Adjusting lights for Europe

[Oblackvette]

Apologies if this has been asked before, I have a UK C6 what do I need to do to adjust the headlights for driving in Europe.
Thanks in anticipation,

[Vet Guru]

I've never touched my lights on my C6 when going to Europe!

[GW65]

I believe there's no adjustment - different lights for UK versus mainland Europe - so you either do nothing or use stickers.

[G4HKS]

Vet Guru said:

I've never touched my lights on my C6 when going to Europe!

Well you're a very naughty boy.

[Vet Guru]

They are only French!!

[Kneetrembler]

Either change the whole set up or use stickers as has been said is the only way.

I have just had to change the lights on my C5 as I imported it into Spain, not a cheap option changing the lights £1,500.00, sorta takes your breath away.

[z06tim]

Kneetrembler said:

I have just had to change the lights on my C5 as I imported it into Spain, not a cheap option changing the lights £1,500.00, sorta takes your breath away.

That's a lot of conkers! I have the standard domestic US spec lamps with a flat beam pattern that the MOT tester in the UK just changed the horizontal adjustment on to satisfy the dipped beam aim here. I would be surprised if it could not be done the other way for driving on the right on mainland Europe.

But, as said before the way to do it for a short trip abroad is with the old stick on blanking kits.

[Kneetrembler]

z06tim said:

Kneetrembler said:

I have just had to change the lights on my C5 as I imported it into Spain, not a cheap option changing the lights £1,500.00, sorta takes your breath away.

That's a lot of conkers! I have the standard domestic US spec lamps with a flat beam pattern that the MOT tester in the UK just changed the horizontal adjustment on to satisfy the dipped beam aim here. I would be surprised if it could not be done the other way for driving on the right on mainland Europe.

But, as said before the way to do it for a short trip abroad is with the old stick on blanking kits.

I tried that but the ITV testers would not allow it,I spoke to Ian Goss first he said the same,this ITV station is the most difficult that I have ever dealt with in Spain.

[mitch_]

z06tim said:

Kneetrembler said:

I have just had to change the lights on my C5 as I imported it into Spain, not a cheap option changing the lights £1,500.00, sorta takes your breath away.

That's a lot of conkers! I have the standard domestic US spec lamps with a flat beam pattern that the MOT tester in the UK just changed the horizontal adjustment on to satisfy the dipped beam aim here. I would be surprised if it could not be done the other way for driving on the right on mainland Europe.

But, as said before the way to do it for a short trip abroad is with the old stick on blanking kits.

Sadly not possible Tim. The difference between having a US lamp with no beam pattern and one with LH or RH bias is too significant to fudge. It's a new set of lights on a C6 and that will cost you c.£1500 a side. I'm currently in the U.S. so apologies if I'm not on the button with the pricing info but I'd bet I'm pretty close.

[Pvapour]

our UK bought C5 & C6 went through French system (controle tec) with NO mods.

Edited by Pvapour on Tuesday 20th April 22:17

[mitch_]

If I recall your cars weren't U.K. spec with COC's but U.S. imports that had been registered under the SVA system?

[Pvapour]

mitch_ said:

If I recall your cars weren't U.K. spec with COC's but U.S. imports that had been registered under the SVA system?

both UK cars, questions were asked around US imports though as we were considering them, went with UK euro spec cars in the end (good memory though )

edited to add: have you ever heard of a hard top for the C5 convertible?

Edited by Pvapour on Wednesday 21st April 00:03

[Vet Guru]

So what's the news with Corvette from the States?? Not bad being left in America with no flights home...

[Kneetrembler]

mitch_ said:

z06tim said:

Kneetrembler said:

I have just had to change the lights on my C5 as I imported it into Spain, not a cheap option changing the lights £1,500.00, sorta takes your breath away.

That's a lot of conkers! I have the standard domestic US spec lamps with a flat beam pattern that the MOT tester in the UK just changed the horizontal adjustment on to satisfy the dipped beam aim here. I would be surprised if it could not be done the other way for driving on the right on mainland Europe.

But, as said before the way to do it for a short trip abroad is with the old stick on blanking kits.

Sadly not possible Tim. The difference between having a US lamp with no beam pattern and one with LH or RH bias is too significant to fudge. It's a new set of lights on a C6 and that will cost you c.£1500 a side. I'm currently in the U.S. so apologies if I'm not on the button with the pricing info but I'd bet I'm pretty close.

Mitch,
As I said for my C5 it was £1500 for the two, not a cheap option.

[vetteheadracer]

I'm confused about this, my US spec C6 Z06 circa 2008 passed the SVA test with the standard US spec lights (just swapped the bulbs out for non-HID for the test).

I've taken the car to Europe on numerous occassions and never been flashed by oncoming motorists and I don't bother with beam deflectors.

[Vet Guru]

vetteheadracer said:

I'm confused about this, my US spec C6 Z06 circa 2008 passed the SVA test with the standard US spec lights (just swapped the bulbs out for non-HID for the test).

I've taken the car to Europe on numerous occassions and never been flashed by oncoming motorists and I don't bother with beam deflectors.

Nigel that's because your going too fast for the Police to stop you!!!!

On my C6 the lights are made for the UK Export market and also Europe have thier own lights which are differnt to ours, But both cars are Euro spec models!
Remember Euro cars also have the headlamp power washer and the sidelights are build into the headlight from the factory.

[Pvapour]

vetteheadracer said:

I'm confused about this, my US spec C6 Z06 circa 2008 passed the SVA test with the standard US spec lights (just swapped the bulbs out for non-HID for the test).

I've taken the car to Europe on numerous occassions and never been flashed by oncoming motorists and I don't bother with beam deflectors.

as I mentioned, never had a problem, 3 official UK cars (2 x C6 & 1 x C5) all put through 6 x Controle Techniques without a single adjustment & all at different centres, 6 because you must have a CT within last 6 months when selling a car.

not one of the centres has ever mentioned anything to do with headlights.

Just my experience though

[mitch_]

vetteheadracer said:

I'm confused about this, my US spec C6 Z06 circa 2008 passed the SVA test with the standard US spec lights (just swapped the bulbs out for non-HID for the test).

I've taken the car to Europe on numerous occassions and never been flashed by oncoming motorists and I don't bother with beam deflectors.

You can use a US lamp to form a flat beam pattern, they cannot achieve a bias to LH or RH rule of road. If you have a lamp with either a LH or RH rule of road bias they cannot be modified to make any other beam pattern. If you have a Corvette with a COC it will either have a LH bias for the UK or a RH bias for the rest of Europe, therefore they will be incorrect if taken to an opposing destination. As a US import your car will have no discernible beam pattern so you won't cause offence when driving abroad, but without a COC your is much less desirable to a potential buyer on the continent. I hope that is a little clearer.

M

[vetteheadracer]

mitch_ said:

vetteheadracer said:

I'm confused about this, my US spec C6 Z06 circa 2008 passed the SVA test with the standard US spec lights (just swapped the bulbs out for non-HID for the test).

I've taken the car to Europe on numerous occassions and never been flashed by oncoming motorists and I don't bother with beam deflectors.

You can use a US lamp to form a flat beam pattern, they cannot achieve a bias to LH or RH rule of road. If you have a lamp with either a LH or RH rule of road bias they cannot be modified to make any other beam pattern. If you have a Corvette with a COC it will either have a LH bias for the UK or a RH bias for the rest of Europe, therefore they will be incorrect if taken to an opposing destination. As a US import your car will have no discernible beam pattern so you won't cause offence when driving abroad, but without a COC your is much less desirable to a potential buyer on the continent. I hope that is a little clearer.

M

Which then begs the question why don't they just supply all cars not just vettes with flat beam patterns!!
Agree about the Certificate of Conformity but then again I sold my 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 truck to a dealer in France

[Tom74]

I have the flat beam pattern on mine and have been flashed at in both lhd and rhd countries at night, presumably for being to bright.

Maybe that's why most manufacturers fit a bias pattern?