I don't understand why there is even a switch there when the lights are always on?
Why does the switch have an on and off? Now if you put the switch in the middle position the parking lights go on and the headlights will go out but don't forget it in that position or you will do like I did and run the battery down...

I guess my question is am I missing something with the switch in the off position? From what I can tell its the same as if the switch was in the on position...I know its a safety thing but actually, I kinda wish I could just drive the car without the headlights being on during the daylight. Is there a workaround or is my car switch not funtioning properly?

Thx.

Some of the older models have a little switch button on the headlight switch that disables the running lights.

You could download PDFs of owner's manuals from Volvo and research what models have this feature and then order a switch or find one at a junk yard - I think that the owner's manual would have a picture so you know what to look for.

a wiring diagram might show you what wire to disconnect to kill this feature.

Personally, I use the running lights and do not mind the extra expense. Light bulbs lose their brightness gradually during their lifetimes partly due to deposits of vaporized metal inside their capsule. A long-lasting bulb will have a long period of diminished brightness.

I suggest that you take a good look at your current bulb output - like lighting a white building from 100 feet (take a picture?) and then try a nice new pair of Silver Stars.

I found that I liked the extra range enough to foot the expense. I keep the old bulbs in the trunk as spares.

I have asked myself that question many times while replacing short lived headlight bulbs on out '04...

Greg

The 'off' position turns on the "day time running lights", which happens to be the headlights. The instrument cluster lights should not be on, the high beams cannot be turned on, nor will the fog lights work.

The middle position is for parking lights only.

The far right position is to turn all of the lights on for night driving.

There is a dealer programming option to disable the DRLs, but most dealers do not like to do this and will charge you an hour's worth of labor.

Your light switch is not unique to 2003. I think it started back in 1994.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

I had the dealer disable the DRLs when I first bought my '03 V70 (bought new).
They didn't charge anything at the time since they were reprograming the auto trans with the latest updates, etc.
No melted bulb connectors, original low beam bulbs lasted till 2015....

Rb.

I've asked myself the same question before - basically there are two "ON" positions, however I believe the dipper (high beam / low beam lever) behaves differently in one of the positions. Like the brights won't stay stay on when you move the stalk and the switch is in one of the positions - it just becomes a momentary switch. Check out what the owners manual says about it.

"...Now if you put the switch in the middle position the parking lights go on and the headlights will go out but don't forget it in that position or you will do like I did and run the battery down..."

I can't tell you how many times I've done that. Slow learner I guess.
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Current rides: 2005 Volvo S80 2.5T, 2003 Volvo V70 2.4NA, 1973 Volvo 1800ES (getting ever closer to road worthiness)