Adaptive front lights - take 2

[BigAl]

Another observation comparing old and new models:-
My 2012-15 model had bi-xenon lights which were self levelling and steered as you cornered.
My 2015 model has LED adaptive lights. However, these don't steer, which is a disappointment Apparently they monitor what traffic is ahead and adjust the lights to suit, meaning that you don't have the ability to switch between dip and main beam. If the system is on (selectable) and the headlight stalk set to auto, you don't do anything at all, pushing the stalk to the main beam position does nothing.

Sounds good in practice, but what I've found is that, on dark country roads with nothing in front, it seems to remain permanently dipped The only way to gain extra light range is to pull the stalk back and "flash" the main beams. However, if you turn the adaptive lighting system off, you can switch between dip and main as normal.

Can anyone confirm that theirs is doing the same?

Alan

[xtrailman]

I thought that function was part of a £800 package?

[BigAl]

It is, I paid for it (includes LDWS system, etc). I just not sure it's working correctly?

Alan

[xtrailman]

According to the manual, if i'm reading it correctly.

For the auto dip to work (HBC) you need to select auto and main beam position. This should give a green light on the dash with a "A" inside.

Are you getting the green light?

Then there are conditions such as no lights in front of the car or general lighting , objects, and speed above 25mph. And others.

[BigAl]

Thanks, I'll have to check that out. I really must read the manual...

Alan

[xtrailman]

I had a xtrail for 4.5 years, after using it 3 years I couldn't get the head light washers to work.

I knew they only worked every 6th time the front screen wash was used, but they appeared to have packed in. After a lot of crawling under the car etc it turned out I had FORGOT that the lights needed to be on for them to work!

[BigAl]

According to the manual, if i'm reading it correctly.

For the auto dip to work (HBC) you need to select auto and main beam position. This should give a green light on the dash with a "A" inside.

Are you getting the green light?

Then there are conditions such as no lights in front of the car or general lighting , objects, and speed above 25mph. And others.

I can now confirm that this is all correct. Green light with A is there, blue high beam indicator comes on to confirm when it switches over.

Thanks, Alan.

[Ant]

Al - so, do the headlights on your car 'steer' as you corner? Mine do but I don't have the safety pack with the Adaptive LED lighting.

(Confusingly, Mazda call the headlight "steering" bit "Adaptive Front Lighting System" and the auto main/dip beam adjust thing "Adaptive LED Lighting"...hardly confusing at all really!)

[Willpower]

My 2015 model has LED adaptive lights. However, these don't steer, which is a disappointment
Alan

I think your question was answered in Alan's first post.

[Ant]

Thanks. Just wondered if that might have changed through checking the settings. Seems odd that this feature is removed if you select the safety pack.

[Willpower]

I'm not sure that the method of construction and form of the LED lighting elements are "Steerable" which is why that option is not offered.  I might however be totally wrong.

I found this to be a very interesting article http://www.autoevolution.com/news/battle-of-the-headlights-halogen-vs-xenon-vs-led-26530.html  and it might in some way explain the difficulties involved when using LEDS       

[Deeps]

Very interesting article and learned a lot so thanks for that. 

[BigAl]

My 2015 model has LED adaptive lights. However, these don't steer, which is a disappointment
Alan

I think your question was answered in Alan's first post.

I'm not too sure now. They weren't steering like the Xenons of the previous model did, but that was before I found out how to use the adaptive lighting setting properly  I've not driven it in the dark properly since then to be able to check.

The odd thing with the Xenon steering version was that when turning left, the RH light swings inwards and crosses over the left beam, whilst the left beam remains as-is. Reverse happens when turning right. Best way to see this happening is in foggy conditions. It does make sense as by using the opposite light, you can effectively see around corners better.

Alan

[xtrailman]

This is what should be happening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EZK_i4Zeoo

I'm confused now as it appears AFS is available in the USA.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsSpecs&vehicleCode=CX5

Have you checked in settings to see if a AFS on/off option exists? Its mentioned in the manual.

[Ant]

Thanks for the links - both interesting.

Be good to see an update after you've been out in the dark Al?

My car has the LED headlamps with the adaptive front lighting system and you can see the headlights "steering" especially in the recent fog. It looks like it's the headlight on the same side you turn into though - so nearside headlight moves for lefthand corners, offside for righthand. This only works while the car is moving as well so if you try to do it while stationary, nothing happens. Similarly, if the steering wheel is turned as you come to a stop, you can see the relevant light move back to the straight ahead position as the car comes to a halt. I've seen the headlights do a kind of "reset" thing - moving to the side then back to straight ahead - as they come on when you start the engine as well.