Just a query really. Picked up my 2009 Octy VRS and noticed the dipped beam is very short

Seems the light just stops a car length or two in front and the rest is complete dark, pretty hairy when a bend jumps out at you, full beam is fine.

Is this a trait of the Xenons on an Octy or does this need adjustment.

needs adjustment for sure

Is this something that can be done manually or do I need it doing professionally.

Cheers

OEM or retrofit Xenons?

you can do it your self but its far better to have it aligned by a mot standard light box than bodging it

Have you checked the beam height adjustment on the dash?

OEM xenon's should be put into 'learn mode' before any significant adjustment is made to prevent damage to the motors.

Have you checked the beam height adjustment on the dash?

You don't have this with factory fitted xenons as they self level

Thanks for all the replies.

They are OEM Xenons. Whereabouts is the beam adjustment on the dash ( might just be me but can't find it) also how do I go about putting them in learn mode.

Cheers

Edit: just seen reply about self levelling.

Edited 10 December, 201312 yr by Hungry Horace

As silver has said you don't have the light adjuster inside the car, only the std headlights have them.

They are put in learn mode via vcds

I have VCDS. Is it just a case of putting in learn mode and they sort out automatically or do I adjust them.

Cheers again

Put into learn mode, then adjust to where they should be.

I guess they need to go higher to solve my problem. Will this affect the high beam as well or are they separate adjustments.

Had the same problem myself. The dealer botched it twice (once too low, once towards the stars) so I just went on an empty piece of road at night and did it myself. There are two screws on each headlight, one controls up-down one left-right. Be sure to properly align them otherwise the light is weak.

I'm curious.

Only factory fitted xenons had the headlight washer?

I ask as I have an 06 L&K with headlight washers and adjustable beam from the dash.

Not only xenons have washers, others like your l&k do. Xenons will have auto washers, not sure if others do

Auto washers?

Mine are activated every 5 applications of the windscreen wash.

Auto washers?

Mine are activated every 5 applications of the windscreen wash.

 

'Auto' as in you can't turn them on via a button yourself, they come on as programmed. They're a requirement of Xenon headlights in the UK, along with a self-levelling system.

I am a little confused now as to whether these should be adjusted manually on the lights or via VCDS.

As I understand it, you use VCDS to put the headlights into 'Learning Mode' and then adjust manually, via the screw-adjusters on the headlight units. Doing it this way reduces the risk of damaging the units.

 

My advice would always be to play it safe, so if in any doubt, take it to a garage to have professionally adjusted. It'll be cheaper than potential repair bills should it go wrong.

There are versions of the MkII Octavia that are equipped with headlight washers but do not have the factory option of xenon headlights fitted as standard.

 

For example the Elegance and Scout models.

 

The very early L&K's (as with the 2006 car mentioned above) did not get xenon headlights as standard. Xenon's only became standard on the L&K sometime in 2007. Despite this all UK models of the L&K get the headlight wash system.

 

Headlight washers are a legal requirement when factory fit xenon headlights are fitted* (in addition to the self-levelling system).

 

This is the best check to see if xenon headlights are fitted. If the manual control to raise and lower the headlight beam is absent (located on the headlight switch next to the 'dash brightness' control) then you have factory fit xenons, no manual control means no xenon's (unless a previous owner has fitted an aftermarket HID kit). As all MkII Octavia's get projector headlights it is impossible to determine if xenon's are fitted by looking at the car externally (pre-FL only, the FL xenon's get AFS II so a visable cut-out can be seen that allows the lights to swivel left and right), unless of course the headlights are turned on in which case it is quite easy to tell.

 

* now not the case on xenon headlights that are rated at 2,000 lumens or below, such as with the new Skoda Rapid and some LED headlights.

Edited 11 December, 201312 yr by silver1011

I am a little confused now as to whether these should be adjusted manually on the lights or via VCDS.

 

At night, drive the car up to the garage door or wall. Engine off, headlights off.

 

Hook up VCDS, ignition on and put the headlights into 'learn or adjustment mode'.

 

Pop the bonnet and use the adjuster screws to manually alter the dipped headlight (xenon) beam to a suitable level.

 

Headlights off, ignition off, drop the bonnet, disconnect VCDS and drive.

 

Or better still ask the dealer to do it for you using a proper MOT spec beam adjuster to ensure you don't adjust them too high and dazzle on-coming drivers (much easier with xenon's than with normal halogens).

Edited 11 December, 201312 yr by silver1011

The xenons have a set position which is programmed into the ECU, similar to the memory buttons on the electric seats, this gives it the base position to start from before the car starts making adjustments according to the load on the suspension. That is why when you start the car up and turn the lights on, the lights do their dance to make sure the full range is available and the lights are set correctly according to the signals from the suspension sensors. If you go adjusting the lights without them in learn mode then how is the system meant to know what the new base position is.

Ian

Curious again, why do OEM xenons require a washer?

Surely a headlight is a headlight and a washer system is just an option which really doesn't clean much anyway but is an advancement from the old cars with wee headlight wipers.