How do I change the headlamp direction>

[monaco_blue]

I had a read through this and some other threads before setting off to France and Spain and I just could not see a picture of the adjustment lever for the xenons on my 2006 car. I had the chance of a BMW technician to show me where they are and took the opportunity to take some pics. Basically it's unlikely that you will be able to get your head far enough into the wheelarch to see the lever even if you take the wheels off. Plus the hard plastic cover on the rear of the offside unit is a struggle to remove completely because it fouls someother components.

The lever is located to the right hand side of both lamp units ie to the outside of the car on the offside and to the centre of the car on the nearside (RHD only of course).

Here's a pic of the nearside unit if it helps anyone. The lever is highlighted with the white circle. I switched mine over at home the day before I left and back again once I got back home. I didn't really want to get filthy in the Eurotunnel car park and because the switch simply levels the beams rather then create a non-UK compliant assymetric beam it just means you have less than optimal headlights for UK use,but not dangerous or illegal.

By the way I don't think the text or illustration on Page 72 of the maunal is clear; it shows the lever to the left of the high voltage unit and then says for RHD cars move the lever up. In fact you need to move the lever down for a RHD car driving in Europe (upfor UK) Probably a case of Lost inTranslation.

Hope this helps anyone who is as stuck with this as I was.

Very useful post and photo - thank you!

 

[s.m.456]

Sorry for the thread resurrection, bit of a silly question.

Do you have to adjust both the nearside and drivers side headlights for driving on the continent?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Yes - both sides need adjusting

 

[derin100]

I still couldn't find the lever so I took to the nearest BMW service centre.

When I showed him the diagram in the manual he told me it's a pic of the back of the xenons, not the halogens! Wish the manual had clarified that!! :thumbsdown:
:headbang:

After a bit of trial and error he found the lever. We couldn't see it because of the limited view with the wheel in the way, but it's next to the big bulb and just above what felt like the back of a screw. It's just a small lever which you can puch up and down with a finger - very easily misable unless you know what you're looking for.

Hope this helps anyone else in the future.

So...eventually I think I've found said lever!

So, if I'm taking a UK (RHD car) to the Continent which position should the levers each side be in when I'm there....up or down?
The handbook doesn't make this clear either.

Many thanks in advance

 

[derin100]

the way I read it, I think the lever is meant to be in the "Up" position if I'm taking my RHD car across to the Continent.

I hope that's correct because that's what I've just done...and it was a bloody faff! :x

 

[derin100]

I had a read through this and some other threads before setting off to France and Spain and I just could not see a picture of the adjustment lever for the xenons on my 2006 car. I had the chance of a BMW technician to show me where they are and took the opportunity to take some pics. Basically it's unlikely that you will be able to get your head far enough into the wheelarch to see the lever even if you take the wheels off. Plus the hard plastic cover on the rear of the offside unit is a struggle to remove completely because it fouls someother components.

The lever is located to the right hand side of both lamp units ie to the outside of the car on the offside and to the centre of the car on the nearside (RHD only of course).

Here's a pic of the nearside unit if it helps anyone. The lever is highlighted with the white circle. I switched mine over at home the day before I left and back again once I got back home. I didn't really want to get filthy in the Eurotunnel car park and because the switch simply levels the beams rather then create a non-UK compliant assymetric beam it just means you have less than optimal headlights for UK use,but not dangerous or illegal.

By the way I don't think the text or illustration on Page 72 of the maunal is clear; it shows the lever to the left of the high voltage unit and then says for RHD cars move the lever up. In fact you need to move the lever down for a RHD car driving in Europe (upfor UK) Probably a case of Lost inTranslation.

Hope this helps anyone who is as stuck with this as I was.

Very useful post and photo - thank you!

Oh s**t! See BOLD Now I am confused! :?

 

[cj10jeeper]

I can't remember and don't even have the Zed, but here goes
When set for the UK you will have a flick up to the left. Easily seen against a wall, garage door, etc
All the lever does is places a shield in line with the flick leaving a flat beam.
Reason I'm unsure re the lever is I can't recall its position relative to the lens which inverts the beam

 

[ronk]

You will certainly notice the lack of light driving on unlit roads in Europe !
Eat plenty of carrots