Euro R8 Touring

[ozmunky]

Chaps

Been reading the Eurotunnel thread and would like to know if the headlight benders are sufficient or if you have to go to a dealer to get them adjusted for driving in Europe. I know the older A3 used to have a lever to point the lights right but am unsure if the R8 has them as well. Am told they used to charge £50 for this little trick.

I know the rozzers in France love the topic (and taking your cash on the spot) -- anyone know if the Eurolite benders are OK ?

Also any other tips from those who drive over there -- (I know about the jacket and the fire extinguisher). Not sure about the GB sticker but I will put up with it.

Just for the record -- have experimented with fuel in the UK and found the Tesco 99 Octane the best (tesco is like Walmart for our US cousins) with Shell V-Power runner up (97 octane) -- am thinking I should stick with V-Power in Euro. With T99 the car is incredible, huge difference.

Plan a trip to France and Spain just after Easter and appreciate any intell.

Cheers

-- Munky

[mngolfer]

I am unfamiliar with the term headlight benders. Why would they charge you 50 eu?

[ozmunky]

I am unfamiliar with the term headlight benders. Why would they charge you 50 eu?

Hi mngolfer

Headlight adjustment is mandatory for cars that are right hand drive to drive in the Euro zone. This is prevent the drivers of LHD cars being dazzled by the bias of RHD headlights as they point a litlle to the left (to the sidewalk on the left hand side).

Headlight benders are a stick on perspex deflector that redirects the beam to bias to the right (ie on the right sidewalk side) which cost about £6 (USD $10) instead of going to the dealer and getting them repointed via a screwdriver etc by a mechanic.

Audi thought of this in the A3 and simply had a lever to flick to point the lights the right way and charged £50 ($75) for the privelege. I have heard the R8's dont have this feature anymore.

The other problem for us is that to drive thru France you must have a reflector jacket and fire extinguisher in the car (not the trunk). The cops love it as they will issue a (up to) £710 fine payable on the spot for not doing these (and having them in the cabin) and having headlights not adjusted.

Imagine the US drivers putting up with all that every time they wanted to go to Mexico ! Obviously its better to rent a car on the other side but that takes all the fun out of it.

Ah, the joys of right hand drive !

Cheers

-- Munky

[frog]

Not sure about the fire extinguisher - never seen that one before.

From the Eurotunnel website:

New French driving laws

French driving laws have changed. From 1 October 2008, all vehicles driven in France, including vehicles registered outside of France, MUST have one Hi-Viz reflective jacket and one warning triangle in their vehicle. The reflective jacket has to conform to EU standard and must be inside the car – not in the boot. On the spot fines varying between €90 and €135 will apply.

Also when I hire a car in Spain, it only has the Hi-Viz jacket in the glove compartment and the warning triangle is in the trunk.

Last time we went over in my wife's A3, we didn't bother with the headlight beam adjusters as no-one else seemed to be bothered with it - but then we never got stopped. I note that with all the foreign cars running around in the UK, none I've seen had these beam adjusters

I also recall in France and Spain you need the insurance documentation with you too.

[harrison]

In germany you may be asked to present a full emergency first aid kit too !!!!! Big brother has his home base in Europe I think.

[frog]

Check out: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice..._equipment.pdf

This covers all countries.

[ozmunky]

Check out: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice..._equipment.pdf

This covers all countries.

Many Thanks and very informative.

Do you know if the Eurolite headlight benders work on the R8, not that I would be driving much at night anyway. If not then did you have to go to a garage to get them adjusted. I have heard also that Police in France do on the spot checks for adjusted lights.

Kind Regards

-- Munky

[R8 England]

Whether they actually work or not, you will need to fit the headlight benders.

You will also need to carry a spare bulb kit (a legal requirement in France) - even though the R8 headlights cannot be user changed !

Also, do NOT have a radar detector in the car. Big problem in France.

[GR8CAR]

Because of the heat generated by the lights, Audi do not recommend "benders". There is a lever behind the headlights that switches them from left dip to right dip. Takes 30 mins at your dealer first time, and watch because it is easy to do yourself when you want to switch them back.

[mngolfer]

I have just received an education on driving in the EU. )