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S80 '06-'16 / V70 & XC70 '07-'16 General Forum for the P3-platform S80 and 70-series models |
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XC70 Dipped Beam Performance - Downright DangerousViews : 17874 Replies : 92Users Viewing This Thread : |
View Poll Results: XC70 Dipped Beam Performance | |||
Great - no problem | 25 | 22.32% | |
Not bad - ok for me | 17 | 15.18% | |
Could be better | 51 | 45.54% | |
Downright Dangerous | 19 | 16.96% | |
Voters: 112. You may not vote on this poll |
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Dec 11th, 2011, 20:31 | #1 |
New Member
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XC70 Dipped Beam Performance - Downright Dangerous
I've had the 2012 XC70 for 3 months now and I can say that the dipped beam headlights are absolutely terrible, in fact I consider them dangerous.
On these dark, raining winter nights, where there are no street lights where I live in the countryside, they give out no more light than a pedestrian with a torch! Many a time when there's a car on the other side of the road, it's by pure guesswork that I actually managed to stay on the road. The dealer says that they are setup correctly, but comparing them with our Merc, the beam is set too low. They're the active bending round corner auto height adjust type, so I'm not sure if they can be adjusted manually. What are your thoughts on the XC70 lights? What can I do so I can see more of the road on dipped beam without buying a pair of night vision goggles? Thanks. Last edited by wyerd; Dec 11th, 2011 at 20:47. |
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Dec 11th, 2011, 20:58 | #2 |
Ex Serial Volvo Buyer
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Does it have Xenon Headlights? (I'm guessing it must)
The standard lights are IMHO cr*p and I wouldn't have a Volvo without Xenon light (Active Xenons). I find (with Active Xenons) the full beam to be very good, the dipped lights aren't Great but I couldn't call them Dangerous either. I think it's more a case of the Full Beam being very good that you really notice when to go to Dipped Lights. I live in the country so a lot of unlit roads, but I use full beam unless there is another car in view or a pedestrian. Best take it to another dealership and ask them to double check it.
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XC70 SE Lux D5 (215bhp) Geartronic (2012MY) Drivers Pack, Security Pack, Winter Pack, Family Pack, Dark Tint Glass, Active 4C, Front & Rear Cameras, DAB Radio, Spoiler & Side Scuff Plates. |
Dec 11th, 2011, 21:04 | #3 |
Experienced Member
Last Online: Today 00:11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: L/H side
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yes you can raise the lights yourself on the adjusters on the lights how far ahead do the dip headlamps point to the ground ?
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My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience . |
Dec 11th, 2011, 21:29 | #4 |
New Member
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Really? even with the active Bi-Xenon Headlights? It's like light to dark on the road - no gradual drop off. It's difficult to say exactly - I'll have to measure it.
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Dec 11th, 2011, 22:38 | #5 |
Experienced Member
Last Online: Today 00:11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: L/H side
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yes the usual horizontal and vertical adjustment screws on each light unit ( you need a 7 mm socket i think ... I mean if you are driving at say 50 mph are the lights pointing towards the floor so that you cant see far enough ahead to go over 50 mph in the dark?
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My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience . |
Dec 12th, 2011, 07:35 | #6 |
Junior Member
Last Online: Jan 12th, 2012 21:23
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: High Wycombe
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FWIW, my 59 plate 2.0D with OEM halogen bulbs had the dipped beam set way too low. Took it back to Volvo stealer within a week of getting the car, they checked it and said it was perfect.
Still not convinced, I took it to my local MOT centre who re-checked the beam pattern and found it was miles out. My first port of call to the OP would be a MOT test centre and not to take the stealers word that all is OK. |
Dec 17th, 2011, 19:32 | #7 |
clivea
Last Online: Dec 10th, 2014 12:38
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: West Country
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I have an Xc70 MY10 and found the halogen dipped lights terible. I thought that volvo had traded light output for life given that the dipped beams fom the day running lights. I have now fitted Osram Nightbreaker+ bulbs which have improved the winter driving immensley. Why Volvo did not fit LED day runners is a puzzle.
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Cheers Clivea April 2014 Subaru Forester XE Lineatronic. 2010-April 2014 XC70 SE Premium 205ps D5 Geartronic AWD 2010MY Oyster Grey |
Dec 18th, 2011, 13:48 | #8 | |
Chipshop
Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2014 20:11
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Guildford
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Quote:
Try Specsavers !!! |
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Dec 18th, 2011, 16:03 | #9 |
Premier Member
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I have the same as you, a XC70 2012, with active bending Xenon lights. I find neither the dipped nor the full beam to be bad. Significantly better than the halogen lights I've had on older cars before.
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Dec 18th, 2011, 19:56 | #10 |
Junior Member
Last Online: Oct 20th, 2015 11:05
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Basingstoke
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Personally I find the dipped beam on the xenon lights to be excellent so either the OP's lights are very badly adjusted or he does need Specsavers! They do have a hard edge by design to avoid blinding oncoming drivers but give enough vision for driving at the speed limit on my MY 11 xc70. I had a MY08 V70 with halogen lights which was less good but perfectly driveable.
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