Ferrari FF help. Beam adjustment?

[TurboSpool]

Hello all,

I will soon be driving an FF through France, and I was wondering if it has a setting to change the beam angle / direction to the appropriate setting for the other side of the road. Or do I have to buy those hideous stickers for the headlights?

Many thanks.

[skilly1]

So when you said in the other thread:

'A facelift C63 (2011 model) has, for a long time, been my "dream" car. I'm just getting close to being able to afford one, and wham, a spanner gets thrown in the works. I got to spend 24 hours with a top spec Ghibli S earlier this week, and I sort of fell in love with it.'

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

You consider a FF to not be your dream car, but a C63 is? Go and pedal your crap somewhere else.

[TurboSpool]

I am not "pedalling crap". I'm going on a run in my business colleagues car to the Geneva motor show.

Jesus. No wonder this forum gets a bad name. Honestly, what do I have to gain by asking a made up question about the headlights on an FF.

Anyone with some actual serious answers?

[skilly1]

I take it back if thats the case - sorry for any offence caused.

[dudleybloke]

Looks like its a sticker job.

[130R]

They are probably set in the middle anyway

[TurboSpool]

Thanks for the replies.

We're going to try and contact Ferrari directly, but failing that I suppose it's going to be a sticker job. Seems a shame to drive around with those ugly things stuck on! But oh well, needs must I suppose...

[Pork]

My understanding is that if your car has xenons, you don't need to adjust them as the beam patterns are much flatter than the older, non-xenon lights.

That came from the AA man at the Eurotunnel terminal when I first took my Maserati.

[MrVert]

Pork said:

My understanding is that if your car has xenons, you don't need to adjust them as the beam patterns are much flatter than the older, non-xenon lights.

That came from the AA man at the Eurotunnel terminal when I first took my Maserati.

I think this is the case.

Was told the same when taking delivery of my 458.... No need to alter the lights.

[clarky92]

I don't think you need to adjust them or pit stockers on. When watching the youtubers like shmee and Paul Wallace they never put stickers on their cars when driving on the continent.

[TTmonkey]

Pork said:

My understanding is that if your car has xenons, you don't need to adjust them as the beam patterns are much flatter than the older, non-xenon lights.

That came from the AA man at the Eurotunnel terminal when I first took my Maserati.

I don't understand this. I thought the stickers were to divert the beam from being offset left to being offset right, thus not annoying oncoming drivers with dazzle.. .? I can't see that zenons make a difference with where th lights are pointing.

[mon the fish]

BMWs/Minis with xenons still have a lever to adjust the beam from LHD to RHD - so may still be an issue?

[TTmonkey]

mon the fish said:

BMWs/Minis with xenons still have a lever to adjust the beam from LHD to RHD - so may still be an issue?

Yep this is the point. Xenons on some manufacturers have left/right adjustments. I guess they may dazzle less than older style lights though.

The law says that all headlights should be adjusted for the Siide of the road you drive on, it does not exclude xenons and other new technologies. It's a specific offence and could lead to a fine. However I'm fully aware that many people don't bother with this anymore and it's quite likely that the police on the continent don't enforce these regs.

Only one thing to think about though.... Let's say you are involved in an accident that gets investigated whilst driving abroad and the other side say they were being dazzled by unchanged headlights. Could end up an expensive problem, and possibly invalidate your insurance?

[TTmonkey]

One person who i would NOT listen to is any service advisor at your service garage.

[paulmnz]

I drive all sorts of cars in europe and used to use the stickers. now I dont bother. modern xenon headlights have an almost flat beam (they tend to have a slight 'step' to the left of right but its not enough to 'dazzle' or 'blind' other drivers).

Xenon's with a 'step':


old style bulb beams:


I've never had anyone flash their lights at me or had any issues with police or ferry/eurotunnel staff.

I carry a set of stick on beam modifiers along with the other euro stuff (jackets, triangle etc) but they have been in the packet for years...