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Active main beam

Active main beam is a function which uses a camera sensor at the top edge of the windscreen to detect the headlamp beams from oncoming traffic or the rear lights of vehicles in front, and then switches from main beam to dipped beam or adaptive functionality.

PS-2007-Left-side steering wheel lever-Turning ring in position Active Bending Light
The symbol PS-1926-Left-side steering wheel lever-Active High Beam Control symbol represents active main beam.

The function can start while driving in the dark when the car's speed is approx. 20 km/h (approx. 12 mph) or higher. The function can also take streetlights into account. When the camera sensor no longer detects any oncoming car or car in front, main beam is switched on again after about a second.

Activate active main beam

Active main beam is activated and deactivated by turning the left-hand stalk switch to position PS-1926-Left-side steering wheel lever-Active High Beam Control symbol. The rotating ring then returns to position PS-1926-Left-side steering wheel lever-AUTO symbol. When active main beam is activated, the symbol PS-1926-Left-side steering wheel lever-Active High Beam Control symbol illuminates with a white glow in the driver display. When main beam is activated, the symbol shines blue.

If active main beam is deactivated while main beam is on the lighting is immediately reset to dipped beam.

Active main beam does not need to be reactivated every time the car is started.

Adaptive functionality

The active main beam has adaptive functionality. In this case, unlike with conventional dimming, the main beam continues to shine on both sides of oncoming vehicles or vehicles in front. Only the part of the beam pointing directly at the vehicle is dimmed.

PS-2007-Active Bending Light-Principle
Adaptive functionality: Dipped beam directly towards oncoming vehicle, but continued main beam on both sides of the vehicle.

The main beam is partly dimmed, that is, if the light beam shines slightly brighter than dipped beam, the symbol PS-1926-Left-side steering wheel lever-Active High Beam Control symbol in the driver display shines blue.

On a motorway or at high speed, the system may shift from adaptive to automatic functionality.

Limitations for active main beam

The camera sensor on which the function is based has limitations.

PS2-2007-Auto high beam inactive symbol

If the symbol is shown in the driver display, together with the message Active High Beam Temporarily unavailable, then switching between main and dipped beam must be performed manually. The PS-1926-Left-side steering wheel lever-Active High Beam Control symbol symbol extinguishes when these message are shown.

PS-2007-See User manual, symbol in driver display

The same applies if this symbol is shown together with the message Windscreen sensor blocked See Manual.

Active main beam may be temporarily unavailable e.g. in situations with dense fog or heavy rain. When active main beam becomes available again, or the windscreen sensors are no longer blocked, the message goes out and the PS-1926-Left-side steering wheel lever-Active High Beam Control symbol symbol illuminates.

 Warning

Active main beam is an aid for using the optimum beam pattern when conditions are favourable.

The driver always bears responsibility for manually switching between main and dipped beam when traffic situations or weather conditions so require.