I've been pondering this for quite some time, I've dug throughout the old postings to find the answer, but to no avail. So, I ask this... Why does our headlight switch have two stages, or stops, when you pull it out? I know that the first stage when you pull it is to turn on the Fog Lights, but what is the second stage for? Anyone???

 

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Only on UK cars, there is no change at all from 1 stage to the next.

 

Thanks for the information! Although it doesn't work on US models it is nonetheless interesting to know the reasoning behind the design. Speaking of German design, how many XF owners actually use the single curb-side parking light feature? I did once, but I had so many people telling me I left my parking lights on I gave up on using it.

 

It doesn't affect the stop lamp function. On rear fog lamp cars, one reverse lamp becomes the rear fog lamp (so you will only have one reverse lamp). Its on Euro, UK, and Aussie XFs. Placement of the fog lamp (left side or right side) depends on the country the car is sold. The rear fog lamp goes on whichever side is closer to the highway's center median, from what i've learned.

 

This feature comes on all European cars. Actually, Volvo started this as a safety feature a long time ago.

 

Actually it is the brake light that is illuminated (on US cars), not the reverse light. My girlfriend's C230 does just that. Thinking about it, if it were me coming up on a car and I saw a single white light I would think it was a motorcycle coming at me head on!

 

msheredy, you're mistaken somewhere...
The reverse light is a foglight (high intensity) - it is not white.
It is red as per the rules & regs.
The rear tail light housing which has the foglight in it is not the same as a US version.
NXMX5 has it right...
In Europe it's law to have a rear foglight (if my memory serves me correct).
There was a thread on this about 2 weeks ago.
I asked if the wiring was there for the rear foglight, but somebody said that it was not. I initially thought about getting a rear foglight, but that plan was quashed.

 

(Trying not to sound like a smart ***) I think you're mistaken. Come on, reverse lights are white. If you are implying that there is an additional bulb within the lamp assembly then I can see that being the case but it isn't a reverse light as you keep referring it to. I am talking about US cars here because we are in the US, not in Europe or any other country.

This contradicts your post because he is implying that the fog light is white.

 

You aren't even in the ballpark with this one. It does absolutely nothing on US cars. If you will check the gallery of some of our European folks you will see that on the driver's side of the car, the lense will be red where our clear, reverse light is.

 

I wasn't talking about Crossfires. No where did I ever say that my Crossfire had a rear fog light. Reread my initial post.

 

for the rear fog lamp, the reverse lamp gets a red lens. check out the pic of my car. i bought the german-spec taillight assembly when i bought my XF because i've always liked rear fog lamps.



do a search for 'rear fog lamp' or 'headlight switch' -- this topic comes up about once a month.

you are partially right about some MBs (the C and the ML come to mind)... they're using the left-side tail lamp as the rear fog lamp housing. but it is NOT the brake lamp. by regulation, the brake lamp has to be a certain distance from the rear fog lamp. check your g/f's car. when she hits the brake, you'll notice there is a distinct brake lamp bulb and rear fog lamp bulb.

 

msheredy - the foglight is red - not white like a reversing light.
Read my second line...
(Ever been to Europe?)

 

Nice save?!?!?! Forgot what forum we were on...LOL.

 

Nice save??? Huh. You need to really read posts COMPLETELY before adding your comments. I simply stated that my girlfriend's car looked to have the fog light in the brake light. In case you didn't notice we weren't on the same page or car in this case.