I was at Europort a few weeks back and saw only one UK car with beam deflectors on,
Is depressing the headlights to the lowest position an alternative? and is this the likely reason?
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Many cars now have "Tourist levers" on the headlamp units which either convert the assymetric pattern of the low beam to its mirror image or, as on my car, convert them to vertical dip. If an owner can use these, then of course there are no external changes. But...
I have a VAG car. There is no mention of these levers in the book. As it has Hella projector type lamps, I suspected that the levers would be fitted. Consult dealer. "Levers are fitted but are inaccessible" - 1 hour's labour to remove headlamps and reset. (Same again to swap back). Thoroughly disgruntled at VAG's design detail, I had a look for myself.
The levers are there and are indeed inaccessible. The access to the dipped beam unit for lamp changing or tourist lever adjustment is almost impossible. Lateral thinking needed.
The adjacent hatch for the full beam/foglight is much easier to get to. The units interconnect inside, so all you need to do is to bend an old screwdriver to access the lever from the adjacent access hatch and the job is done. RH unit 30 secs, LH unit 2 mins as the air inlet trunking has to come off.
Why do we pay dealers through the nose for specialised services and information when they have no interest whatsoever in providing a cost effective service?
659.
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My last E39 5 Series BMW had levers on the back of the lights where swapping the beam was dead easy. Sadly, as 659FBE mentions, several other manufacturers are less forth coming to assist the motorist who wants to travel to the continent.
I'm in France at the mo, and have not got deflectors on the BMW 330i I drove here, I'm doing little night driving, however, seem to think dipping the beam to position 1 or 2 on the dash lowers the beam sufficiently to avoid undue glare or dazzle. The French cars round here seem to have horrendously badly angled headlights anyway, so I'm not that bothered!!!
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Whenever I have been across the channel I have noticed that foreign cars arriving here very rarely had beam deflectors but the majority of UK cars going over there did have them fitted. I moved from fitting deflectors at about a fiver a pair to bits of sticky tape at no cost and finally to nothing. If they can't be bothered to fit them when they come over here then why should I fit them when I go over there?
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I used to fit sticky deflectors, now I dont. I just wind down the beams with the leveler. Seems to be acceptable, I dont get flashed.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I bought a set from Hlafords when i got the Honda for the location and size, now use a pices of black insulation tape.
Saves the risk of a fine!
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Sticky tape may harm the polycarbonate (?) lenses
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Indeed, don't use insulation tape on polycarbonate lights. A heat spot will develop and discolour the lens. Buy a set of recommended patches from the likes of Halfords but don't throw them away after the trip. If you're careful you can stick them back on using a very modest blob or two of silicone sealant.
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Like TVM, I`ve gone through the stages, but now just turn the beams fully down.
Interested to know what French legistlation says about that though. Whether its a matter of `dazzle` or `UK cars MUST have beam adjusters.`
I think French cars dont have the `upflick of light` to the kerb like we do. So adjusters dont apply to them coming here.
Something the EU beurocrats have overlooked perhaps in regulating us to continental standards?
Thanks for the replies,
Regards
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I was just wondering whether they are at all compulsory to have headlight deflectors.
I am referring to the pdf document provided by theAA:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf
it does not suggest that you shoud have headlight deflectors. All other websites says it is compulsory but I think they are just generating business for themselves. If theAA says it s not compulsory, i am very inclined to believe it.
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