How to dip headlight direction?

[AndyJ]

Hello everybody,

This is my first post!

I have a UK RHD 2008 R8 and am trying to find out how to change the headlight dip to drive abroad.
I have no software or interfaces etc to help me.
Can anybody tell me how I know if I have the older headlights which can be changed manually?? rather than using Audi Software like VCDS is it?
I have tried to use the search but couldn't find anything.

Any help would be appreciated as I keep blinding the local drivers!!

thanks
Andy

[KfabR8]

Welcome to the site and R8 ownership.

Would you please put your location in your profile? Makes a difference as to some questions and answers. Different markets have different needs at time.

Not sure what you mean by headlight dip, but if you're looking to adjust the vertical position of the beam, there are adjusters that are accessible through the covers under the hood (bonnet, pardon me.) The holes are located near the back of the headlight body, so look for a couple of (roughly) 10mm unplugged holes above the lights in the covers. I don't know which one does left/right or up/down. You'll have to play with that.

The R8 doesn't use the VCDS system on it's headlights - just turn the screw and go.

[rmicroys]

He's looking to adjust the beam pattern cuttoff from

\_

to

_/

Assuming that UK cars have a feature to make it safer to drive on central european roads to change the pattern.

[desperado]

That's correct, and great diagrams!

There is some discussion of this subject in the 2010 Alps trip thread. Maybe some of those UK owners can help, as they went through this exact project for the tour abroad.

Regarding adjusting aim (vs cutoff), I'm going to risk showing my ignorance here: The R8 Tech at my dealer told me that it is not enough to adjust the headlight aim with the mechanical adjusters, but the new position must then be adapted (stored) into the car's computers. This didn't sound quite right to me as the Bi-xenon headlights on my 2009 R8 aren't adaptive like they are in some other Audis, such as our 2008 MkII TT, but then I'm not very familiar with this particular system. Then there are whatever changes might be incorporated into the LED headlights system available in subsequent years...

[AndyJ]

Thanks for the replies,
Yes Microys, thats what I mean, I currently have my UK R8 in Portugal where I live.
I have been told that the earlier R8's have a switch to change it but the later ones use a computer hook up where you go into 'tourist' mode.
Still none the wiser
Any other UK guys or girls know anymore???
Cheers
Andy