I'm new to this site; thanks to all those contributors that have added their knowledge for others benefit - a wealth of info posted here.

I appreciate this subject has probably been covered before, but I still have some confusion about the adjustments to the Octavia halogen headlights for driving on mainland Europe.

I've seen plenty of articles for the Xenon lamps, but nothing too specific for the halogen.

The car is the Octavia hatch, 1.9TDI, early 2006 variety.

I've been to the local dealer about getting hold of something suitable to make the necesary beam adjustments:

stick-on beam benders generally don't work too well and the heat from the lamps tend to be excessive - so these are out;

the add-on glass protectors with convertors seem to be available for the Fabia only;

the only 'serious' article here seems to be dismantling the headlamp unit from the vehicle, removing the lamp itself and moving a lever (switch?) - not quite practical on the quayside in the pouring rain!).

My dealer did mention a small 10mm nut on the (main beam) side of the headlamp unit that could be used to make these adjustments (picture hopefully attached, of the driver's side), although he knew nothing about how to do it. But he did say he would take the car into the workshops and see what he could find out next time I was passing.

I wonder if there is anyone out there that knows anything about this little black 10mm nut that feeds/adjusts a white plastic gear wheel with the characters >PA6.6< on it.

Like, what does it do? Is it for beam adjustment? If so, how far does it need to be turned?

Any help would be appreciated.

Dave

As far as I am aware, the bit you are looking at will only move your beam up or down, it will not change the beam pattern, from Uk to EU ( __/ ).

the same pattern will be there, and if you lower it, you wont be able to see far at all in the dark.

How long are you aboad for?

Many thanks for the comment; had wondered about overall height adjustment - that's the local dealership for you - and his comment came from UK Skoda themselves!!

Will be over in FR for almost three weeks - and towing a caravan; so adjusting the beam for euro-use would be useful.

Looks like it'll be down to re-reading the pdf previously posted on the site and dismantling the whole assembly.

It's not a hard job tbh. I did my Xenons on the quay side, and they are harder to do. There is an excellent guide around on how to do it, just try before you leave home. The headlights come off in about 30 seconds, should be able to do standard halogens in about 5 minutes.

I used this excellent guide Changing Headlights to Continental - BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community

buy the stickers to go on the lenses on the ferry !!

I used this excellent guide Changing Headlights to Continental - BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community

Thats what I have done, takes about 5 mins per side. The results are much better than the stick on things (used those last time), and no crappy residue to remove after.

However using stickers demontrates to les flics that you have actually done it.

Having no visual evidence of changing them could cause them to stop you and improve your French vocabulary

If you stick the things on your jeans first, then remove them and put the on the headlights they will be far easier to peel.

I do that to all road toll stickers when I have to peel them off in a short while.

I downloaded Mater photo's which are an excellant guide, however when he said it gives a flat beem is that ok for UK as well/.I

Yes it is fine for the UK too when flat beamed, I too have mine flat beamed always as does Mater, I live in Germany and have to have a headlight test as part of the German MOT thing. It is very easy to do by the way, just sometimes, you can block out more beam than is needed.

Just try it on a wall in the dark.

So having read and downloaded Mater photo's got started.First the black lever would move thought i was going to bust something, done that and proceded to remove the bulb connector block and that would not move , i notice its got a sort of clip at the bulb end of connector, nothing has been said whether that should be moved so have not gone ahead as again it would just be my luck to snap something if using a tool to lever it out,it is just a pull out item is'nt it?.

The black lever is VERY tight, I had some trouble the first time I had to pull it but it does move. The first time, I got a large bladed screwdriver and inserted that through the finger hold, wedged that against the black metalwork that runs the width of the car and very gently applied pressure.

ok A couple of things

I dont have mine flat beamed anymore as im now in the UK.

Flat beam is not legal in UK if u are resident in the UK it only works for EU drivers who are visiting for less than 3 months (same is vice versa for continent). Your lights have to light up the Pavement and road signs which is why they Kick up to the Left.

If you are all talking about the same lever i point too in the pics then its is spring loaded and u have to push in on it a bit and the metal shutter bar will move quite easily

If you have any probs or queries then feel free to ask

HTH

Carl:thumbup:

it is spring loaded and u have to push in on it a bit and the metal shutter bar will move quite easily

I can confirm that.

My first attempt earlier this year, following Mater's instructions, took 20 minutes.

On my return, the reverse procedure took 10 minutes without the need to refer to the notes.

Thanks Carl

As i said in a earlier reply that i got stuck just attempting to get the bulb connector off, it would not move so called into the dealer today they had a laugh that it took me 30 minuets just trying to get it off. He went to the car and i said you have 3-7 minuets to do the whole light,more laughter , 5 m later it still would not come off, so he turned the whole headlamp around and took the clips off and then done the whole job. And would not take anything for doing it . Well done Saunders Abbot Bexhill.

Hi

Sorry to hijack here but my 05 plate Mk2 Octy has a flat beam offside headlight. The MOT guy last year couldn't sort it but I'm not sure if he knew what to do. Its due an MOT again and, as usual, I have left it to the last minute. Is there something I can do to create the required 'Y' in the beam for the MOT or am I gonna need to replace the headlight?

Ive had a look through the forum and seen several posts relating to flat beam adjustment but not sure if this would work. Also I could not access the PDF for making the adjustment!

Cheers

Chris

Hi Chris, welcome aboard!

Hopefully this will be what you're after:

http://octavia-vrs.com/cms/content/eu-headlight-conversion

Or, you could not bother.

I was in France on my motorbike last month and the only traffic cops I saw in 9 days were policing the entrance to the Le Mans race circuit.

I did this one for FL Octavia headlights as they are slightly different (post #5). As Carl said above only meant for up to 3 months for when you visit the continent etc Nice that they engineered this into them to allow it. I still have the old school method from my old 406 and a set of LHD lights for it in a box somewhere very expensive way of doing it.

http://www.briskoda....hts-eu-driving/

Cheers Rainbow fire. Worked a treat, not to mention saving me a few quid. Lets hope she passes the MOT!!

Chris