Self levelling Xenon lights - Is it constantly active?

[Yelper85]

Hi all,

Self levelling lights on a MY16 V60. Does this just mean when the car starts it does a self calibration based on the current loading of the car?

If so, would I be correct in saying it's not constantly active so if the load changed, really you should recalibrate the levelling by turning the car on/off unless you have the load compensation option fitted (Nivomat).

[MikeGMT]

Originally Posted by Yelper85

Hi all,

Self levelling lights on a MY16 V60. Does this just mean when the car starts it does a self calibration based on the current loading of the car?

If so, would I be correct in saying it's not constantly active so if the load changed, really you should recalibrate the levelling by turning the car on/off unless you have the load compensation option fitted (Nivomat).

I think there is a lever on the rear suspension that actuates the level system, so if the load increases/decreases it alters the beams to the correct position.

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by MikeGMT

I think there is a lever on the rear suspension that actuates the level system, so if the load increases/decreases it alters the beams to the correct position.

So the self levelling isn't what the headlamp units do when I first turn the car on as mine dip down then come back up, like they are self calibrating the vertical position point?

[Tannaton]

When you first start the car, the the headlamps move to the top and bottom as the system cannot remember where they were when the engine was turned off, so I would describe it as alignment rather than calibration.

The sensors on the suspension are used to set the level, this is not changed as you drive - i.e. the headlights down adjust up and down as you go over bumps, it just sets the right level for the load. Whether this is done only when you start the car or every time the car is stationary - I'm not sure.

[Chrisv60]

I think the levelling works constantly. The sensor bracket got damaged on mine so the movement was exaggerated. The lights constantly moved up and down in response to the slightest bump in the road and in response to braking.

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by Chrisv60

I think the levelling works constantly. The sensor bracket got damaged on mine so the movement was exaggerated. The lights constantly moved up and down in response to the slightest bump in the road and in response to braking.

So when the car starts and the lights move up and down, is this indeed calibrating for top and bottom maximum values which then allows the bulbs to level together and the system knows the mid point of each from the range it's just calculated from the sweep?

[Chrisv60]

Originally Posted by Yelper85

So when the car starts and the lights move up and down, is this indeed calibrating for top and bottom maximum values which then allows the bulbs to level together and the system knows the mid point of each from the range it's just calculated from the sweep?

I don't think it's calibrating as such as it wouldn't know how the car was loaded at start up or what 'level' is.

I suspect that due to the safety implications if it fails, it's just a check that the levelling mechanism is working throughout its range and will flag up an error if it finds a problem.

Even though mine were blinding people and then dropping to light up about 2ft of road, there weren't actually any errors shown. The dealership had to ask Volvo for advice.

[MikeGMT]

Originally Posted by Yelper85

Hi all,


If so, would I be correct in saying it's not constantly active so if the load changed, really you should recalibrate the levelling by turning the car on/off unless you have the load compensation option fitted (Nivomat).

Originally Posted by MikeGMT

I think there is a lever on the rear suspension that actuates the level system, so if the load increases/decreases it alters the beams to the correct position.

From my understanding of the way the lights work the sensor on the suspension sends a signal to stepper motors in the headlight units which then alter the beams to suit the load. Once you start the car and the beams have set their level if you then stop and pick up passengers, or hook-up a trailer, you wouldn't have to turn off the engine and restart for the beams to set the new position. As the rear suspension has loaded up a corresponding signal is sent to the stepper motors to adjust the beams to the new value. A fair amount of damping is built into the system so the beams are not dancing about due to road surface irregularities.

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by Chrisv60

I don't think it's calibrating as such as it wouldn't know how the car was loaded at start up or what 'level' is.

I suspect that due to the safety implications if it fails, it's just a check that the levelling mechanism is working throughout its range and will flag up an error if it finds a problem.

Even though mine were blinding people and then dropping to light up about 2ft of road, there weren't actually any errors shown. The dealership had to ask Volvo for advice.

Originally Posted by MikeGMT

From my understanding of the way the lights work the sensor on the suspension sends a signal to stepper motors in the headlight units which then alter the beams to suit the load. Once you start the car and the beams have set their level if you then stop and pick up passengers, or hook-up a trailer, you wouldn't have to turn off the engine and restart for the beams to set the new position. As the rear suspension has loaded up a corresponding signal is sent to the stepper motors to adjust the beams to the new value. A fair amount of damping is built into the system so the beams are not dancing about due to road surface irregularities.

Cheers for the info, much appreciated and very useful

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Chrisv60

I think the levelling works constantly. The sensor bracket got damaged on mine so the movement was exaggerated. The lights constantly moved up and down in response to the slightest bump in the road and in response to braking.

That's not how it works, the headlamps cannot react quickly enough for bumps etc. a level is read either when the car is started and possibly after that when stationary.

There's usually a good description of how the system works in VIDA so I'll have a look later.