I'm upgrading my headlamp bulbs, has anyone tried this without removing the headlight?, looks as though theres enough room. :confused:

I have changed the headlamp main beam and indicator bulbs with lamp units in situ. A bit of a tight squeeze particularly on the nearside, but it can be done.

It did help that I had switched the bulbs on my previous Fabia numerous times so knew which way to twist/pull the indicator units and which clips to flick on the main beams as you can't effectively see them on the Octy so are working by feel.

PS> Not sure about changing dip/low beam as I have xenons; but I would have expected not too much trouble.

It can be done (I did it the first time not realising the headlight can be removed! ) but it's far easier removing the lamp assembly which only takes 30 seconds to take out anyway!.

Hmm; I couldn't get my lamps out. :confused:

Must have been missing a trick and the handbook says that if the lamps are removed the alignment should be checked by your dealer after; but I suppose you will be able to see if the alignment is OK.

This may help - Octavia-vRS.com - Changing Front Lamps - Octavia II

or even this Octavia-vRS.com - Converting Headlights For Europeon Use

Hmm; I couldn't get my lamps out. :confused:

On cars fitted with xenons there are two retaining screws so it is not possible without removing the lamp assembly, with non-xenon equiped cars these screws are not used therefore the retaining clips CAN be removed without removing the lamp assembly.

HTH

It takes less than 2 minutes to remove the lights mate, it's a false economy imho to try contorting your mits around to fit the bulbs

On cars fitted with xenons there are two retaining screws so it is not possible without removing the lamp assembly, with non-xenon equiped cars these screws are not used therefore the retaining clips CAN be removed without removing the lamp assembly.

HTH

Hmm . :confused: :confused:

...... do you mean retaining screws on the whole headlamp unit (in addition to the plastic nut and sliding catch)? or are you referring to the two screws that hold the xenon unit to the whole headlamp unit? (as referred to in the Octavia-vrs.com guide).

It takes less than 2 minutes to remove the lights mate, it's a false economy imho to try contorting your mits around to fit the bulbs

If like me you have pork sausages for fingers.:(

If like me you have pork sausages for fingers.:(

Kids have to earn their pocket money somehow

I am now not equiped with Xenons (Q fish face going naaaneenaaanaaaanaaa) so maybe it's easier because of that. I just undid the plastic retaining nut, pulled the hook / lever, popped the lamp out and pulled off the block connector.

In addition to the stuff on VRStu's site linked above, I also did a guide to changing the headlight bulbs on a non-Xenon Octy II

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/technical-guides/new-octavia-headlight-bulb-change/69565/

Hope this helps.

Hmm . :confused: :confused:

...... do you mean retaining screws on the whole headlamp unit (in addition to the plastic nut and sliding catch)? or are you referring to the two screws that hold the xenon unit to the whole headlamp unit? (as referred to in the Octavia-vrs.com guide).

The latter.............but I never said it was easy to do without removing the lamp assembly!

The latter.............but I never said it was easy to do without removing the lamp assembly!

So removing the whole lamp assembly is easy?

That is what I couldn't do. :(

its a pain to get out the first time and becareful not to snap the little hook you pull out as its not the strongest thing so ive noticed

Which is best replacement bulb for dipped beam, for a non Xenon 2.0FSI Elegance?

Philips Blue Vision would have my vote....

And as for a supplier, you can't go wrong with Car Bulbs from Power Bulbs - upgrade xenon car bulbs, headlight bulbs, autobulbs and autolamps from Philips, Osram and GE

Philips Blue Vision would have my vote....

And as for a supplier, you can't go wrong with Car Bulbs from Power Bulbs - upgrade xenon car bulbs, headlight bulbs, autobulbs and autolamps from Philips, Osram and GE

Seconded ....

..... OR if you are willing to pay a little more then PIAA Extreme White Plus (as I used in my Fabia and have in my Octy {main beam}0.

Philips Blue Vision would have my vote....

And as for a supplier, you can't go wrong with Car Bulbs from Power Bulbs - upgrade xenon car bulbs, headlight bulbs, autobulbs and autolamps from Philips, Osram and GE

Blue vision lose you a lot of light though.

If you want a white/blue look I would say GT150 night vision by philips and if you want brighter then I like silverstars by osram, but the Philips xtremes seem to do well too.

Haven't got new bulbs yet but I just had a play around at headlight unit removal and it is indeed very easy.

Couple of points:

helps to squirt a little WD40 into those hook housings and work the hook in and out a few times.

when first pushed from behind the light unit can jump forward suddenly. It works well to stand with your thigh close to the glass so when it first moves forward it only goes an inch or so. After that it wiggles out in a much easier to control way.

When you push the hook back home, it catches a bit just before it is right home. Give it that extra little push to make sure it has gone right back.

Off to the bulbs shop or internet now!

I got some Halfords Rally H7 bulbs recently for the dipped beam - not strictly legal for on-road use, but my car passed its MOT this week with them in, without any problems.

They seemed to be about half the price of most of the others - they are the ones in a red packet.

I got some Halfords Rally H7 bulbs recently for the dipped beam - not strictly legal for on-road use.

Why's that?

Probably the wattage, rally type bulbs tend to be 100+watts.

Probably the wattage, rally type bulbs tend to be 100+watts.

Yes - they were either 80W or 100W. The packet states "for off road use only" or something like that, but the price was right and I drive on some dark and twisty roads in North Yorkshire quite a lot!

Yes - they were either 80W or 100W. The packet states "for off road use only" or something like that, but the price was right and I drive on some dark and twisty roads in North Yorkshire quite a lot!

You want to blind a few rabbits then? :rofl:

I hear that uprated bulbs for dipped and 100w bulbs for mains is a good combination.