Xenon headlight adjustment for Europe

[charge]

I have an '06 A6 with xenon lamps i need to change on Monday for Europan driving.
Opened the handbook, which said go to your local cash money deposit (ie the dealer)
I went to the dealer who opened the bonnet, said the engine was to hot and said to book it in next week, and mentioned it was also a setup in the car computer (dealer access only of course)so not to bother fiddling at home type of comment.
Looked around on the net and found people on Honest John with similar stories, and apparenly you can't just use the stick on deflectors as they dont work, and get burned (imagine the cost of a new lamp due to burned bits of deflector).
Does anyone have any idea if these lights can be diy altered and how.
I find it incredible that before you go abroad, even for a day trip that you have to go to your dealer, have the lights reset (pay your money obviously), do your trip the go back to the dealer to have he lights put back each time.
Porsche's I have had are easy, just pop the light out (30 second job) flick a switch and push them back.
Do Audi go out of their way to be a**holes?
Whats next, only fill up with fuel at an approved Audi refueling centre at what, 20% extra over standard fuel, with only the dealers having the fuel cap key?

[Kevin VRs]

My Octavia had Xenons, my local dealer kindly showed me exactly how to change them over, simply moving a small lever in the headlamp unit, accessed after removing the light unit. I cannot imagine the A6 will be much different.

In my case I removed the retaining nut, pulled the locking lever then slid out the unit. Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the plastic cover from the rear of the unit. Inside near to the bulb fitting is a small (1.5cm) plastic lever. I needed to move mine with a screwdriver or long taper nose pliers. Move carefully to prevent snapping. Not sure which way they move. One side was easier to access than the other because of bits in the unit.

Good luck.

[charge]

Thank you for that, I will have a look when I get home. I read on HonestJohn that a guy was charged 100 pound to get his Skoda dealer to do that!

[fatboy b]

Audi don't fit this great lever. It's a £100 job either end of your holiday at a main dealer. I used the stick-on things last time I went.

[Raven Flyer]

[Kevin VRs]

Raven Flyer said:

When I queried the use of these with Xenon lights the dealer told me NOT to use these as it is likely to cause problems with burning and possible bulb failure. Every car I have come across with Xenons had had some kind of lever to change it. Most recommend the dealer does it (as do Skoda) however it is possible for a semi-competent individual with the correct instructions. Dealer charges around 0.5 hours per light unit, I can do the job on both sides in 15-20 minutes.

[fatboy b]

Raven Flyer said:

That bottom pic is wrong isn't it?

[CSK423]

I had this with my B7 A4.

I spoke to a contact I had at Audi who said they basically tilt the headlamps down to shine more on the road, they do not change the direction from left to right.

it was a 30min job to carryout the realignment, the end up I didn't bother and drove on the continent with UK spec lights, I wasn't flashed once !

I think with xenon's they're constantly adjusting anyway which may have lessened the dazzling effect.