Travelling abroad - how do you mask the headlights?

slimgym · Post by **slimgym** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 12:38 pm

The handbook doesn't cover it, they don't seem to have an accessory to do it either! My last car had a frosted headlight with sections you covered up with normal masking tape when going abroad. How does the CC do it with its clear headlight lenses?

Mr_AWOL · Post by **Mr_AWOL** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 2:05 pm

I never bother

Then again i dont tend to drive abroad in the dark

slimgym · Post by **slimgym** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 2:54 pm

I haven't bothered before, but I heard from a friend that the French Police have been known to look out for cars without GB plates and headlamp deflectors for on the spot fines, especially at Calais ferry terminal.

I generally go for day trips and via the tunnel, so it's not that much of a problem because you're straight on the motorway with no customs to clear that side, however given the above it seems like a good idea to find out how you do it, even if it's just for show.

Mr_AWOL · Post by **Mr_AWOL** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 2:58 pm

LOL - no GB stickers EVER going on my car!

To be honest most of my driving in france DOES tend to be ferry terminal to eastenders and back, but sometimes i stay a while longer

slimgym · Post by **slimgym** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 4:36 pm

LOL - no GB stickers EVER going on my car!

I did once but only a small tore off a small amount of the backing at each end. I don't think you need to anymore so long as your numberplate has the GB on it.

slimgym · Post by **slimgym** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 2:08 am

I seem to remember that you MUST have a set of spare bulbs in the car too.

First Aid kit and Warning Triangle also.

Mr_AWOL · Post by **Mr_AWOL** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 10:18 am

Dont you also have to have a fire extinguisher in the boot or something?

Erm · Post by **Erm** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 12:15 pm

:rolleyes: spare set of bulbs?????

you know wot a pain in the arse it is to change a headlight bulb in a CC??? the whole front of the car has to come apart!!!

slimgym · Post by **slimgym** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 1:28 pm

The answer was in this months "Motoring & Leisure" mag with letters from various people.

* Pug said it is no longer necessary and this is why they don't indentify the position (this was for a 406)

* Mazda said to lower the headlights with the dash switch for an unladen car, but if laden, take to the dealer for further lowering (at cost) and then go back there on return for re-adjustment.

The editor of the magazine added that under EU legislation introduced two years ago, you only need to fit beam deflectors if your trip is over 90 days, and a GB plate is not necessary if your numberplate has the EU mark.

Adrian · Post by **Adrian** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 8:52 am

Apparently the CC has the new breed of headlights that are the same for left and right hand drive cars. The lights dip down only and not down and left, so there is no need for a beam deflector. I spent ages trying to get deflectors for my CC until I found a dealer who knew the answer. Since then I have driven through France Spain and Portugal without any problems.

CB · Post by CB » Mon Jul 14, 2003 10:31 am

I don't think thats strictly true...

When i bought my car (UK Spec) taxfree and took it to Germany, a local German mechanic employed by the British Army looks over all cars whether new or imported specifically to do a headlight check. I still had my UK lights fitted and his machine spotted this...had to go and fit my continental lights and go back for a retest. On the bright side when i chopped my CC in earlier in the year I 'forgot' to mention to Peugeot that it still had these continental lights fitted, so in my shed i have a brand new pair of UK spec Peugeot headlights. I'm gonna save 'em for when i get bored of my new 206 and then swap my quad conversion lights for these. So ultimately i will have a set of moonstone colour coded quad conversion headlights to sell on here

slimgym · Post by **slimgym** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 12:53 am

Updating an old thread ... Back to France in a couple of weeks, my shiny new 50% brighter lights are definitely creating quite a "high" beam to the left and up a bit when dipped. The high beam is straight ahead.

I'm told the Pug headlight protectors have scoring on them showing where the tape goes that oblitterates the high level dip to the left.

Can anyone confirm this? The protectors are Ã‚Â£37 a pair and the picture on their website isn't clear. I don't really want the protectors, they might dampen the light from my 50% brighter bulbs

Oh, and from usenet, apparently if you break down in France you need a high-viz jacket to attend to the car too, as well as the bulbs, triangle, GB sticker and fawning nature if stopped.

reap · Post by **reap** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 11:13 pm

yes that is true.the headlamp prtection kitt has left handdrive conversion on them,they also come with sticky masking tape to cover the scored area.

all u.k spec lights have the left kick on them,there is no universal left or right hand drive fitment.
someone was leading up the garden path.

thebigkung · Post by **thebigkung** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:28 am

You do not need a GB sticker anymore if you have Euro plates. Ones with the Euro flag on them.

You need to mask off dipped beam to not shine left. or get a deflector.
You need spare bulbs because if you have a blown bulb and you are not able to replace it there and than when you are stopped, you'll get fined.

Don't forget to make sure your insurance covers europe.

Happy motering!