Edited OP to include some notes - ignore this xD

 

After reading all about it for so long, I've decided to pull the trigger and go ahead with doing the DIY. (Mostly because I'll be driving overnight to a city ~900 kms away next weekend)

I've enabled the Pixel light, active bending light, Pilot Assist + Adaptive Cruise, and changed the speed limiter on my MY23 with only the plus pack.

Speed Limiter: It works! (I know that sounds dumb, but I tested it with 100km/h - the lowest allowed setting - and when I push down the pedal after reaching 95, the feeling, or rather, lack of the feeling of acceleration is just so strange. I managed to top at 101km/h with the padel to the ground and going downhill)

Pixel light: Just like other's have posted, it works great. When I was testing it out earlier tonight the road was pretty dead, but when the occasional one or two cars pass by me, the light just works beautifully. I do wonder how many cars it can handle at the same time, because I remember seeing something about max supported # of cars being blacked out by the lights.

Pilot Assist + Adaptive Cruise: On curvy and not-well-marked road the auto steering feels very robotic and unnatural to me, but for the passenger it was not nearly as intrusive, I might try it out more and get used to using it? Adaptive cruise is okay, I didn't get the chance to drive behind many cars but from my experience driving a loaner I'd say it's just your average ACC, nothing too crazy good nor bad.

How did I do it:
I've been a long-time follower of this thread here: Adaptive pixel headlights in US and Canada. There are some excellent write-ups in there, so I go into details on this one here. Look for the replies from Amphicar770 & Nathan23 (btw thanks yall)
I went the DIY route and used VIDA and OrBit's pin cracker. No hiccups there. I do work in IT and have used wireshark in my day job, but imo if you can figure out how to get VIDA, you're more than smart enough to follow instructions and get wireshark to capture what you need.

Side Notes:

1. When you order 3-day VIDA and the diagnostic test used to retrieve PINs they charge you local tax. That's common practice but it caught me by surprise (considering everything is in USD and I'm in Canada, and they still charged me the correct 13% HST)
2. After getting your VIDA username and password, maybe wait 10 minutes before attempting to do the password reset. I was not able to login to the portal for a good 5 minutes and was panicking if I (or Polestar) messed up something. (the email says something like "RESET YOUR PASSWORD WITHIN 60 MINUTES OF GETTING THIS EMAIL!!!")
3. OrBit connection is iffy at times, I found that the most reliable method is to put the car in drive, shift in park, open the driver front door, close it, then hit connect on OrBit.
4. When you try to upload the config to the car, it seems to be resetting some stuff in the ABS. I was quite scared when my car says "brake system failed, stop immediately" with the car shifting to N on its own. (I live in an apartment and the parking lot is not flat, I thought I was going to roll back into someone else's car haha.) However, the brake seems to be working alright even with that message, I was able to hold the brake and hear the brake oils getting send to where they belong, brake lights come on as usual, and the car didn't move a bit.
   It seems like this is normal behavior because I flashed the car at least 10 times and every time it does that.
5. For the ACC, I found that the level 2 settings does not work, it would just say unavailable when you try to engage it. Level 1 worked alright for me. I did not bother playing with the smart speed control in curves thingy tho, maybe I should.
6. Some places said you don't need the 3-day VIDA to do the diagnostic test, maybe I wasted 80 bucks, but I could not find a way to get VIDA credentials without buying the subscription. (Diagnostic test is ordered & done in the VIDA software thus the need for a set of credentials)
7. There's a configurable item "easy ingress egress". I would kill for this feature (spoiled by my previous vehicle) but it doesn't work very consistently if enabled. The seat slid back only once for egress in my numerous numbers of attempts, and it didn't even move back to driving position after buckling up and shifting into Drive.
8. Another configurable item "Video Allowed" which supposedly allows video playback when driving. During my testing this just made YouTube app quit after car starts going up the road (instead of the "not safe to use when driving, here's a button for you to close this app")

Question:

• I used 106:12 & 109:06 to enable the pixel lights, does anyone know why the car still reset to low beams only? I read that 106:12 (type B LED) should make the auto high beam stay on?
• Easy ingress egress & Video allowed during driving sound really sweet, @Power6 do you think these 2 are possible on the P*2? (The seat moved once during my testing so there is some hope, right?)
• Can/should you adjust tire specs? (My winters are 225/55R18 and it is one of the options in OrBit)

I have no clue why I decided to do this little write up, but feel free to start a discussion about OrBit, the car, the lights, or anything related. Also feel free to use this as an AMA, I'd be glad to answer any questions.

On that note, if anyone in GTA or southwestern Ontario wants to change some of their config but don't want to DIY, I'm located in Waterloo and can probably help

Edit:
I guess I forgot to add an important piece of information: cost.

3-day VIDA: $93.95
Diagnostic Test: $5.65
OrBit 1-yr: $100
OBD-Ethernet cable: $4 bucks off of Taobao (basically Chinese Amazon)

So about 205 USD total (which includes 13% of Ontario HST too)

Super nice post/writeup ! Thanks a bunch. I may hit you up on this when I try it.

 

@Elcinkayi , the Adaptive Pixels can handle upto 5 motor vehicles at a time, after which they turn off. Here's the link to the post by @LtYoung

https://www.polestar-forum.com/posts/244731/

And regarding always on adaptive headlights, I followed the settings posted here:

https://forums.spaycetech.com/showthread.php?tid=196

 

Another great feature of orbit is that you can buy a used Volvo key fob and program it as an extra for your PS. That alone covers the cost vs getting new key from the stealer.

 

Another great feature of doing that is you no longer have to actually hide that total piece of embarrassment that is an original Polestar 2 key fob.
But awesome tip!
If/when I get Orbit, I will do exactly that. Then hide the metal key somewhere on the exterior, and remove the battery from 1 fob, wrap it in foil, and hide it inside the car somewhere. Then if someone ever steals phone/keys,or my wife does something and loses them (I NEVER WOULD! 🤫) I could still get in and drive my car.

 

I do wonder how many cars it can handle at the same time, because I remember seeing something about max supported # of cars being blacked out by the lights.

5 cars simultaneously are supported. Each headlight has 84 LEDs.

Source: ZKW equips new all-electric Volvo C40 with high-tech lights - ZKW Group – BRIGHT MINDS, BRIGHT LIGHTS.

 

Question: If you can't use VIDA or don't want to deal with VIDA would you need the $325 OrBit package for Pixel light and ACC coding?

 

Yes, that is correct.

 

Added features via Orbit to my non-package 2022 P2 LRDM (U.S. model) and wanted to share my settings just in case (Updated 26-Dec-2024):

For ACC and Pilot Assist activation these settings worked:
023 CRUISE CONTROL - 04 Adaptive cruise control stop & go, level 1
145 TRAFFIC JAM ASSIST - 04 With Traffic Jam Assist, Level 3

Caution: If you add ACC/PA to a non-package P2 future OTAs can create ABS error messages that can render the vehicle non-operational until those errors have been cleared by Orbit or Vida. Best to revert to factory setting prior to any OTA or prior to selling the P2. Latest Orbit release 1.0.9. supposedly adds a function to revert to factory setting while OTA is already queued without cancelling the OTA. Have not tried that yet. This would be especially important if you have activated ACC/PA then sell the car. If not reverted back to stock the next owner may have an unpleasant error message surprise after the next OTA gets installed.

For Pixel lights plus bending/swivel light activation these setting worked:
109 ACTIVE HIGH BEAM – 06 with AHB3 (Adaptive) Pixel lights
256 BENDING LIGHTS - 03 with bending lights high and low

Also successfully paired/added a used Volvo key using Orbit. That alone paid for the $325 license.

 

What is traffic jam assist?

 

My guess is ACC does not turn off during stop and go traffic? (Based on knowing some cars' ACC just turns off after coming to a complete stop or dipping below a certain speed)

 

Same here

 

If you watch the dash when it comes to a stop the icon remains lit for a few seconds: if the car in front moves off before it goes out the car will auto resume - as said, it's about 3-4 seconds.

This is pretty much the same as my old Ioniq which also had auto stop start on ACC - but again only if the stationary period was less than a few seconds.

Would love if it would just resume unless actively cancelled. Is pretty useless currently in heavy traffic.

 

After reading all about it for so long, I've decided to pull the trigger and go ahead with doing the DIY. (Mostly because I'll be driving overnight to a city ~900 kms away next weekend)

I've enabled the Pixel light, active bending light, Pilot Assist + Adaptive Cruise, and changed the speed limiter on my MY23 with only the plus pack.

Speed Limiter: It works! (I know that sounds dumb, but I tested it with 100km/h - the lowest allowed setting - and when I push down the pedal after reaching 95, the feeling, or rather, lack of the feeling of acceleration is just so strange. I managed to top at 101km/h with the padel to the ground and going downhill)

Pixel light: Just like other's have posted, it works great. When I was testing it out earlier tonight the road was pretty dead, but when the occasional one or two cars pass by me, the light just works beautifully. I do wonder how many cars it can handle at the same time, because I remember seeing something about max supported # of cars being blacked out by the lights.

Pilot Assist + Adaptive Cruise: On curvy and not-well-marked road the auto steering feels very robotic and unnatural to me, but for the passenger it was not nearly as intrusive, I might try it out more and get used to using it? Adaptive cruise is okay, I didn't get the chance to drive behind many cars but from my experience driving a loaner I'd say it's just your average ACC, nothing too crazy good nor bad.

How did I do it:
I've been a long-time follower of this thread here: Adaptive pixel headlights in US and Canada. There are some excellent write-ups in there, so I go into details on this one here. Look for the replies from Amphicar770 & Nathan23 (btw thanks yall)
I went the DIY route and used VIDA and OrBit's pin cracker. No hiccups there. I do work in IT and have used wireshark in my day job, but imo if you can figure out how to get VIDA, you're more than smart enough to follow instructions and get wireshark to capture what you need.

Side Notes:

1. When you order 3-day VIDA and the diagnostic test used to retrieve PINs they charge you local tax. That's common practice but it caught me by surprise (considering everything is in USD and I'm in Canada, and they still charged me the correct 13% HST)
2. After getting your VIDA username and password, maybe wait 10 minutes before attempting to do the password reset. I was not able to login to the portal for a good 5 minutes and was panicking if I (or Polestar) messed up something. (the email says something like "RESET YOUR PASSWORD WITHIN 60 MINUTES OF GETTING THIS EMAIL!!!")
3. OrBit connection is iffy at times, I found that the most reliable method is to put the car in drive, shift in park, open the driver front door, close it, then hit connect on OrBit. Not sure why it was iffy last time, but the subsequent attempts it connected without any hiccups.
4. When you try to upload the config to the car, it seems to be resetting some stuff in the ABS. I was quite scared when my car says "brake system failed, stop immediately" with the car shifting to N on its own. (I live in an apartment and the parking lot is not flat, I thought I was going to roll back into someone else's car haha.) However, the brake seems to be working alright even with that message, I was able to hold the brake and hear the brake oils getting send to where they belong, brake lights come on as usual, and the car didn't move a bit.
   It seems like this is normal behavior because I flashed the car at least 10 times and every time it does that.
5. For the ACC, I found that the level 2 settings does not work, it would just say unavailable when you try to engage it. Level 1 worked alright for me. I did not bother playing with the smart speed control in curves thingy tho, maybe I should.
6. Some places said you don't need the 3-day VIDA to do the diagnostic test, maybe I wasted 80 bucks, but I could not find a way to get VIDA credentials without buying the subscription. (Diagnostic test is ordered & done in the VIDA software thus the need for a set of credentials)
7. There's a configurable item "easy ingress egress". I would kill for this feature (spoiled by my previous vehicle) but it doesn't work very consistently if enabled. The seat slid back only once for egress in my numerous numbers of attempts, and it didn't even move back to driving position after buckling up and shifting into Drive.
8. Another configurable item "Video Allowed" which supposedly allows video playback when driving. During my testing this just made YouTube app quit after car starts going up the road (instead of the "not safe to use when driving, here's a button for you to close this app")

Question:

• I used 106:12 & 109:06 to enable the pixel lights, does anyone know why the car still reset to low beams only? I read that 106:12 (type B LED) should make the auto high beam stay on? They don't reset, once you twist it into Auto, the auto high beam stays after turning car off and on. 106:12 &109:06 are the correct settings in that sense.
• Easy ingress egress & Video allowed during driving sound really sweet, @Power6 do you think these 2 are possible on the P*2? (The seat moved once during my testing so there is some hope, right?)
• Can/should you adjust tire specs? (My winters are 225/55R18 and it is one of the options in OrBit)

I have no clue why I decided to do this little write up, but feel free to start a discussion about OrBit, the car, the lights, or anything related. Also feel free to use this as an AMA, I'd be glad to answer any questions.

On that note, if anyone in GTA or southwestern Ontario wants to change some of their config but don't want to DIY, I'm located in Waterloo and can probably help

Edit:
I guess I forgot to add an important piece of information: cost.

3-day VIDA: $93.95
Diagnostic Test: $5.65
OrBit 1-yr: $100
OBD-Ethernet cable: $4 bucks off of Taobao (basically Chinese Amazon)

So about 205 USD total (which includes 13% of Ontario HST too)

 

Thanks fo the write up, a great help t me. I am just about to get OrBit and enable features on my 2023 P2. I do have Pilot and Plus packs but want to enable pixel lights, limiter and perhaps other features.
Bob, Aurora Ontario

 

A question about enabling the bending lights. Do they bend with both high and low beams on? Mine is set to both, but it only bends on high beams, if I turn my high beams off, it actively bends in low for a split second, but goes back to being stationary lights. I've been meaning to try setting it to other settings, like low beam only, etc..

 

I assume just high, since low is full on anyway. Fog lights will light on slow tight turns as a cornering light.

 

Hi Guys,

Anyone tested Pixel settings 109:06 VS 109:07 ?

109:06 --> Pixel - RoW sensitivity
109:07 --> Us/Can sensitivity

 

I have been wondering as well. I’m set for rest of world myself

 

Regarding this setting: 109:06 --> Pixel - RoW sensitivity 109:07 --> Us/Can sensitivity This is discussed in the Orbit forums, but basically if you set a NA car to RoW headlamps setting, it will remember the state of the auto high beam, no need to turn it on every time you start the car.

 

I'll have to hook my car back up and check this out. My setting isn't sticking now...

 

Does Orbit allow you to download or activate the tow hook for a '21 P2? I added it and haven't had the dealer program it. Wanted to go the DIY if possible and Orbit allowed the function.

 

You sure can

 

Thank you Harvey.

Do I understand the key replacement process (delete and add new keys) with orbit is that you have to buy the 3 day vida subscription to read the vin?

 

Thank you Harvey.

Do I understand the key replacement process (delete and add new keys) with orbit is that you have to buy the 3 day vida subscription to read the vin?

You're not reading the VIN, you're pulling the CEM and VGM PINs for reprogramming the various modules in the car. You don't necessarily need ViDA to get these PINs, but it's the cheaper route. If you want to fork out significantly more money, you can have OrBit retrieve the PINs for you. That being said, you do need those PINs for a majority of the OrBit programming functions.

 

I mean VIN is public data so if that's all they need to get me keys, sign me up.

 

oh boy, i just looked up my chat history and that guy has been banned.. Not sure how to find anyone who can do that now

 

I paid for my pins from OrBit. Worth it to me...

 

I did it with Vida before the Orbit option was available. VIDA is a major hassle in both signing up and using it. The few extra $$ to easily do it all in Orbit is how I would go.

 

VIDA is very much PITA but if you decide you go through that you can also get access to part list and repair manuals! (They're all broken down by each section and subsections, I manually saved some to pdf. If I wanted to save all things available it'd take 5 hours minimum