Headlight / Headlamp Upgrades (Bi-Xenon / HID / LED / Replicas)

[elisiX]

Is that squashed hexagonal light actually part of the headlight or a reflection of a light on the roof of the building?

EDIT - Just read further on the linked thread that it is a light.

[sci_fianime]

Also, the xenons are a different colour (whiter light) to the fog lights and parkers

Xenons come in a variety of colours which is denoted by the colour temperature in kelvins - 3000K xenons are yellow, 6000K white, 8000K blue and 12000K purple.

[Maverick]

Xenons come in a variety of colours which is denoted by the colour temperature in kelvins - 3000K xenons are yellow, 6000K white, 8000K blue and 12000K purple.

And 4300K to 4800K are oem and provide the most light.

More info here

Retrofitting Xenons (HID) Lighting to reflector housings

[Gee-Eye-Drew]

I'm actually sure that the DRL light for the Xenon is the 'high beam light' on an alternative beam mode. So that would be the two lights closer to the central grill - the same position as the standard DRL lights.

Those inner lights are simply the indicators. The high and dipped beam come from the one projector-style xenon unit, ie the outer ones within the headlight enclosure, using a shutter to switch from one beam to the other. Hence, I believe, the term "bi-xenon".

AFAIK from other forums, the DRL function is simply the low beam xenon. I can confirm this personally in about a month (!).



Andrew

[Sute]

Hi Guys, not sure if you are aware but the current Xenon config setup on the GTI6 is not the way it should be (aknowledged by VW). Check this tread:
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=40915

As it stands, your xenons (low beam) are used as the DRL - regardless of the light switch position. This means even your rear light are used non-stop.
So, theoretically, your light sensor (on the windsreen) is used only for the AirCon\Radio\Steering wheel buttons to lit when driving into a dark area.
Hope this makes sense.

[sci_fianime]

And 4300K to 4800K are oem and provide the most light.

Personally, I found that I see better with a 6000K burner...

[Mk6 GTI]

Hi Guys, not sure if you are aware but the current Xenon config setup on the GTI6 is not the way it should be (aknowledged by VW). Check this tread:
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=40915

As it stands, your xenons (low beam) are used as the DRL - regardless of the light switch position. This means even your rear light are used non-stop.
So, theoretically, your light sensor (on the windsreen) is used only for the AirCon\Radio\Steering wheel buttons to lit when driving into a dark area.
Hope this makes sense.

So what is the correct operation? Which light is the correct DRL?

[Mk6 GTI]

Hi Guys, not sure if you are aware but the current Xenon config setup on the GTI6 is not the way it should be (aknowledged by VW). Check this tread:
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=40915

As it stands, your xenons (low beam) are used as the DRL - regardless of the light switch position. This means even your rear light are used non-stop.
So, theoretically, your light sensor (on the windsreen) is used only for the AirCon\Radio\Steering wheel buttons to lit when driving into a dark area.
Hope this makes sense.

So what should the CORRECT functionality be?

[Maverick]

Personally, I found that I see better with a 6000K burner...

It's an illusion.

Colour temperature has nothing to do with light output.

4300k puts out the most light (although some osram 4800k bulbs are quite good performers).

[Sute]

From what I was told, the hexagonal shape (little light under the xenons) should have been the DRL but wasn't bright enough for the latest Euro laws. You could check this yourself if you put the light switch to "park" setting.

What's is Correct setting? Who knows, but comparing it to the non xenon GTIs, I guess (IMO) it should be:

Light Switch '0' - only DRL (little parking lights) - nothing at the rear
Light Switch 'auto' - depending on the ambient light (all lights on or all off except for the DRL)
Light Switch 'parking' - only DRL (little parking lights) - and the rear lights
Light Switch 'on' - every light on regardless of the ambient light.

This is how it is on other cars, so I believe should be the same. Plus, here in Oz, DRL are not compulsory (not yet) as in Europe so why should we shorten the life of the bulbs. I know they last longer but the moment you are outside the warranty - then it will happen.

Cheers.