Why must they be fitted with washers, apart from an MoT fail, what happens if they don't have washers, what's the reasoning behind it?

 

How effective are the washers without being wiped?

Supposedly if the lenses are dirty then it sends the light pattern a bit skew-whiff due to the brightness of the xenons.. or something along those lines.

 

And I can't really imagine it's that effective without being wiped.

Supposedly if the lenses are dirty then it sends the light pattern a bit skew-whiff due to the brightness of the xenons.. or something along those lines.

Confused. The lens is behind the outer flat transparent cover though isn't it?

Confused. The lens is behind the outer flat transparent cover though isn't it?

That's what I meant, the front transparent cover. 

 

 

And I can't really imagine it's that effective without being wiped.

This what goes though my head.....

And I can't really imagine it's that effective without being wiped.

 

This what goes though my head.....

My thought too, hence the topic. I don't get it at all. Used the washers on the Yeti a few times with proper washer fluid and there aint any noticeable difference after using them!

That said, you remember the Volvo's from back in the day with washer wipers on......  :wonder:

When in my mates golf they're mainly used to soak everyone around us tbh  

When in my mates golf they're mainly used to soak everyone around us tbh

OT for a mo, I used to aim my old Seats washer nipples to hit pedestrians and cyclists

Can't really do it with fan jests though, fortunately

any better answers?

any better answers?

Was my answer not satisfactory?! 

Was my answer not satisfactory?! 

I'll rephrase that

 

Any other answers :think:

Why must they be fitted with washers, apart from an MoT fail, what happens if they don't have washers, what's the reasoning behind it?

 

How effective are the washers without being wiped?

 

HIDs are not a fail without washers, but washers must work if they are fitted. The beam pattern must be within the limits, which is unlikely without projector headlights. Any self levelling must work if present, but if its not there that's fine.

 

Can't see washers being effective without wipers, with the crazy designs of most modern headlights wipers just ain't going to fit.

I find the washers as fitted to the Yeti perfectly capable of washing the lenses.

Do they work well to clean dirty lenses, while sitting stationery, or at about only 10 mph?

Dirt on the headlight can cause the light to scatter and blind oncoming drivers.

 

Washers are required to prevent this, but I've always wondered how effective they really are.

not very IME, especially if there's a load of flies etc splattered on them :|

not very IME, especially if there's a load of flies etc splattered on them :|

 

You drive too fast making the splat spread out more, thus drying quicker and becoming like a glue. HTH

Ok, I can't answer anything else, but I find the washers very effective.

The washers are designed to get rid of the larger dirt particles as the particles cause the light to scatter.  They have to be fitted (along with automatic levelling) to HIDs/Xenons over a certain light output level as it's the law.

 

I tested a lovely low mileage 2006 4.2 litre supercharged Jaguar XJ yesterday, I almost felt guilty for failing it for non working headlamp washers.  For the self levelling bit, looking at the sensors and wiring and ensuring that it's all intact suffices for me.

The washers are designed to get rid of the larger dirt particles as the particles cause the light to scatter.  They have to be fitted (along with automatic levelling) to HIDs/Xenons over a certain light output level as it's the law.

 

I tested a lovely low mileage 2006 4.2 litre supercharged Jaguar XJ yesterday, I almost felt guilty for failing it for non working headlamp washers.

I was hoping an MoT tester, such as yourself, might answer So, what light level in lumens, candles or K's are washers not required?

I think that if the light output is less than 2000 Lumens the manufacturer does not need to fit a cleaning system or a self levelling system.  The MOT testers manual does not state any light output levels, nor do we have to measure or have any equipment to measure the light output.  It gets around this by stating if they are fitted they must work, if they're not fitted, it's fine.

 

The MOT rules in Northern Ireland are different, it states that cleaning and levelling must be fitted and working.

Cheers, Fordy So from what you've said, I concluded that if I fit Xenons, I don't need washers?

Not for the MOT you don't, but they must still meet the alignment and beam pattern requirements.

Not for the MOT you don't, but they must still meet the alignment and beam pattern requirements.

Thanks