Preparing C5 X7 for trip to UK

[steveclv]

Heading over to the UK in a few weeks - am I right in thinking that I don't need to do anything to the headlights apart from disable the directional headlamps on the dash?
No silly stick-on defectors?

[GiveMeABreak]

No, not necessarily Steve. Only some later vehicles like the C5 Aircross that specifically state no adjustment is necessary in the vehicle manual. For other vehicles you need to check.

The X7 with Xenons has different left hand drive and right hand drive headlamps, so I would not think them compliant, but best to check with Citroen directly.

[Sloppysod]

I had a C4 (B7) and had similar issue when going to Belgium, I ask Citroën UK, they explained that as the cut of point was flat I didn't need deflectors. I printed out they email and carried in the car, never did get stopped.
With this in mind a written question that's gets a written reply is the best way to ask.

[steveclv]

OK, I'll have to check - I just have the cheap halogens - nothing fancy

[GiveMeABreak]

A bit confused as if you have halogens, you don't have directional lighting Steve - that function is only available on Bi-Directional equipped Xenons.

[steveclv]

Hmm, well I deffo have halogens because I have replaced an H1 and an H7 - but in the dashboard menu there is an item to enable/disable directional headlights.
This is in the manual

I wonder if this means lights that illuminate when the indicators are used? I have not driven the car at night yet LOL

[bobins]

Directional headlights will be the cornering lights that illuminate into the road junction or corner you're turning into ????

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes I think that's where the confusion lies.

Directional lighting is only for Xenons not halogens.

Separately, each type of headlamp (xenon or halogen) also incorporates a version of cornering lighting, but in the manual it is an ambiguous and ill-chosen term as it is not directional, it is static! All it does is activate the outer corners of the headlamps when at junctions or going round bends at lower speeds, they have fixed positions and do not move.

So we generally refer to these as the 'Angular' or 'Cornering' lighting.

[Estately]

Hi Steve,
Just to add my few centimes, I do not think that I have ever seen a European registered car on the car ferry to England with visible modification to the headlights.

They surely are not all planning daytime only journeys.

Some, well more years ago, we were in conversation with some French guys who wanted to know what the purpose of the deflectors that they had seen on British car headlights. On telling them that it was to prevent the headlights shinning to the left and dazzling on coming drivers, the look on their faces was priceless.

Since Xantia and C5 driving days (and nights) I have never been aware of causing irritation to European drivers through unmodified headlight adjustment.

So there you have it, empirical it may be, but don't be concerned. Lots of other things to check in preparation for your trip. Have a good one.

Andy.

[steveclv]

Thanks - yes, I got a phone call from Citroen tech support this morning confirming that no adjustment is necessary. I'd rather they have done it in writing but it sounds good.

[wheeler]

Many years ago i was preparing a LHD mk1 C5 (with xenon headlamps) to be re registered in the UK.
Citroen UK advised me that the headlamps did not need changing as they were xenon & are a flat beam however this was disproved when i put it on an MOT beam checker, there was clearly a ‘kick up’ & it would not have passed a UK MOT.
In the end i just put a set of RHD halogen headlamp units in it & re programmed the BHI as at the time the new xenon lamp units were around £1500 + VAT per side.
My advice would be if you want to be sure get your local garage to check the beam pattern.

[bobins]

How strange......

The very common (at least over here) Eurolites beam deflectors (available in all the usual motoring places) gives details of where to put the beam deflectors on RIGHT HAND DRIVE Citroen C5X7 with 'standard', 'projector + xenon', and 'LED matrix' headlights. Seems odd that you don't have to do anything for LHD cars......

Eurolites list

Eurolites diagram

[moizeau]

I was told, can't remember from who or where, that LHD headlights point straight ahead whereas UK lights point to the kerb/left. I've never put deflectors on my Euro lights when travelling to the UK.