Mazda 5 Xenon headlight switchover

[sziggy]

Hi all,

Ill shortly be taking my 5 to Europe from the UK. Does anyone know if there is an easy way of switching the headlights for continental driving? I know with most cars with Xenon's you just add a fuse, but no mention in the manual. I know that beam deflectors on plastic headlights and xenons are a no no, so if there is no fuse whats the other option?

Thank you in advance

Stephen

 

[Secondtyme]

You'll find that most of our members here are in the US, so maybe an explanaion of what you mean by "continental driving" is in order. Do you mean that the cut-off on the projectors has to be switched for use in Europe? Here in the US our headlights are setup so that the beam cut-off has a distinct step down on the left side to avoid blinding on-coming traffic. OEM beam pattern looks like this: _____/----- I'm not sure what you mean by a fuse though, I'm lost on that one...

 

[sziggy]

You'll find that most of our members here are in the US, so maybe an explanaion of what you mean by "continental driving" is in order. Do you mean that the cut-off on the projectors has to be switched for use in Europe? Here in the US our headlights are setup so that the beam cut-off has a distinct step down on the left side to avoid blinding on-coming traffic. OEM beam pattern looks like this: _____/----- I'm not sure what you mean by a fuse though, I'm lost on that one...

Apologies I really shouldn't make assumptions (not used to predominantly US forums). Due to the UK driving on the left our headlight beams point towards the left (basically the oposite of what you describe). In Europe they need to point to the right as you described. Most Xenon equiped cars in Europe (or at least the ones I have come across) have the ability for a fuse to be added in the fuse box to "tell" the headlights which side of the road you are driving on, so they automatically adjust to point in the correct direction. Alternatively a lot of standard headlight on european cars have a little switch that flattens the beam pattern so as to stop the blinding effect. The old practise when going to Europe from the UK was to use "beam benders" like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eurolite-...agnetic-Sign-ex01404-/280931405004#vi-content to redirect the beam. However you arent meant to use these on plastic or xenon headlights due to the risk of damage.

 

[Secondtyme]

I keep forgetting that HID headlights are much more common in Europe. The self-leveling feature that is a standard on most any car with HID in Europe is seen as a "high end" option here in the US. I personally think anything with projectors or a trailer hitch should have self leveling lights. I'm sorry to say that short of aiming your lights down a bit, i can't offer any real help...

 

[sziggy]

I keep forgetting that HID headlights are much more common in Europe. The self-leveling feature that is a standard on most any car with HID in Europe is seen as a "high end" option here in the US. I personally think anything with projectors or a trailer hitch should have self leveling lights. I'm sorry to say that short of aiming your lights down a bit, i can't offer any real help...

No problem. Thank you for your reply If only Mazda UK were a little more helpful......

 

[Vasy]

I'd contact your dealer and ask this question or check your user manual to see if this have this info.
I don't think we have faced this problem here

 

[sziggy]

Done both. The manual says contact the dealer. The dealer says they dont know as they cant fit beam benders to xenon \ plastic headlights

 

[Secondtyme]

Is this more of a "I don't want to be that guy " thing or do you actually face fines and penalties for having the wrong lights on your car? I shudder to think that they expect you to keep a second set of headlight assemblies on hand for when you intend to drive "on the continent"

 

[sziggy]

Is this more of a "I don't want to be that guy " thing or do you actually face fines and penalties for having the wrong lights on your car? I shudder to think that they expect you to keep a second set of headlight assemblies on hand for when you intend to drive "on the continent"

You can be fined yep. To be honest I think its the French that are most likely to fine you and I avoid France like the plague. As mentioned on standard lights you put things on your headlights and on most Xenons you have the ability to adjust them. Its as if its something Mazda didnt even think of. Ive contacted another dealer, and am waiting for them to get back to be

 

[rodslinger]

Hi all,

Ill shortly be taking my 5 to Europe from the UK. Does anyone know if there is an easy way of switching the headlights for continental driving? I know with most cars with Xenon's you just add a fuse, but no mention in the manual. I know that beam deflectors on plastic headlights and xenons are a no no, so if there is no fuse whats the other option?

Thank you in advance

Stephen

This might seem like an odd solution but it might work. What about replacing just your passenger side headlamp with a US or French model? You'll have a more centralized beam pattern but at least you'll not be blinding anyone regardless of which side of the road you are on.

 

[sziggy]

This might seem like an odd solution but it might work. What about replacing just your passenger side headlamp with a US or French model? You'll have a more centralized beam pattern but at least you'll not be blinding anyone regardless of which side of the road you are on.

Thats not a bad idea, and something I will look into.

Thank you

Ziggy