Are headlights getting even brighter or is it me?!

[Riskyrice]

Dear god, the season of night driving is always bad, but it seems headlights are getting even worse? Driving home just now was like being attacked by hundreds of torches right in the eye! I've still got white spots.

I do wear glasses and have mild astigmatism, but it's getting to the point where it feels borderline unsafe to drive at night. Is there anything I can do to reduce the dazzling?

I didn't think the drive coating on my glasses did any good. Until I brought a new pair without. It really does help.

@HannibalHayeski

I know you think you're being smart. That particular link does after all take you to a page on how to adjust headlights on an XC60...however...

What you may not have noticed is that the page is specific for Volvo XC60s fitted with Halogen Bulbs.... (Click the little "i" icon).

And does not apply to Volvo XC60 models fitted with LED headlights. Which as I've said before, are not adjustable.

I hope you feel better for swearing dear....

Also, most Volvo XC60 models have full LED lights as standard, I think only 1 model variant does not / where they are an optional extra.

God yes, I don't drive in the dark much, but it seems to be getting worse. It's like torture for my eyes.

I have short sight, astigmatism and mild cataracts. Opticians keep telling me that it is fine to drive. But night time is just a nightmare (!) now - the lights are undoubtedly brighter and I feel totally blinded by oncoming cars at night. I live in the country and to be honest prefer the lanes as there are so few approaching cars.

At night I only do short drives on familiar routes. It is very limiting on my life.

I do think that there should be some legal limits on brightness of car headlights - or, if there are already rules, then they need to be tightened up.

[quote IreneSmith]@HannibalHayeski

I know you think you're being smart. That particular link does after all take you to a page on how to adjust headlights on an XC60...however...

What you may not have noticed is that the page is specific for Volvo XC60s fitted with Halogen Bulbs.... (Click the little "i" icon).

And does not apply to Volvo XC60 models fitted with LED headlights. Which as I've said before, are not adjustable.

I hope you feel better for swearing dear....[/quote]
Every page I've looked at on the Volvo website says that it's adjustable.

Frankly, I think you're lying because you don't want to admit you're wrong.

Obviously you'll come back saying that your car is speshul, but I'll leave it for everyone else to decide...

@DaisyNGO

I don't understand some of the responses to brake lights being described here.

Never your brake light going off was literally interpreted by someone as "go"?

Yup.

T'was rather painful. And I presume quite expensive for their insurance - once their company stopped cringing/laughing at the insistence that putting a handbrake on when not parking was illegal and it was entirely the ex's fault she decided to take her foot off the brake and drive into the back of us, as he was apparently 'indicating there was a gap to go for'. Well, that was what she was shouting at the back of the ambulance as I was being loaded onto it, at any rate.

I'm not sure why you think that LED headlights aren't adjustable. It's just a different type of bulb ffs.

Never oh poor you! I hope you're fully recovered.

It's really quite scary...what on earth goes on in driving lessons?!

I have those yellow driving glasses - feel like fucking Bono. I drive a smaller car this year so wonder if that’s part of the reason they seem so much brighter. Also working nights so having to drive a lot when I’m tired after a shift. I do have an issue with one of my eyes not reacting properly to light but have never been told I shouldn’t drive at night. However it’s very distracting, so maybe I shouldn’t

@HannibalHayeski

I am not lying...

1 - Have you clicked the little "i" icon on the web page?

2 - I have 1 parked outside and know, as Ive checked.

3- It can be adjusted by opening bonnet and adjusting the fitting of headlight, but this is not something to be usually done. (I dont know the reasoning why there is no adjustment dial for the LED headlights).

4 - Check the volvo forums/google, there are threads about it.

5 - If you really dont believe me. Go to a Volvo dealership and ask to look inside an XC60 with full LED headlights.

@HannibalHayeski

I'm not sure why you think that LED headlights aren't adjustable. It's just a different type of bulb ffs.

Im not saying for all cars.

But, for Volvo XC60 with LED headlights it definitely is not adjustable.

@Pavlova31

I agree about restrictions on light intensity being brought in. Also what is the reasoning that the lights these days are on all day long so including bright sunny days ?

The sun can be dazzling, and there can be heat hazes. I picked up the habit of having my lights on 24/7 from the Aussies who do this. It's just an extra assurance of being seen.

@OP I have been moaning about the new lights being too bright for years. I hate it. And I'm like a hare, they just suck me in.

I wear transition lenses they've helped a lot

Yes, they're definitely brighter than they were! I was having this conversation with my children yesterday.

@HannibalHayeski

Straight from the volvo website:

A car with LED headlamps has automatic headlamp levelling and therefore does not have the thumbwheel for headlamp levelling.

Do you believe me now?

@RaisedByPangolins
feel like fucking Bono

www.volvocars.com/en-th/support/manuals/xc60/2018w17/lighting/lighting/lighting-control

Gotcha

So I guess my car is special, as I dont need to and cannot adjust the LED headlights manually/myself.

What does automatic levelling mean?

I’ve heard this before. If it’s automatic levelling then it doesn’t work very well.

@IreneSmith

www.volvocars.com/en-th/support/manuals/xc60/2018w17/lighting/lighting/lighting-control

Gotcha

Erm, this takes me to a page saying "Headlamp levelling is also adjusted using a thumbwheel on the instrument panel."

If it's not adjustable, then you need to go to a dealer and get it lowered, and Volvo should hang their heads in shame...

Also, why do you need a fucking tank. Get a car.

I was only saying this the other day.

I also think its a case of more people incorrectly replacing blown headlights and not having them levelled properly, so one is often on main beam when it should be dipped.

Also, people dont seem to dip their headlights anymore, they just keep them on main beam.

The key is to be aware of them but don't look straight at them

A HGV driver said this and its a good tip

Erm, this takes me to a page saying "Headlamp levelling is also adjusted using a thumbwheel on the instrument panel."

Click the 'i' icon.