Light deflectors

[Caravan newbie]

Hello! Driving Ng to Spain at the end of the year. I have bought some light deflectors for the car. But does anyone know where they are situated on a 19 plate Peugeot 5008 GT line. A picture or something like that.

 

[Deleted member 23278]

Your car has LED lights which are unlikely to need any adjustment/deflection. If adjustment is required it'll be in the car's menus.

 

[Mr Plodd]

LD headlights have exceedingly minimal, if any, "kick up" to the nearside, so don't require any beam deflectors.
I had the same query when I purchased my first car with LED headlights (good arent they?) and raised the matter with the car manufacturer.

 

[Lutz]

If Mickyjb is correct and your car has LED headlights, these must NOT be fitted with lens deflectors as they can cause beam scatter which defeats the whole object of having them.

 

[Woodentop]

The OP should just shine his headlights at a wall or his garage door at night and look see if there is an upward tilt at the top of the beam on the nearside. As already noted he should also look for a LHD/RHD setting in his Infotainment unit if the car is of suitable age.
Most cars by European manufacturers that are imported (such as Seat or Skoda) have a flat-topped low beam which does not need changing. Remember LED (and HID) lights have to be self-levelling by law.
Some upper market cars - such as the Superb - will change the headlight tilt automatically when the GPS decides the vehicle is in LHD-land.

 

[Caravan newbie]

Thank you all for your really great advice.

 

[Buckman]

The OP should just shine his headlights at a wall or his garage door at night and look see if there is an upward tilt at the top of the beam on the nearside. As already noted he should also look for a LHD/RHD setting in his Infotainment unit if the car is of suitable age.
Most cars by European manufacturers that are imported (such as Seat or Skoda) have a flat-topped low beam which does not need changing. Remember LED (and HID) lights have to be self-levelling by law.
Some upper market cars - such as the Superb - will change the headlight tilt automatically when the GPS decides the vehicle is in LHD-land.

I am not sure about the lights on the Jeep being self levelling. When was this law introduced? Thanks.

 

[Lutz]

I am not sure about the lights on the Jeep being self levelling. When was this law introduced? Thanks.

The self levelling requirement was already introduced when xenon headlights were first fitted, long before there were any LED and HID headlamps.

 

[Caravan newbie]

Starting to look at tow bar types for our vehicle. Does anyone have a recommendation for whether it should be a flange or swan tow bar?

Are detectable towbars better? And is specific wiring a better way to go.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Buckman]

Previously we have always had detachable towballs. Now due to age and arthritis we have a fixed towball.

 

[otherclive]

Starting to look at tow bar types for our vehicle. Does anyone have a recommendation for whether it should be a flange or swan tow bar?

Are detectable towbars better? And is specific wiring a better way to go.

Thanks in advance.

When feasible I always had detachable fitted, but whatever type of towball I always opted for vehicle specific wiring.

 

[Lutz]

Whether flange or swan neck is a matter of personal preference. Personally I think the flange version looks a bit crude and spoils the appearance of the car. Detachable towbars, of course, have the big advantage of protecting shins when removed if you're not towing. I can't comment on dedicated wiring because I've always had cars with factory-fitted towbars, but from what I understand from other sources, dedicated wiring is the way to go with modern cars which have canbus electrics. I've heard of lots of problems that people have had with their car's electrics if they didn't have dedicated wiring.

 

[GaryB]

SOME detachable tow bars can be a bit fiddly to attach, my parents previous car required kneeling down to get it aligned/turn the thumb wheel. I’m now on my third retractable/folding tow bar which (for me) gives the best arrangement.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Dedicated, as opposed to (so called) "universal" wiring is, in my view absolutely essential for all of the reasons previously given. In addition I would insist/ensure that any towbar and wiring is fitted by a specialist towbar installing company rather than any garage or main agent. My reasoning being that a garage has very little practice or expertise because they dont fit very many over the course of a year, whereas a specialist company only do that one job, so will have the independent knowledge and vast experience necessary these days (especially with the wiring requirements which are vital to understand)

As for type well that's down to personal preference. My preference would be for a fully retractable, followed by a removable, followed by a Swan neck and finally, and only if no other possibility, flanged.
Of course the above list does goe from most expensive to cheapest!

Not all cars can be fitted with a retractable version, but most can have the removable type. Just be aware that the removable part is a pretty chunky item and requires a bit of care when removing, and a bit if strength to lift and lock into place. I am 69 and pretty fit so have no problems, but if you have trouble kneeling or gripping then a fixed version might suit you better. (Just mind your shins!)

Talk to your local towbar fitting company for advice.

 

[Beachball]

Starting to look at tow bar types for our vehicle. Does anyone have a recommendation for whether it should be a flange or swan tow bar?

Are detectable towbars better? And is specific wiring a better way to go.

Thanks in advance.

I also like detachable towbar and can be removed when not towing and we always had dedicated wiring

 

[otherclive]

Even I with my experience of the Forum I am surprised as to how a thread on light deflectors for a trip to Spain so rapidly morphed into the idiosyncrasies of the different types of towball and their wiring. 😱