Depending on the configuration, three types of headlights can be installed on Ford Mondeo vehicles.
Conventional headlights are equipped with halogen high-beam (H1) and low-beam (H7) bulbs, as well as sidelight and turn signal bulbs. The headlight beam configuration is changed depending on national traffic regulations (right-hand or left-hand traffic) by gluing special tape with notches to specific places on the diffusers.
Projection headlights with a dynamic adaptive front lighting system use the same set of lamps as conventional headlights, plus additional cornering lights. Moreover, when turning, the light stream of the low-beam lamp is turned in the direction of the car's turn using a projection lens. In high-beam mode, both the high and low beam lamps are on. When reversing, the adaptive system operates in a mirror-inverted mode. When parking at speeds below 3 km/h, the low beam does not turn so as not to blind oncoming drivers when the steering wheel is turned back. The headlight beam configuration is changed depending on national traffic regulations (right-hand or left-hand traffic) by rearranging the lever located inside the headlight, which can be accessed by opening the rear cover of the headlight. Additionally, the headlights are equipped with cornering lights that turn on when turning at speeds up to 80 km/h. Moreover, only the light located inside the trajectory of movement is switched on.
In gas-discharge ("xenon") headlights, a gas-discharge lamp (D1S) is used as the main source of head light. In the low-beam mode, the light cone is limited by a special curtain, which in the high-beam mode is moved to the side by a special actuator electric motor. Additionally, in the high-beam mode, a conventional halogen incandescent lamp (H1) is switched on. The beam configuration of the headlights is changed depending on national traffic regulations in the same way as for headlights with a dynamic adaptive front lighting system. In addition, the headlights are equipped with side lights for turning, similar to the headlights with a dynamic adaptive front lighting system.
In all headlights, when parking the car in a poorly lit place, you can turn on the side lights in the parking light mode only on one side (the side where other vehicles can pass). The parking light mode is turned on by turning the turn signal switch lever in the appropriate direction if the key in the ignition switch is in the "0" position.
In addition, the car has a system for automatic switching on of low beam headlights and parking lights by the GEM module depending on the degree of external illumination by a signal from the combined rain and light sensor. Automatic switching on occurs under the following conditions: - the key in the ignition switch (lock) is in position "II" or "III"; – the exterior lighting switch is in the "AUTO" position; – the level of external illumination is below the threshold value stored in the memory.
If the ambient light sensors and the front light sensors simultaneously detect a drop in the light level (e.g. when entering a tunnel), the GEM unit switches on the exterior lighting and the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster. If the vehicle is suddenly in the shadow of a large truck or bus, both sensors register different levels of illumination at the side and in the front light, so the exterior lighting is not switched on.
Fog lights. The cars are equipped with fog lights at the bottom of the front bumper. They can only be turned on when the outside lights are on.
Rear lights. They contain brake lights and side lights, turn signals, reversing lights, and fog lights.
Rear fog light. The rear fog light lamps are switched on by pressing the switch button installed in the external lighting control unit located on the instrument panel only if the headlights are on. When the parking lights are switched off, the rear fog light switches off automatically.
Direction indicators. Direction indicator lamps are installed in the headlights, rear and side lights. The right or left direction indicators are switched on by the left steering column switch.
In the hazard warning mode, the hazard warning switch turns on all direction indicators. Flashing of the lamps is provided by the hazard warning relay.
Electric headlight corrector. Electric headlight corrector is installed on cars, allowing to change the direction of the headlight beam in the vertical plane depending on the car load. Moreover, on cars with gas-discharge (xenon) headlights, an automatic headlight corrector of the second generation with a dynamic control system is installed, which takes into account not only the change in the angle of inclination depending on the car load, but also the change in the angle of inclination during movement, caused by the action of aerodynamic forces (during long-term driving at high speed). To avoid unnecessary oscillations of the headlight beam, the system does not react to body oscillations on road irregularities and changes in its position during acceleration and braking.
An additional brake light on cars with sedan and hatchback bodies is installed in the trunk lid (rear door, respectively), and on cars with a station wagon body - in the upper part of the rear door glass. Five W16W lamps are installed in the brake light.
USEFUL TIP: Get into the habit of changing bulbs regularly (especially headlight bulbs). Over time, the bulb becomes cloudy and the brightness of the bulb decreases. Moreover, this process occurs quite slowly, so the driver does not notice the gradual deterioration of road illumination.
USEFUL TIP: Recently, more and more cars have appeared with headlights that shine like a Christmas tree, in various shades of blue. All this is called the word "xenon" and is considered very fashionable. There is no dispute that xenon headlights, installed as standard on the latest models of foreign cars, illuminate the road much better, and the car with them looks much more impressive. It is not surprising that many are also trying to improve their car, especially since now a lot of "xenon" lamps of various manufacture (most often Chinese) have appeared on the shelves. Do not buy into cheap stuff - such lamps have nothing in common with real xenon gas-discharge lamps without filaments. These are ordinary lamps with colored glass. The light transmittance of such glass is significantly lower than that of standard lamps, the filaments of fakes are usually installed out of focus, and a headlight with such a lamp, despite its external effectiveness, practically does not illuminate anything, but mercilessly blinds oncoming drivers. In addition, manufacturers of such lamps, in order to compensate for the decrease in luminous flux, increase their power above the norm. Often, their installation leads to melting of the insulation of wires and connecting blocks.
USEFUL ADVICE: A fire is also possible. It is better not to buy a "headache" with your own money, but buy regular lamps of good quality or, if your car is equipped with headlights with gas discharge lamps, have them installed by an authorized dealer.