I moved from UK to France in 2017 and because my 2015 A6 Allroad was still so 'young', I brought it to France. To comply with French law, I later had to register it on French plates. Having read the manual (p.48), I was under the impression the Xenon headlights would automatically adjust via the satnav system for driving on the right. Mine no longer do so (if they ever did) and the car has just failed its first MOT-equivalent because of this (in France it's when the car is 4 years old). Audi France say there is no adjustment that can be made to the car settings and I will have to replace the headlights (cost 2.5k euro). Audi UK say Tourist Mode is only temporary and because I've been in France a while now, at some point the headlights will have reverted back to UK settings. They were quite unable to tell me how long Tourist Mode lasts. Does anyone know, please, if there's a glimmer of hope and the computer / Tourist Mode can be reset? If not, surely the manual should have stated Tourist Mode is only temporary. I now have a car I can't readily sell in the UK as it's registered in France - and if I change the headlights, it will be illegal to drive in the UK... and I can't sell it in France as it's right hand drive (and currently has no MOT).
Who knew 'Tourist Mode' was temporary?!
- Thread starter Lindsey Hill
- Start date
I have a A6 S-Line C7 2011. In the MMI Vehicle Settings - Exterior Lights - Driving on the right.
Thanks, but that option isn't there on my car. It's mentioned in the manual, but not there, I think because it's supposed to adjust via the satnav. Audi France also confirmed it's not there.
There is a thread on here https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/driving-in-france-automatic-highlights.336835/ Might be some more threads.
Thanks again. I looked at that one and a few others before I posted, but couldn't see any references to Tourist Mode only being temporary. To be honest, the person I spoke to at Audi didn't sound too confident on this.
Do you not an option to activate, "Activate left/right hand drive switchover" in the MMI. I believe it might be something you could enable via VCDS
@DJAlix, do you happen to know how and where to enable/activate Tourist Mode via VCDS.
I don't have that option on my car - I guess because it's supposed to go into Tourist Mode via the satnav system. If I go into the settings for exterior lighting, according to the manual the option is there. But it's not - and Audi France couldn't find it either.
What is VCDS, please? I understand that it's a software system, but is it the one intrinsic to the car, or a tool I have to purchase? Thanks
It is a software used for diagnostics and adjustments of Volkswagen Group vehicles, i.e. Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda etc. The software is free to download however, it is the cable you need to connect to the OBD port in the car. If you check the VCDS map, unfortunately, there is only one user we have who might be able to assist however, I am not sure how close/far they are to you.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...source=embed&mid=1M8YUWXBDCxcIynV6WHg3zpxWsx8
Yes, I see @Hal Adams is in France... but quite a way from me. I am in the far south western corner, about an hour from San Sebastian, which is shown on the map. Maybe I need a road trip! I have 6 weeks to get this sorted (there's a period of 2 months after failing an MOT, to rectify any defaults - and I'm 2 weeks in). Thanks Tash.
Not a problem. I am sure either of them will come back with a reply. If not, I'll PM @Hal Adams and ask if he still has the cable and if he'd be willing to help for a few
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DJAlix
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Don't have any related notes for this modification, don't actually think its possible on one of the newer A6 4G platform vehicles.
If this works, I'll buy @Hal Adams a whole barrel of beer. Thank you so much, Tash.Not a problem. I am sure either of them will come back with a reply. If not, I'll PM @Hal Adams and ask if he still has the cable and if he'd be willing to help for a few
Hi @Lindsey Hill
Sadly I can’t help with the issue above but, welcome aboard anyway.
As you see there are many helpful members on ASN so hope you enjoy
Sadly I can’t help with the issue above but, welcome aboard anyway.
As you see there are many helpful members on ASN so hope you enjoy
Hi everyone and thanks for your replies. Just to round this off, it turns out my car has flat beams which in theory require no adjustment in France... but which nonetheless caused the car to fail its CT here (MOT-equivalent). After a huge amount of research and messing around, I finally found a CT centre that would accept headlight stickers, bought the stickers and took the car there today. 15 minutes later I was driving the car out of the workshop with a valid CT certificate - and no stickers! The very helpful guy there said all he'd needed to do was slightly tweak the screws behind the headlights to lower the beam a little. He said flat beams were fully acceptable for a CT in France and the guy who had originally failed my car was just plain wrong to do so.
Glad you got it all sorted. Sounds like it's not just some UK garages that get things wrong, even the place you eventually got it fixed from were confused over stickers or no stickers!
