Continental driving with bi-xenon active lights

[tem]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

There is NO button on an MY10, AFAIK you need to set the lights each time, exactly as has been stated.

Certainly that is the way it works on my car, and it worked on the MY10 that I drove before I purchased my vehicle.

As Dad2to also has the same layout and operation it suggests to me that the MY10, and probably later, will all work in the same manner. I cannot see 3 cars having a fault in operation and build that is exactly the same

Do not really see the point, for the ABL, if this is the case, especially if you visit Europe on a regular basis.
Far easier to fit the deflectors/masking tape.

How long does it take to enter the menu and change the headlights from LH to RH, each time you restart?

Thank you.

tem.

[DadTo2]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

There is NO button on an MY10, AFAIK you need to set the lights each time, exactly as has been stated.

Certainly that is the way it works on my car, and it worked on the MY10 that I drove before I purchased my vehicle.

As Dad2to also has the same layout and operation it suggests to me that the MY10, and probably later, will all work in the same manner. I cannot see 3 cars having a fault in operation and build that is exactly the same

It sounds as though all MY10 are the same as mine. I can't help feeling it is a software bug as it sometimes tries to flash up that RH lights are set, but the engine won't start - I have to press ignition again, after which they are set to LH. Again, sometimes i am told they have been set to LH drive.

If it is a global software error, I don't see it being fixed and available before I go in early September.

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by tem

Do not really see the point, for the ABL, if this is the case, especially if you visit Europe on a regular basis.
Far easier to fit the deflectors/masking tape.

How long does it take to enter the menu and change the headlights from LH to RH, each time you restart?

Thank you.

tem.

only takes a second or 2 - Menu, Car Settings, Lights, Temporary RH, exit

very quick and very easy - just the same as switching traffic news on/off (wish there was a button for that!)

[tem]

I now wonder what happens with Volvo's Eco Stop/Start cars?

Does it mean that every time one stops at traffic lights/roadworks, etc, one has to reset to RH?

tem.

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by tem

I now wonder what happens with Volvo's Eco Stop/Start cars?

Does it mean that every time one stops at traffic lights/roadworks, etc, one has to reset to RH?

tem.

Since you are not switching the car off/on, or removing the key - only the engine is stopping and starting ( and that is being done automatically) I cannot see why there should be an issue.

Let's not look for problems where they probably don't exist

[tem]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

Since you are not switching the car off/on, or removing the key - only the engine is stopping and starting ( and that is being done automatically) I cannot see why there should be an issue.

Let's not look for problems where they probably don't exist

Just thinking, out load, as I find the current operation of the ABL, beyond belief.

If I change my XC60, for another one and spec ABL, I calculate that I would need to enter the menu, at least 450/500 times/year, to select RH.
Where as, at the moment, I only have to select RH, 4 or 5 times/year.

Surely, this is a ridiculous situation?

tem.

[tem]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

correct - unfortunately

It does however actually make sense. The selection is temporary and resetting to the default each time you start the ensures that you will not blind the drivers in your home country, which would be easy to do

Similar to the the rear foglight ressting evertime you switch off the car - how I wish that all cars did this!!

Just had what you have stated, confirmed.
See below.

Just means lots of extra work and we blind the drivers in Europe, while we change the headlights over.
Just hope it is not a French copper.

Thank you for your e-mail.

You are correct that you must now amend the headlight pattern for
driving in Europe by accessing the menu. The vehicle will reset to
default (UK driving) even time the car is restarted. This is to avoid
the driving forgetting and leaving the lights in the wrong position.

Jo Howard
Customer Relations

Volvo Car UK Limited
REGISTERED OFFICE Globe Park, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1YQ
REGISTERED IN ENGLAND & WALES No 02281044

tem.

[asems]

Just joined the forum as I I have just purchased delivery of an XC60 (2011) SE lux premium.
The above articles were just what I was looking for, so thank you.
I was just wondering about the legal side of things, i.e. it is my understanding that all British cars have to have deflectors attached when driving on the continent. Clearly the ability to change to RH negates the need for them, but how do you explain this to the previously mention zealous gendarme?

[jimbg]

Originally Posted by asems

Just joined the forum as I I have just purchased delivery of an XC60 (2011) SE lux premium.
The above articles were just what I was looking for, so thank you.
I was just wondering about the legal side of things, i.e. it is my understanding that all British cars have to have deflectors attached when driving on the continent. Clearly the ability to change to RH negates the need for them, but how do you explain this to the previously mention zealous gendarme?

From the AA web site:- The legal requirement is to 'not cause dazzle to oncoming drivers' rather than specifically to adjust/convert headlamp beam pattern.

[higthepig]

I was just wondering about the legal side of things, i.e. it is my understanding that all British cars have to have deflectors attached when driving on the continent.

I was told, not sure if it is 100% correct, that you could not fit deflectors to xenon headlights. I have a R/H drive car but live in the Nederlands, I just set the lights for driving on the 'wrong'side of the road and have not had any issues.
I was in the UK over Easter and put the car through an MOT as it is coming up to 3 years old. On testing the headlights, when they are selected for R/H roads, the beams are flattened quite a bit, but do not appear to be orientated to the R/H side. This might satisfy the 'not cause dazzle' line that jimbg posted. Just give a Gallic shrug if you are pulled up by the gendarme!