Hi there, I'm new on the forum and I cannot find right answer if I need deflectors down in Europe.

I have Octavia MK4 SE tech with standard LED headlights not a matrix ones.

 

So far i Found that full LED matrix ones can be adjusted on right hand side driving in car stereo but there is not a mention even in manual if I need to use deflector while driving on RHS.

I got deflectors from Eurolites and on manual there is diagram how to fit them.

 

Can somebody confirm if there is necessary to fit them or will be OK to drive without them ?

 

Will be very helpful if somebody share yours experience and maybe photos as well.

i have done well over 100 return trips to spain and back.in recent times i have never used deflectors and what i was told with the shape of head lights you dont need deflectors.just look at all the other cars from other countries in europe never have deflectors whilst driving in the uk and that also mean hgv as well.mind a lot of cars come with system that you can alter the lights to left hand or right hand driving.

Welcome to the forums.

 

I had the same question as you, and eventually worked out that deflectors ARE needed for the standard full LEDs when driving in continental Europe. Bought the Eurolights ones and they work very well, diagram 177 if I remember correctly. The headlights shape is very curved so it seems odd when positioning them, kneel down directly in front of each headlight to get the alignment correct.

 

A few hundred Km of night driving, visibility was good and no one flashed their lights at me so presumably they’re in an OK position.

I find it odd that you would need them, the car should have a tourist mode and adjust the headlights accordingly, my current car does. 

4 minutes ago, TheWanderer said:

I find it odd that you would need them, the car should have a tourist mode and adjust the headlights accordingly, my current car does. 

That’s the option only available for full led mattix lights which can be adjusted software wise

The Skoda mask kit is 5E3 941 981 A and costs £20.24

 

On 26/04/2022 at 11:52, Crasher said:

The Skoda mask kit is 5E3 941 981 A and costs £20.24

 

Are these just protect headlights or they’re designed to deflect while driving RHS? I checked them online and they seems to be oem VWG parts but there is no mention anywhere in skoda accesories brochure. Did you get then in dealership or need to be ordered online ?

I looked it up on ETKA, I am a VAG specilsist. They are beam deflectors and are specific to right hand drive Octavia NX and NN but confusingly have a 5E part number prefix, on an ETKA search they are only used on the NX and NN

For anyone using the Eurolites deflectors on their mk4, it’s worth noting that the LEDs do not warm up the adhesive before removal. Mine were in situ for 25 days and on removing them found that most the adhesive remained on the headlight. Previous times I’ve used them with halogen lights it’s warmed enough to remove them cleanly.

 

Used neat screenwash on a soft cloth to ge rid of the adhesive.

 

Other than that, they were perfect.

Edited 19 May, 20224 yr by sneal

You can use isopropyl alcohol to remove it or sticky label spray to achieve it. 

 

But I still find it odd that the headlights don't automatically adjust for driving on the EU mainland. 

1 hour ago, TheWanderer said:

You can use isopropyl alcohol to remove it or sticky label spray to achieve it. 

 

But I still find it odd that the headlights don't automatically adjust for driving on the EU mainland. 

 

Must admit I was disappointed that they didn't adjust (either manually or automatically) - but as mentioned above, it's only the Matrix lights that do.

 

Thought about using isopropyl alcohol but wasn't sure it would be OK. I know some solvents can damage the headlight lens but not/wasn't sure which; figured out that screen wash should be OK as it gets squirted at the headlights every now and then   🙂

My dealer has just supplied me with a pair of headlight beam adjusters , but there are no fitting instructions !

Has anyone any advice on fitting .

Regards

i have said this a few times on this forum.i lived in spain and drove from spain to uk and back about  8 return trips a year.never did i use these deflectors.if you notice cars and hgv that come into the uk never have deflectors on them/i am driving through france to spain next friday and again i will not be using deflectors.i have never been stopped by the police in france or spain or portugal and belgium or germany or switzerland.the police dont want to know about the minor things.to me its the brits who try and go by the book when nobody else .i stop my rant now and have a great trip.gives a toss

15 hours ago, Joss1733 said:

i have said this a few times on this forum.i lived in spain and drove from spain to uk and back about  8 return trips a year.never did i use these deflectors.if you notice cars and hgv that come into the uk never have deflectors on them/i am driving through france to spain next friday and again i will not be using deflectors.i have never been stopped by the police in france or spain or portugal and belgium or germany or switzerland.the police dont want to know about the minor things.to me its the brits who try and go by the book when nobody else .i stop my rant now and have a great trip.gives a toss

So, if I read this correctly, you don’t care if you dazzle other motorists coming in the opposite direction; nor that your vehicle doesn’t comply with the local regulations. Hmmm…

 

Please correct me if I’m wrong.

I have never used them as how do you know that you stick them correctly on the lenses? I have driven over in EU countries 8 years consecutively and have never been flashed even fully loaded. To be fair my Roomster dips the beams flat with no right or left bias. Our French friends drive in the UK with none either. The breathlyser scenario was never passed into law yet we were told to carry two on our vehicle. Our French friends just laughed at it.

Edited 17 November, 20223 yr by edbostan

There are no local regulations either in mainland Europe or now non Europe UK that you have to fit headlamp deflectors, they do not exist for vehicles like mine with RH dipping headlights, people especially truck drivers will flash you if your dipped beams are causing dazzle, if they are it takes a couple of seconds to lower the height using the dashboard control.

 

I have made multiple trips back to the UK every year since 2005 with RH dipping headlights, the only time I need to lower the beams is when the rear is heavily loaded or I am towing with an excessive noseweight.

 

If I read this correctly you have nothing to add to the discussion other than to create imputations, please correct me if I am wrong.

15 minutes ago, edbostan said:

I have never used them as how do you know that you stick them correctly on the lenses? I have driven over in EU countries 8 years consecutively and have never been flashed even fully loaded. To be fair my Roomster dips the beams flat with no right or left bias. Our French friends drive in the UK with none either. The breathlyser scenario was never passed into law yet we were told to carry two on our vehicle. Our French friends just laughed at it.

Years ago I had to swop vehicles with a god fearing friend who is also a perfectionist who had precisely fitted some very expensive beam deflectors to visit me in France, the only remaining light was a couple of yellow puddles aimed down at the road a few feet in front, it was darnright dangerous.

 

The requirement to carry an alco-tester in the vehicle did indeed make it into law and remains so to this day despite severaldelays and legal challenges, the face saving compromise was to make the penalty................................. wait for it.................... Zero €uros 🤣

 

The government was forced to do a similar thing with the now mandatory CT (MOT) tests on motorcycles, it is an EU requirement and France was the only country to have disregarded it, it took years to implement during which time there were lots of demonstrations, just opportunties for a ride out for the middle aged bikers who only use them on Saturdays, the law was introduced, delayed, challenged and is now on the statute but again the penalty is zero €uros.

 

The CT centres have had to spend tens of thousands on equipment to test motorcycles but nobody is submitting theirs for testing!

3 hours ago, edbostan said:

I have never used them as how do you know that you stick them correctly on the lenses? I have driven over in EU countries 8 years consecutively and have never been flashed even fully loaded. To be fair my Roomster dips the beams flat with no right or left bias. Our French friends drive in the UK with none either. The breathlyser scenario was never passed into law yet we were told to carry two on our vehicle. Our French friends just laughed at it.

4 hours ago, sneal said:

So, if I read this correctly, you don’t care if you dazzle other motorists coming in the opposite direction; nor that your vehicle doesn’t comply with the local regulations. Hmmm…

 

Please correct me if I’m wrong.

ask all the foreign drivers that question.put it this way it is around a 1800 mile round trip so i have drove many thousands of miles and may i add i have never had anyone flashing there lights at me before.i did not say anything about rules and yes you might be right i should by law have them on.as you can read it is a very minor issue to all that live from our shores,if you got the time just stand at dover or portsmouth etc and watch and see what foreign drivers have them.

That will be none, they dont exist for RH dipping headlights.

 

In fact the UK ones and the misinformation (AKA lies) used to sell them only exist because of the fools who fall for the con at the ports, on the ferries, in Halfrauds etc.

 

For the last 29 years in the UK every new vehicle has by law had to have a headlamp levelling system, there has never been a legal requirement nor any need for headlamp deflectors for any vehicle produced since then.

So JR, is your car UK or French registered?

It seems therefore, we have a choice. Buy a pair of deflectors maintaining a good light ahead or lower the beam angle with dashboard/infotainment system controls so the left dip ‘kick up’ doesn’t dazzle whilst barely lighting a few yards in front.

 

Personally I prefer to see where I’m going and not dazzle other drivers, thus I will continue to buy the deflectors - which I consider good value when bought from the right supplier &/or at the right time (i.e. NOT at the ferry/tunnel terminal).

17 hours ago, Frenchtone said:

So JR, is your car UK or French registered?

 

French registered at the start of the confinement.

 

14 hours ago, sneal said:

It seems therefore, we have a choice. Buy a pair of deflectors maintaining a good light ahead or lower the beam angle with dashboard/infotainment system controls so the left dip ‘kick up’ doesn’t dazzle whilst barely lighting a few yards in front.

 

Personally I prefer to see where I’m going and not dazzle other drivers,

 

If the vehicle is not loaded its unlikely that you will be flashed anyway, even moving them down to the maximum setting does not significantly reduce the distance of illumination and not at all on main beam, open your mind and try it, I guarantee you will see far more of the road ahead than with beam deflectors, masking a headlight is far more effective.

 

These days most oncoming vehicles dazzle me and its nothing to do with not having headlamp deflectors or being overloaded but the appalling matrix headlights, I find I have to use my dipping rear view mirror nearly all the time at night now until the driver behind sits on my bumper as they are taught to do 😆

So how do you cope with the CT? They would surely pick up the LH dip situation with their box of tricks?

Hello. I have some euro headlights to sell from when I was living in France with a Skoda Octavia.

They are for sale on ebay but no interest yet. Does anyone have any ideas where I can sell them? Maybe on here?