Audi A6 (2006) European "Tourist Mode" - help needed

Hello all,

Would someone be so kind to confirm whether or not it is actually possible to do the headlight switch via VAG-COM on an Audi A6 (2006, 4F chassis). As no matter what I try, I can't seem to do it, but then I am a vagcom newbie !

Xenon Range Module
Part No SW: 4F0 910 357 E
HW: 4F0 907 357 E

And from ERWIN :
No. Family
8EC HSW Bi-functional headlight with gas discharge lamp, for driving on the left
8Q5 LWR Headlight-range adjustment, automatic/ dynamic with dynamic bending light (AFS 1)

If it's not possible and mechanical adjustment is required (which is a pain in the neck as far as I can tell from the online service manuals - requiring removal of various fluid containers)..... is it possible to upgrade the headlights to a newer model (using official Audi parts ) ?

Yes you should be able to do it with your xenons using VCDS and it's really easy - I do it sitting in the ferry queue at the port waiting to board.

IIRC, the setup is slightly different, depending on which Xenons you have but the option is called the same 'Tourist':
'Normal' Xenons, Select Control Module - 55 Xenon Range - 10 Adaptation and then use the up arrow to go to and change Channel 10 from 0 to 1. Click Save to store the new value.
or
'Adaptive' Xenons, Select Control Module - 55 Xenon Range - 10 Adaptation and then use the up arrow to got to and change Channel 23 from 0 to 1. Click Save to store the new value.

You will get a warning beep and a message each time you start the car though, until you set it back to your 'home' setting. It's no biggie, just a warning you can ignore.

When you're returning to the UK, follow the same procedure but set the value from 1 back to 0. The warning will disappear.

AdiHH,

Thank you for the information. Much appreciated.

Channel 23 is what I've been trying with no success (there appears to be no change in the beam direction), so I guess Channel 10 is worth a go ?

The trouble with my Channel 23 test is that I now can't seem to clear the fault from the dash even though I've reset the Channel 23 value to its original and used the clear faults feature.

Thanks again !

It changes the beam direction by lowering it so that the 'flip up' at the edge of the beam is not pointing into the eyes of oncoming drivers. It doesn't change the flip-up from left to right (or vice-versa for European-bought cars).
Best thing is to try it at night. Go someplace darker and close(ish) to a wall and look at the beam pattern, then make the switch and see if it makes a difference - obviously it should if your VCDS coding change worked.
The warning disappears after an ignition on/off cycle when you set back to 'disabled'.

AdiHH,

Many thanks. I'll try it out this coming weekend and will update this post.

Hi guys, this is exactly what I am trying to figure out.

I have VCDS and have changed channel 23 to "1" to activate the "Tourist Mode".

However, I am not sure it has worked; when I try "test" it is accepted and when I "Save" the lights do change and dip but do not become completely symmetric/flat. (I see the changes while parked in front of a wall in the dark, Xenons turned on while I enable "Tourist Mode"). VCDS also stores the fault code 02988 (as per below instructions by VCDS)

Considering my VCDS accepts the code (for Tourist Mode") as "Test" and as "Save" does that necessarily mean my system is compatible for enabling "Tourist Mode"?

The below guide refers to the Xenons need to be of a certain revision/age or newer, how are my lights compared to this? Sorry but not sure how to decode the revision numbers.

How do your Xenon lights look like after enabling "Tourist Mode" please?

I once did a mechanical "Tourist Mode" on a VW Golf mk 5 with xenons and then the headlights went completely flat.

My car is from June 2005 (Audi A6 3.2 Quattro Avant).

Here is the guide I've used from VCDS.

Channel 010: Tourist Solution
When driving in countries where driving is performed on the opposite side as in the native country the headlights must be changed over to avoid blinding the oncoming traffic. When active/enabled the Fault Code 02988 will be stored.
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
Note: Only supported for 8P0-907-357-C @ 0020 or newer! Earlier versions require a mechanical Adjustment as described in the Factory Repair Manual.


My car is LHD and will need to adjust the lights so I can register in the UK and pass MOT. Below is from VCDS (before I enable Tourist Mode).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 55: Xenon Range Labels: 4F0-910-357.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 357 C HW: 4F0 907 357 C
Component: AFS 1 H01 0030
Revision: 00000001 Serial number:
Coding: 0000017
Shop #: WSC 02335 785 00200
VCID: 2648F4C6AEBD1B2C

Part No: 4F0 941 329 B
Component: AFS-Modul links H01 0010

Part No: 4F0 941 329 B
Component: AFS-Modul rechtsH01 0010

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are actual pictures taken from my car. Camera in same position and car not moved at all from wall. Simply before and after enabling "Tourist Mode" while engine running throughout the operation.

Attachment 16187Attachment 16188

Looks to me like it worked - the beams are lowered. You should get a warning message on your dash after you make the switch, as confirmation. If you don't get this then the 'tourist mode' was not set.

I rewrote my last post for clarity - it doesn't actually change the pattern itself; it lowers the beam so that the flip-up to illuminate the side of the road is now pointing lower and not into the eyes of oncoming traffic (when you're driving on the opposite side of the road to 'normal'). So it doesn't turn UK lights into European lights (nor vice versa), for example. The option is via "Xenon Range" in VCDS - the option makes some kind of change in the auto-levelling system of the xenon lights, so that the beams point lower. HTH.

PS: If you're going to be driving this car permanently in the UK or Ireland I'd recommend swapping out the lights for RHD (UK/Ireland) traffic or you will keep getting the annoying warning about your lights being set 'wrong' all the time and you will also not be getting as much illumination on the road ahead and of verges/paths. Tourist mode is ok for a week or two on holiday but not as a permanent solution. UK xenon headlights from Ebay should not be toooo expensive.