S80 D3 2011 - External Lighting Options

[Carman15]

Hi

Am I the only one that finds the external lighting options to be most odd?

The lighting switch gives 3 options. The centre position gives side lights only, turn to the left and it adds dipped beam headlights and turn to the right it adds dipped and main beam headlights. Why?? What is the point of the left position ie dipped only?

It would be far more logical to have the left position as lights off, the middle for sides only and the right for headlights dipped or main. An auto position is also standard on most uk cars.

I know that lights are compulsary all the time in Sweden but we are in the uk so don't need any lighting in bright sunny weather. Years ago I had an S70 which had daytime lighting but it was possible for owners to switch them off if they chose to do so.

Rant over!

[Andy W V70]

On our V70 we just leave it in position three which is the automatic setting.

[Jimsmith44]

I do believe it's so you don't leave your main beam on permanently after "flashing" somebody.

[GrahamBrown1]

Just leave it on auto haha, my 2014 model has day time running lights where fog lights would be, I guess yours doesn’t so it uses the head lights as day time lighting. You can turn them off with the Vida software.

[Carman15]

So - the only answer is the Vida software which I assume means a visit to the Volvo dealership. But would that give an option for no daytime lighting or just delete the headlamps in position 1?

The problem for me is that all 3 positions put the front and rear lighting on whenever the engine is running. Position 2 just has the sidelights on and on a sunny day you would struggle to see them so there is no point.

I have been leaving mine in position 3 so headlights are on all the time which must shorten bulb life and put unnecessary load on the alternator and leave less energy available for battery charging.

[Tatsfield]

Originally Posted by Carman15

So - the only answer is the Vida software which I assume means a visit to the Volvo dealership.

No, the other answer is to buy your own clone VIDA/DiCE and do it yourself. For what a dealer is going to charge for a "diagnostic session" you can buy the DiCE adapter cable, get the software thrown in and buy an old Win7 based laptop on which to run it and then you'll have your own diagnostics for the rest of your Volvo ownership. Even if you don't do your own repairs, it's very useful to be able to tell the garage who are going to carry out work for you that you know what is wrong with the car and give them the printout to help them.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Carman15

Hi

Am I the only one that finds the external lighting options to be most odd?

The lighting switch gives 3 options. The centre position gives side lights only, turn to the left and it adds dipped beam headlights and turn to the right it adds dipped and main beam headlights. Why?? What is the point of the left position ie dipped only?

It would be far more logical to have the left position as lights off, the middle for sides only and the right for headlights dipped or main. An auto position is also standard on most uk cars.

I know that lights are compulsary all the time in Sweden but we are in the uk so don't need any lighting in bright sunny weather. Years ago I had an S70 which had daytime lighting but it was possible for owners to switch them off if they chose to do so.

Rant over!

Position 1 is "off" which is Day running lights, which in your case is dip beams and parking lights. turn ignition off and it all goes out. Its all in the hand book

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Carman15

So - the only answer is the Vida software which I assume means a visit to the Volvo dealership. But would that give an option for no daytime lighting or just delete the headlamps in position 1?

The problem for me is that all 3 positions put the front and rear lighting on whenever the engine is running. Position 2 just has the sidelights on and on a sunny day you would struggle to see them so there is no point.

I have been leaving mine in position 3 so headlights are on all the time which must shorten bulb life and put unnecessary load on the alternator and leave less energy available for battery charging.

In the Uk side lights have no legal significance when driving - they’re actually just parking lights - and hence in that position (I) they remain on when the key is removed/ignition off. In other positions all lights will go out when the engine is off.

On some cars, when in position O I.e. day running lights, the headlamps are fed with a slightly lower power circa 80% - this significantly reduces the deterioration of the lamps.

But many of us leave it in Pos II… on later cars with LED DRLs it means you don’t inadvertently drive in fog with front DRLs and no rear lights which 30% of drivers seem to do, if the rely on leaving it set to auto.

[S90]

Originally Posted by Carman15

Hi

Am I the only one that finds the external lighting options to be most odd?

The lighting switch gives 3 options. The centre position gives side lights only, turn to the left and it adds dipped beam headlights and turn to the right it adds dipped and main beam headlights. Why?? What is the point of the left position ie dipped only?

It would be far more logical to have the left position as lights off, the middle for sides only and the right for headlights dipped or main. An auto position is also standard on most uk cars.

I know that lights are compulsary all the time in Sweden but we are in the uk so don't need any lighting in bright sunny weather. Years ago I had an S70 which had daytime lighting but it was possible for owners to switch them off if they chose to do so.

Rant over!

Actually, day time running lights on new cars are now law in the UK.

[apersson850]

Depending on which version of the car's software you have, the functionality of the switch can be different.
My XC70 2012 (sold in Sweden) had DRL in left position, parking lights in center position and all on (dipped and high beam possible) in right position.
DRL is implemented by dipped headlights. High beam will not persist in left position.

Then came a software update.
Left position all on (dipped and high possible) but no ABL, center position parking light and right position all on (dipped and high) plus ABL active.

Then came a software update.
Left position all on (dipped and high possible) and ABL active, center position parking light and right position all on (dipped and high possible) and ABL active.

After that nu further update.
Why they for a while included ABL on/off on that switch, when there already were two other ways to turn that on/orr I don't understand. Neither did they at Volvo, apparently, since they took it away again.

Our XC70 2016 has the Auto position too, where switching between DRL (dedicated DRL lamps in the same place as the older one has the front fog lights) and dipped/high beam is automatic. It also has automatic high beam on/off, if you want to.