S-Max Headlight Beam Deflectors

[MAM]

Plase can any of the S-Max (and probably Galaxy) owners out there, tell me what you do about Headlight Beam Deflectors.

I spoke to my Ford dealer who, as a favour, printed off a technical guide on how to make your own deflectors. This involved a diagram that could be used as a template - although it was not to the correct scale. So my wife has just spent an hour cutting shapes in sticky-back plastic to stick on the lights. There must be a better way! Isn't there something I could buy ready-made? Ford say there isn't. But I'm hoping someone in the Practical Caravan world knows better...

 

[Lutz]

In principle, the same answers apply as for a similar thread written about problems with beam deflectors for a Kia Sorento:

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/newforums/fm_messages.asp?FO=7&FM=411193

 

[MAM]

Hi Lutz,

In my case I'm not questioning the performance of the deflectors - more the fact that we have had to resort to Blue Peter style tactics using stick-back plastic cut-outs.

I'd have thought that on a

 

[Lutz]

The point that I was trying to make was that there are other alternatives to beam deflectors which don't require a diploma in sticky plastic cutting techniques.

 

[Brian_374234561]

excuse my ignorance, but cant you use the off the shelf deflectors such as these?

http://www.aatravelshop.com/store/touring/aa-headlamp-beam-converters
these are really easy to use and saves making your own (unless I've missed something here about the s-max)

 

[Lutz]

I am surprised that a reputable organisation such as the AA offers these things. I consider the very fact that they mention that they are suitable for xenon headlamps to be irresponsible. A 'one size fits all' product can never work satisfactorily.

 

[weejock]

Whilst I agree with Lutz about the one size fits all statement these Hella type deflectors have 1 main advatage in that you still get most of the light from your lamps.

I used to use these years ago and the difference between these and the black blanked off labels is quite remarkable.

One thing to bear in my about travelling in Europe is their love for tunnels. I have heard of people saying I won't be driving much in the dark but in certain areas you may be surprised by the amount of times you will have headlamps on.

 

[weejock]

Just a follow on thought but my galaxay has xeon lights and if they were not on the vehicle it would have swivelling lights.

If your has these I cannot for the life of me think how you are going to position them.

 

[Icemaker]

This same question pops up round about this time every year for one car or another, we allways seem to end up with the same answers and more often than not we find that most including myself don't bother with any deflectors we just lower the beam to its lowest position (all cars have internal adjustment now dont they ?). In all the times ive been abroad ive never had a problem using this method and ive never been flashed or pulled over so it appears to work fine.

obviousley its at your own risk if you choose to follow a good majority of british drivers abroad or whether you wish to start puting bits of sticky stuff on your lights.

 

[RogerL]

If the headlight dip pattern is a Z-beam then it may only need slight downward adjustment as neither part of the beam should be above horizontal.