Headlights - France
Discussion
In 30-odd years of going to France, I've only ever fitted deflectors once, and they ruined a set of headlights with the aggressive glue. We go at least 3 or 4 times per year and I now only use the height control on the lights to lower them a tad when driving at night. A couple of clicks with my right thumb as we get off the ferry sorts it!
End of last year, we had a day trip in France in the wifes Evoque. First time we've used her car abroad, so forgot about buying a set of Eurolites
I was getting flashed constantly by drivers coming the other way, clearly pissing the locals off. In the end, since it wasn't too dark i turned the headlights off and the front fogs on.
Next time we go, i'll remember to use them.
I was getting flashed constantly by drivers coming the other way, clearly pissing the locals off. In the end, since it wasn't too dark i turned the headlights off and the front fogs on.
Next time we go, i'll remember to use them.
On my current daily it's just a matter of setting it on the menu, the dynamic projector hardware supports both options in the same unit.
On the car I used to use in Europe a lot that didn't support such clever tricks I just swapped on some OEM LHD headlights before travelling; they were cheap used off Ebay, gave full performance & it was easy to do and remove.
Don't think I'd skip it, might get lucky or might get picked as a soft target.
On the car I used to use in Europe a lot that didn't support such clever tricks I just swapped on some OEM LHD headlights before travelling; they were cheap used off Ebay, gave full performance & it was easy to do and remove.
Don't think I'd skip it, might get lucky or might get picked as a soft target.
FiF said:
Historically I've always reset the lights but current vehicle with matrix LED doesn't have the means to do it. Manual simply says don't use the auto setting.
Must admit on the manual setting it's a very flat dipped beam, no kick up on the left.
What car has Matrix LED lights that can’t be adjusted?Must admit on the manual setting it's a very flat dipped beam, no kick up on the left.
I have never used beam deflectors in ten yesrs of driving from N Norfolk to the Algarve. Once clear of Northern France the roads are lightly trafficed out of towns and cities and I drive very little in the dark these days anyway. I do use headlighs in rain, though, but cannot remember ever being flashed by oncoming traffic.
VX Astra 2024 Tourer Ultimate.
From the pdf operating manual.
Yet when on auto there is a definite kick up and illumination along the nearside, at times I would say definitely detrimental to pedestrians and drivers of vehicles emerging from a side road. One would expect it to be capable of modification via OBD but there is nothing for the driver.
For example when I ran Volvos it was completely normal for me to take time while sitting in the queue at the ferry port to remove headlight clusters, push the lever to adjust the dip pattern and refit. Same on return trip, only took 10 minutes to do both sides.
From the pdf operating manual.
manual said:
Glare-free high beam
Warning
The glare-free high beam function may dazzle other road users when the vehicle is driven in countries where traffic moves on the opposite side of the road. E.g. when the vehicle was designed for left hand drive traffic and it is driven in a country with right hand drive traffic. Switch off glare-free high beam function whenever you are driving in countries mentioned above!
Having looked through the manual and the in car customisation screens there is nowhere that allows the driver to change it.Warning
The glare-free high beam function may dazzle other road users when the vehicle is driven in countries where traffic moves on the opposite side of the road. E.g. when the vehicle was designed for left hand drive traffic and it is driven in a country with right hand drive traffic. Switch off glare-free high beam function whenever you are driving in countries mentioned above!
Yet when on auto there is a definite kick up and illumination along the nearside, at times I would say definitely detrimental to pedestrians and drivers of vehicles emerging from a side road. One would expect it to be capable of modification via OBD but there is nothing for the driver.
For example when I ran Volvos it was completely normal for me to take time while sitting in the queue at the ferry port to remove headlight clusters, push the lever to adjust the dip pattern and refit. Same on return trip, only took 10 minutes to do both sides.
I have been taking my 1990 BMW 325i Cabrio to France since it was new. I have never used stickers. If there is some weight in the boot, I adjust the beam height.
Similarly, when I lived in France, I never used stickers on my French cars when driving them in the UK.
Like the OP, I rarely drive after dark, too much quality wine and food to be enjoyed.
Similarly, when I lived in France, I never used stickers on my French cars when driving them in the UK.
Like the OP, I rarely drive after dark, too much quality wine and food to be enjoyed.
littleredrooster said:
In 30-odd years of going to France, I've only ever fitted deflectors once, and they ruined a set of headlights with the aggressive glue. We go at least 3 or 4 times per year and I now only use the height control on the lights to lower them a tad when driving at night. A couple of clicks with my right thumb as we get off the ferry sorts it!
I do the same.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff