jhumph88

When I ordered my '14 TDI, I remember that the Premium+ comes with the Audi xenon plus headlight system, which is not the adaptive system that comes on the Prestige. The P+ system has bi-xenons with active leveling, but the high and low-beams on the Adaptive system turn, and this also includes the halogen cornering light that comes on while turning at speeds below about 20mph. Great feature!

yakev724

I wasn't aware offered a "turning" projector solution, equivalent to BMW's AHL (adaptive headlights).

As far as I know there's just one option for xenons: AFS - this just adjusts leveling based on speed and environment so as not to blind oncoming traffic but give the most illumination. And currently the audi website lists two possible headlights: xenon plus, and adaptive xenon plus (std. on prestige).

Someone chime in if my understanding is incorrect

Edit: as for the halogen cornering light, you're spot on. even the configurator shows the cornering light only when prestige (with adaptive HLs) is selected, otherwise it's not there. So seems like only AFS lights have it.

bigivn

Finally see these come on at slow turns (without blinker). What is interesting they come on fast but dim slowly.

jhumph88

Correct- they make it confusing with the naming of the systems, but the Xenon Plus and Adaptive Xenon Plus are different systems. Looking for that extra bulb in the headlight assembly is one of the only ways I can tell a P+ from a Prestige walking by it in a parking lot! (Too observant for my own good...)

Mrclopec

This is incorrect. There are two different systems. Xenon which is offered on the P+ models, and xenon with AFS (Advanced Frontlighting System). In North America all xenon headlights on every make and model of vehicle are auto leveling to make sure that other drivers are not dazzled. In the case of Audi models, the cars come with leveling sensors on the suspension which communicate with each of the headlamp control modules through either the cars leveling system control module, or the cars central electronics computer. The cars predominantly need to use auto leveling because there isn't a separate bulb for high and low beam. When you flick your high beam stalk, you are actually activating an internal shutter that moves out of the way allowing for more light to pass through the projector lens. If there wasn't a leveling system, it would look as if you were constantly flashing other drivers every time you drove over some sort of inconsistency in the road. As far as xenon headlamps with AFS, they have the leveling system as mentioned above as well as additional motors responsible for swiveling the projectors left and right. This left and right movement is variable and changes with data not only from the cars steering angle sensor, but also the speed sensor too. The frustrating part? If you order any Volkswagen car and opt for xenon headlamps, you automatically get AFS. At Audi, they have dumbed them down and made two versions. If you want the AFS, you're gonna have to shell out for the prestige model.

Addition: The static cornering bulbs are in between the blinker and the projector lens in the headlight. They are also speed and steering angle dependent. Some vehicles utilize the fog lights for this feature. Some vehicles will have the lights come on automatically when you turn on a blinker. I particularly notice them when I'm taking a slow right/left turn at an intersection or pulling into my driveway. I actually do not like them because of the standard halogen color of the light drowning out the beautiful 4300K white xenon light. I plan on swapping them out for a dipped halogen bulb that will closely match the stock xenons.

asmi84

In Canada, you can order it as standalone option for 300$ on Progressiv trim. It's standard on Technik trim.

yakev724

Thanks for writing that out.

I miswrote what I originally meant to say - that there was one "option" for xenons (in addition to the base), so this is in fact what I had assumed.

I didn't know that AFS also swiveled left/right, though. Definitely one of my favorite features of my recent BMWs.


I'm sure there's a reason for why they aren't all AFS (like the VW and BMW equivalents) - hopefully the newer gen cars all get these features. The 50 yo DOT regulation on headlights and reflectors/side markers is a bit ridiculous imo, keeps newer tech from hitting the US (like BMW's new laser lights) and I'm sure influences future model offerings + R&D.

JaXeN

I just noticed the other day that mine stopped working.

Has anyone figured out what to look for in VCDS to ensure it's enabled?

Mrclopec

I'm going to assume that you are referring to the static cornering lights and not the adaptive headlights. In either case, your headlamp switch must be in the auto position.

JaXeN

Correct, static cornering lights.
I always keep my headlight switch in the auto position and it's not working. Tried all other positions for giggles and still no go.
No issues with adaptive headlights however.

Next stop is the dealer, but I'd like to make sure it's not something as simple as a VCDS toggle before I go there.