Driving in France / Headlights

[timwood2000]

I was thinking about what to do about my headlights for my forthcoming trip to France. As they are Xenon, I released that a few black stickers wouldn't do the trick.

After finding NO information at all in the handbook, I asked my local Bentley dealer for advice. They said that they could adjust the headlights, but would have to remove the engine coolant expansion tank to access the levers on the back of the headlight. And they would need the car overnight. And for this, it would be £270 inc VAT - and the same again to put them back again afterwards.

I estimate that even if I get caught by the French cops, it will not cost me anything like this, so I am gonna take my chances....

Wish me luck!

[Lockhouse]

I was faced with the same issues on my Gt Speed. Get a pair of the Eurolites converters from Halfords that are recommended for Xenon headlights. I've not had any problems with them. I spoke to the actual supplier and he said that other Conti owners had also called and that they worked well.

I've used them twice now with no issues. Put them on on the ferry and take them off on the way home. Use a little tar remover to remove any glue. Simples.

[tonys]

I suspect that, even if you were to be pulled over for causing dazzle, you could plead ignorance and get the stickers 'realigned'

I usually drive the length of France and back 3 times per year and this year have seen far fewer police patrols (but many more cameras), no doubt they have other pressing demands in France at the moment, although the football has now finished.

I don't have a GT, so can't comment on whether the expansion tax is easily removed, or whether it can just be lifted to access the levers.

I wouldn't lose too much sleep about it, especially at this time of year.

[Lockhouse]

tonys said:

I don't have a GT, so can't comment on whether the expansion tax is easily removed, or whether it can just be lifted to access the levers.

I wouldn't lose too much sleep about it, especially at this time of year.

For the sake of £6.99 or whatever from Halfords, just get the stickers. They work, they're cheap, plus no risk of you being arrested when you have an accident at night.

[tonys]

Lockhouse said:

tonys said:

I don't have a GT, so can't comment on whether the expansion tax is easily removed, or whether it can just be lifted to access the levers.

I wouldn't lose too much sleep about it, especially at this time of year.

For the sake of £6.99 or whatever from Halfords, just get the stickers. They work, they're cheap, plus no risk of you being arrested when you have an accident at night.

Perhaps I didn't phrase my post very well - I wasn't suggesting doing nothing, I meant use the stickers but not lose much sleep about it. I have no personal experience of using sticker/deflector on xenons as I can change mine over via the 'computer'.

Obviously, the best solution would be to flick the lever on the headlight unit if you can access it.

[Tudorblack]

[quote=timwood2000]I was thinking about what to do about my headlights for my forthcoming trip to France. As they are Xenon, I released that a few black stickers wouldn't do the trick.

After finding NO information at all in the handbook, I asked my local Bentley dealer for advice. They said that they could adjust the headlights, but would have to remove the engine coolant expansion tank to access the levers on the back of the headlight. And they would need the car overnight. And for this, it would be £270 inc VAT - and the same again to put them back again afterwards.

I'm trying to get my headlights adjusted, could you tell the who the dealer is as my dealer (HR Owen Cheltenham) no nothing about this adjustment, although it in the the manual?

[Rob F]

I have a 2nd Generation CGT and just did a 2,000 mile trip through France over the summer. I didn't do anything to the headlights and I am almost certain there was something in the manual that said there was no need to adjust them.

[Poshbury]

I drove mine very regularly for the 4 years I had it in France and never got stopped by the plod.
Normally they just stand and stare at something they have not seen before, a Bentley. They are just the same with Jags too.

[Fiammetta]

I am in and out of Fr ,CH and indeed IT all the time in a U.K. spec car GT Conti .
Never bothered or been bothered by plod / customs etc re lights .
We have stickers in the boot but never used them .
At one border crossing Geneva to Fr - plod was more interested in my wrist watch ( I wear it on my R hand ) to the point he asked how much cash I was carrying ?
At which point on Q the dog in the back started barking so he backed off and waved us through .