How do you adjust the light to drive in Europe?

Post by **PetrolDave** » Wed May 02, 2007 4:39 pm

In the UK we drive on the left so our lights dip towards the left, but in Europe they drive on the right so our left dipping lights will dip straight into the eyes of oncoming drivers and blind them risking causing an accident.

Post by **Teutonic_Tamer** » Wed May 02, 2007 5:58 pm

mirkop2 wrote:can i just ask whats with the changing of the lights or beams, whats the go with that in europe, why does it have to be done

In the UK, we drive on the left, whereas mainland Europe drive on the right.

On UK cars, the horizontal cut-off for the dipped beams also has a 15degree "up-kick" (for want of a better phrase) also to the left. This provides increased illumination for the nearside (left) pavement/hedges/trees and road signs. If left uncorrected when driving in europe, this would dazzle oncomming traffic.

Old skool halogen headlamps, and the early Xenons - you could use self adhesive "beam benders" to alter the light pattern (but they were shyte !!). On the later Bi-Xenons, there is a little lever inside the headlamp housing, which effectively "flattens" the 15 degree kick, and just leaves a completely horizontal flat topped beam.

On the adaptive forward lights (AFL), there seems to be some confusion as to how you alter this. One of the pictures in this thread does show a mechanical adjustment in the B7 headlamps, but it is unclear weather this is for the Bi-Xenon or AFL. I've just spoken to my stealer, and they basically confirm what djcevo mentioned, so I'll report back tomorrow to confirm - then perhaps the VAG-COM users can look into it for future reference.

Post by **mirkop2** » Thu May 03, 2007 1:57 am

thankyou for the expliantaion, we are lucky in australia, its the size of all of europe, and we dont have to change a thing, but to be honest id rather come home and live in europe.

Post by **PetrolDave** » Fri May 04, 2007 1:23 pm

Just got a reply from Uwe of Ross-Tech on AudiWorld.com.

He says to access Adaptation Channel 10 of the Headlamp Range Control module (address 55) with a current version of VAG-COM and follow the prompts ...

Post by **gw007** » Fri May 04, 2007 3:13 pm

So, in order to change the headlamps for driving in Europe you need to modify them using VAG-COM? Or is there another way?

Just seems a bit of hassle having to take your laptop and VAG-COM cable with you on holiday to change the headlamps... and what happens if you dont have either of the above?

Post by **Adam** » Fri May 04, 2007 3:34 pm

so I have to dazzle UK drivers all the way to and back from Dover then? bizarre

Post by **PetrolDave** » Sun May 06, 2007 4:34 pm

Just looked at adaptation channel 10 on the Xenon Range controller (address 55) ... sure enough it's called "Tourist Option". Set this to 1 (it's normally 0) and you will have headlights that no longer dip to the left.

qw007 - if you don't have VAG-COM you have to pay the dealer an arm and a leg to get them to do it for you before you go on holiday AND when you come back. Nice little earner!!! ...

Adam - AFAIK the headlamps become "neutral" i.e. they dip centrally, neither to the right nor the left, so you won't dazzle anyone in either the UK or in Europe.

Post by **morsimon** » Tue May 08, 2007 3:42 pm

I had a similar problem on my RS6 and resolved this with my dealer by getting them to reduce the brightness of the beam to minimise problems for drivers on the other side of the road. Then when returned to UK they put them back into normal mode. Believe this was done via the ECU.

Post by **Teutonic_Tamer** » Thu May 31, 2007 2:25 pm

OK, an update.

My stealer confirmed the beam pattern on the B7 RS4 with AFLs can only be changed with the dealer 'puter. They carried this out FOC, and said they will also change them back on my return.

However, I think they messed up - yes, I do get the single chime, and the once-only display of the headlamp level warning in the DIS. BUT - the beam still has the 15 degree left kick-up. All they seemed to do is manually lower the beam level with the exterior adjusters, so I could see bugger all at night.

PetrolDave - have you personally tried this yourself with your VAG-COM, preferably at night, with the car facing a wall - and actually noticed any difference in the actual beam pattern?

Post by **Dom81** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:07 pm

Sorry to resurrect an old post...

Has anyone tried the Tourist Option (Adaptation Channel 10, Address 55, Value from 0 to 1)

I'm heading off in a few days but don't want to take the laptop with me, so confirmation that it works (or a warning that it doesn't) would be much appreciated

I'm not being lazy - just park in a street where there's no space or darkness!

Dom

Post by **sbor** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:32 pm

Ive just returned from France. Adjusted to tourist setting by Roadside assistance and worked perfectly.

Post by **Dom81** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:00 pm

Thanks sbor

Did you get this chime and level warning (on startup) than people mention?

Dom

Post by **mip** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:53 pm

mirkop2 wrote:can i just ask whats with the changing of the lights or beams, whats the go with that in europe, why does it have to be done

Left and right hand drive cars tend to point the lights in slightly different directions so that you do not dazzle people coming the other way.

When we take a right hand drive car to europe our lights point straight at the on coming traffic

Cheers

MIP

Post by **PetrolDave** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:37 pm

Dom81 wrote:Has anyone tried the Tourist Option (Adaptation Channel 10, Address 55, Value from 0 to 1)

Yes, it works perfectly.

Post by **PetrolDave** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:38 pm

Dom81 wrote:Did you get this chime and level warning (on startup) than people mention?

I didn't.

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