S4 driving in France

[chrisb72]

I’m currently in France with the family and the S4. Our long journey here ended up being in the dark and I read before I set off that with Matrix lights there is no need to fit headlight converters, but I was flashed a number of times by drivers on the opposite carriage way. I was loaded to the max plus a bike carrier with 4 bikes so I might have been angled upwards more than normal, but I would have thought the self levelling would sort that?

I’m now wondering if it was true about Matrix lights adjusting due to the GPS location of the car?

Any help appreciated before I get fined by the French police!

 

[Spearo]

They’re automatic mate ... done via gps and MMI knowing your continental location.

I suspect it might be the load you have on - although you might’ve expected them to cope with that too !

 

[Nick_B]

They’re automatic mate ... done via gps and MMI knowing your continental location.

I suspect it might be the load you have on - although you might’ve expected them to cope with that too !

I have had exactly the same problem (i.e. headlight flashes) when driving on the continent. I have the matrix lights as well, although the car was lightly loaded. Am driving to Croatia next month so would really like a solution......

 

[alFR]

I had the same issue (see here). No excessive load (just a couple of bags in the boot and only 2 people on board). Parking facing a wall with the lights on revealed they definitely still had a left bias in France, with the left side of the beam noticeably higher than the right:

Had quite a long back-and-forth via email with Audi UK about it, who (even after seeing the photo above) were adamant that the lights didn't need adjusting when abroad. Gave up with Audi in the end and ended up buying and fitting a set of deflectors before we drove home, if for no other reason than to be able to say "But I've got deflectors fitted, officer". Car has been serviced since then and apparently all is working correctly. Would be fascinated to hear if anyone else can find out anything more useful from Audi...

 

[cuke2u]

I have had exactly the same problem (i.e. headlight flashes) when driving on the continent. I have the matrix lights as well, although the car was lightly loaded. Am driving to Croatia next month so would really like a solution......

The matrix headlamps are designed to pick up oncoming vehicles and alter them accordingly. So where you on automatic full or manual? On auto there shouldn't be an issue...

 

[HOGG]

You can't just park against a wall and say look it's still RHD
Its not 1989 anymore.

Matrix lights adjust on the go.... do some research. You are being flashed because them lights are damn bright



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[chrisb72]

The matrix headlamps are designed to pick up oncoming vehicles and alter them accordingly. So where you on automatic full or manual? On auto there shouldn't be an issue...

My lights were on Auto

I very much doubt I’ll drive again for long in the dark over here during this trip so it shouldn’t be an issue, but it was a bit of a concern especially after I’d done my research and sworn blind we didn’t need headlamp deflectors!!

 

[alFR]

You can't just park against a wall and say look it's still RHD
Its not 1989 anymore.

I know how they work, thanks. And it's left hand drive, not right (we are in the UK). As you are obviously some sort of automotive lighting expert, perhaps you could enlighten (pun intended) us on how the beam pattern I showed on the photo (which was with the lights dipped, not in matrix mode) is appropriate for driving on the right? FYI I was getting flashed by other drivers whether the lights were on full beam "matrix" mode or not. Oh, and the same thing doesn't happen in the UK (apart from very odd occasions when I'm going round a corner with the full beam on and the matrix lights don't pick up an oncoming car in time to adjust).

 

[HOGG]

I know how they work, thanks. And it's left hand drive, not right (we are in the UK). As you are obviously some sort of automotive lighting expert, perhaps you could enlighten (pun intended) us on how the beam pattern I showed on the photo (which was with the lights dipped, not in matrix mode) is appropriate for driving on the right? FYI I was getting flashed by other drivers whether the lights were on full beam "matrix" mode or not.

RHD = referring to the vehicle
The pattern will appear as shown when not in matrix mode. (Dipped beam is not adaptive). You'll always get flashed either way. As in matrix mode, they're very bright lights and when in "normal" dipped beam mode. The lights are set for driving on the left.

Hope this helps you understand how your lights work!

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[alFR]

Dipped beam is not adaptive

Doesn't make sense for Audi to say they don't need adjusting in that case, does it? Surely they need deflectors for use in dipped mode when driving on the right?

 

[Jabba1980]

Doesn't make sense for Audi to say they don't need adjusting in that case, does it? Surely they need deflectors for use in dipped mode when driving on the right?

According to this link, the led’s have a flat beam and do not need adjusting for LHD or RHD.

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/driving-in-france-automatic-highlights.336835/

 

[alFR]

Look at the photo I posted above: doesn't look very flat, does it?

 

[cuke2u]

Was the photo taken with the lights dipped or on auto? If they are on auto then surely they are just doing what they're meant too, shining the light around the one it can see on the right?

 

[RS3 S.]

..........with a lot of cars having l.e.d lights these days do you still carry an ''old style'' spare bulb kit as required on the continent?. Don't see the point if there l.e.d ?.

 

[cuke2u]

Someone did post about you can carry some bulbs just in case you are stopped by a person in uniform who is lacking in headlamp knowledge..