New lighting features improve accident avoidance and security

Available as an option, Vauxhall Astra also offers drivers Adaptive Forward Lighting, first seen in the UK on the Vectra Estate and Signum. An important element in active accident avoidance, AFL provides the best possible view and lighting conditions in all circumstances. The co-steering AFL headlamp system with bi-xenon light units gives Vauxhall Astra dynamic cornering and motorway lighting functions. The dynamic cornering system makes the headlamps shine into the corners as they are reached, depending on the speed, rate of turn and vehicle yaw rate, so that night time journeys on country roads are safer and less stressful. When driving straight ahead at high speed, automatic level control ensures that the motorway is lit farther in front on low beam without dazzling other drivers.

If you are one of the many people who forget to turn their lights on as it grows dark - or if you know someone who is - then new Astra has a feature that will be of interest. Automatic Lighting Control activates the headlamps automatically in tunnels, car parks or at night, and deactivates them when sufficient brightness is sensed. Using two sensors in the windscreen - the Ambient Light Sensor measures brightness surrounding the car, while the Far Light Sensor measures lighting conditions on the road ahead of the car - ALC constantly reads the exterior conditions and uses the headlamps accordingly. This feature is standard on Design and Elite models.

Designed to assist people who leave the car after parking in darkened driveways or unlit garages, security has been heightened with a new standard follow-me-home light function. This keeps the headlamps on for 30 seconds after the driver leaves the car, and then shuts them off automatically. It is activated by pulling the turn indicator stalk toward the steering wheel.

Vauxhall Astra also automatically adjusts the cabin light according to the surrounding light level - ie, if it gets darker outside, then the instrumentation lighting and display are automatically dimmed.


User-friendly, automatic windscreen wipers

Designed to give the best possible performance, new Astra's uniquely designed windscreen wipers have an aerodynamic shape and a tailored strip which combine to put equal pressure on every point of the windscreen, assuring clean and even wiping, even under extreme conditions or at high speeds.

Another user-friendly touch is the simple-to-use intermittent wiping facility, which is activated by gently tapping the lever upwards once. The interval between wipe cycles is variable, and depends on how soon the driver taps the lever again.

As an option, Vauxhall Astra driver does not have to worry about clearing the windscreen when it is raining. The rain sensor not only engages the wipers when it has determined the amount of water on the windscreen, but also turns the lights on.

The rear window wiper works at three different speeds, depending on the car's road speed. It is turned on automatically when the front wipers are used and when reverse gear is selected. In models with rain sensors, the rear wiper is engaged a few seconds after water is detected on the front windscreen.


Stability and safety key with tyre monitoring systems

Good tyre pressure and condition are essential to improve safety. New Vauxhall Astra offers two optional systems to ensure drivers know exactly what condition their tyres are in.

Deflation Detection System uses sensors on the wheels to inform the driver if tyre pressure has been lost.

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