Headlights - Active high beam vs Adaptive Shadow Technology

[Lexman8]

They never cease to amaze me. Last night I was driving along an unlit single carriageway road with tall, dense trees on both sides. It was very easy to see the distinct shapes being made as cars passed on the other side and a perfect U-shaped cutout that swivelled side to side for a car in front as the road curved.

[PhilS]

My lights don’t follow the curvature of the road when in auto mode. Is that expected behaviour?

[NewV90Owner]

I think there are two versions of the lights.

I have the Pro pack and that comes with enhance active beam lights.

[Jcbrown]

Originally Posted by PhilS

My lights don’t follow the curvature of the road when in auto mode. Is that expected behaviour?

As NewV90 says, it is optional.

Also, if your car does have them they can be deactivated/activated in either the Function View or Settings - at least the can in the S90, and the XC90 manual looks like it is the same there. Check out this page in the manual for details

If you don't have that option in the Function view or Settings, then I would think your car does not have the "bendy" lights

[Lexman8]

@PhilS: As you have Winter Plus I'm fairly sure you'll have both bending and Adaptive (not be be confused with the less functional Active) headlamps. As others said above, check that bending is enabled in Sensus. For Adaptive operation the light switch has to be turned beyond Auto whereupon a small letter 'A' will appear superimposed on the headlamp symbol in the driver's display.

Note that the degree to which the lights follow the road depends upon the amount of curvature and your speed. However, regardless of those 2 points, if there is a car in front the Adaptive system will always ensure that it remains in shadow.

[nu11eaf]

Originally Posted by Parslee

Excuse the pun but I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this:

1. LED headlights with active high beam (AHB) - these is standard on MY17 and HB is dipped as necessary depending on whether the sensors detect appropriate light sources on the road ahead.
2. Active Bending Headlights with Adaptive Shadow Technology (AST) - this is an optional extra (Winter Plus Pack) and AST basically *replaces* the AHB. and HB can be *permanently on* at night. The HB is filtered so it does not 'blind' appropriate light sources detected on the road ahead.

Is my understanding correct? How practical have people found these features in urban areas?

Anyone seen any links on how the AST works? It does not seem to be by controlling power to the LEDs or tilting them, rather some mechanical filtering using tiny cylinders or something..

Thanks in advance!

In my opinion the active high beam is great, the shadow tech and bending headlights are of little use, they seam like a bit of a gimmick.
I have found normal dipped beam better than shadow tech on some roads. But active high is a great advantage.

[chrisrixy]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

In my opinion the active high beam is great, the shadow tech and bending headlights are of little use, they seam like a bit of a gimmick.
I have found normal dipped beam better than shadow tech on some roads. But active high is a great advantage.

That's surprising - as I find the Adaptive shadow a stand-out feature - and if buying now I would have to get a Pro version just for this feature (it is no longer an option for non-Pro cars as far as I can see).

On rural highland roads the fact that you can maintain a view of both sides of the road when following a car, or one is approaching, which is great for stopping suicidal deer lurking at the edges. The way the lights just blank out the immediate area of the other vehicle is just so cleaver.

[Bernard F]

Originally Posted by chrisrixy

That's surprising - as I find the Adaptive shadow a stand-out feature - and if buying now I would have to get a Pro version just for this feature (it is no longer an option for non-Pro cars as far as I can see).

On rural highland roads the fact that you can maintain a view of both sides of the road when following a car, or one is approaching, which is great for stopping suicidal deer lurking at the edges. The way the lights just blank out the immediate area of the other vehicle is just so cleaver.

I absolutely agree with you, a fantastic improvement in car headlamp technology and I will never be without it in the future. Worth every penny. I am a country bumpkin however and Townes may not appreciate why we like it so much.

[nu11eaf]

The led headlights are one of the best features on the new cars, they are great, I only find the shadow function of little benefit, either way they are a million time better than the candles my landrover Defender has for headlights.

[NewV90Owner]

I think the lights are a standout feature. Even on motorways and dual carriageways they illuminate the road edges brilliantly.

I leave mine on auto all the time and it is great to have something that I never have to bother about.

I have a yeti with bendy lights as well. When I drive a car without them I really miss them.

Loads of things on modern cars are a bit gimmicky but not these lights.