Galaxy HID headlights legal issue
Discussion
HI,
Briefly!
Ive got a 2013 Galaxy Titanium X that has HID Xenons in FEB 2014.
Ive asked Ford about converting them to allow me to legally drive onto the continent, and basically I cant unless I want a greatly reduced range (less than 20 meters) and have to drive to Dover illegally due to the adjustment they deem acceptable to the headlight aim. (fully to the right and down about 20%)
In their infinite wisdom Ford/Hella have not fitted the usual leaver into the headlight to allow this to be done in 5 minutes. Stick on masks dont work due to the self levelling function of HID's
I frequently travel to France/Belgium/Italy (at least 10 times per year) and obviously this is an issue where either I dont adjust them and risk a fine and dazzle oncoming cars, or adjust them and risk an accident, its really that bad, even my fogs have more range!
I am also advised that the adjusted aim will not pass a MOT in UK so I am also driving illegally in UK when they are adjusted to go.
Ford advised that this is ok as a "Traveller basis" whatever that means, and I have to get a dealer to adjust them before I leave the UK. Ive asked Motorcodes to investigate but they seem to side with the manufacturer.
The amount of wrong information from them is unreal. Even as far as the technical team saying that all EU cars have the same headlights, I had to get a VIN from a non UK car to prove them wrong.
My question is where do I stand legally? Id like to get the lights to work as they should, ie I can convert them as every other car I have had with HID's.
Do I have a case to take to Ford to get the car replaced for something that can convert the headlights?
Does the type approval cover things like this? Is the approval just for the UK or EU wide?
Thanks in advance.
Phil
Briefly!
Ive got a 2013 Galaxy Titanium X that has HID Xenons in FEB 2014.
Ive asked Ford about converting them to allow me to legally drive onto the continent, and basically I cant unless I want a greatly reduced range (less than 20 meters) and have to drive to Dover illegally due to the adjustment they deem acceptable to the headlight aim. (fully to the right and down about 20%)
In their infinite wisdom Ford/Hella have not fitted the usual leaver into the headlight to allow this to be done in 5 minutes. Stick on masks dont work due to the self levelling function of HID's
I frequently travel to France/Belgium/Italy (at least 10 times per year) and obviously this is an issue where either I dont adjust them and risk a fine and dazzle oncoming cars, or adjust them and risk an accident, its really that bad, even my fogs have more range!
I am also advised that the adjusted aim will not pass a MOT in UK so I am also driving illegally in UK when they are adjusted to go.
Ford advised that this is ok as a "Traveller basis" whatever that means, and I have to get a dealer to adjust them before I leave the UK. Ive asked Motorcodes to investigate but they seem to side with the manufacturer.
The amount of wrong information from them is unreal. Even as far as the technical team saying that all EU cars have the same headlights, I had to get a VIN from a non UK car to prove them wrong.
My question is where do I stand legally? Id like to get the lights to work as they should, ie I can convert them as every other car I have had with HID's.
Do I have a case to take to Ford to get the car replaced for something that can convert the headlights?
Does the type approval cover things like this? Is the approval just for the UK or EU wide?
Thanks in advance.
Phil
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