Hid Conversion?

[bill03]

Found on another forum law regarding the above:-

"IT is not acceptable to convert a headlamp approved for use with a halogen filament bulb to use a Xenon (HID) gas discharge bulb. The only acceptable way of converting is to replace the headlamp with one approved for gas discharge bulbs. Such headlamps will be approved to UNECE Regulation 98 and 'E' marked. If headlamps approved to UNECE Regulation 98 are retro-fitted, they must be self levelling (as part of the headlamp system, or via self-levelling suspension), and headlamp washers must be installed. Under the road traffic act 1988, it is an offence to fit or use parts which are not legal."

 

Wondered if it would fail an MOT, or would they know?

[Rich_Eason]

I'd imagine they would as they are different colour to standard bulbs for a start and probably have a completly different beam profile?

[ham's c4vts]

Dont see why headlamp washers have to be fitted for H.I.D headlamps or conversion :)

[Stuey]

I was just thinking the same thing Ham, how comes you have to have washes with HiD bulbs??

[Safety Engineer]

I believe that it because a normal bulb arrangment uses the lens to focus the beam, a HID lamp doesn't (is pre-focused) and as such dirt on the lens affects the focus.

[C4VTS]

The washers are to prevent light scatter from a dirty lens.

 

Also found on the evo forum that people have got through MOT no problem with aftermarket HID kits.

 

The washers and self levelling suspension only applies to new cars.

[ham's c4vts]

The washers are to prevent light scatter from a dirty lens.

 

No still dont convince me :) :huh:

[wozza]

The washers aren't to affect you that much but stop you blinding oncoming motorists. As incorrectly setup HID lights that are dirty when viewed oncoming look like cars that have full beams on and its bloody blinding.

[Welshguy]

They are definately useful though...I had a BMW X5 with his halo's driving up my *** the other night, so I did the "slow right down to 10mph in a 30 zome" trick..missed a downchange though and he caught me out and overtook me...so I repeated the trick to him and voiced my displeasure at the ****

[Rich_Eason]

They are definately useful though...I had a BMW X5 with his halo's driving up my *** the other night, so I did the "slow right down to 10mph in a 30 zome" trick..missed a downchange though and he caught me out and overtook me...so I repeated the trick to him and voiced my displeasure at the ****

 

The trick in the situation is to wait until you are nearing a right hand turn. Just as he attempts to go past fling on you indicator, that normally works.

[bill03]

The washers and self levelling suspension only applies to new cars.

 

Not sure.

 

If headlamps approved to UNECE Regulation 98 are "retro-fitted", they must be self levelling

[ham's c4vts]

The washers aren't to affect you that much but stop you blinding oncoming motorists. As incorrectly setup HID lights that are dirty when viewed oncoming look like cars that have full beams on and its bloody blinding.

No, still not convinced on that reason.

[iannez]

i will have a look in mot hand book tomorrow but i am sure that they only have to be self leveling and have washers if there factoy fit. there is no way you can miss xenons on mot because when you line up beam setter you need a wielding mask to check the hight lol. also if the lens gets to dirty the bulb beam can melt the lens.

[C4VTS]

if the lens gets to dirty the bulb beam can melt the lens.

 

As ham's would say.... I am not convinced ! :)

 

Why would dirt on the lens cause it to melt?

 

If anything HID's run cooler than filament bulbs or so I thought.

[kfk]

Full document

 

Specifically - from an American site:

 

Another approach to reduce glare that was mentioned earlier is correct aim. While NHTSA has made changes to improve the ability to correctly aim headlamps and to determine when aiming may be needed, such changes are not all that different from what has been used in Europe for decades. However, even with these features, European vehicles are also required to have headlamp aiming knobs or levers inside the passenger compartment so that drivers may move the headlamp aim downward to compensate for vehicle loading conditions. More recently, as a condition for allowing HID headlamps in Europe, these lamps must be installed only when automatic leveling (aiming) and automatic low beam washing and/or wiping is installed. European regulatory bodies have determined that automatic leveling and washing would help reduce the potential for glare from these headlamps that are specifically allowed to have higher beam performance than current halogen headlamps. The rationale behind the automatic washing is that, in general, a lamp with higher luminance is more adversely affected by dirt on the lens, resulting in more light directed toward the glare zone. In the U.S., because HID headlamps have been designed to comply with the existing required intensity performance, and not some new, higher performance as in Europe, there appeared to be no need for manufacturers to seek changes to introduce HID headlamps into the market nor for NHTSA to prevent them from being introduced.

[Safety Engineer]

The trick in the situation is to wait until you are nearing a right hand turn. Just as he attempts to go past fling on you indicator, that normally works.

 

I know tailgaters are a pain in the arse but is it really a good idea to 'teach them a lesson' by slowing down to a crawl??

 

Likewise have investigated 3 accidents, 1 a fatality where the above 'trick' has been used, the overtaking car has braked and dived left, however, the overtaker has moved left too quickly and clipped the rear of the car indicating right, spinning it. in 2 cases, into a field. In the fatality into a concrete pillar.

 

It's little consolation being right if you're dead or seriously injured...

 

Tailgating Advice Is worth a read.

[Rich_Eason]

I know tailgaters are a pain in the arse but is it really a good idea to 'teach them a lesson' by slowing down to a crawl??

 

Thats the general speed in Bristol anyway hence why everyone is out for themselves making their own rules of the road.

 

Thanks for the safety advice I'll make sure I read it and ensure I never undertake this irresponsible action.

[Welshguy]

Thanks for the safety advice I'll make sure I read it and ensure I never undertake this irresponsible action.

 

:)

[Rich_Eason]

I think I've had my wrists slapped....*Hangs head in shame* :)

[Stuey]

well thats told you Rich! :)

 

one of the incidents that safety engineer mentioned pretty muched summed up my smash, someone trying to overake me, cut in to early and forced me off the road.

[Rich_Eason]

I know the shame of me....

 

Please ban all my postings for next 24hours!...I'm off to go sit in the corner with my hands on my head and to complete my 100 lines. :)

 

"I must not encourage dangerous driving in the event that by suggesting a ridiculous manoeuvre as the one posted, someone may think it is sensible idea and adopt it for their own personal driving experience. In future do not make sarcastic comments"

 

If I told you the last time I overtook someone was in the summer you'd probably never believe me. :)

[Stuey]

I cant remeber the last time I overtook someone either. Other than the normal motorway and off the lights stuff. I do only have a 1.4 so overtaking has to be planned well in advance.

[ham's c4vts]

interesting reading Safety Engineer :)

[iannez]

checked mot handbook and there is no mention at all about hid xenon headlamps.. as long as theres a beam pattern and they are the right level it will pass. also yes the bulb does not burn as hot but the colour temp of the beam is a lot higher. if the lens is clean this passes straight through but if it is dirty (realy dirty) it will focus on the inside of the lens and eventually melt it. try holding your hand on the lens with the lights on for 5 mins.

[wozza]

Just reminded me of when someone was tailing me i kept braking tryoing to get him to back off little brake test. He didnt like that so when i did it once he just pulled right out. I had had enough of him giving me abuse and sitting with his fullbeams on behind me so when he went to overtake i dropped it down into 2nd and booted it. He got up to the side of me and i would not let him get past. Until he saw the bollard infront of him :angry:

 

He got the idea and funnily enough backed off a fair bit then. Think he learnt his lesson...dont annoy me :lol: