E46 Xenons on the Continent

[mat205125]

My appologies if this has been covered in the past, however the search function is not working.

Off to the 'Ring next month, and will be travelling back during the night.

How do I prepare my Xenon headlights on my car for travelling on the continent at night?

[JerseyS2000]

I stand by to be flamed to death but my understanding is that xenons don't need to be adjusted/taped up/whatever as the beam is far flatter than a regular bulb's beam and therefore won't dazzle the locals.

I've never fiddled with my lights and have done plenty of night driving in the continent (and the area around the Ring in particular) without issue.

Oh and you lucky bugger for going to the Ring this summer. I've not been since last July and miss it like crazy.

HTH

Ben

Edited by JerseyS2000 on Friday 12th June 14:06

[Zod]

Here is the answer:

old single xenons - there is a yellow rotary switch on the back of each unit. Turn it.

newer bi-xenons - there is a black, domed cap on the back of each unit. Open the dome (it is fiddly and difficult to get back on properly) and push the white switch inside over to the other side. The switch gives only squashy feedback.

ETA: do switch them, because the left side lamp is kicked upwards and will dazzle oncoming traffic on the continent.

Edited by Zod on Friday 12th June 14:17

[f13ldy]

As above.

And don't think you'll get away with out doing it.

You won't. Either you'll have everyone travelling in the opposite direction flashing you, to being accosted by a strange lorry driver in a services at 2am thinking I'm about to get something put somewhere where I wouldn't like it.