XC70: Electrical - XC70 Dipped Beam Performance - Downright Dangerous - Page 4

rogerb · Mar 9th, 2014, 22:43

My car had good lights on dip, until the dealer MOT ed the car and they came back next to useless . Seeing as I used to take several cars to my local MOT place and would adjust the lights with them , had a good ideas where they should be so have adjusted them up a bit again .
Next time I MOT the car it will be out of the mot warranty , so will go to my normal place and be set up again.
That is if I do not sell it.

Roger

clivea · Apr 9th, 2014, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivea

I've got Osram Nightbreaker plus in the dips and they are a big improvement over the OEM bulbs, but life is 12k miles or just over the year. Although changing them is a 20-30 minute job in total as the Xc 70 is well designed in this respect. I'd still have preferred dedicated long life day running lights like my first Volvo 245 had. Such is progress!

Just had a failure on an Osram Nightbreaker Plus so in three years I have had three failures and 27000 miles. So I have fitted Bosch H7 90 which might give slightly less output but should extend the life somewhat. The unfailed Nightbreaker looked pretty sick so I always change both bulbs.

I-S · Apr 9th, 2014, 20:37

I found nightbreakers to have a very short life, and the Volvo doesn't help matters by using them as drls.

Silverstars are a lot cheaper than nightbreakers, almost as bright and last longer. Better value...

Next week I'm ordering some nightbreaker xenons to upgrade our ABLs...

PEGE63 · Apr 11th, 2014, 17:35

[QUOTE=clivea;1621971]Just had a failure on an Osram Nightbreaker Plus so in three years I have had three failures and 27000 miles.

Is £27/year really that bad to see well on the road (and to be seen too)? You could always buy cheap n cheerful bulbs for the summer n switch back to 'good 'uns' in the darker months.
IMO, like tyres, buy the best you can afford at all times.

clivea · Apr 11th, 2014, 22:01

The difference between the Bosch and Nightbreakers is marginal in light output but if you look at the statistics of lamp life versus temperature a small reduction in temperture gives a longer life. The Bosch were all that Halfords had in the extra brilliance category and faced with a 120 mile night drive with an engine in limp mode I based my purchasing decision on thr prevailing situation not on any basis of false econmomy. So based on a lengthy night drive I would say anyone would be hard pressed to notice any difference. I really think that Volvo got it wrong by making the dipped beams DRLs. My old 245 had permanent day running lights with long life bulbs which allowed the dipped beams to do the job they were designed for.
Thanks for your timely advice on tyres I was thinking of changing my Pirellis for Linglangs which are far cheaper and have a very hard, long life compound!!

PEGE63 · Apr 12th, 2014, 07:25

Not meant to **** anyone off so my apologies.

pacman67 · Jan 5th, 2016, 15:34

I wonder if the op,s car has had a bulb change by previous owners and used eBay specials. Also are the headlights self levelling on start up, I've they should rise up and level out.

green van man · Jan 6th, 2016, 06:52

I have normal halogens and find dip beam fine on our rural roads. Had them reset by dealer recently as they were too high following a bulb change, standard Volvo bulbs used.

Paul.

tt82 · Jan 6th, 2016, 12:21

I've recently noticed that although my dipped beam do not seem to throw much light onto the road, they do illuminate the road side signs fantastically. I wonder if it's the beam pattern, as opposed to the brightness of the bulb?

CTCNetwork · Jan 6th, 2016, 14:14

Hi,

It could also be that the height adjustment is off?
Or the control wheel has been turned down fully?

Des. . .

View Poll Results: XC70 Dipped Beam Performance
Great - no problem	25	22.32%
Not bad - ok for me	17	15.18%
Could be better	51	45.54%
Downright Dangerous	19	16.96%
Voters: 112. You may not vote on this poll

Apr 11th, 2014, 17:35	#34
PEGE63 Master Member Last Online: Mar 18th, 2023 11:23 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Stenungsund	[QUOTE=clivea;1621971]Just had a failure on an Osram Nightbreaker Plus so in three years I have had three failures and 27000 miles. Is £27/year really that bad to see well on the road (and to be seen too)? You could always buy cheap n cheerful bulbs for the summer n switch back to 'good 'uns' in the darker months. IMO, like tyres, buy the best you can afford at all times. __________________ Peter V70 D5 (185) SE Sport, Geartronic, 58 MY08 4C. 133k (before Avensis 55 95K, P97 945 LPT 2.3FK 113K and J92 945 2.0T 165K)

Apr 11th, 2014, 22:01	#35
clivea clivea Last Online: Dec 10th, 2014 12:38 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Country	The difference between the Bosch and Nightbreakers is marginal in light output but if you look at the statistics of lamp life versus temperature a small reduction in temperture gives a longer life. The Bosch were all that Halfords had in the extra brilliance category and faced with a 120 mile night drive with an engine in limp mode I based my purchasing decision on thr prevailing situation not on any basis of false econmomy. So based on a lengthy night drive I would say anyone would be hard pressed to notice any difference. I really think that Volvo got it wrong by making the dipped beams DRLs. My old 245 had permanent day running lights with long life bulbs which allowed the dipped beams to do the job they were designed for. Thanks for your timely advice on tyres I was thinking of changing my Pirellis for Linglangs which are far cheaper and have a very hard, long life compound!! __________________ Cheers Clivea April 2014 Subaru Forester XE Lineatronic. 2010-April 2014 XC70 SE Premium 205ps D5 Geartronic AWD 2010MY Oyster Grey

Apr 12th, 2014, 07:25	#36
PEGE63 Master Member Last Online: Mar 18th, 2023 11:23 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Stenungsund	Not meant to **** anyone off so my apologies. __________________ Peter V70 D5 (185) SE Sport, Geartronic, 58 MY08 4C. 133k (before Avensis 55 95K, P97 945 LPT 2.3FK 113K and J92 945 2.0T 165K)

Jan 5th, 2016, 15:34	#37
pacman67 VOC Member Last Online: Dec 6th, 2023 14:09 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Richmond N Yorks	I wonder if the op,s car has had a bulb change by previous owners and used eBay specials. Also are the headlights self levelling on start up, I've they should rise up and level out. __________________ Regards, pacman67 previously held: V40 TD & S40 2ltr P1,V40 P2 sport lux, V70 XC P1, XC70 P2, V70 D5 P2 and P3, V40 T4,V70R, C30 R Design. currently held: V70 P3 D5 SE LUX, XC90 MK2 Inscription Pro.

Mar 9th, 2014, 22:43	#31
rogerb Lets take it to bits Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2023 09:01 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Near Wellingborough	My car had good lights on dip, until the dealer MOT ed the car and they came back next to useless . Seeing as I used to take several cars to my local MOT place and would adjust the lights with them , had a good ideas where they should be so have adjusted them up a bit again . Next time I MOT the car it will be out of the mot warranty , so will go to my normal place and be set up again. That is if I do not sell it. Roger

Apr 9th, 2014, 20:37	#33
I-S Premier Member Last Online: Jul 22nd, 2021 23:43 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Huddersfield	I found nightbreakers to have a very short life, and the Volvo doesn't help matters by using them as drls. Silverstars are a lot cheaper than nightbreakers, almost as bright and last longer. Better value... Next week I'm ordering some nightbreaker xenons to upgrade our ABLs...

Jan 6th, 2016, 06:52	#38
green van man Premier Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ffos y Ffin	I have normal halogens and find dip beam fine on our rural roads. Had them reset by dealer recently as they were too high following a bulb change, standard Volvo bulbs used. Paul.

Jan 6th, 2016, 12:21	#39
tt82 Forum Support Team Last Online: Nov 28th, 2022 17:33 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Here.... obviously!	I've recently noticed that although my dipped beam do not seem to throw much light onto the road, they do illuminate the road side signs fantastically. I wonder if it's the beam pattern, as opposed to the brightness of the bulb? __________________ The more people I meet, the more I like my dog! 2009 V70 D5 R-Design - Jeade'en

Jan 6th, 2016, 14:14	#40
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, It could also be that the height adjustment is off? Or the control wheel has been turned down fully? Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

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