Hi, VelSatisfied, mmmm ....
The RAC and the AA have now updated their advice on this matter ..... they now seem to be of the opinion that if your beam pattern does not have the kick up to the left and is fairly flat with only one hotspot in the centre to the right of the pattern then you dont need beam deflectors (lots of opinion/assumption and wooly statement there form our motoring organisations.)

The other advice they offer is to use beam deflectors stuck on headlamp covers ... dont know how easy it is to get them for the VelSatis though, you could try contacting the ERG group for advice or check EGR Automotive Europe .... I believe they are an Austrailian outfit but manufacture worldwide.


Your right these have all been discussed at length on the forum, but there doesnt seem to be any real conclusion except for the Espace IV.

However if the RAC/AA are correct then you might not need to adjust them at all?

Late nights pointing the car at the garage wall then

hope it helps

 

Update,

I've just had an e-mail from EGR in the UK, who state that their headlamp covers are NOT suitable for cars fitted with Xenon headlamps ...... presumably that also covers the Renault supplied ones... as EGR make the OEM ones for Renault.

Does anyone know any different? or is anyone using the EGR/Renault OEM ones with Xenon headlamps?

 

Hi there - I emailed EGR yesterday to be told that they don't make covers for the Vel Satis, but thanks for the advice and help.

Has no-one (not that there are many...) who has a Vel Satis driven on mainland Europe?

I'm loathe to contact my local dealer who may just say that it needs adjusting, lift the bonnet, close it (without doing anything), and the only 'light' adjustment has been to the size of my wallet...

Paul

 

Hi, I didnt really make it very clear ... my contact to EGR was on Espace IV lamp covers, and it was in reply to that, they stated the covers were not suitable for Xenon headlamps.

Have you had a chance to look at the beam pattern of your headlamps as per the RAC/AA advice?

 

Hi there, yes I've had a look, and regretfully there is a slight upward bias to the left (nearside).

Can beam benders then be used? Or is it an adjustment scenario?

I wouldn't normally bother, but with the lights being automatic, I can't control when they illuminate...

 

Hi, when I spoke to the AA/RAC they were fairly wooley on what was "fairly flat" ... but I reckon if the kick is not very pronounced then you should be alright ... its a hard one to call. Maybe you should have a talk to the AA/RAC .. you dont need to be a member, phone numbers are on their respective websites, you might get a different take on what they say.

I know the kick on our Clio is very pronounced prob 30-40 degrees but the Espace is only about 5-7degrees ..... is that fairly flat?

The e-mail I got from EGR suggested the Lexan (Plexiglass) that the headlamps are made from may deform/split if used with headlamp protectors and genuine discharge (Xenon) headlamps, not the normal ones fitted with pesudo HID/Xenon bulbs.

I assume the Xenon equiped Velsatis also has Lexan headlamps?

Best of luck, keep us all up todate on what you find out, it all helps.

 

I know we've got a Laguna, not a Velsatis, but we have used beam benders stuck to headlight protectors on 3 or 4 times abroad with no problems.
Our Launa has Xenon lights, our local Renault dealer was prepared to sell the stick on beam benders to us to stick straight on to the headlights.

We went for the protector verson with beam benders for the convenience and not having to clean off sticky mess afterwards. It appears that you won't be able to go downthat route though.

If a Renault dealer was prepared to sell stick on beam benders for a Laguna with Xenons, I don't see why they shouldn't sell them to you for your Velsatis. Although you would get them cheaper from Halfords or simialr.

I made loads of enquires at the time regarding whether it was necessary to fit beam benders or not, but never really got a proper answer from anyone, inc RAC/AA/Renault etc.
Given that the average "gendarme" or "policia" etc that pull over a Brit the first thing they would loook at were the lights, so I thought better safe than sorry, so fitted the beam benders regardless if they were needed or not.
We did loads of night driving and the light pats were still ok and nobody "flashed us".

 

Hi there to all, the 'kick' is only a few degrees (5-7 would be a fair estimate). Getting 'flashed' (unfortunately not of the humourous variety) happens over here as well - then when they get flashed back by me - they realise I didn't have my main beams on after all - does this happen a lot with xenons???

The headlight lenses are of the plastic variety (just checked).

Will contact RAC (I'm a member) and see what they advise - if I do go to France this year, I'll have my wee lad with me, so no night driving as such, but it would definitely be good to know how I (and others) would stand.

Once again, thanks for the help.

Paul

 

A wee update for you.

Contacted RAC European Motoring Advisor 0800 55 00 55 this morning; he suggested that if I knew how to 'blank off' any light that would dazzle, then even masking tape could be used (something I hadn't considered), this wouldn't bond too heavily to the plastic - making removal a lot less problematic.

Just shows you - never too old to learn!

Paul

 

Interesting point ..... maybe not masking tape though!

I thought even the best quality masking tape reacted badly to UV within 24-36hrs making it "dryout" and leave an almost impossible to remove band of dry adhesive (do you not use masking tape with your work? ... is that right or is that just very old types of tape I'm thinking about?)

I would'nt like to use a solvent to remove it as I'm sure Lexan reacts badly to isopropoanol and others (I remember this from when I used to build Lexan bodied R/C cars)

Maybe some other type of tape? (electrical insulation tape maybe or the dreaded "gaffer or duck" tape) .... good idea though

 

Hi there, yes - I do use quite a bit of masking tape at work - haven't used it with UV, but I use an IR lamp for drying - which has been ok.

To be honest, we would only be using the car for some light touring (very little at night, with a wee one). And it was just to be legal should the lights decide to illuminate for a half hour or so.

The dry adhesive would be removed with copious amounts of water and one of those sponges with the mesh for removing dead flies, I'm sure.

I don't think it would be more difficult than the adhesive for beam benders to remove, and would 'fold-over' a bit of the tape (at the top) so I had something to pull at when removing the tape.

Agreed that the plastic is a hassle that a glass lens wouldn't pose.

Paul

 

Hi All

Vel Satis: both headlights were out two weeks ago just before I went to Europe. There is definitely no LHD/RHD switch on these. Both height adjuster motors had to be replaced - faulty - Renault paid for these although out of warranty (nice people!)

I bought the beam benders from Renault. Having looked at these I was not entirely happy with fitting them so I had a look in Halfords. I bought a set of beam benders there, trade name is 'Eurolights'. These are also sold by AA - saw a set in their shop at ?Ashford/Canterbury? services on way to Dover. The same things are sold on P&O ships.

The instructions with these have a leaflet which does mention Vel Satis and has a diagram showing where to fit them. I had no problem in France/Belgium and Germany. removal was easy, used WD40 and a soft cloth to take off the remnants of the adhesive.

HTH

JohnM

 

Thanks John, I appreciate the helpful advice. Was feeling a bit worried about driving a french car in its native home!

Paul

 

I've got the problem the other way round - Mainland to UK - and have been unable to find any masks here What portion of the lamp would have to be masked?

 

Well, if you face your car against a wall and have the dipped lights on - you will see that there is a bias (a 'flick') to the passenger side of the car. Its a bit of trial & error, but you would need to place a barrier (masking tape or similar - if you are not using 'beam benders') to obscure the part which would be dazzling oncoming drivers if you are driving in the 'wrong' side of the road.

Hope that helps.

Paul

 

The kick up on the headlamps looks more like about 10° to me. It definitely needs something doing about it

I thought even the best quality masking tape reacted badly to UV within 24-36hrs making it "dryout"

Just found some exterior quality masking tape [UV resistant] in my local DIY store. Will give that a try.

I bought the deflectors from Halfords last time I was in the UK. Unfortunately they don't seem to be reusable and a £6 a throw it's rather expensive for something I need about once a month

 

According to my dad, who lives out there (ok, I know, not an authority), it's only the UK that has the kick up and left. In Europe they don't dip the same as us (all their's are centered on the lane). He never dips his when he comes over here and doesn't get flashed at.