What is variable light distribution?

[Mlgatl]

What is it and how does it work? And do we all have it?
Thanks
Mike

[LatinBimmer]

Variable Light DistribuBon requires a FLA/KAFAS camera to be installed in the vehicle. This allows the light beam to adapt according to vehicle speed. When driving in the city, a low beam is used to beber illuminate the road immediately ahead without dazzling oncoming drivers. Then at higher speeds, the headlamps are raised to increase visibility.

Ps: this can be coded

[Mlgatl]

Originally Posted by LatinBimmer

Variable Light DistribuBon requires a FLA/KAFAS camera to be installed in the vehicle. This allows the light beam to adapt according to vehicle speed. When driving in the city, a low beam is used to beber illuminate the road immediately ahead without dazzling oncoming drivers. Then at higher speeds, the headlamps are raised to increase visibility.

Ps: this can be coded

I have the lighting package on my 535. I think it does that. I ordered by F15 without lighting package. But I have Drivers Assisance Plus and ACC Stop and go so I think I should have the front camera right?

[LatinBimmer]

Originally Posted by Mlgatl

I have the lighting package on my 535. I think it does that. I ordered by F15 without lighting package. But I have Drivers Assisance Plus and ACC Stop and go so I think I should have the front camera right?

Nop, you can code it w/o front camera.

Here is a more detailed explanation about VLD found in Coding Threat thanks to opasha

Variable Light Distribution has several different modes of operation (for Low Beam):

1 - City Light: Shallow and Very Wide Beam Pattern active from 0 - 50kph (30MPH) (Both Headlamps are Panned outwards 12 horizontal from center and 0.7 lowered vertically)

2 - Standard Light: Same Basic Beam Pattern as with 8S4 Enabled and Headlamp Switch Set to Auto. Active from 50 - 110kph (30MPH - 68MPH)

3 - Guiding Fog Light - Shallow and Wider Beam Pattern Enabled with the Front Fog Lamps On and Headlamp Switch in Auto and Speed 0 - 110kph (Both headlamps are panned outwards 8 horizontal from center and lowered 0.7 vertically)

4 - Highway Light - Long Throw Pattern illuminating approx. 25% further than Standard Light. Active from 110 to 250kph (68MPH- 155MHP). (Driver's Side Headlamp is panned 3.5 outwards Horizontal from center and lowered 0.25 vertically, while the passenger side headlamp is raised 0.2 vertical) (thank you @shawnsheridan)

Clarification of VLD, HBA, and Anti-Glare/Anti-Dazzle (thank you @skalberti):

VLD is Variable Light Distribution - It only works on your low beams to move your headlights and position the beams on the road depending on steering angle and vehicle speed.

HBA is High Beam Assistant - USA spec high beams that turn off in the presence of headlights or taillights of other cars and automatically turns the high beams on if no other cars are present.

Anti-Glare, Anti-Dazzle - European spec high beams that enable your car to keep the high beams on without blinding other cars.

[Mlgatl]

Originally Posted by LatinBimmer

Nop, you can code it w/o front camera.

Here is a more detailed explanation about VLD found in Coding Threat thanks to opasha

Variable Light Distribution has several different modes of operation (for Low Beam):

1 - City Light: Shallow and Very Wide Beam Pattern active from 0 - 50kph (30MPH) (Both Headlamps are Panned outwards 12 horizontal from center and 0.7 lowered vertically)

2 - Standard Light: Same Basic Beam Pattern as with 8S4 Enabled and Headlamp Switch Set to Auto. Active from 50 - 110kph (30MPH - 68MPH)

3 - Guiding Fog Light - Shallow and Wider Beam Pattern Enabled with the Front Fog Lamps On and Headlamp Switch in Auto and Speed 0 - 110kph (Both headlamps are panned outwards 8 horizontal from center and lowered 0.7 vertically)

4 - Highway Light - Long Throw Pattern illuminating approx. 25% further than Standard Light. Active from 110 to 250kph (68MPH- 155MHP). (Driver's Side Headlamp is panned 3.5 outwards Horizontal from center and lowered 0.25 vertically, while the passenger side headlamp is raised 0.2 vertical) (thank you @shawnsheridan)

Clarification of VLD, HBA, and Anti-Glare/Anti-Dazzle (thank you @skalberti):

VLD is Variable Light Distribution - It only works on your low beams to move your headlights and position the beams on the road depending on steering angle and vehicle speed.

HBA is High Beam Assistant - USA spec high beams that turn off in the presence of headlights or taillights of other cars and automatically turns the high beams on if no other cars are present.

Anti-Glare, Anti-Dazzle - European spec high beams that enable your car to keep the high beams on without blinding other cars.

So do you need Lighting Package for HBA or can that be coded too?

[LatinBimmer]

Originally Posted by Mlgatl

So do you need Lighting Package for HBA or can that be coded too?

I think that must be from factory

[chrisc151]

Originally Posted by LatinBimmer

Nop, you can code it w/o front camera.

Here is a more detailed explanation about VLD found in Coding Threat thanks to opasha

Variable Light Distribution has several different modes of operation (for Low Beam):

1 - City Light: Shallow and Very Wide Beam Pattern active from 0 - 50kph (30MPH) (Both Headlamps are Panned outwards 12 horizontal from center and 0.7 lowered vertically)

2 - Standard Light: Same Basic Beam Pattern as with 8S4 Enabled and Headlamp Switch Set to Auto. Active from 50 - 110kph (30MPH - 68MPH)

3 - Guiding Fog Light - Shallow and Wider Beam Pattern Enabled with the Front Fog Lamps On and Headlamp Switch in Auto and Speed 0 - 110kph (Both headlamps are panned outwards 8 horizontal from center and lowered 0.7 vertically)

4 - Highway Light - Long Throw Pattern illuminating approx. 25% further than Standard Light. Active from 110 to 250kph (68MPH- 155MHP). (Driver's Side Headlamp is panned 3.5 outwards Horizontal from center and lowered 0.25 vertically, while the passenger side headlamp is raised 0.2 vertical) (thank you @shawnsheridan)

Clarification of VLD, HBA, and Anti-Glare/Anti-Dazzle (thank you @skalberti):

VLD is Variable Light Distribution - It only works on your low beams to move your headlights and position the beams on the road depending on steering angle and vehicle speed.

HBA is High Beam Assistant - USA spec high beams that turn off in the presence of headlights or taillights of other cars and automatically turns the high beams on if no other cars are present.

Anti-Glare, Anti-Dazzle - European spec high beams that enable your car to keep the high beams on without blinding other cars.

Here is a video of what the wide lighting pattern looks like:

[mpowered5]

When I decode my vin. It says VLD is de-coded. Does that mean I don't have it. Or is it a double negative meaning I do.
I haven't had the x5 out at night lately to look into this.

If not, can it be coded with bimmercode. I do have the front camera.

[beerhunter2]

so is VLD for LED headlights only or it works with Xenon too?

[Rotzy]

Originally Posted by mpowered5

When I decode my vin. It says VLD is de-coded. Does that mean I don't have it. Or is it a double negative meaning I do.
I haven't had the x5 out at night lately to look into this.

If not, can it be coded with bimmercode. I do have the front camera.

All US models will have the 8S4 "Decoding Variable Light Distribution". That means it is turned off for the US market. It can be coded (turned back on) with bimmercode, but any future software update from the dealer will clear this coding. The only way to enable VLD permanently it is with esys and a change to your VO. And before you ask, no, bimmercode cannot do VO coding.

Originally Posted by beerhunter2

so is VLD for LED headlights only or it works with Xenon too?

VLD is for both LED and Xenon.
HBA is only for LED in the US and requires the cameras as mentioned above.

[mpowered5]

HBA is available with the xenons as well. Not just LED.

[Cranswick852]

+1. I have HBA and anti-dazzle on my UK F15 with Xenons

[weareweird69]

Now I am curious about the anti-dazzle for xenon. lol


Is coding the VLD worth it?

[alphaod]

Anti dazzle cannot be coded on US Xenon headlights since it does not have the cutoff shutter. On LED these amazing folks on here found you can disable some LEDs to simulate the same effect as the non-US headlights.

[mpowered5]

I coded VLD with bimmercode.
Is it a must? No. But for the 4 clicks in expert mode it takes, why not add it in.
Is it a cool feature? For sure it is.

Really only had the x5 out at night the day I coded it to see them work.
You'll know right away as when your headlights turn on the driver light will do it usual dip, and then move a bit to the left. If you just drive away slowly. Once you hit 50kmh you'll notice the left headlight move back to the centre. And then they adjust according to the speed settings after that.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by alphaod

Anti dazzle cannot be coded on US Xenon headlights since it does not have the cutoff shutter.

US xenons don't have what?

[selvarajarshna]

Originally Posted by mpowered5

I coded VLD with bimmercode.
Is it a must? No. But for the 4 clicks in expert mode it takes, why not add it in.
Is it a cool feature? For sure it is.

Really only had the x5 out at night the day I coded it to see them work.
You'll know right away as when your headlights turn on the driver light will do it usual dip, and then move a bit to the left. If you just drive away slowly. Once you hit 50kmh you'll notice the left headlight move back to the centre. And then they adjust according to the speed settings after that.

Can you please tell how to code VLD using BimmerCode App.

[beerhunter2]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

All US models will have the 8S4 "Decoding Variable Light Distribution"....The only way to enable VLD permanently it is with esys and a change to your VO. And before you ask, no, bimmercode cannot do VO coding.



VLD is for both LED and Xenon.
HBA is only for LED in the US and requires the cameras as mentioned above.

so with ESys - just remove the 8S4 from the VO and code the rest?

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by alphaod

On LED these amazing folks on here found you can disable some LEDs to simulate the same effect as the non-US headlights.

Unfortunately US LED headlights do not have all the bells and whistles to make it work exactly like EU version.

I’ve owned an euro 4GC with anti dazzle LEDs - it’s amazing how this thing works, unfortunately not even close on my F15 But still better than nothing!

[smyles]

Folks who make "US versions don't have ..." statements, could you elaborate what exactly US parts are missing from their EU counterparts. So far I've heard EU xenons are somehow mechanically different, and now LEDs too....

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by smyles

Folks who make "US versions don't have ..." statements, could you elaborate what exactly US parts are missing from their EU counterparts. So far I've heard EU xenons are somehow mechanically different, and now LEDs too....

They both work for LED with coding. What else is there to know? Lol just search there are tons of threads on this. Although never heard of VLD being available for Xenon as it actually deactivates some of the LEDs in the driver side headlight. I personally don't like it cuz you don't notice it when driving and you look as if your headlight is broken with half the LEDs turned off. You get the same affect by turning on fog lights if you have the LED ones. They light up the side walks like crazy good and you don't look like you're too poor to change a head light that's out on your $90k SUV. Just my $.02

[smyles]

Tell it to folks who claim technical differences in US/EU F15 headlights.