D3 A8: How to adjust headlight range

[TrundleFly]

I had my first experience in the car of driving down dark country roads last night and found that the headlight range when dipped is too close. I could hardly see very far in front at all.

With other cars I've had a small dial to adjust the range but can't find anything similar in the A8.

Does anyone know how to adjust it? it's a 2004 3.0 TDI with Xenon Plus.

[PsYcHe]

Sounds more like something is wrong with the light calibration/positioning there. The Xenons should be self-levelling which is why the adjuster knob is missing.

[TrundleFly]

Yeah they are probably working OK, I just find that they don't light up enough of the road ahead. I've had self leveling ones in other cars but still with an adjustment for range.

[jimbutler]

From somewhere on the web - saved on my laptop for when I get time to do it...

1. Park the car on a level surface, 10 to 20 feet from a wall if possible. Connect the VAG-COM as usual, with both ignition and xenons on.

2. Select control module 55 - H. Light Range. This is somewhat hidden under "Less Common Modules"

3. Take note of the value in the Soft Coding cell. This is the headlight level as set by the dealer when they performed the PDI. If you manage to muck things up you can always go back to this default value

4. Click on "Recode - 07" and you will be able to modify this soft coding value. A smaller value aims the lights higher, and lower value aims the lights lower. Click on "Do it!" to see the lights move up or down.

5. Don't over do it. I suggest that you choose a value that still has a gentle downwards slope to avoid blinding other people on the road. I changed my original value from 00060 to 00020 and it's perfect.

6. Now you need to recalibrate the self-leveling reference point, or else you will throw a code the next time you start the car.

7. To do this, select "Basic Settings - 04" and scroll up to "Group 001". In a few seconds the first cell will change from "wait" to "set". Now scroll to "Group 002" and wait until the controller says "Learned"

8. Enjoy your improved visibility!

Hope it works!

Jim

[IceBlue8]

Does this apply to D2's with Xenons too?

[mikael]

Yes, all cars equipped with OEM xenon headlamps have automatic self-levelling systems for their headlamp beams. This is required by law.

[mikael]

I had my first experience in the car of driving down dark country roads last night and found that the headlight range when dipped is too close. I could hardly see very far in front at all.

With other cars I've had a small dial to adjust the range but can't find anything similar in the A8.

Does anyone know how to adjust it? it's a 2004 3.0 TDI with Xenon Plus.

I have a 2006 4.2 TDI with Xenon Plus lights, and I got a similar problem which required replacement of the ECU controlling the headlamp self-levelling. This was done under warranty. The only issue was that the Audi dealer did not calibrate it properly after changing it, and it was even worse. The dealer was adamant that they were correctly set when I complained, but they finally agreed to sort it after I complained again and told them I would complain to VOSA about their workshop which also does MOTs. They then found their headlamp testers were also incorrectly calibrated. Once they fixed these, they calibrated by car again and it has been fine ever since.