Ok, a bit convoluted so I will bullet point it....
-I now live in Hungary and the winter can be a challenge, especially as we live up in the hills
-so despite cost and running two cars decided on 4x4
-v. expensive here cos of tax and as we don't mind RHD bought 2006 Diesel Sedici 4x4 from the UK
-need to register it and looked for some LHD headlights, but then found a little arrow on our headlight plastic with R in one direction and L in the other
-does this mean that it might be possible to adjust them for LHD vs getting new lights?
-
if so how (no haynes manual yet)
Many thanks for any thoughts.
Great forum by the way, I am looking forward to reading the posts

Hi just wondering what is the tax there ?

The dipped beam is created by the position of the bulb filament relative to the reflector. Finding some pics on the net it appears that your lamp is a single lamp with both dipped and main beams. Changing the bulb holder position may not work with this type of lamp.

Many "fisheye" type lamps can be rotated easily to give left or right dip, as you are only dealing with one filament and the whole lamp rotates.

You will need to remove the lamp from the car and look carefully at how the bulb holder is attached to the reflector. If there is obviously an alternative fitting position, and it looks like you can remove and refit the bulb holder without damage, then it may be worth having a go.

A cheap solution is to fit beam deflectors, as we would if just going on holiday. These, contrary to their title do not deflect the beam, just chop off the bit that would dazzle, leaving you with a flat topped beam. If you find the right place, parcel tape will work, but looks horrid. These seem acceptable to LHD cars here presented for MOT, but your own local rules may prohibit this long-term. Many international lorries and coaches have flat-topped beams to allow them to cross borders without fuss.

As an alternative to new lamps, try local (or anywhere in Europe) scrappies, or local Ebay.

A big thanks to Portland Bill, a really comprehensive reply. I will post the results when the lights are out.
To stephenbebob, to import a 2006 sedici will cost around £600!
And an addendum - I will need a left hand rear cluster to switch the fog light - inj fact I may forgo the reversing light and have two fogs - maybe try to find a reasonable looking after market option for a reversing light.
So back to hunting down 2nd hand bits.
Thanks again everyone

The Sedici headlight height adjustment has quite a large range, and I have always just lowered the beam for continental driving.

I have never been ' flashed ' even in cities so I can only imagine that this procedure works.

johntywyn said:

The Sedici headlight height adjustment has quite a large range, and I have always just lowered the beam for continental driving.

I have never been ' flashed ' even in cities so I can only imagine that this procedure works.

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It doesn't. Just because you're not flashed doesn't mean you're not dazzling people. Why not fit deflectors like everyone else?

Just a bad as those in LHDs doing the same over here :bang:

Sorry, I can assure you that if you dazzled any one in France, they would flash their headlights; and this has never happened.

johntywyn said:

The Sedici headlight height adjustment has quite a large range, and I have always just lowered the beam for continental driving.

I have never been ' flashed ' even in cities so I can only imagine that this procedure works.

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johntywyn said:

Sorry, I can assure you that if you dazzled any one in France, they would flash their headlights; and this has never happened.

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What a poor attitude to your own and others' safety.
The headlamp beam has a flat part, and a diagonal part, to the left in the UK to light the nearside. No matter how low you put it, it will always dazzle when driving on the right. Lorries and coaches will often have flat-topped beams allowing them to drive on either side without causing dazzle. Beam deflectors just chop the top off the angled bit. You can also do this with carefully positioned insulation tape or similar. So next time you go abroad, do it properly. Hopefully next time, if you don't the French Police will impound your car and give you a hefty fine.

My headlights do not dazzle !!! I have checked it out on a private road in Austria, and with ten left hand driven cars approaching from the other direction, all completing five separate runs, so fifty tests in all, each driver confirmed that there was no dazzling at all. The road had a combination of straight, bends and hills. One of the volunteers was an Austrian Traffic police officer, another a patrol from the Austrian breakdown recovery service, and another a driving instructor.

So Portland Bill, I rather feel you will be disappointed in that I will not have my car impounded, because the tests will show that my lights have been adjusted to comply with local laws.

But they haven't been adjusted, they've just been lowered!

They'll still kick to the wrong side even if lowered, yes they may not kick as much but they'll still kick.

In addition to this how can you see safely with the lowered that much?!

Its almost as bad as the attitude of I'll just drive during the day only.

What is wrong with the attitude ' I will just drive in the day ' ? And although lowering headlights does cut off some vision; an adjustment of speed will compensate for that.

johntywyn said:

What is wrong with the attitude ' I will just drive in the day ' ?

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So you don't use headlights in rain, poor visibility daytime conditions like you should then?

And how does speed affect headlamp beam level? That has got me lost now.

johntywyn said:

What is wrong with the attitude ' I will just drive in the day ' ? And although lowering headlights does cut off some vision; an adjustment of speed will compensate for that.

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If you understood what was wrong, you'd fix it and we wouldn't be having this conversation. Sometimes all hope is lost.

With all those years in the driving seat Mr. Portland Bill, I guess it is time for you to buy a mobility scooter !!

johntywyn said:

With all those years in the driving seat Mr. Portland Bill, I guess it is time for you to buy a mobility scooter !!

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Is that the best insult you can think of?
At least I'd have the headlamps properly aligned not to dazzle.

johntywyn said:

With all those years in the driving seat Mr. Portland Bill, I guess it is time for you to buy a mobility scooter !!

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Steady on, no need to get petty because you've finally realised you're in the wrong.