also depends on car you have, we had a vw touran and we could alter the headlights to conform to driving on other side of the road so no need for beam benders
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Unless you have somthing like a top of the range MK6 Golf, were the headlight ofset can be selected for driving on the Right, then you will need to fit beambenders, even though many modern day cars do have electricaly adjustable headlights, this only alters the height of the beam, for when the car is fully laden, and has nothing to do with continental driving, now would you not think in this modern age, that all cars would have a continental headlight setting feature as standard, my Mk6 Golf has Cruise control, and I have only ever used that in France, as UK driving renders Cruise control almost useless.
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You don't necessarily need a 'top of the range' vehicle - my Vauxhall Omega is easily adjustable, whereas my husband's BMW needs 'beam benders'. It is definitely worth checking the vehicle handbook - all we have to do on the Omega is move a lever under the bonnet beside the headlights. Simples!
We just use black tape
Hope its not illegal, I alway break in to a cold sweat when I see the french police! but then we never drive at night in France (always cracked the wine open) so should be fine!
We've been using black tape for 17 years - and probably are still on the original 50p roll. OH has now got the placement off to a fine art. We're on our fifth Mondeo - but each one is slightly different! We use black electrician's tape, which peels easily off with no residue - and does the job - or at least we've not been stopped in 17 years of two holidays a year! It goes on before we get on the ferry, and comes off before we get on the return crossing.
As previously said, Simples!
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Will advise OH so he doesn't spend hours trying to figure it out , most likely with him sitting in car flashing lights at me, shouting "does that look about right?", whilst I'm temporarily blinded! LOL
Sally. (Only 6 more sleeps to go!)
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Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 08/8/2010
Hi Argente4. It does not matter where you place the Black tape, or the beambenders, just so long as it looks like your playing the game lol!.
Although you have added a 'LOL', IMHO this is not sound advice. As one source states:
"Headlamp Beam Adapters are a must when motoring abroad in continental Europe. Unadjusted headlights, when driving on the right will dazzle oncoming motorists which is an offence and can lead to accidents.
Before driving on the Continent always ensure your vehicle is fit for the road by fitting headlamp beam converters.. this is a Legal Requirement in most Continental European countries."
No way I am paying £8 for piece of plastic that blows off (well the first lot we brought did)
But then spose it depends if you drive at night or not? (we don't)
You can get a 'template' of where to place the black tape - but it comes in the pack with the beam benders! They are available on the internet somewhere, too, but I can't find the link. Someone gave us a Mondeo template years ago, and we've just adapted it for each new car headlights.
We had a stressful time trying to attach beam benders to our Honda Accord whilst waiting to get off the ferry (nothing like leaving it til the last minute!).
Nothing in the encyclopaedic set of instructions looked like our version of the headlights so we just gave up in the end & hoped that we didn't have to drive at night (we didn't - too mich wine/Ricard!).
I must look into it properly for next year.....yeah right!!
Put the car to face a wall one night.
Put some card over one headlight.
Switch on lights.
If there is a portion of teh beam that goes up and left then experiment with a bit of card on a stick to see where needs to be blanked.
Do the same for the other side.
With headlights 'down' I doubt there will be a problem complying with the law [which is just 'don't dazzle'] BUT there may be a problem seeing traffic signs that are generally up - and therefore not illuminated by headlamps that are as far down as they can go.
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Topic: Beam benders
