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03/04/2008, 18:45 Baz Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 1,026 Re: unilateral headlight adjustment?  Keith wrote: Having just bought an BMW X3 with xenon lights, contrary to what I was told, I find it nearly impossible to adjust the beam on the drivers side for driving in France. The other side is difficult but possible. Apparently it is not possible to use sticky bits on the headlight lenses with xenon lights. Keith I have a Honda Accord with xenon lights, they simply solve the problem of diverting the beam by supplying headlamp protectors with marks to show where to place black sticky bits. This is a useful accessory as it can remain in place the whole time to protect headlamp against stone damage,  plus the stickers will not damage xenon lights unlike when they are used directly onto the lamp glass. Baz    Report

14/04/2008, 0:40 Jill Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 595 Re: unilateral headlight adjustment?  ErnieY wrote: It's not just a case of tilting or lowering the lights though is it Jill ? The whole profile of the beam, especially on dip, is tailored for whichever side of the road you're normally driving on and is designed to enhance your range of visibility and thus your safety, as well as to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. Using the tilt is very much a compromise and should be used as a very temporary measure and not as a long term substitute for having the lights correctly set. I drive an Octavia also BTW (1.9TDi Estate) and an excellent car it is too  I don't understand the technicalities, to be honest, I would just have thought that if you can tilt up or down you could tilt left or right - especially from reading one of the later postings.  I think it is all just a ploy from the manufacturers to get more money from us, one way or another.  But isn't everything!  And yes, I am very happy with my Skoda Octavia 19 which is now in it's 4th year and I had a Felicia estate for 6 years before that. Jill (99)    Report

14/04/2008, 7:14 bigears Joined on 16/07/2007 Posts 203 Re: unilateral headlight adjustment? hi when we were working we used to drive twice a year to the continent.  At one time I used to stick things on my headlights and do other silly things like painting them yellow for france.  When german cars came to the uk, I never saw any black things on their lights, so I gave up.  I just adjusted my lights from inside the cab so they pointed down and carried a black roll of electricians tape, just in case I was stopped.  Never had any problems.  Nowadays, If I was to drive a french reg to the uk I would just do the same.  I remember having a skoda once, it looked like a bath tub, it was an estelle 120 l, hope the new ones are better.    Report

24/04/2008, 14:17 andyps Joined on 04/11/2005 Posts 48 Re: unilateral headlight adjustment?  ErnieY wrote:  andyps wrote: If you drive away from a dealer in the UK with headlights set to dip for driving on the right your car does not meet construction and use regulations so they would be liable for letting it go in that state! Doubtful as ultimately it is always the driver who is responsible for ensuring his/her vehicle is lawful and roadworthy. Drive away in a hire car with a bald tyre and see who gets prosecuted for that !   But try getting a dealer in the UK where you have just had your car serviced let you drive away with a bald tyre. They will tell you they are not allowed to let you out with a defective car, and will of course provide a very expensive solution!    Report

24/04/2008, 16:14 Bugbear Joined on 15/11/2006 Vienne (86) Posts 4,044 Re: unilateral headlight adjustment? Conventional lighting pattern for LHD vehicles The black area is what was normally taped "Life is Short - Forgive Quickly - Love Truly - Laugh Uncontrollably........ and get yourself an Apple Mac".    Report

24/04/2008, 16:21 ErnieY Joined on 05/12/2006 Nr Prayssac (Lot) Posts 4,006 Re: unilateral headlight adjustment?  andyps wrote: But try getting a dealer in the UK where you have just had your car serviced let you drive away with a bald tyre. They will tell you they are not allowed to let you out with a defective car What does "not allowed" mean and exactly what do you imagine they're going to do about it. Confiscate your keys or clamp the car perhaps, or maybe make a citizens arrest and tie you up until the police arrive ? Yes a dealer can and should advise on such things and could very well be held up as negligent if they didn't but I repeat, ultimately it is always the driver who is responsible for ensuring his/her vehicle is lawful and roadworthy and it is he or she who will be prosecuted for deficiencies. If it were the dealers car then thats a slightly a different scenario although all it would mean is that the driver AND dealer would be open to prosecution, which I should have added to my earlier comment re a hire car.   My doctor said one drink per day, I can live with that !    Report

27/04/2008, 15:10 andyps Joined on 04/11/2005 Posts 48 Re: unilateral headlight adjustment? ErnieY - I agree with what you are saying. My point is that if they use the rule one way with customers, customers should use it the other way with them. Technically it would be illegal to drive a car from the UK dealer to the port with the headlamps set for driving on the right, even in daylight. As it is almost certainly a quick job to change it and within the capability of most people I think dealers should help their customers comply with the law and tell them how to change the lights over themselves.    Report

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