Led Headlights - European Travel

[alanj]

Hi all,

I've got factory fitted LED lights all round on my T6 and I'm travelling from the UK to Belgium and then on into France. A question - EU law says drivers need to carry spare headlight bulbs, but how can I comply with this when I've got LED units? (which are presumably sealed units)

Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated...

 

[Loz]

You can’t as they are dealer only fit. I carry a dummy set so I don’t have to explain. Remember to set the lights to travel mode in the MFD

 

[rod_vw]

Also if you have a vehicle that is still under warranty the LEDs are covered under warranty where old fashioned bulbs are considered as consumables and not covered.

 

[Toad]

I just carry a set of random bulbs to show willing.

 

[Steve H]

And the fact you have a random set on board will ensure you never, ever get challenged about them.. Take them out of course, and..

Well, that's my luck, anyway.

Good tip.

 

[wustapark]

You can’t as they are dealer only fit. I carry a dummy set so I don’t have to explain. Remember to set the lights to travel mode in the MFD

I'm in the same boat, first time taking my T30 abroad. When you say switch to travel mode, does that adjust the lights for European roads ? no need for anything else ?

 

[Pauly]

Yes that’s all, it adjusts the beam for driving on the wrong side

 

[wustapark]

Happy days, I've been trying to find this, will check when it gets dark tonight.

Thanks for your help !

 

[Hinsley]

Yes that’s all, it adjusts the beam for driving on the wrong side

So this can be done via the MFD! I've not had a car where this could be done and have had to use the stick on deflectors.

I remember my Dad had an old Citroen in the 80's and this had a manual lever that you could move to switch from UK to EU (we travelled back and forth a lot as he was in the Forces) I haven't seen this since until now....

 

[Hinsley]

Also, I think bulbs are a recommended item not compulsory.

 

[BognorMotors]

As above, its not a law to carry spare bulbs, its a recommendation only

 

[JimVee]

I’ve been to France a few times and not been pulled by the Gendarmes with my LED,s plus I thought they had a flat level beam. I didn’t realise there was a travel mode though?

 

[BognorMotors]

Same here. And loads. The travel mode drop them about 5% or so. And yes they are flat beamed.

 

[Hinsley]

My Evoque is supposed to have a “neutral”beam that doesn’t need adjusting/deflector stickers but when driving in France I quite often get flashed at night on the motorways so it must still have an angle? Just make sure they have no left shining angle.

The only things I have found them keen on is hi-vis and triangle. GB plates, bulbs and breathalyser not so much. Although the Gilet Jaune (yellow vests) have their hi-vis on the dash so keep it hidden.

 

[Loz]

Some Gendarmes just want an excuse to stop you and 3 things to watch out for that I keep hearing regulary from our friends that moved over there to live;
Always stop wheels at a stop sign
Most national roads have had their speeds lowered last year from 90kph to 80kph (they are sneeky with speed cameras like using wheely bins)
Seatbelts and some other minor things are also an excuse to give you hassle and get a fine out of you.

...so my friend is driving his van, embarks at Caen, in the queue for final passout check as they leave the port (not usually done on the french side but happening more nowadays) and unclips his seatbelt to reach over to pass over his passport to the person in the booth. Handed back and waved on, he starts off, as he pulls away Policeman waves him to one side before he has had a chance to pull the seatbelt across! fines him, he says he has no cash yet to pay on the spot fine, so escorted to a cash point!