Driving on the Continent, Headlight Masks.

[SGTBILKO]

As continental drivers have not yet seen the wisdom of driving on the left we are obliged to fit headlamp masks to avoid dazzling oncoming road-users when driving abroad. Despite the high prices charged by motoring orginisations and others, these masks don't seem to work very well on pre-focus headlights. The masks fitted to my car don't seem to stop the inconvenience to most other drivers especially HGV's. I have made up some masks with black tape but have yet had the chance to test their efficacity. Maybe the expensive masks work better on halogen lights, but I'm a bit reluctant to change the headlights as I believe the extra current required puts a strain on the dynamo. I would be interested to hear of other MM drivers' experiences. Many thanks, Sarg.[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Why would there be any extra current ? Halogen lights are 55 watt - the normal sealed beam lights are actually 60 watt (and some 75!) on main beam and 55 on dip....... So if anything - the halogens use marginally LESS current.

[SGTBILKO]

Why would there be any extra current ? Halogen lights are 55 watt - the normal sealed beam lights are actually 60 watt (and some 75!) on main beam and 55 on dip....... So if anything - the halogens use marginally LESS current.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[rayofleamington]

Halogens don't use more current - due to the materials used you get more lumens per amp (i.e. they just work better)

if you park 1 or 2m away from a garage door at night you should see the beam pattern nice and clearly - and there is a kick-up at the left. When experimenting with tape your goal should be to remove the kick-up

The kick-up allows the beam to higlight the left side of the road much further forward - but when on the wrong side of the road it will of course just blind the opposition.

Removing the kick up means they are less likely to drive straight into you, but doesn't give you any better visibility as you won't have a kick up on the other side - therefore if planning to go abroad for more than a short break, it may really help you to get LHD headlights.

[faversham999]

I just stick black tape on the headlights , looks good,It looks like I have tried, cost about 20p

[SGTBILKO]

I just stick black tape on the headlights , looks good,It looks like I have tried, cost about 20p

That's what I've done. Hope I did it right as I'm driving over 200 miles tonight!

[mike.perry]

A couple of pieces of insulating tape will do, until it rains!
Totally irrelevent bit:- I once hired a new car which had a left dip headlight on one side and a right dip on the other. I had a good view up the kerb and the other side of the road but not too good in front.

[twincamman]

A couple of pieces of insulating tape will do, until it rains!
Totally irrelevent bit:- I once hired a new car which had a left dip headlight on one side and a right dip on the other. I had a good view up the kerb and the other side of the road but not too good in front.

You could swap them over, so the dipped beams converge, or would it make the car cross-eyed?

[mike.perry]

I returned it to the hire company who were quite surprised. I may have been the first person to drive it in the dark