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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: steve12345 on 02 October 2019, 18:52

Title: Headlights
Post by: steve12345 on 02 October 2019, 18:52
Anyone else find the headlights on the gti to be fairly weak?
We have a few streets near us that have no lighting at the moment (they must be doing some repairs or works). I’ve noticed at night the headlights don’t really light up much of the road. I had to check they if they were even turned on.

I believe the gti has xenons, my old car had regular old fashioned bulbs but I never really had noticed any issues with that.

Has anyone else noticed the headlights not being overly powerful on unlit / dark roads?

I have a 2014 Mk 7 I presume that’s one of the early mk7’s.

Has anyone upgraded the bulbs? Will it even make a difference? If so which ones should I try?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: steve12345 on 02 October 2019, 19:04
Whoops - I just noticed the headlight adjustment thread on the how too section!

I’ll give that a try first.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: mcmaddy on 02 October 2019, 20:13
I've got the bi xenons on a 2016 GTi and they are excellent.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Finglonga on 02 October 2019, 20:14
You will find when you have adjusted them they will be much, much better. I have a 2014 GTI and when new they were borderline dangerous as they were set too low and the cut off is so abrupt. I have absolutely no problems now they are the correct height.

 I have also coded the fog lights to come on with high beam to give a little more light.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: steve12345 on 02 October 2019, 20:28
I've got the bi xenons on a 2016 GTi and they are excellent.

How do I know which ones I have?
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: steve12345 on 02 October 2019, 20:33
You will find when you have adjusted them they will be much, much better. I have a 2014 GTI and when new they were borderline dangerous as they were set too low and the cut off is so abrupt. I have absolutely no problems now they are the correct height.

 I have also coded the fog lights to come on with high beam to give a little more light.


Thanks, I’ll I’ll see how get on without coding fog lights in. Hoping it will be enough
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: mcmaddy on 02 October 2019, 20:56
You'll have the bi xenons as all mk7 gtis do.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Carbon VW on 02 October 2019, 21:06
You'll have the bi xenons as all mk7 gtis do.

Unless your in Ireland where they were an €1800 option on early models as I had to pay !
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Mutley75 on 02 October 2019, 21:32
You'll have the bi xenons as all mk7 gtis do.

Unless your in Ireland where they were an €1800 option on early models as I had to pay !

My 19 plate GTI has dynamic LEDs and they’re awesome. They automatically cast a shadow over oncoming cars so I effectively drive on full beam all the time.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: mcmaddy on 03 October 2019, 06:15
You'll have the bi xenons as all mk7 gtis do.

Unless your in Ireland where they were an €1800 option on early models as I had to pay !
yes true, so as long as the OP doesn't have an Irish import he should have bi xenons.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Philip on 03 October 2019, 06:50
Assuming you do have bi-xenon it is worth checking that they are on UK settings in the lights menu. When I collected my 2016 PP the headlights seemed very weak and it transpired that they had been set to dip to the right by the dealer so not illuminating the road in front, just dazzling oncoming drivers. Changing settings to right hand traffic sorted this but is counterintuitive as we drive on the left...
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: sjw on 03 October 2019, 09:25
You'll have the bi xenons as all mk7 gtis do.

Unless your in Ireland where they were an €1800 option on early models as I had to pay !

My 19 plate GTI has dynamic LEDs and they’re awesome. They automatically cast a shadow over oncoming cars so I effectively drive on full beam all the time.

I'm very very jealous of these. I can't believe they made them standard, when they were not one but TWO extras away on my 2017.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Mutley75 on 03 October 2019, 09:28
You'll have the bi xenons as all mk7 gtis do.

Unless your in Ireland where they were an €1800 option on early models as I had to pay !

My 19 plate GTI has dynamic LEDs and they’re awesome. They automatically cast a shadow over oncoming cars so I effectively drive on full beam all the time.

I'm very very jealous of these. I can't believe they made them standard, when they were not one but TWO extras away on my 2017.

I had high beam assist on my A3 but this takes it to a whole new level. I love my gadgets anyway but never having to do anything with the lights (apart from indicating) is really impressive.  Especially given the lights themselves are almost like driving in daylight (but without dazzling other road users, as per xenons).
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: sjw on 03 October 2019, 12:10
You'll have the bi xenons as all mk7 gtis do.

Unless your in Ireland where they were an €1800 option on early models as I had to pay !

My 19 plate GTI has dynamic LEDs and they’re awesome. They automatically cast a shadow over oncoming cars so I effectively drive on full beam all the time.

I'm very very jealous of these. I can't believe they made them standard, when they were not one but TWO extras away on my 2017.

I had high beam assist on my A3 but this takes it to a whole new level. I love my gadgets anyway but never having to do anything with the lights (apart from indicating) is really impressive.  Especially given the lights themselves are almost like driving in daylight (but without dazzling other road users, as per xenons).

You're not exactly making this easier to take....
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: dubber36 on 03 October 2019, 12:53

 I have also coded the fog lights to come on with high beam to give a little more light.

How have you done that? All I've managed to find is fog lights inactive with high beam?
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Finglonga on 03 October 2019, 18:04

 I have also coded the fog lights to come on with high beam to give a little more light.

How have you done that? All I've managed to find is fog lights inactive with high beam?

VCDS or OBDEleren instructions.....

19- Central Electronics
16- Security code 31347
10- Adaptations

Left side

8 Leuchte12NL LB45 Lichtfunktion C 12 “not active” > Nebellicht links

9 Leuchte 12NL LB45 Lichtfunktion D 12 “not active” > Lichthupe generell

10 Leuchte 12NL LB45 Dimmwert CD12 “0” > 127

11 Leuchte 12 NL LB45 Dimming Direction CD 12 “maximize” > maximize

Right side

8 Leuchte 13NL RB5 Lichtfunktion C 13 “not active” > Nebellicht rechts

9 Leuchte 13NL RB5 Lichtfunktion D13 “not active” > Lichthupe generell

10 Leuchte 13NL RB5 Dimmwert  CD 13 “0” > 127

11 Leuchte 13NL RB5 Dimming direction CD 13 “maximize” > maximize

If you want the front fog lights come on with standard main beam (i.e. not just on the flash setting).


Leuchte12NL LB45-Lichtfunktion C 12 > not active > “left high beam”

Leuchte13NL RB5-Lichtfunktion C 13 > not active > “right high beam”
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: fab5freddy on 03 October 2019, 19:09
Assuming you do have bi-xenon it is worth checking that they are on UK settings in the lights menu. When I collected my 2016 PP the headlights seemed very weak and it transpired that they had been set to dip to the right by the dealer so not illuminating the road in front, just dazzling oncoming drivers. Changing settings to right hand traffic sorted this but is counterintuitive as we drive on the left...

Thanks for posting this, just been out and checked mine, found them set to left hand side.

I’ve done the upward adjustment as well, so hoping to see an improvement 😊
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: dubber36 on 04 October 2019, 13:30

VCDS or OBDEleren instructions.....


 :smiley:
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Finglonga on 04 October 2019, 14:27

VCDS or OBDEleren instructions.....


 :smiley:

Must be my Chinese spell checker.... :grin:
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Sootchucker on 04 October 2019, 15:19
I have to agree with Mutley75 about the new MK7.5 LED dynamic headlights. I specc'd them (before they came standard) on my 18 plate GTI, and because I haven't driven much at night over the last few months forgot that i had them.

Last night I was following a friend down a very dark country lane for several miles. He was about 5 car lengths or so ahead of me, and it was fascinating to watch the lights move around as we went round bends etc, and the rectangular mask that was projected over his car on main beam, kept his car dead centre of the mask.

When we'd finished, I asked him if my headlights dazzled him, and he said no, they were very bright in his rear view mirror, but he said never to a point where it was blinding at all. He said TBH, he thought I was on dipped beam as he knew that LED headlights were very bright anyway.

Another cool advantage of course is when not on main beam, you get both the inner and outer headlights units on as standard, whereas I think MK7.5's without dynamic headlights only get the outer headlight lenses as dipped beam only ?
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: sjw on 04 October 2019, 15:49
I have to agree with Mutley75 about the new MK7.5 LED dynamic headlights. I specc'd them (before they came standard) on my 18 plate GTI, and because I haven't driven much at night over the last few months forgot that i had them.

Last night I was following a friend down a very dark country lane for several miles. He was about 5 car lengths or so ahead of me, and it was fascinating to watch the lights move around as we went round bends etc, and the rectangular mask that was projected over his car on main beam, kept his car dead centre of the mask.

When we'd finished, I asked him if my headlights dazzled him, and he said no, they were very bright in his rear view mirror, but he said never to a point where it was blinding at all. He said TBH, he thought I was on dipped beam as he knew that LED headlights were very bright anyway.

Another cool advantage of course is when not on main beam, you get both the inner and outer headlights units on as standard, whereas I think MK7.5's without dynamic headlights only get the outer headlight lenses as dipped beam only ?

Right, where can I buy the parts for a retrofit?  :laugh:
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Adam T7 on 04 October 2019, 18:01
I also have them, they are superb, much better than anything I have had before.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: steve12345 on 05 October 2019, 12:05
Assuming you do have bi-xenon it is worth checking that they are on UK settings in the lights menu. When I collected my 2016 PP the headlights seemed very weak and it transpired that they had been set to dip to the right by the dealer so not illuminating the road in front, just dazzling oncoming drivers. Changing settings to right hand traffic sorted this but is counterintuitive as we drive on the left...


So I’ve done this and set it to right hand traffic, it was originally on left hand traffic. However now the car tells me each time I turn it on that the car headlights are set to drive on the right hand side.

I presume this is now set for Europe driving, and it’s reminding me each time to change back to UK setting?

I couldnt adjust the headlights need a longer Allen key - will get some this weekend and have a go at adjusting.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: steve12345 on 10 October 2019, 21:41
Set the lights back to left hand traffic and given both sides 2 upward turns on the adjustment bolts.

Already a massive improvement with just two turns, might need an extra half on each side and that will probably be perfect.

The lights are very impressive now.

Thanks all for the help.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 11 October 2019, 09:21
Good to hear you've sorted it. Cars with standard xenons should be pretty good at night so you were right to ask!