Weak Headlights - Contact Volvo

[Harvey1512]

After 18 months of driving a Volvo, and going through my second winter, I have been getting increasingly frustrated at the weak power of my dipped headlights. I do quite a bit of rural, unlit driving and decent lights are both a basic requirement and also vital. I have tried swapping to more powerful bulbs and raised the levels of the beam but to no avail.

I have started threads previously on this and joined in the many other threads that others have started. There seem to be many people who feel equally let down by Volvo on this issue (one of the reason I bought a Volvo was for its safety record and I am sure I am not alone).

Whilst being trapped by the ice in Northumberland yesterday I decided to actually email Volvo on this subject (I know it can't change my car but maybe if they get enough complaints then they will look closer at the lights in future) I received a very pleasant reply from a lady who expressed surprise at my email and advised that Volvo were not aware of any problem with their dipped headlights. THIS I DO NOT BELIEVE. Had she said "sorry we know about this and steps have been taken for future models" I could have lived with this but to express surprise, I don't think so. So........ if you are also fed up with this please email: custcare@volvocars.com

I feel this is a real problem and if Volvo refuse to read this forum then we need to make them aware of this issue. By sheer weight of numbers we may make Volvo sit up and take notice.

[Yubba]

Reading threads like yours and those of a similar nature concerning other makes, I wonder if the first thing taught to main dealer staff is how to keep a straight face whilst denying a problem exists that the whole world is aware of.

Would it really be that difficult for them to adjust the lights on every volvo that comes in? It might make the price of servicing appear a bit more acceptable if they pro-actively went about improving this well known issue.

The fact that the adjusters under the bonnet are so fragile as well is just adding insult to injury.

[Viper_7]

You improve your lights, I then need bigger brighter ones to see past yours..where does it stop.
Also raising the beam level may well put it outside the permissible range and be an MOT failure.

If one can't see too well - slow down. Don't need 1 million watts.
The beam looks so weak because everyone has lights on and the roads are so wet and roadmarkings and signs covered in crap/road salt that little reflects.

On rural unlit roads, that is what full beam is for.

[Harvey1512]

Originally Posted by Viper_7

You improve your lights, I then need bigger brighter ones to see past yours..where does it stop.
Also raising the beam level may well put it outside the permissible range and be an MOT failure.

If one can't see too well - slow down. Don't need 1 million watts.
The beam looks so weak because everyone has lights on and the roads are so wet and roadmarkings and signs covered in crap/road salt that little reflects.

On rural unlit roads, that is what full beam is for.

I could not disagree more with this post. I have never had HID's, Bi-Xenons or even the blue tinged bulbs for the reasons you mention. I just want to be able to see in a safe fashion. I have owned 6 cars, driven many others and none have had this problem before. It is not the road conditions, it is the lights. They are simply dangerous. The lanes I drive on still have occasional other cars on so I can't use the otherwise excellent full beam as much as I would like. If I could use them all the time then there would be no problem.

I don't drive quickly, especially in this current weather, but I expect to be able to go over 40mph safely. I don't need 1 million watts.

I raised the levels correctly and had them checked afterward to ensure that they were safe. There is plenty of advice out there about how to do this safely.

If I am on my own about this, and if you read the threads on this subject, I am not, then nobody has to do anything. I just thought Volvo ought to know they have a problem and I for one will not be buying another Volvo until I know this is resolved. I change my car in 7 months time and at the moment a Volvo would not be on the list because of this. If I was Volvo I would want to know this. To lose car sales in the current environment because of poor lights is a nonsense with what is otherwise an excellent car.

[Yubba]

Viper 7

I take it you haven't driven in a post 2004 s40 on unlit roads? 50 mph is pretty much the maximum you can hope for if main beam isn't possible. There is a big difference between over bright lights and the s40 ones which just aren't fit for purpose.

My dad has a basic x reg renault clio and no-one is going to accuse it of blinding anyone one but it is capable of lighting up the road and making it far safer to drive in the dark than my car - perhaps that is why volvo make such a big thing of its safety in a crash - it needs to offer maximum re-assurance with those lights!

[Guru]

Hello Harvey,

I'm surprised {and disappointed} to see that even the face-lifted models like your 2008 R still have poor headlights! I thought that the chrome they put in the new headlamp design solved this problem. obviously, it did not.

You do have the chrome ones like in this first pic, don't you?


Or are they like the ones i have on my 2005 model?

[gazsaz]

I more than i agree with this thread, as a driver of a s40 1997 (r) i can more than appreciate the distinct lack of power in the lights of this car, they are without doubt awful!

[VenomS40]

Also I think pointing Volvo UK to the owners club community may highlight issues we have with the range and what big company wants bad media press?

[jaygee]

Originally Posted by VenomS40

Also I think pointing Volvo UK to the owners club community may highlight issues we have with the range and what big company wants bad media press?

I like the idea of that. Maybe we can set up a petition!

Venom - over to you. ;-)

[jepho]

The response below is how Volvo see the issue of customer relations and dangerous lighting.

It would appear that I should have purchased my car through them and then I would have been confident that the Volvo dealer would have found an alternative solution.

It looks to me as if Volvo customer relations might just have well said to me that the best solution was...



I will see about getting VOSA to test the lighting.

Grrrrr.

Dear...

Thank you for your e-mail.

I am very sorry to read that you are extremely disappointed with the brightness from the dipped beam on your recently purchased Volvo C70.

I can assure you Mr... that the headlamps meet all the UK legal requirements and regulations. If the dealership has confirmed that there is no manufacturing defect, I can only request that you speak to the selling agent of the vehicle to see if you can exchange or return the vehicle.

Based on the information you have provided below, it does not appear that the vehicle was purchased within our dealer network, if it has been purchased within our dealer network, I have every confidence that the dealership will provide you with an alternative solution.

Kind regards

Kiran Rakhra

Customer Relations Consultant
Volvo Car UK Limited
Volvo Car Corporation - Region 2