Adaptive Forward Lighting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Buick Cascada, 2018 Buick Cascada, and 2017 Buick Cascada. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The adaptive forward lighting consist of the following components:

Headlamp control module
Headlamp actuator - left
Headlamp actuator - right

Dynamic Curve Light

Bend lighting is a function depending on the following signal input values:

Steering angle
Vehicle speed
Yaw Rate

The appropriate swivel angle is calculated based on vehicle speed and the steering angle value.

Cornering Light

The cornering lamp is activated automatically at vehicle speeds below 40 km/h (25 MPH) when the direction indicator is switched ON and/or when the steering angle is changed from the straight-ahead position towards the side the vehicle is going to turn and passes a programmable angle threshold. The cornering lamp is deactivated automatically when the direction indicator is switched OFF and/or the steering angle has returned in the straight-ahead position. The cornering lamps are deactivated at vehicle speeds above 40 km/h (25 MPH). If reverse gear is active, the cornering lamps go into park function. Both lamps will be switched on. They will switch off 20 s after leaving reverse gear or if the vehicle speed exceeds 7 km/h (4 MPH). The cornering lamps also provide a protection against overheating. When having been continuously switched on for 2 min, adaptive forward lighting will deactivate the lamps for 2 min to enable cooling down.

Town Light

Town Light is activated while the vehicle speed is below 55 km/h (34 MPH) as well as the light sensor detects street lights and the town road category is detected. The light distribution is reduced to an area near the car due to low speeds.

Motorway Light

If vehicle speed is above 100 km/h (62 MPH) for at least 20 s (or once above 126 km/h (78 MPH) and the corresponding road category is identified, the headlamps will be switched to a motorway light distribution. During motorway light the light output of the HID bulb is increased to 38 W by electrical power management. This improves the visibility range at the far end of the road.

Country Light

Country light replaces the current low beam and will be controlled based on programmable vehicle thresholds as well as corresponding road detection. The vehicle speed has to be between 55 km/h (34 MPH) and 100 km/h (62 MPH). Country light is the default light distribution at 35 W. Light distribution is reduced on the left side to prevent oncoming traffic from being dazzled.

Tourist Mode

The tourist mode functionality switches the adaptive forward lighting headlamps into a non dazzling mode, if the traffic regulation moves from left hand traffic to right hand traffic and vice versa. The functionality is switched on/off with the same stalk/switch combination. The "flash to pass" stalk needs to be activated while ignition is switched on (System Power Mode = RUN). The "flash to pass" stalk remains activated until the warning indicator within the instrument panel cluster starts flashing (4 s) and an acoustic indication is sent. The activation period takes about 3 s. An activation flag must be set within the adaptive forward lighting ECM and stored in non-volatile memory. Each time the ignition is switched on and the tourist mode is active, the warning indicator is flashing about 4 s. The tourist mode is deactivated with the same procedure described above. The function is switched OFF, if an acoustic signal is sent (Warning indicator remains inactive).

Adverse Weather Light

Adverse weather light will be switched on while the vehicle speed is below 100 km/h (62 MPH) and the windscreen wipers are activated. The HID bulbs will be powered with different values:

Left: 32 W
Right: 38 W

The main advantage is that reflections on the wet floor are reduced to a minimum. This is noticeable as well for oncoming traffic as for the driver. In front of the car a less illuminated area is realized.