Light Settings, dipped or side lights - Page 2

Solarin · Nov 4th, 2008, 21:34

On my 07 plate they work as Luigi describes. The headlight washer only operates with the light switch at the 12 O'Clock position.

Fast Reg · Nov 4th, 2008, 22:11

Hmm. Well maybe mine is the odd one out.

dazc · Nov 5th, 2008, 11:02

Is it just me, or is this the most stupid and complicated way of switching your lights on and off. I'm new to Volvos but..

Whats wrong with the normal settings like everyone else uses

On ~ Switches lights on
Off ~Switches lights off

I wouldnt mind so much if they were actually half useful and I could see at night.
I dont like where the ignition key is either.

Other than that I quite like it.
Darren

Harvey1512 · Nov 5th, 2008, 11:23

Quite agree with you on the stupidity of the lights, it must be a Swedish quirk that is seen as quaint and different and so they keep it. If you are going to insist on daylight running, and it looks as though it is going to be EU law, then why have a sidelight setting and why have a dipped and a dipped/full beam setting. If you have daylight running then surely you only need one setting, dipped with the option to flip the stalk to go full beam.

The key position is actually pretty sensible that you do get used to after a couple of weeks, it took me that long anyway. Someone may correct me but it is there for safety reasons. In the event of a crash, certainly a head on crash, the steering wheel column may collapse and the traditional position for your key, to the right of the column, could cause the key to ram into your knee. By having it out of the way in the dash it is not likely to cause you any harm. I am sure that is the reason I read for why Saabs have their key ignition by the handbrake. I assume Volvo have just followed their lead.

HeliFella · Nov 5th, 2008, 12:26

I still have a Saab 93 at the moment (long story) which has the key in the middle. They have had it there since year dot I think. Its a great place, I can get in shut door & grab seatbelt whilst firing it up. Also its a good security feature where no one could reach in and pull the key in a carjack senario. It's just convienent.

I think the Volvo position is also good, unless you have a big bunch of keys that could swing around and damage the dash. Either way its on the inner side of the wheel L or RHD so the above would apply.

mjcourtney · Nov 5th, 2008, 12:55

My previous car was a Renault Laguna, and that also had the key to the left of the steering wheel so the Volvo wasn't a big change for me.

The lights do seem a bit weird, but to be honest I can't remember the last time I changed the light switch position, they're always fully on in mine.

dazc · Nov 6th, 2008, 10:12

So it seems there is good reason for having the key there. I suppose the airbag will stop you headbutting it in the event of a crash..
I keep leaving my house keys in strange places though since they are no longer attached to my car key as they rub the dash.

One day I will set off from work and leave them here, and getting back into work after it's closed would prove more difficult than working out the light settings...

I have only had my V50 for 3 weeks so maybe I will get used to the key thing.
I will just leave the lights alone I think!

)

Darren

iainmd · Nov 6th, 2008, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjcourtney

The light switch is designed to be left in the On position (12 o'clock) all of the time when Day Running Lights (DRL) are enabled. This allows you to use your full beam when required at night and leaves the dipped beam on whilst the engine is running.

Not 100% true as far as I'm lead to believe.

Volvo's DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) are designed to be in position 0 during the day when although your dipped beam remain on they operate at a slightly reduced voltage to preserve bulb life. On 2004-2006 models the headlamp washers will not work in position 0 (don't know about later models). If you try to use main beam you can merely flash them and they will not remain on. When night falls and your radio display inverts the voltage to the dipped beams automatically goes up and out of 'DRL' mode.

In the On position the voltage increases to full and the headlamp washers will work. Also, if you select full beam it will remain on. This mode is for night use.

It may seem complex but it's a Volvo and that's the way it is (unless you get your dealer to deactivate the DRLs which they will charge for normally).

mjcourtney · Nov 6th, 2008, 23:23

Ah I wasn't aware of the reduced voltage in the 0 setting, as I don't have headlight washers there was no immediate difference to me. I'll have to see if there are any differences in light output between the the 0 and 12 position

jason77 · Nov 6th, 2008, 23:57

as a side note - the fullbeam headlights do kinda work on either settings.
It's just that they don't stick on when in the 0 position... so you can still use them for flashing.

Nov 4th, 2008, 22:11	#12
Fast Reg It's NOT a damn Focus!! Last Online: Jun 20th, 2011 22:53 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Essex	Hmm. Well maybe mine is the odd one out. __________________ 2005 (55) Volvo V50 2.0D SE - Barents Blue / Off-Black Leather / Winter Pack / Comms Pack / Volvo RTI Satnav (aka Lars) / Rear Parking Assist / Prancing Moose Sticker

Nov 5th, 2008, 12:26	#15
HeliFella Member Last Online: Dec 7th, 2011 17:49 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Knaresborough	Ignition key location I still have a Saab 93 at the moment (long story) which has the key in the middle. They have had it there since year dot I think. Its a great place, I can get in shut door & grab seatbelt whilst firing it up. Also its a good security feature where no one could reach in and pull the key in a carjack senario. It's just convienent. I think the Volvo position is also good, unless you have a big bunch of keys that could swing around and damage the dash. Either way its on the inner side of the wheel L or RHD so the above would apply. __________________ Regards HeliFella (Member of I.A.M.) 2009 V50 D5 R-Design Sport ...At Last... Definately worth the wait!

Nov 4th, 2008, 21:34	#11
Solarin Junior Member Last Online: Oct 12th, 2011 20:02 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southampton	On my 07 plate they work as Luigi describes. The headlight washer only operates with the light switch at the 12 O'Clock position.

Nov 5th, 2008, 11:02	#13
dazc Junior Member Last Online: Mar 28th, 2013 18:17 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: leeds	Is it just me, or is this the most stupid and complicated way of switching your lights on and off. I'm new to Volvos but.. Whats wrong with the normal settings like everyone else uses On ~ Switches lights on Off ~Switches lights off I wouldnt mind so much if they were actually half useful and I could see at night. I dont like where the ignition key is either. Other than that I quite like it. Darren

Nov 5th, 2008, 11:23	#14
Harvey1512 Premier Member Last Online: Jan 30th, 2021 12:00 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northumberland	Quite agree with you on the stupidity of the lights, it must be a Swedish quirk that is seen as quaint and different and so they keep it. If you are going to insist on daylight running, and it looks as though it is going to be EU law, then why have a sidelight setting and why have a dipped and a dipped/full beam setting. If you have daylight running then surely you only need one setting, dipped with the option to flip the stalk to go full beam. The key position is actually pretty sensible that you do get used to after a couple of weeks, it took me that long anyway. Someone may correct me but it is there for safety reasons. In the event of a crash, certainly a head on crash, the steering wheel column may collapse and the traditional position for your key, to the right of the column, could cause the key to ram into your knee. By having it out of the way in the dash it is not likely to cause you any harm. I am sure that is the reason I read for why Saabs have their key ignition by the handbrake. I assume Volvo have just followed their lead.

Nov 5th, 2008, 12:55	#16
mjcourtney VOC Member Last Online: Feb 24th, 2014 18:11 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Isle of Wight	My previous car was a Renault Laguna, and that also had the key to the left of the steering wheel so the Volvo wasn't a big change for me. The lights do seem a bit weird, but to be honest I can't remember the last time I changed the light switch position, they're always fully on in mine.

Nov 6th, 2008, 10:12	#17
dazc Junior Member Last Online: Mar 28th, 2013 18:17 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: leeds	So it seems there is good reason for having the key there. I suppose the airbag will stop you headbutting it in the event of a crash.. I keep leaving my house keys in strange places though since they are no longer attached to my car key as they rub the dash. One day I will set off from work and leave them here, and getting back into work after it's closed would prove more difficult than working out the light settings... I have only had my V50 for 3 weeks so maybe I will get used to the key thing. I will just leave the lights alone I think! ) Darren

Nov 6th, 2008, 23:23	#19
mjcourtney VOC Member Last Online: Feb 24th, 2014 18:11 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Isle of Wight	Ah I wasn't aware of the reduced voltage in the 0 setting, as I don't have headlight washers there was no immediate difference to me. I'll have to see if there are any differences in light output between the the 0 and 12 position

Nov 6th, 2008, 23:57	#20
jason77 Monkey Last Online: May 30th, 2021 08:35 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: . View Photos By: jason77	as a side note - the fullbeam headlights do kinda work on either settings. It's just that they don't stick on when in the 0 position... so you can still use them for flashing.

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