Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: jack68 on 25 January 2010, 13:08:41

Title: Driving in France
Post by: jack68 on 25 January 2010, 13:08:41
As above going to France this weekend and i remember seeing somewhere how to adjust the headlights to drive abroad.  The trouble is i can't find the link.  I know where the selector is but in which position should it be in when abroad.

Jack :-?
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: waspy on 25 January 2010, 13:13:21
Having driven many hours in France, i don't even bother to adjust mine.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Andy B on 25 January 2010, 13:17:11
Quote
As above going to France this weekend and i remember seeing somewhere how to adjust the headlights to drive abroad.  The trouble is i can't find the link.  I know where the selector is but in which position should it be in when abroad.

Jack :-?

Page 121  :y
click here (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.reynolds983/Manuals/Omega2002Manual.pdf)  :y
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: dad1uk on 25 January 2010, 13:18:24
Most people don't bother these days, the same as the Europeans don't bother when they come over here......
It used to be possible to get stickers for the headlights to bend the beam from Halfords and places like that but I don't know if they are still available.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 January 2010, 13:19:11
Also don't forget:

Hi vis jerkin for each occupant (and in France, must be in cabin now, not boot)
Spare bulb kit
Warning triangle
First Aid Kit
Fire Extinguisher

(I believe all the above are now legal requirements)

And, as you have a V6, a crank sensor!
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 January 2010, 13:20:01
Quote
Most people don't bother these days, the same as the Europeans don't bother when they come over here......
It used to be possible to get stickers for the headlights to bend the beam from Halfords and places like that but I don't know if they are still available.
Still available, and still an On-The-Spot fine in France (you will likely be escorted to cashpoint if you don't have the cash)
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Varche on 25 January 2010, 13:43:51
Have read today that Spain will shortly announce that we will no longer be required to carry a spare set of bulbs as" it isn't physically possible to change bulbs on a lot of cars and some (xenons) are positively dangerous to try and change".

makes some sense despite seeing tons of vehicles with defective lights!
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 January 2010, 13:45:28
Quote
Have read today that Spain will shortly announce that we will no longer be required to carry a spare set of bulbs as" it isn't physically possible to change bulbs on a lot of cars and some (xenons) are positively dangerous to try and change".

makes some sense despite seeing tons of vehicles with defective lights!
I think any car that has in the manual 'this must be done by dealer' are exempt from current laws.  If not exempt, then the rules state that average Joe Public should be able to replace the defective bulb, at the roadside with only the car's tools, in 15 mins.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Andy B on 25 January 2010, 14:09:07
Quote
Quote
Have read today that Spain will shortly announce that we will no longer be required to carry a spare set of bulbs as" it isn't physically possible to change bulbs on a lot of cars and some (xenons) are positively dangerous to try and change".

makes some sense despite seeing tons of vehicles with defective lights!
I think any car that has in the manual 'this must be done by dealer' are exempt from current laws.  If not exempt, then the rules state that average Joe Public should be able to replace the defective bulb, at the roadside with only the car's tools, in 15 mins.

That's none of then on SWMBO's Smart Roadster  ;)  ;). You need a T25 to remove the rear clusters to get to the lamp holders. Front head lights are similar ie remove the whole lot to get at the holders. The side light on the driver's side though has just taken me about an hour! :-? I've just removed the FOS wheel to move the wheel arch liner so I could move the washer bottle away from the back of the lamp cluster which sits about 11/2" away from it with no way to get to anyway! As far as I know the car didn't come with any tools other than a wheel brace ..... not much use as it doesn't have a spare wheel!  ;D Just a can of tyre sealer & a compressor.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: jack68 on 25 January 2010, 14:10:00
Once again all the questions answered quickly

Jack
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Andy B on 25 January 2010, 14:11:55
Quote
Once again all the questions answered quickly

Jack

Answering is easier & faster tha getting your hand to the lever in the passenger side headlamp ...... the battery is in the way if you have hands bigger than a 3 year old's  :y  ;)
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 January 2010, 14:12:05
Quote
Quote
Quote
Have read today that Spain will shortly announce that we will no longer be required to carry a spare set of bulbs as" it isn't physically possible to change bulbs on a lot of cars and some (xenons) are positively dangerous to try and change".

makes some sense despite seeing tons of vehicles with defective lights!
I think any car that has in the manual 'this must be done by dealer' are exempt from current laws.  If not exempt, then the rules state that average Joe Public should be able to replace the defective bulb, at the roadside with only the car's tools, in 15 mins.

That's none of then on SWMBO's Smart Roadster  ;)  ;). You need a T25 to remove the rear clusters to get to the lamp holders. Front head lights are similar ie remove the whole lot to get at the holders. The side light on the driver's side though has just taken me about an hour! :-? I've just removed the FOS wheel to move the wheel arch liner so I could move the washer bottle away from the back of the lamp cluster which sits about 11/2" away from it with no way to get to anyway! As far as I know the car didn't come with any tools other than a wheel brace ..... not much use as it doesn't have a spare wheel!  ;D Just a can of tyre sealer & a compressor.
Normal smart I seem to recall is similar to Merc A-Class, in that you remove headlights completely (a series of clips).
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Andy B on 25 January 2010, 14:16:12
Quote
.....
Normal smart I seem to recall is similar to Merc A-Class, in that you remove headlights completely (a series of clips).

A couple of self tappers to remove the covers, then half a dozen self tapper to get to the two lamps on each side. All quite straight forward & easy, I even found out why the dipped beam was a mile out - H7 lamp not clipped in  :-? .... apart from the driver's side side light  >:(. Bl00dy stupid place to put a washer bottle!  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: jack68 on 25 January 2010, 14:28:38
Just thought about what TB said about a crank sensor, has anyone got one or the part number for one.

Jack
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 January 2010, 14:34:21
Quote
Just thought about what TB said about a crank sensor, has anyone got one or the part number for one.

Jack
2.6/3.0/3.2 90540743 £53.50 £41.47
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Weds on 25 January 2010, 15:20:05
If you have a V6 then carry a crank sensor always, not just in France :-)
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 January 2010, 17:42:44
Quote
If you have a V6 then carry a crank sensor always, not just in France :-)
Only pop mine in for long journeys :)
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: sneakypenguin on 25 January 2010, 18:59:04
Quote
Quote
Most people don't bother these days, the same as the Europeans don't bother when they come over here......
It used to be possible to get stickers for the headlights to bend the beam from Halfords and places like that but I don't know if they are still available.
Still available, and still an On-The-Spot fine in France (you will likely be escorted to cashpoint if you don't have the cash)

Why is it an on the spot fine for using the headlight stickers? or is that in case you don't bother at all?
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: dbr on 25 January 2010, 19:20:08
Quote
Quote
Quote
Most people don't bother these days, the same as the Europeans don't bother when they come over here......
It used to be possible to get stickers for the headlights to bend the beam from Halfords and places like that but I don't know if they are still available.
Still available, and still an On-The-Spot fine in France (you will likely be escorted to cashpoint if you don't have the cash)

Why is it an on the spot fine for using the headlight stickers? or is that in case you don't bother at all?
Also watch the speed. The Calais/ Boulogne  police love our lot. Also the time / distance check between tolls can be used to catch speeders.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: jack68 on 25 January 2010, 19:21:35
Should've just flown with easy jet now.  I've another post running which explains why. 
Still love the car though.
Jack
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 25 January 2010, 19:46:16
Quote
Quote
Quote
Most people don't bother these days, the same as the Europeans don't bother when they come over here......
It used to be possible to get stickers for the headlights to bend the beam from Halfords and places like that but I don't know if they are still available.
Still available, and still an On-The-Spot fine in France (you will likely be escorted to cashpoint if you don't have the cash)

Why is it an on the spot fine for using the headlight stickers? or is that in case you don't bother at all?
Fine for not bothering. Properly applied stickers are fine :y
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Andy B on 25 January 2010, 19:54:11
Quote
....
Fine for not bothering. Properly applied stickers are fine :y

If you were a French copper, you'd have no idea if the British registered car that's just gone passed without black stickers on the lights had HID type shutters inside the lights or had symmetrical lighting fitted.  :-/