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Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:33 pm
by philip600
Hi,
Just a quick question, we are driving to France next year for a holiday. Is there a way to set the xenon lights on my E53 X5 so they are correct for driving on the right ?
If not will I need silly black stickers ?
Thanks, in advance.
Regards, Phil.

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:43 pm
by gmc15
There is a small black rubber flap just in front/on top of the lights when you lift the bonnet on either side. Just lift up the flap and there is a silver lever down inside the hole. Move the lever the opposite way as it is set now. I can't remember which way they go off hand. They only move an inch or so :)

HTH.

Graeme.

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:46 pm
by philip600
Hi Graeme,
Thanks for quick reply ( I love this site )
Will have a look for this tomorrow.
Thanks, again. Phil.

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:25 pm
by gmc15
If you are not sure which way the lever has to go I can look at my car tomorrow and see where mine are set now.

Graeme.

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:01 pm
by 535dboy
Audi had to charge me for the privilege on the TT

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:28 pm
by pvr
I never bother changing the lights ... :oops:

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 6:42 am
by 535dboy
[quote=""pvr""]I never bother changing the lights ... :oops:[/quote]

And that became more conclusion in the end too - after 2200 miles I never drove in the dark!

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:26 am
by rconwa11
i dont understand that comment about not driving in the dark... sureley foreign dark is the same as uk dark ?

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:34 am
by pvr
Back at base before night :)

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:53 am
by Chompers
Like PVR, I also never changed my lights to dip the other way on my 'X' however I have started doing it on my e61 which is a similar process as discribed above. Mainly because quite a few brits have come a cropper after being stopped by the Gendarme and fined. It is also important that you have Hi-Vis jackets for everyone in the car and these must be kept in the passenger compartment not the boot!!!! otherwise a 90 Euro fine on the spot. Spot checks were being carried out last week as we came of the ferry in Caen and it looked like a few people were being fined.

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:10 am
by squeaky2
The lever only needs a little flick over.......be careful not to exert too much force on it otherwise it goes ping and you have to take half the headlight apart to get it all back together. :cry:

Considering the ease of doing it i would......i have been blinded so many times by Brits coming off the channel crossings and havent been bothered to change them. Its just common courtesy really.

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:21 pm
by gmc15
Remember that in France it is law to use dipped headlights in rainy weather and when going through tunnels :)

Graeme.

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:28 pm
by philip600
Hi again,

thanks for all the usefull tips, I still haven't had chance to check the switch yet but not going untill May 2011 so plently of time ;)

thanks again, Phil.