Continental driving Galaxy headlights

[BurtonRob]

I posted this under another category but thought it worth asking again. Off to France with my 2005 Galaxy. I've got the impression that masking the beams with these bulbs might just melt the headlights. I know I can lower the beam but any advice would be appreciated.

Rob

 

[rob_jax]

Rob,

If you have plastic (polycarbonate) headlamps, and mask the beams with black carpet tape (or similar) - there is a chance that the tape will bond to the lens.

The legal requirement is that you must not dazzle on-coming drivers, and UK pattern headlamps with asymmetric beam pattern can easily do. European headlamps are set to a symmetric (straight-ahead) pattern - so they don't need adjusting when they travel to the UK.

1. Check to see if you have adjustment levers that let you set the beam pattern to symmetric (most likely if you have Xenon gas discharge headlamps). That's a simple job to flip a lever, and learn to say "symmetric" in the local language. Never mask Xenon headlamps

2. If you don't have the adjustment levers and you most probably have Halogen headlamp bulbs, then think about fitting a set of clear plastic headlamp guards - and have these masked. Then you can just clip them on when travelling in Europe.

3. You have headlamp level control (which probably means Halogen) so you could experiment with winding the headlamps all the way down - that will stop dazzle.

But if the police stop you - solution 2 should have you driving away without any questions being asked

Robert

 

[BurtonRob]

Thanks you so much for taking the trouble to give me such a comprehensive answer.

Rob

 

[Icemaker]

We went to france last year with our alhambra allso a 2005 model and after having advice from the seat dealer i didnt bother with any beam benders or stick on tape devices, i just lowered the beam to its lowest setting and had no problems at all. we never once got flashed by cars on the other side or had any problems with the police throughout the two weeks we visited.

I did have a wander round the port at portsmouth and out of probably 200 vehicles around a quarter of them had bothered with altering the headlamps.

Its up to you if you think beam adjusters are worth it but personally i would just carry a set in the car in case of a problem and lower the lamps to there minimum height.

 

[scottironsbtinternet.com]

Hi,

This is not meant to sould flipent or cheeky,but what are the chances that you will be driving in the dark that you need headlights?I have been to France 3 times with my car and have never had my lights on in a total of 6 weeks.

 

[BurtonRob]

Hi,

This is not meant to sould flipent or cheeky,but what are the chances that you will be driving in the dark that you need headlights?I have been to France 3 times with my car and have never had my lights on in a total of 6 weeks.

You make a fair comment, we have done little night driving in 12 years of touring in France. However we did once travel through the night and I was considering doing this again. best wishes Rob

 

[onlyme]

Rob

If you contact any Ford main dealer and ask for copy of TSB (techinical service bulletin) number 87/2000 dated 27/07.2000. This document cotains all the ifo you need plus actual size templates for correct masking of headlights. I personaly use black (gaffa type)tape which is easily removed with white spirit.