Aftermarket HID and the Police.

[Andrew[MG]]

Some real grumpy buggers on here isn't there! Pistonheads at its worst I think.

When purchasing an HID kit from a reputable company and getting it fitted by a garage, you don't then expect to find out you are breaking the law.

This offence can be applied to anyone with a properly fitted HID kit, it's not just those who are dazzling people.

[jazzyjeff]

Andrew[MG] said:

When purchasing an HID kit from a reputable company and getting it fitted by a garage, you don't then expect to find out you are breaking the law.

Why not? It's perfectly reasonable to buy some oversize wheels from one supplier and have another fit them. Meeting the legal requirements ref. speedo calibration etc. are then down to you, the owner.

[Andrew[MG]]

jazzyjeff said:

Why not? It's perfectly reasonable to buy some oversize wheels from one supplier and have another fit them. Meeting the legal requirements ref. speedo calibration etc. are then down to you, the owner.

I don't know which garage you use but my mechanic would not just fit unsuitable wheels to my car and let me drive off with them. You should maybe consider going to somewhere with better trained staff.

[daz3210]

Andrew[MG] said:

jazzyjeff said:

Why not? It's perfectly reasonable to buy some oversize wheels from one supplier and have another fit them. Meeting the legal requirements ref. speedo calibration etc. are then down to you, the owner.

I don't know which garage you use but my mechanic would not just fit unsuitable wheels to my car and let me drive off with them. You should maybe consider going to somewhere with better trained staff.

Which is why I said earlier that we must surely consider the retailer of the parts to be an 'expert' and as such ought to be warning purchasers of the illegality.

If you go on to buy and get done then its your own fault.

[amccan10]

SB10 said:

OP, are you from the Glasgow area by any chance?

SPotted this post on an Astra Owners site, 2 people in that thread pulled, fined £30 and given a pink slip on same night within the Glasgow area.


http://forums.astra-sri.co.uk/showthread.php?s=40b...

Yip.

The filth officer at the time came out with something along the lines of:
as its coming into the winter we've noticed a lot more cars with HIDs fitted, we're driving into the city more often to pick up on them

[SB10]

amccan10 said:

Yip.

The filth officer at the time came out with something along the lines of:
as its coming into the winter we've noticed a lot more cars with HIDs fitted, we're driving into the city more often to pick up on them

Thought as much.

I will no doubt get stopped soon as my CTR has standard HID's which are in a reflector type lamp and sometimes look like they are an aftermarket set up.

[fangio]

odyssey2200 said:

so do I take the 100/130 H4 bulbs out of my car?

If you can prise them out of the molten plastic, then yes!

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

The problem with glare is often down to cheaper H4 Bi-Xenon kits that have a reflector shield missing on the housing. I've seen loads recently and without this little shield the beam pattern is awful. The other issue is that people buy the 55 watt version, which totally over powers the headlight housing and throws light all over the place.

If you buy an H4 kit - make sure the bulbs have the reflector fitted, stick to 35 watts which is plenty and don't be tempted to buy the 8000k+ versions.

Bulb with shield (small black tab behind the glass tube):


No shield = poor beam pattern:

[Eth2312]

jazzyjeff said:

Eth2312 said:

Thank god for this!!! about time police started to act on idiots who blind other drivers.

Hopefully next they can set to task against those who insist on blinding everyone with their high-intensity brake lights.

Given that's probably about half the drivers in this country that should free up the roads a bit for the rest

Hopefully. Although, my girlfriends Mini is completely standard and when I was following her the other night her brake lights are way too bright, they almost go pink their that bright.

I dont mind the brake lights being too bright though as at least its for a logical reason, kind off...

[jazzyjeff]

Eth2312 said:

I dont mind the brake lights being too bright though as at least its for a logical reason, kind of...

Of course - when braking. Sat in a stationary queue for minutes on end is another story - they'll burn into your brain

[saaby93]

How do those reflectors over the bulb work?
With the lens type housings surely you need the light to come straight out the end of the bulb?

[Goaty Bill]

jazzyjeff said:

Of course - when braking. Sat in a stationary queue for minutes on end is another story - they'll burn into your brain

Doesn't that presuppose...

Oh never mind