XC60 - no need to change headlight pattern any more?

[Roland_F]

While I am waiting for my XC60 with ABL to be built, I was looking at the e-manual for MY14, and on page 101 it says: "The headlamp pattern does not need to be adjusted for right or left-hand traffic. The headlamp pattern is designed in such a way that oncoming traffic is not dazzled." Does this mean that there is no up-kick of the beam to illuminate signs at the side of the road? What are your experiences, please?

From the location in the manual, it seems to apply to both halogen and Xenon headlights, not just an optional feature.

[Crockers]

Only applies if you have ordered the driver support pack. Then you have the high beam assist which shades out oncoiming cars.

[Roland_F]

I'm still puzzled - but not disagreeing with you - because the MY14 manual appears to have no reference to changing from LH to RH driving or vice versa, whereas the MY13 has a lengthy section on the topic.

[Crockers]

I may be wrong. Lol.

[Wobbly]

I've got the '14 SE Lux with DSP and ABLs etc. I also have the winter illumination pack (in case it matters).

I note that the manual says that there is no need to alter the headlight pattern. I also note that there is an option under "light settings" which allows you to temporarily change the setting, which then stays in force along with a warning that remains on the drivers display each time you subsequently restart the car. I'm abroad this week and it's as described without reverting back to LHD settings.

PS I had a moment or two when I couldn't find a kph speed display. Setting don't change the speedo output, but turning the menu "wheel" on the left stalk includes a kph display to the bottom right of the speedo.

The traffic sign info feature displays what it reads - if it sees a 130 sign it displays it regardless of wage unit of measure displayed in the speedo (I couldn't find a way to change the main display). Finding the (albeit smaller) kph display was a relief - mental arithmetic whilst driving isn't the best idea.

[Westyman]

I have just taken my MY14 SELux abroad and like Wobbly had read the bit in the handbook about not needing to change for driving on the right which seemed at odds with the setting option in My XC60. But it's just as Wobbly says.

One thing I did find was that with the light switch on Auto, as soon as I drove into the Eurotunnel shuttle the headlights came on so had to turn the switch to Off and remember to turn it back to Auto when out of the train.

[Crockers]

My car has no option to select LHD for lights so I'm pretty convinced the need not to adjust lights for continental driving is only for cars with active headlight assist. As the car detects on coming cars and shades just them keeping all the rest of the road in high beam this seems logical to me.

Mind you I do stand to be corrected.

[Westyman]

Originally Posted by Crockers

My car has no option to select LHD for lights so I'm pretty convinced the need not to adjust lights for continental driving is only for cars with active headlight assist. As the car detects on coming cars and shades just them keeping all the rest of the road in high beam this seems logical to me.

Mind you I do stand to be corrected.

That's about my understanding too.

[Roland_F]

That's very interesting, thank you. Anyone WITH Active Bending Lights but WITHOUT Driver Support Pack care to comment on their experience, please?

Originally Posted by Wobbly

I've got the '14 SE Lux with DSP and ABLs etc. I also have the winter illumination pack (in case it matters).

I note that the manual says that there is no need to alter the headlight pattern. I also note that there is an option under "light settings" which allows you to temporarily change the setting, which then stays in force along with a warning that remains on the drivers display each time you subsequently restart the car. I'm abroad this week and it's as described without reverting back to LHD settings.

PS I had a moment or two when I couldn't find a kph speed display. Setting don't change the speedo output, but turning the menu "wheel" on the left stalk includes a kph display to the bottom right of the speedo.

The traffic sign info feature displays what it reads - if it sees a 130 sign it displays it regardless of wage unit of measure displayed in the speedo (I couldn't find a way to change the main display). Finding the (albeit smaller) kph display was a relief - mental arithmetic whilst driving isn't the best idea.

[Westyman]

Originally Posted by Roland_F

That's very interesting, thank you. Anyone WITH Active Bending Lights but WITHOUT Driver Support Pack care to comment on their experience, please?

As above, I have ABL but no Driver Support Pack. In My Car>Settings>Lighting there was an option to set for RH traffic. Each time I started the car after ticking the check box, the display warned me and this could be cancelled in normal way. Queuing for the Eurotunnel coming back I unticked the selection. As I never drove at night I have no idea if this worked or not!