Hi Guys,

I'm heading off to france this summer and i know i need to fit beam converters onto the octy. Looking at the headlights i cant really figure out where the converters are supposed to go, and if standard ones work ok, or i need special ones for the projector lamps. Any advice seriously appreciated!

Noooo!!! Don't do it.

I bought some beam converters - what a dumbass! I later discovered via a search of these very forums that there was no need. There is something you can do to the lamp housing that makes the beam profile flat - which makes it legal for use on the continent.

I can't find the thread on here which pointed me in the right direction - but it was such a good one, that I printed out the link it sent me to - and thought... I'll leave the guide in the dashbox.

http://octavia-vrs.com/technical/EU_headlight.htm

Save yourself a tenner from Halfrauds!

I bought some beam converters - what a dumbass!

Not implying that anyone buying beam converters is a dumbass.... that's just how I *personally* felt when I found the free solution on here

My VRS has the ability to change beam angle for LHD counties in the Maxidot display. Have you checked your owners manual?

I can't yet figure out which LHD countries I would drive to from Australia but I guess it's a handy feature for UK based people.

As K1W1 has stated if you have maxidot, the setting can be found in there. It's in the Set-up Menu under either Tourist or Travel Mode.

i dont have a maxidot unfortunately but thanks for the input...... gavin, cheers for the link, i'll give that a go and see how it goes. one less thing to worry about for this trip

Bleeding Eck! Them there Maxidot's aint arf clever little thingys!!!!!

So.... out of interest, how does the Maxidot change the beam angle? Do lights in Maxidot equipped cars have an extra actuator that isn't found in non-maxidot cars?

If you wait a while, one of the brains dept will be along shortly to answer your question!

Bleeding Eck! Them there Maxidot's aint arf clever little thingys!!!!!

So.... out of interest, how does the Maxidot change the beam angle? Do lights in Maxidot equipped cars have an extra actuator that isn't found in non-maxidot cars?

My car has Xenon headlights which have the self levelling self aiming function so it would simply be a case of telling them to aim right instead of left. I'm not sure how or even whether the feature works with standard headlights.

From the owners manual

"Tourist light*

This mode makes it possible to drive in countries with opposing traffic system,

driving on the left/right, without dazzling the oncoming vehicles. When the mode

“tourist light†is active, the side to side swivel of the headlights is deactivated.

The mode “tourist light†is activated / deactivated via the information display* in the

menu:

SETUP (Settings)

Travel mode

Off

On"

And also from the index

"Note

• Equipment which is marked * is only standard on certain vehicle model

versions or only suppliable as optional equipment for certain models"

Edited 1 March, 201016 yr by K1W1

As K1W1 has stated if you have maxidot, the setting can be found in there. It's in the Set-up Menu under either Tourist or Travel Mode.

You also need Xenons for this to work, if you're like me and too tight to order them you have to do it manually

I have non xenon lights and was able to convert them to a flat beam (No bias left or right) in a few minutes. The only tool needed is a small flathead screwdriver.

I can't yet figure out which LHD countries I would drive to from Australia but I guess it's a handy feature for UK based people.

I have non xenon lights and was able to convert them to a flat beam (No bias left or right) in a few minutes. The only tool needed is a small flathead screwdriver.

I have xenon lights but no maxi dot, therefore no access to the "tourist mode" setup. Do you know if xenons can be converted manually in a similar way ie with just a screwdriver?

Yes it can be but I am sure you need to take the headlights out, unless you have

very small hands

Edited 3 March, 201016 yr by vRSLen

Yes it can be but I am sure you need to take the headlights out, unless you have

very small hands

Thanks for reply.

I do have big hands so that's that; anyway yesterday the skoda dealer advised me politely but firmly that xenons (AFS II) cannot be changed mechanically.

See if you can find the instructions on how to convert the lights that somebody shared on this forum a good few months ago. You're not going to do any harm by having a look to see if the Xenons are the same. Given AFAIK the light units are the same, just the bulbs and ballast are added - height adjustment may well be the same too, all headlights have motors for light levelling anyway, it's just operated automatically on Xenons.

The basic method is to remove the headlight - Undo the white nut at the top of the headlight in the engine bay, then move the locking lever (Can't remember whether you lift or press it) and pull the hockey stick shaped lever below it until the headlight slides forward and comes out of the car. Then take the cover off the back of the light, remove the bulb and have a look for a small metal shutter sitting in the back of the light. Move the shutter by turning a little plastic block on the back of the light with a small flathead screwdriver until the shutter covers the semicircular notch in the metal plate that shapes the light beam before the projector lens.

Edited 5 March, 201016 yr by psycholist

Thanks psycholist for info and suggestion.

I've looked at the link given by gavindjharper above which is for a vrs (presumably the same applies to elegance).

BTW excuse my ignorance but what does AFAIK mean?

Edited 10 March, 201016 yr by flinflon

AFAIK = as far as I know