Continental driving - headlights

[divetheworld]

For the headlights, I gathered the information below.
For real?? How many have bothered, and if you didn't, any trouble?

How to set the headlamps on a Aston Martin V8 Vantage for continental driving
The headlamps on the Aston Martin V8 Vantage can be altered from the UK spec to comply with driving on the continent;
1. it will require the front wheels to be removed, if using a trolley jack please use axle stands to correctly and safely support the vehicle
2. remove the plastic access panel in the wheel arch liner,
3. undo the two screw securing the black cover from the rear of the headlamp and remove
4. you will now see the rear of the lighting unit, do not touch, interfere or remove the square silver box shown on the right of the headlamp as serious injury or damage can be caused,
5. To the right of the silver box there is a lever silver in colour and about 2 inches long, this will be in the down position for the uk and requires pushing up to convert to continental driving,
6. refit all panels and wheels and repeat for the passenger side, the passenger side lever is a little bit more difficult to see, and will be on the left of the lamp,
7. on returning to the uk this procedure will have to be reversed

[MaverickV12]

Been driving for years on the continent and never once did what you described. Never been flashed or had it checked or anything. Lorry/Coach drivers get pi55y if i forget my Highbeams on the Motorways, but then that happens in England.

Where you going?

[divetheworld]

MaverickV12 said:

Where you going?

I quite fancied a run down past Bordeaux to San Sebastián.
Either straight back or via Marseille.

[F1 NDW]

Same as Maverick. Never had any trouble. Most night driving is done on the motorway's though.

[DocW]

I stick on the beam deflectors as a gesture to keeping within the regulations. Is that a waste of time? I worry that if I am stopped and I don't have all the bits and pieces such as breathalysers, random bulbs, jackets in car etc I am done for as I can't argue in French or Italian.

[MaverickV12]

DocW said:

I worry that if I am stopped and I don't have all the bits and pieces such as

I know what you mean, I think that if you do something stupid such as Drink Drive or break the sound barrier, then they would throw the book at you. Other than that my experience is that no one gives a damn about you. Been stopped in most countries, and everytime they want your plastic licence, ONCE, in France they checked my V5C - but to be fair it was when I did something stupid, so my theory is sound in that instance

Have you seen the other cars in Europe? Cities are different, but out in the country and as long as the vehicle moves, then people drive it. Don't get me started on rural Italy.

The problem is our cars themselves, if you're in a Citroen Picasso and you break the limit by 40kmh, they feel sorry for you and hope you can go faster. I have also set the cruise control on the speed limit on the DB9 and pulled for 18kmh over the limit. They just love the car .....

Don't do anything silly and everyone will leave you alone .... .... except you, you Rich English Flash 007 Bugger ......

[MaverickV12]

divetheworld said:

I quite fancied a run down past Bordeaux to San Sebastián.
Either straight back or via Marseille

That sounds bril.

My sister lives past Bordeaux and I'm going to take a blast down there for a coffee in the next few weeks. You interested in a trip? Don't know whether to take the Ferry or Chunnel, my sister uses the Dieppe crossing because she, "doesn't like to drive", ...... ahh .......

With a name such as, "divetheworld", I'm assuming you been a few places?

[jonby]

I am a stickler for taking all the paperwork and other bit & pieces you need when driving abroad but the two things I never bother with are the correct GB sticker & headlight convertors as the police never seem concerned, even when I've been stopped for speeding

On the sticker, I have GB on my numberplate which strictly speaking doesn't satisfy the legal requirements as it's too small but I've never had a problem. On headlight, it's only an issue if you are driving at night - you can't be done for not having stickers on your headlights during the day. I tend to do odd short journeys at night when abroad but not much motorway/long distance driving and I suspect many others are the same - amazed how many times I've been away with people who convert their headlamps despite not planning to drive at night

[Jockman]

jonby said:

......On the sticker, I have GB on my numberplate which strictly speaking doesn't satisfy the legal requirements as it's too small but I've never had a problem.....

Didn't realise that Jonby !!!

I have GB plates front and back, though I believe only the front is required ?????

[Richales]

I used to do the afore mentioned headlight beam adjustment every time I went onto the continent, and it is a monster PITA! It's very fiddly finding the metal lever inside the headlight housing to flick them over, from memory especially on the LH light for some reason. Dealer wanted to charge an hour and a half labour when I asked, which is why I used to do it myself. It's not difficult, just fiddly and annoying having to jack up and remove wheels.

Having lived in Germany for 4 years I then just bought a set of LHD lights for the Aston, not cheap! In fact I've been back now for 2 years and still got the Vantage LHD lights in the garage.... must get round to selling!

[divetheworld]

MaverickV12 said:

That sounds bril.

My sister lives past Bordeaux and I'm going to take a blast down there for a coffee in the next few weeks. You interested in a trip? Don't know whether to take the Ferry or Chunnel, my sister uses the Dieppe crossing because she, "doesn't like to drive", ...... ahh .......

With a name such as, "divetheworld", I'm assuming you been a few places?

I think the Chunnel might be the best bet. Have you seen how they load ferries! Packed in closer than a Tesco parking space, then everyone dragging bags past the car.. It will come off looking like an Austin Maestro.

Travelling for the last 15yrs has always been a work thing. By the time I hung up the frequent flyer card it was 84 countries and enough airmiles for 3 business class trips to the Caymans.
The wife doesn't like flying and Schipol is just another day at the office for me, so the Aston is our land based Gulfstream.

So, it looks like stickers for the lights and bumper in the glove box and just enjoy the trip.
Perfect.

ATB
Brent (aka Divetheworld)

[Lunablack]

I've never bothered with altering the lights on any of my vehicles when on the continent..

I wonder how many of the 1000's of continental wagons that come over here alter their lights

[IanV12VR]

Taken my Aston on ferries a few times and no issues. Always been given safe parking with loads of space with the HGV's. I have found that once they see your car they always look after you.

As to Chunnel or Ferry I will have a better idea later this year when I get my first experience of the Chunnel. As I live in the South West then I prefer to use Plymouth to get across rather than do the four hour + slog up to Folkestone.

[mikey k]

divetheworld said:

MaverickV12 said:

Where you going?

I quite fancied a run down past Bordeaux to San Sebastián.
Either straight back or via Marseille.

Nothing to interesting down there other than Dune du Pilat & Route de la Corniche, unless you want to go further a field?


French Loop 216_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 310_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

I've never bothered with the adjusters but they are easy enough to get to. I will also never use the stick on deflectors after one of the headlights was replaced on my last Vantage when the previous owner delaminated the plastic taking it off (so I keep a set in the car just encase )
Only ever been flashed twice in many many miles on the continent, been stopped a few times but never asked about the headlights.

[mikey k]

divetheworld said:

I think the Chunnel might be the best bet. Have you seen how they load ferries! Packed in closer than a Tesco parking space, then everyone dragging bags past the car.. It will come off looking like an Austin Maestro.

Not my experience
Most are very careful
Sometimes you get loaded at the front of the lorries for a quick get away
Never bothered with the Chunnel
Though I might next time so I can blast down the Autoroute to Alps in one day

[MaverickV12]

mikey k said:

Nothing to interesting down there other than Dune du Pilat & Route de la Corniche, unless you want to go further a field?

My sister has gone on and on about these dune, supposed to be the largest in Europe, yes? Looks like i'll see them soon.

Ferry and Chunnel. Been on the Plymouth one (very long - but nice), the Calais is great, I use it as part of the holiday. Everyone stares at your AM because most cars are Buses, vans and loaded 7 seaters. If you're lucky you'll be out of the way, if you are unlucky you'll park near a door exit. BUGGER. you are right everyone walks past to get upstairs. Middle of the night won't matter so much, but bugger once ....... I was right by a door and half of the South East were on a million coaches ......... I stayed with the car until everyone had left, and I was pulling at the door to be the first one down ......

The Chunnel is bril, no one walks past there is a toilet and you can sleep for 30 minutes. Also and this is important if you are taking kids, " ... there is no where for your family to spend your money...", , I save about £100.00 every time I use the Chunnel, (coffee/cake/crisps/unwnted crap x 4 children)

Divetheworls - 84 Countries ......

[mikey k]

MaverickV12 said:

mikey k said:

Nothing to interesting down there other than Dune du Pilat & Route de la Corniche, unless you want to go further a field?

My sister has gone on and on about these dune, supposed to be the largest in Europe, yes? Looks like i'll see them soon.

The Chunnel is bril, no one walks past there is a toilet and you can sleep for 30 minutes. Also and this is important if you are taking kids, " ... there is no where for your family to spend your money...", , I save about £100.00 every time I use the Chunnel, (coffee/cake/crisps/unwnted crap x 4 children)

That's the one
Good point on the Chunnel re sleep and money on "crap"

[Lunablack]

When we go through the tunnel in the motorhome, we boil the kettle just before we have to turn off the gas....

By the time we've had a nice brew and a slice of cake.... We're in France..... Then you really feel like the holiday starts... Love it

[LordBretSinclair]

I always tell the ferry loader that due to lack of ground clearance the car won't go up any ramps to upper levels so usually I get put on the lorry deck with loads of space plus a quick exit.

Also the benefit of being away from the plebs (oops, can I say that?). Be nice and polite to the loader (try some franglais on the way back) and you'll get treated OK. Here's a group of us returning from the Picos, loadsaroom.


BTW - never bothered with headlight stickers on numerous trips abroad.

[jonby]

Jockman said:

jonby said:

......On the sticker, I have GB on my numberplate which strictly speaking doesn't satisfy the legal requirements as it's too small but I've never had a problem.....

Didn't realise that Jonby !!!

I have GB plates front and back, though I believe only the front is required ?????

the problem in particular is Switzerland which is outside the EU and doesn't officially recognise the EU plates as being sufficient but in practice, I don't think they are too bothered