Buy Audi A6 Headlight Assembly

Overview

The Audi A6 headlight-also called a headlamp, front light, or driving-light assembly-has grown from a simple halogen reflector to advanced LED Matrix units with high-beam assist and laser boosters. Across all generations the lamp's core jobs remain the same: help you see the road, help others see you, and add to the car's sharp styling. Recent tests show the 2019-2025 A6 earns a "Good" headlight score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Fit & Years

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Common bulb specs

• Halogen H7: 12 V, 55 W, up to 4200 K color temperature. (Philips P4C)
• HID D3S: 42 V, 35 W, PK32d-5 base per ECE rules.

Technology

• Halogen - inexpensive, gets hot, lasts ~450 hours.
• Xenon (HID) - electric arc in xenon gas; life 2 000-3 000 hours.
• LED projector - cooler, instant on, lower power draw.
• HD Matrix LED - 2 × 16 tiny diodes that turn on/off individually to cut glare while keeping a bright high beam. [Audi's Matrix overview] provides full details.
• Laser booster - optional on some editions; adds a focused high-beam spot above 37 mph.

Safety & Law

• U.S. FMVSS 108 sets aim, brightness and marking rules.
• Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) is legal since 2022; NHTSA research proved it can cut glare without blinding on-coming traffic. Read the [NHTSA ADB study] for details.
• IIHS will not award Top Safety Pick unless acceptable or good headlights are standard on every trim.
• Drivers complain that newer LED units look "too bright." An explainer on modern glare appears in Vox.

Common Problems

• Condensation: A light mist inside the lens is normal and usually clears after a drive. If moisture lingers, AAA advises drying with warm air and checking seals.
• Blown fuse or wiring fault: Five fuses feed the lamp control module; see panel D under the dash.
• Fault code for "adaptive light defective": Often just a turned wheel sensor or loose connector- forums explain how to tell if your car even has that feature.
• Recall JN (1998-2004 cars): headlight-switch harness could overheat; Audi rerouted the loom and added a jumper.

Maintenance Tips

1. Clean the lens with car-wash soap, not household glass cleaner.
2. Aim check: park 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall and set the cutoff 2 in (5 cm) below head-lamp height; a short DIY video shows the process.
3. Replace bulbs in pairs to keep color even.
4. Disconnect the battery before opening the housing; a quick wiring-diagram view helps locate clips.

Installation

Open-hood steps for most C6/C7 cars

1. Remove top cover screws.
2. Pop out trim and single Torx behind the lamp.
3. Slide the whole driving-light assembly forward.
4. Unlock the bulb retainer ring, unplug, and swap the capsule.
5. Reverse steps, making sure seals sit flat.

Upgrades

• LED retrofit kits (H7 direct-fit) save up to 50 W per pair and give a whiter 6000 K beam, but check local inspection laws first. (Philips Documents)
• Software coding (with VCDS/OBD-11) can activate static cornering lights on some C7 models; follow owner-forum guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which bulb does my 2013 A6 use?
A: Most U.S. 2013 cars have D3S xenon for low and high beam; some base trims use H7 halogen. Check the sticker on the lamp cover.

Q: How long should my xenon capsule last?
A: On average 2 000-3 000 hours-about 5-7 years of nightly driving.

Q: Is foggy plastic dangerous?
A: Yes. Hazy lenses cut light by 20-40 percent. Clean or polish them so beam distance meets legal limits.

Q: Why do my headlights move when I start the car?
A: HID and LED units self-level at startup so the cutoff is flat even if the trunk is full.

Q: What is Matrix LED?
A: It's a grid of tiny LEDs that switch off around other traffic, giving you full brightness everywhere else. [Audi's Matrix overview] has diagrams.

Q: Can I adjust aim myself?
A: Yes-use the marked hex screws on top of each headlamp and follow the 25-ft wall test. The DIY video under Maintenance Tips shows each screw.

Q: Do I need to change fuses when upgrading to LED?
A: Usually not; LED kits draw less current than stock halogens, so factory fuse sizes are safe. Still replace any blown unit with the same amp rating.

Q: My car says "Adaptive light defective." Is it safe?
A: The lamp will still light, but you may lose corner-turning or leveling functions. Scan for fault codes and inspect connectors before replacing the whole unit.

Audible NHTSA Adaptive-Beam report | Audi Matrix LED white-paper | IIHS 2024 A6 headlight rating | Philips D3S spec sheet

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