Setting Headlight for France

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Pete, May 23, 2004.

  1. Pete

    Pete Guest

    Hi

    I am of to France soon in my UK VX Meriva. I will have to switch the
    dipping of the beam as I will be driving at night.

    On my previous cars I have taken all that has been needed is to cover a
    triangle of glass on the headlight and the beam will dip the oposit way.
    On the Meriva the car is fitted with the new fangled lights behind a big
    piece of glass but this glass does not have the focusing triangle.

    Is it possible to convert this type of light to right hand dipping with
    a bit of black tape? if so how?

    Pete
     
    Pete, May 23, 2004
    #1
  2. Pete

    RJO Guest

    Halfords and the rest do a simple stick on beam bender kit for about £5 or
    £6. Job done.

    You can get vauxhall headlamp covers with the blocked out parts already on,
    about £20.

    If you get on well with your local dealers, do as I did and ask them to get
    in two sets of headlamp covers, one plain, one for continental use. I then
    traced the location of the block out onto the plain one so that I can put it
    on or off as I choose. Didn't buy the continental ones!!

    RJO
     
    RJO, May 23, 2004
    #2
  3. Pete

    Windy Guest

    check in the manual. I have an omega with the "projector" style headlights
    and they have a level within the headlamp (located adjacent to the dip beam
    bulb) which changes the dip from right to left.

    Steve
     
    Windy, May 23, 2004
    #3
  4. Pete

    Alan Guest

    Vauxhall headlamp protectors aren't cheap at £29 incl VAT but they are
    reusable at least!

    Your dealer will probably not stock them so order them in plenty of time.

    --

    Alan


    New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
    www.steeles.co.uk
     
    Alan, May 24, 2004
    #4
  5. Pete

    Windy Guest

    Should have said lever not level

    Steve
     
    Windy, May 24, 2004
    #5
  6. Pete

    Pete Guest

    I checked the Manual and very helpfully it reminds you to use some tape
    to realign the beams but then lets it self down by making you ask the
    dealer where to put the tape!




    I think this kit does the same as the tape method hence it will have the
    same problem I.e. where on the lenses should I put it.


    I will go tomorrow and try and blag a look it seems a bit over the top
    to buy headlamp covers for a 1 week holiday where only about 2% of it
    will be at night

    Thanks for the feedback Sorry to be negative I will let you know how I
    get on

    Pete
     
    Pete, May 24, 2004
    #6
  7. Pete

    dogsBollix Guest

    got mine next day for the zafira
    i leave them on because it doesn't make much difference here in the uk and
    the plastic does protect the headlights from loose chippings, the replacement
    of which will be rather expensive !

    dogsBollix
     
    dogsBollix, May 25, 2004
    #7
  8. It will make a difference

    You will find I think that the part of the beam that lights-up the
    nearside - i.e. the pavement and the edge of the road - is now missing ..


    =---
     
    Richard Murphy, May 27, 2004
    #8
  9. Pete

    Pete Guest

    Hi

    Just to report I purchased a set of the headlight covers with the marks
    on where to put the tape. the cost (£24.95) did not seem to bad after
    thinking about it as the covers can be used over here as well as Europe.

    Out of interest the place where the tape should go is not where you
    would think it is about 2/3 way down in the middle of the lenses.

    Thanks for the replies

    Pete
     
    Pete, May 31, 2004
    #9
  10. Pete

    dogsBollix Guest

    errrrm No actually.
    lights up the pavement a treat.
    just spent the week on Mainland Europe and no complaints though :)

    dogsBollix
     
    dogsBollix, Jun 7, 2004
    #10
  11. Pete

    Pete Guest

    Just out of interest you did put the plastic tape onto the black crosses
    on the covers?

    I find with them covered up the beam is modified quite considerably
    while it is not undrivable in UK I find that down the dark lanes where I
    live the beam is cut off enough to be noticeable.

    Pete
     
    Pete, Jun 7, 2004
    #11
  12. Pete

    dogsBollix Guest

    they came with the "black tape" built in.
    as i say No Complaints in europe so i guess they work :)

    dogsBollix
     
    dogsBollix, Jun 7, 2004
    #12
  13. Pete

    Peter Guest

    Surely the headlamps are not as bright as they used to be as you have cut
    out some of the light. Beam benders may actually bend the been the wrong
    way so it dazzles oncoming traffic.

    If you do have been benders, I think this would be illegal to use them in
    the UK as the headlamps would not meet the specification.

    Peter
     
    Peter, Jun 10, 2004
    #13
  14. Pete

    dogsBollix Guest

    I've had them on for three months
    i can see the side of the road quite well
    nobody either side of the channel has complained
    i very much doubt if there is a 100% legal car on the roads of britain.
    as long as i keep to the speed limit the police don't care (no profit in
    stopping me)

    dogsBollix
     
    dogsBollix, Jun 11, 2004
    #14
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