Well, thanks to all who responded to my original post. There seems to be a clear split between those who are very satisfied with their lights, and those who are less so. The answer from Wirral Cars was interesting. I assume that set up on the computer means by the dealer? When I went back to my dealer. they just checked the lights on a standard beam setter, with no electronic tests being carried out. Maybe I should ask for this to be done.

I will be looking into the information in post from dieselV6 as this ties in with my feeling that the dip cut-off is set too low. Unfortunately, I didn't note the setting that the dealer declared to be "spot-on". I will try to find out. I've read may posts about things that can done with VCDS, but am concerned that it could mess things up/invalidate the warranty. Are my concerns unfounded?

As a final point, is satisfaction, or otherwise, with the lights anything to do with the type of night driving that is done? Mine has been either on the country roads and lanes of Kent, or on French Autoroutes with "travel mode" set.

When they are set up to travel mode they are not working to their full ability (AFS not working)

Providing you find someone who knows what they are doing with VCDS then there will be no worries with messing things up, I am happy to show you what can be activated on the Superb, what trim level do you have?

My view - they're the best headlights I've had on a car. Agree the problem is likely to be the settings, also if a lot of your travel is in France with the 'travel' mode operative, probably this will inhibit the true excellence of the lights.

BTW, agree with the earlier post about Fabia lights - two candles would be as good, what they're like in the Monte Carlo version with 'smoked headlight covers' I only fear to witness!

I will be looking into the information in post from dieselV6 as this ties in with my feeling that the dip cut-off is set too low. Unfortunately, I didn't note the setting that the dealer declared to be "spot-on". I will try to find out. I've read may posts about things that can done with VCDS, but am concerned that it could mess things up/invalidate the warranty. Are my concerns unfounded?

VCDS will not validate warranty, it is merely used in this case to set the headlight range controller to a reference position, where VW normally specifies 1.0deg down beam, even though MOT allows 0.5deg down beam. By the way, you can usually read the setting on top of headlamp, just open the bonnet,

Also, regarding travel/tourist mode, does it really switch the beam shape (ie can you see the inverted beam, s-shaped instead of z-shaped on the wall)? I ask because earlier versions of travel/tourist mode merely dipped the lights further down, so that the top part of z-shaped beam was at -1deg, and bottom part was at ?-3deg. It would help me a lot if you could confirm how the low beam looks on the wall in travel mode compared to normal mode. The insane way of switching beam in earlier adaptive lights was one reason I always went with non-adaptive projectors and their internal "flat beam" switch so far. But if the beam is now fully switched from z-beam to s-beam than I might consider adaptive lights for next car..

This is from the 2012 manual (appreciate it doesn't answer your question about s or z beam but might be of some help)

Adaptive headlights (AHL)

Switch on the adaptive headlights

– Turn the light switch ? fig. 35 into position AUTO. The AHL system is activated if:

- the light sensor recognizes the low light intensity,

- no reverse gear is engaged,

- the operation “tourist light” is not switched on.

The light sensor switches on the full outer illumination at low light intensity.

System AHL makes it possible to change the length and width of illumination of the headlight. The length and width of illumination changes automatically in rela- tion to the vehicle speed and the use of the windscreen wiper.

System AHL operates in the following modes.

Mode out of town

The mode “out of town” is a basic mode. The dispersion of the cone of light in front of the vehicle is similar to the low beam. The mode is active if none of the following modes are active.

Mode rain

In the mode “rain” the dispersion of the cone of light in front of the vehicle is wid- er and the width of illumination is shorter, so that during bad weather (rain) the dazzling of the oncoming drivers can be reduced. The mode is activated at speeds of 15 - 70 km/h and if the windscreen wipers continuously operate for a period of time longer than 2 minutes. The mode is deactivated when dropping below or ex- ceeding the set speed limit or if the windscreen wipers have been switched off for a period of time longer than 8 minutes.

Mode city

In the mode “city”, the dispersion of the cone of light in front of the vehicle is wid- er and the width of illumination is shorter. It has as an aim to illuminate the adja- cent footpaths, crossings, pedestrian crossings etc. The mode is active at speeds of 15 - 50 km/h.

Mode motorway

In the mode “motorway” the dispersion of the cone of light is so widespread, that it illuminates also the left (and right) 1) lane of the motorway, so that the driver can react in time to an obstacle or any other danger. The mode is activated step- wise as of a speed of 90 km/h. It gains its greatest effectiveness at speeds above 120 km/h.

Tourist light

This mode makes it possible to drive in countries with opposing traffic system, driving on the left/right, without dazzling the oncoming vehicles. When the mode “tourist light” is active, the above mentioned modes and the side to side swivel of the headlight is deactivated.

The mode “tourist light” is activated/deactivated via the Information display in the menu:

Settings

Travel mode

Off

Switched on

Edited 2 February, 201313 yr by artichoke273

I just love the little dance the lights do when you first switch them on.

Yes, it said the same for the previous light that kept z-beam and just lowered the lights by another 3deg, resulting in ridiculously short headlight range and dim pavement.

Could anyone owning the current adaptive lights confirm if they switch the "z" shaped beam cutoff to "s" shaped beam cutoff when Tourist mode is activated?

Easy enough to see cutoff shape on the wall.

When they are set up to travel mode they are not working to their full ability (AFS not working)

Providing you find someone who knows what they are doing with VCDS then there will be no worries with messing things up, I am happy to show you what can be activated on the Superb, what trim level do you have?

I'm obviously particularly keen to see if there is any improvement possible with the dip beam - for me, this is the only thing about the car which does not exceed my expectations. However, I'm interested in making the most of whatever the car is capable of, so, yes, thanks for the offer, I'd like to know what can be done with VCDS, if there is no risk. Our car is an Elegance Estate 1.8TSI DSG.

I'd like to know what can be done with VCDS, if there is no risk. Our car is an Elegance Estate 1.8TSI DSG.

The following should be applicable to your car:

• Seatbelt warning bong disabled (both front seats are monitored)
  
• Cruise control speed display (only on a petrol Superb - not had chance to test this personally yet)
  
• Maxidot fuel consumption calibration - they can typically read over by 10% (you need to know the exact consumption and the maxidot consumption before it can be calibrated)
  
• Cornering foglights
  
• Front foglights for CH & LH lights (prolongs the xenon’s life)
  
• Large digital MPH readout in the maxidot
  
• Electric tailgate warning bongs disabled
  
• Footwell lights on with sidelights (when driving, this is dim able)
  
• Telephone connection bong disabled
  

There are also several other adaptations that can be done by yourself through the maxidot, from memory things like:

• Turn on / off the DRL’s
  
• Alarm chirps
  
• Selective unlocking
  
• Anti hi-jack (Auto locking / un locking)
  
• Adjust brightness of footwell lights
  
• Tourist lights
  

If you want me to do your car then send me a PM and we can arrange a convenient date.

Could anyone actually owning the current adaptive lights please confirm if they switch the "z" shaped beam cutoff to "s" shaped beam cutoff when Tourist mode is activated?

Easy enough to see cutoff shape on the wall.

Forgive me for repeating the question, but since half of my Mk1 Superb mileage is driven at night and in Europe , I really would appreciate an answer to this one (as opposed to manual extracts posted earlier).

From memory when in tourist mode they simply flat beam the headlights, there is no kick up at all (and no AFS movement)

Hi Guys,

I am curious about tourist mode. I am driving a 2013 elegance which is a week old. (I haven't actually driven it much yet as I am away on business). It's a Danish car and its LHD; I am bringing it over to the UK next month. When I am there do I need to activate tourist mode or will the AFS do the the work for me?

Would appreciate any advice as I wouldnt want to dazzle you when passing by! I also couldn't find the setting on the MFD, but will have to check once again upon my return.

When I am there do I need to activate tourist mode or will the AFS do the the work for me?

Yes, tourist mode applies whenever you're driving on the opposite side of the road to that of your home country, so you should activate it when in the UK.

Edited 8 February, 201313 yr by artichoke273

Thanks will make sure its activated.

The following should be applicable to your car:

• 
  
• Cruise control speed display (only on a petrol Superb - not had chance to test this personally yet)
  

hi,

just to check, which controller in vagcom do u go into to enable the above.

thanks in advance.

cheers

Controller will be instruments.

Controller will be instruments.

Correct.

It will only work on petrol engined cars though.

It will only work on petrol engined cars though.

Correction: it will only work on SOME petrol engines.

I own an MY2012 1.8 TSI, and in my car it doesn't work. From what I've heard it only works up to MY2010.

Thats interesting, but TBH the only cars I know of it working on are all 3.6’s

Not all xenons are self levelling

Really?

I thought self levelling and headlight washers were mandatory with factory fit xenon headlights in the UK?

They are, well now anyway.

Really?

I thought self levelling and headlight washers were mandatory with factory fit xenon headlights in the UK?

No not all cars had them fitted from the factory many Lexus and other Jap cars didnt , maybe thats been corrected under Type approval nowadays but many cars even high end stuff didnt leave the factory with them , its causing real problems in NI where they have decided to insist that washers and self levelling systems are fitted to any car with Xenons, in GB its a case that if they are fitted they must work

Interesting thread here on pistonheads regarding this

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=122&t=1169094&mid=87660&i=0&nmt=HID+lights+and+MOT&mid=87660

Note the absence of washers on my Skyline

I believe it is now a legal requirement for Xenon lights to be self leveling and have washers but I dont know from what date, I know this has caused some problems in the bike world where owners have converted thier motorcycle to xonons and failed the MOT due to no washers or self leveling.

As for the Superb lights I came from a Jag X type and the lights on tha twere very poor, previously I had a SAAB 95 with Zonons and the Superb is slightly better, but find the Auto setting is best

There is one minor downside to leaving the lights permanently on `Auto`, and that is...if you store your car in the garage (dark) then as soon as you start the car the lights come on... and then off again once you are out in the daylight...which, as I understand, is not good for them...something to do with heat generation I think. Anyway, I have taught myself to always switch them off before entering the garage and on again once out. Course...this doesn't mean anything if you always drive in the dark!

The striking phase is the most stressful on an HID xenon lamp. That's when the >20,000 volt kick is sent from the ballast/ignitor to establish the arc in the capsule followed by the stabilising phase and the arc maintenance phase which is the normal running of the lamp. Warm restarts are less stressful as the metal salts are still in a vapourised state.

Rapid cold restarts aren't good either but I believe the latest generations of HID systems are more tolerant to this. More and more cars have a single HID lamp for main/dipped beam as well as 'flash to pass', no halogen lamp to be seen anywhere. The Yeti Elegance is a good example of this along with certain Lambos and Porkers.

My coming home/leaving home lights don't work if the headlight switch is set to 'off' so they are always left in Auto.

A pair of genuine Osram Xenarcs can be had for less than £100 so i'll just replace them when they start to get a little tired.

Besides, I replaced the OEM burners with a pair of 5000K Xenarcs not too long ago. Great on clear nights, shocking in foggy and snowy conditions but that is to be expected given the colour temperature. 5000K is my absolute limit on output colour too.

As for tourist mode, as far as I can see it disables AFS, drops the dipped beam level slightly and points the beams a little towards the offside. AFAIK it can't change the cutoff pattern as that is fixed.