
Canadian regulations require daytime running lamps to deactivate when drivers activate the low-beam headlamps for road illumination. The regulations also specify when DRLs must activate and how they interact with other lighting functions. That is why disabling the DRLs isn’t simply a matter of changing a convenience setting.
What Happens to the DRLs When You Turn on the Headlamps?
DRLs and the vehicle’s regular headlamp operation are different lighting functions. Canadian regulations specify that daytime running lamps must be deactivated when the lower-beam headlamps are activated for road illumination. This means seeing the DRLs illuminated during daytime driving does not mean they will remain illuminated in the same way when the Bronco normal headlamps are switched on.
Transport Canada explains that daytime running lights make vehicles more visible during the day, but drivers must use proper headlamps in darkness or poor weather.
Can You Disable the DRLs With the the Bronco Controls?
The factory information for the Bronco Big Bend does not provide a normal driver-controlled DRL-off setting. The Ford Canadian specifications explicitly describe the DRLs as non-configurable. Therefore, cycling through the normal lighting controls should not be expected to provide a permanent DRL-off mode. In some cases, the DRLs deactivate automatically based on the vehicle’s programmed lighting logic. That is different from giving the driver a setting to disable them permanently.
What If You Want to Use the Amber Turn Signals Instead?
A turn signal and a DRL can share the same lighting assembly, but each performs a different function. Canadian regulations specifically address vehicles in which a DRL also serves as a front turn signal. In that situation, the DRL must deactivate on the side where the turn signal is operating while the signal is active.
The regulation also permits DRLs to be wired to flash for signalling purposes under specified conditions. However, that does not mean a Bronco Big Bend owner can simply change the factory DRL colour or programming from the vehicle’s normal settings. If the goal is to have the front lighting operate differently—for example, using an amber lamp as the primary visible front signal while eliminating the white DRL appearance—that would involve a modification to the lighting configuration rather than a standard Bronco setting.
Can an Aftermarket Modification Disable the DRLs?
A physical or electronic modification may be technically possible, but that is different from saying Ford supports the modification. The factory Bronco Big Bend lighting system forms part of the vehicle’s original configuration and meets required certification standards. Ford lists its DRLs as non-configurable.
A modification could potentially involve changes to:
- Lighting control
- Wiring
- Lamp modules
- External lighting controllers
- Software or coding
- Replacement lighting components
The correct method depends on the specific modification. It would not be appropriate to assume that disconnecting a wire, removing a fuse or changing a lighting module will simply disable the DRLs without affecting other vehicle functions.
Are DRLs Required in Canada?
Canadian federal regulations require covered vehicles to have daytime running lamps. The Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations require every applicable passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, bus, and three-wheeled vehicle to use DRLs that meet specified requirements.
The regulations also specify how DRLs are activated and when they must deactivate. This does not mean that every possible modification that changes DRL behaviour is automatically illegal. It does mean that completely removing or disabling the vehicle’s required daytime-running-light function should not be treated as an ordinary personalization setting.
If you are considering a modification, the resulting lighting configuration should continue to comply with applicable Canadian requirements.
What Should You Check Before Changing the Lighting?
If you want different DRL behaviour on a Bronco Big Bend, start by identifying exactly what you want to accomplish.
1. Decide whether you want the DRLs completely off
If you simply want the front lights off during daylight driving, there is no factory setting for this because Ford identifies the DRLs as non-configurable.
2. Determine whether the issue is actually the DRL
If you want a different appearance from the front lighting, the solution may be different from completely disabling the DRLs.
3. Check the turn-signal operation
If your goal involves amber turn signals, verify how the factory turn signals operate before considering any modification.
4. Avoid disconnecting components as a test
The lighting system is part of the Bronco electrical architecture. Removing fuses or disconnecting wiring can produce effects beyond simply changing the DRLs.
5. Confirm regulatory requirements
If the modification changes the vehicle’s required lighting functions, verify that the resulting configuration complies with applicable Canadian requirements.
What Is Normal on a 2026 Bronco Big Bend?
For the Canadian-market Ford Bronco Big Bend, the following is normal:
- The vehicle has daytime running lamps.
- Ford identifies the DRLs as non-configurable.
- The DRLs operate automatically rather than through a driver-selected DRL-off setting.
- The DRLs interact with the vehicle’s other lighting functions according to the programmed lighting logic.
- The DRLs are separate from the normal headlamp function.
If the DRLs behave differently from what is described in the owner’s information, that is a different issue from wanting to disable them. In that situation, the appropriate next step is to have the lighting system checked rather than modifying it to achieve the desired behaviour.
What About Other 2026 Bronco Configurations?
Ford Canada lists non-configurable DRLs on the Big Bend, and the same terminology appears on several other Bronco configurations. However, lighting equipment can differ by model and configuration, so information about another Bronco version should not automatically be applied to a Big Bend. For a specific vehicle, the Canadian Ford specifications and the owner’s information are the appropriate references.
The Bottom Line
Can you disable the DRLs on a Ford Bronco Big Bend? Not through a normal factory setting.
Ford Canada specifically identifies the Big Bend daytime running lamps as non-configurable, so there is no standard menu option for permanently switching them off.
An aftermarket modification may be technically possible, but changing the factory lighting system is different from changing a vehicle preference. Canadian regulations require applicable vehicles to be equipped with compliant daytime running lamps and establish requirements for their operation.
If you want to disable the DRLs to achieve a particular amber turn-signal appearance, treat that as a separate lighting modification rather than simply looking for a DRL-off setting. The important consideration is to preserve the required lighting and turn-signal functions while ensuring any modification remains appropriate for the Canadian-market Bronco.
Disclaimer: Content contained in this post is for informational purposes only and may include features and options from US or internacional models. Please contact the dealership for more information or to confirm vehicle, feature availability.
