Headlight adjustments for EU driving

[jerryz]

with a Fiat Ducato based RHD van , how do you set up for LHD driving in EU,, Stickers or can the beams be adjusted ?????

 

[pagey]

Stickers

 

[DDJC]

You might consider buying LHD headlight units. Takes less than ten minutes per side to swap; the time you are in the tunnel for example.

I opted for LED bulbs. Most such bulbs accept minute adjustment to point the kerbside beam (driver side in Europe) more to the middle of the lane. Fiddly, but it seems to work.

You can point them as far down as possible and they probably won't dazzle someone (which is the entire point of why you do this).

Or, and I am not being funny here, choose to not drive at night. I only rarely do so.

Otherwise, yep, its stickers.

 

[dunnah01]

Don't use stickers on the X250. They can't be removed without damaging the lens. Plastic clear covers with beam benders built in are the best option.

 

[DDJC]

Don't use stickers on the X250. They can't be removed without damaging the lens. Plastic clear covers with beam benders built in are the best option.

Didn't know that. Thanks. Got a link for these plastic covers?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dunnah01]

Didn't know that. Thanks. Got a link for these plastic covers?

These are the sort of thing - quite expensive for what they are though:

HEADLAMP PROTECTORS - P. Boxer / Fiat Ducato / C.Relay 2006-2014 - VC28FI0351 | eBay

HEADLAMP PROTECTORS from Van Comfort.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[prb]

Don't use stickers on the X250. They can't be removed without damaging the lens. Plastic clear covers with beam benders built in are the best option.

Yup. Found that out too late, and I have covers. Thought the stickers would be a better option - wrong!

 

[DDJC]

These are the sort of thing - quite expensive for what they are though:

HEADLAMP PROTECTORS - P. Boxer / Fiat Ducato / C.Relay 2006-2014 - VC28FI0351 | eBay

HEADLAMP PROTECTORS from Van Comfort.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks.
But won't fit my 2018 Ducato

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

We don't move at night if I can help it.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I never bothered on our van the 10 times we went to Benidorm. I just lowered the setting on the switch. Also mostly drove in the daytime anyway.

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[Mick Kennedy]

I've just left the stickers on our van - been there years now, back and forth between the UK and continent. Makes no odds to visibility that I can notice.

 

[Sapper520]

2014 on……covers have supplied markers and tape.

Headlamp Protectors | Van Comfort

Headlamp Guards for Vans / Coachbuilt Motorhomes, easy to fit, many models available. Manufactured by AIRPLEX

www.vancomfort.co.uk

 

[roseheath]

Don't use stickers on the X250. They can't be removed without damaging the lens. Plastic clear covers with beam benders built in are the best option.

Pull a bit of clingfilm over the headlight and then attach the deflector stickers

 

[Apacheman]

Used stickers and removed them for first UK MOT. Warmed them with a hairdryer, peeled them off, then removed residue with soft cloth and soapy water. Came off easy, and no damage to headlights. Thinking for next trip won’t even bother as generally don’t drive in the dark across the channel.

 

[tony_g]

Many years ago I used to go through the ritual of painting the headlights yellow for trips to France and sticking on beam deflectors. I used headlight protectors with built in deflectors on my first van, Transit base, 13 years ago. Just haven't bothered since on Iveco/Fiat vans. Just lower the beam. Ducato headlights so feeble they seem incapable of dazzling anybody!

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[Momac]

We don't drive at night when we're in Europe as a rule, but we seem to drive through long tunnels quite regularly where headlights are compulsory.

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Had the stickers on for our last trip , on van for a month , came off easy enough ( 21 plate Ducato)

 

[Lenny HB]

I've just left the stickers on our van - been there years now, back and forth between the UK and continent. Makes no odds to visibility that I can notice.

If left on for more than a few weeks the adhesive can permanently damage plastic headlamps but OK on glass.
As for visibility they will convert them to flat dipping so the beam won't kick up to the left to give better visibility of pedestrians.

 

[Bramidan]

Years ago I just stuck insulating tape on my headlights where the handbook illustrated where beam deflectors should be positioned.
Worked a treat, the biggest whine was from my 15 year old son who called me a tight fisted Itinerant, who squeaked when he walked.
Bothered……..
Just noticed the spell corrector to itinerant, love it

 

[LesW]

Years ago I just stuck insulating tape on my headlights where the handbook illustrated where beam deflectors should be positioned.
Worked a treat, the biggest whine was from my 15 year old son who called me a tight fisted Itinerant, who squeaked when he walked.
Bothered……..
Just noticed the spell corrector to itinerant, love it

Like this..
.

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[Bramidan]

Yes they are the ones, beam deflectors why buy them?

 

[Blaydon]

Hi folks, the stickers stop dazzling so reduce the light coming out. When it comes to MOT, they are looking for the beam being too high. Yes the light is poor, but not an MOT failure.
I have fitted a pair of very small spots linked to main bean, so when looking for sites, or roads at night, I can add a good lot of light towards the patch that is lost due to the stickers. All good.

D

 

[cyberyacht]

The headlights on my Carthago are so small that if I put deflectors on there wouldn't be any light at all.

 

[stevewagner]

The headlights on my Carthago are so small that if I put deflectors on there wouldn't be any light at all.

You don’t have to. You lust loosen three screws on the back and rotate the lamp fitting

 

[wp1234]

We don't move at night if I can help it.

Same here , never drive at night in the EU so never have deflectors .

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[chesterfield hooligan]

The only bit we do is of the ferry 6am ish then to a free aire 15 miles from Dieppe.

 

[varaizian]

I never use beam deflectors going to the UK in a LHD Ducato or the Golf; I just lower the lights and use headlights if really necessary. Can't say I have seen such stickers or covers for sale in France. Bit of a limited market!

 

[CamperManLez]

Vancomfort clip on with the stickers, they protect the headlamp as well. Good quality items.

 

[Tony50]

You don’t have to. You lust loosen three screws on the back and rotate the lamp fitting

How advanced we have got over the last 50 years on 1970's Renault cars, you turned the bulb, to reset beam for continental Driving , a 1 minute job!!

 

[DDJC]

The other thing I do in tunnels and poor vis, is pump up the VB semi air to the max, which further casts the beam downwards.