Turning off headlamps- XC90

[Father Ted]

Thanks for the, erm , interesting input.
Funnily enough, the car I use for work (I only do about 36000 miles per year in it, so maybe it's not a reliable comparison), allows me to control the headlights.

My reason for turning them off is that the constant heat on the plastic lenses is causing degradation. I would like to slow this down. Happily have it set to side lights, but I still don't see the point.

I figure that, if someone can't see an XC90, a couple of lights won't make an awful lot of difference.
I understand the arguments for a rural setting, but I live in a town and, when driving in narrow country lanes I could (and do) use the factory fitted switch, conveniently placed adjacent to the steering wheel to illuminate the front lights and assist on-comers.

[wimorrison]

Your u need to keep the car out of daylight as it is the UV in daylight that causes the fogging of the lenses, not any heat from the bulbs.

It is a 10 min job to polish them sparking again and it will last for 5 years or so.

[Simon Jones]

I think you're both right . On my previous XC70, the cloudiness was on both sides of the lens, and white you can polish the outside, there is nothing that can readily be done to the inside without splitting the headlight unit to extracate the lens.

[Father Ted]

Yep, Simon is right.
I've given the outside a quick go with an abrasive polish, followed by T cut.
They've come up better, but there is still "crazing" on the inside which looks to me like heat damage.
I had a quick go at getting one open, but that's definitely a job for when I can commit the time. Looks like it will take a lot of patience.

Don't know about 5 years. I had to do them every 6 months on my Estima.
Tried everything from toothpaste to a full sand paper, progressively finer, then polish, then T cut.

[wimorrison]

I use the Meguires kit from Halfords on the Clio and the MX5 and that is why I know it has lasted 5 years

The Clio will need doing again for this winter but the MX5 will last another year at least.

[Marty Dolomite]

I've had the lights switched off on my V70 and just to be different I've wired the amber front side lights to be on as DRL's. (yes it is legal it have amber front lights)

[noscralc]

Well from my experience lights on or off you are invisible to some idiots who will still pull out on you---they are everywhere !!

[galloot633]

I need to polish mine every year , but slowly the inside is degrading, its got to fail an mot soon, doesn't look too difficult to split the headlights (hardest bit is getting permission to use the oven !) and ill have a go if it is an mot fail
Dave

[Father Ted]

Originally Posted by galloot633

I need to polish mine every year , but slowly the inside is degrading, its got to fail an mot soon, doesn't look too difficult to split the headlights (hardest bit is getting permission to use the oven !) and ill have a go if it is an mot fail
Dave

I've already been told NO to using the oven!

Had a quick go with a paint stripping heat gun on low setting. I think this will work, but it'll take time.

[Father Ted]

Well, I bought a Dice unit and VIDA and have turned my lights off.
However, the rule of unintended consequences:
I have gotten so used to them being permanently on, that I now forget to turn them off.
Now, the car has so many bings, bongs and boings for various warnings, does anyone know if I can have it boing if I leave my lights on and turn the ignition off?
If not, I'll fit a 12v buzzer....