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Do I need an "adapter" for continental car headlights?

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  • 12-01-2021 5:08pm
    #1
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users Posts: 7,834 ✭✭✭


    I saw another thread on Ford Focus headlamps (and fitting LEDs and potentially dazzling people) and it got me thinking whether I need to have a headlight adapter kit for my continental focus

    I'm fairly sure that some countries like France require you to modify the headlamps by law if driving a car meant for the other side of the road, but surely Ireland hasnt such a law ?


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    #2
    kirving
    Registered Users Posts: 5,890 ✭✭✭kirving


    Depends on the car.

    You might need a sticker to blank off some of the beam.

    Previous car of mine I just had to open the light and flip a switch over when I drove to France.

    Some new cars will switch automatically based on the GPS location.


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    #3
    kdevitt
    Registered Users Posts: 2,254 ✭✭✭kdevitt


    A lot of cars these days have flat beams - no need to adjust for RHD or LHD countries. Contact your local Ford dealer and they should be able to let you know if you need to do anything.


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    #4
    Del2005
    Registered Users Posts: 18,872 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    kdevitt wrote: »
    A lot of cars these days have flat beams - no need to adjust for RHD or LHD countries. Contact your local Ford dealer and they should be able to let you know if you need to do anything.

    Even easier to park a few metres from a wall and see what the dipped beam pattern is like. If it's flat do nothing, if it's tipped up to the right check manual to see if it can be flipped or buy the beam bender stickers.


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    #5
    deceit
    Registered Users Posts: 2,315 ✭✭✭deceit


    With VW cars they have an option in settings to switch between flat and lhd mode. I passed a TUV in germany by switching to the flat mode so maybe ford have a similar option?


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    #6
    10fathoms
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭10fathoms


    deceit wrote: »
    With VW cars they have an option in settings to switch between flat and lhd mode. I passed a TUV in germany by switching to the flat mode so maybe ford have a similar option?

    Yep. My 2017 Focus has this option


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    #7
    CiniO
    Registered Users Posts: 16,088 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    kdevitt wrote: »
    A lot of cars these days have flat beams - no need to adjust for RHD or LHD countries. Contact your local Ford dealer and they should be able to let you know if you need to do anything.

    I don't think that's actually correct.
    IMO all cars type approved for EU must have beams upped to the left or right (depending on LHD or RHD type).
    Flat lights, while might be allowed on the roads in some EU countries, definitely won't exist in EU type approved vehicles


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    #8
    106GTi
    Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭106GTi


    If the Focus has Adaptive headlights then there may be a setting on the dash to change it.

    https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/97354-headlights-traffic-lr-setting-plz-help/

    20171121_211326.thumb.jpg.82a6f92ee0bb29477cd9acc09fb95b48.jpg


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    #9
    kdevitt
    Registered Users Posts: 2,254 ✭✭✭kdevitt


    CiniO wrote: »
    I don't think that's actually correct.
    IMO all cars type approved for EU must have beams upped to the left or right (depending on LHD or RHD type).
    Flat lights, while might be allowed on the roads in some EU countries, definitely won't exist in EU type approved vehicles

    Its correct, there is no necessity for the beams to be directional. Almost all BMW's since 2012 or so are that way.


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