Fitting genuine xenons to a non-xenon car

[jdd]

Another interesting fact is that this document raises the issue of headlight washers again.

At the bottom of page 43 under "other requirements"

Dipped-beam headlamps with a light source having an objective
luminous flux which exceeds 2,000 lumen shall only be installed in
conjunction with the installation of headlamp cleaning device(s)

This begs the question of how many lumen does a typical Xenon light produce.

There's so much jargon in that document it's hard to tell if the self levelling is a requirement, although I did find this bit ...

In the case where a headlamp levelling device is necessary to satisfy the
requirements of paragraphs 6.2.6.1.1. and 6.2.6.1.2., the device shall be
automatic.

The trouble is that reading those two paragraphs is rather confusing although nothing specifically mentions gas discharge lamps within them.

[mrx]

6.2.6.2.1. In the case where a headlamp levelling device is necessary to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 6.2.6.1.1. and 6.2.6.1.2., the device shall be automatic.

6.2.6.2.2. However, devices which are adjusted manually, either continuously or non-continuously, shall be permitted, provided they have a stop position at which the lamps can be returned to the initial inclination defined in paragraph 6.2.6.1.1. by means of the usual adjusting screws or similar
means.

6.2.9. Other requirements
Dipped-beam headlamps with a light source having an objective luminous flux which exceeds 2,000 lumen shall only be installed in conjunction with the installation of headlamp cleaning device(s) according to Regulation No. 45. 7/ In addition, with respect to vertical inclination, the provisions of paragraph 6.2.6.2.2. above shall not be applied.

Reading the above excerpts from the ADR13/00 document I interpret it to mean that self levelling and washers are required for Xenons on low beam. Point 6.2.9 states that any lighting exceeding 2000 lumen shall have headlight cleaning devices, Xenons are approximately 3200 lumen. It also states that section 6.2.6.2.2 no longer applies, which means manual control is not allowed, but it does not state that 6.2.6.2.1 no longer applies, so it depends whether the lights meet the requirements of 6.2.6.1.1. and 6.2.6.1.2 without any form of levelling or not. Either way, a headlight cleaning device is required, I wonder if a rag kept in the glovebox meets regulation No. 45?

PS. Sorry for taking this off topic Mischa, I was just hoping there might be any easier way out.

[jdd]

ok, found this bit which more or less confirms the bit about autoleveling

For vehicles fitted with filament headlamps, the requirements of the
following paragraphs in Appendix A are not applicable:
6.2.6.1 (vertical orientation for dipped beam);
6.2.6.2 (Headlamp levelling) and
6.2.6.3 (Measuring procedure).

So, while it doesn't mention gas discharge specifically, it applies the auto-leveling rule then excludes filament lamps from it.

[jb747]

6.2.6.1. Vertical orientation
6.2.6.1.1. The initial downward inclination of the cut-off of the dipped-beam to be
set in the unladen vehicle state with one person in the driver's seat shall
be specified within an accuracy of 0.1 per cent by the manufacturer and
indicated in a clearly legible and indelible manner on each vehicle close
to either headlamp or the manufacturer's plate by the symbol shown in
Annex 7.
The value of this indicated downward inclination shall be defined in
accordance with paragraph 6.2.6.1.2.
6.2.6.1.2. Depending on the mounting height in metres (h) of the lower edge of
the apparent surface in the direction of the reference axis of the
dipped-beam headlamp, measured on the unladen vehicles, the vertical
inclination of the cut-off of the dipped- beam shall, under all the static
conditions of Annex 5, remain between the following limits and the
initial aiming shall have the following values:
h < 0.8
limits: between -0.5 per cent and -2.5 per cent
initial aiming: between -1.0 per cent and -1.5 per cent
0.8 # h # 1.0
limits: between -0.5 per cent and -2.5 per cent
initial aiming: between -1.0 per cent and -1.5 per cent
or, at the discretion of the manufacturer,
limits: between -1.0 per cent and -3.0 per cent
initial aiming: between -1.5 per cent and -2.0 per cent
The application for the vehicle type-approval shall, in this case, contain
information as to which of the two alternatives is to be used.
h > 1.0
limits: between -1.0 per cent and -3.0 per cent
initial aiming: between -1.5 per cent and -2.0 per cent
The above limits and the initial aiming values are summarized in the
diagram below.
For category N3G (off-road) vehicles where the headlamps exceed a
height of 1,200 mm, the limits for the vertical inclination of the cut-off
shall be between:
-1.5 per cent and -3.5 per cent.
The initial aim shall be set between: -2 per cent and -2.5 per cent.
6.2.6.2. Headlamp levelling device
6.2.6.2.1. In the case where a headlamp levelling device is necessary to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 6.2.6.1.1. and 6.2.6.1.2., the device shall be automatic.
6.2.6.2.2. However, devices which are adjusted manually, either continuously or
non-continuously, shall be permitted, provided they have a stop position
at which the lamps can be returned to the initial inclination defined in
paragraph 6.2.6.1.1. by means of the usual adjusting screws or similar
means.
These manually adjustable devices must be operable from the driver's
seat.

So, no, it doesn't say xenons must have auto levelling. It's rather more widespread, in that it gives a number of requirements that you must meet, otherwise you will require levelling.

This isn't BS, nor is it a proposal. It became effective, the day after promulgation.

And on the other hand, you could learn a few manners. Forums are all about give and take, and coming on the way you have, just because someone may appear to disagree with you is rude and childish. I may well still be wrong in my reading of this, but it's offered simply to try to help somebody do the right thing with their car. Your comment that you've had no trouble with the police or with dazzling other motorists has very little veracity. The cops may well not have looked at your car properly (yet), and how would you know the effect of your lights on others.

[XXX-1.8T]

6.2.6.1. Vertical orientation
6.2.6.1.1. The initial downward inclination of the cut-off of the dipped-beam to be
set in the unladen vehicle state with one person in the driver's seat shall
be specified within an accuracy of 0.1 per cent by the manufacturer and
indicated in a clearly legible and indelible manner on each vehicle close
to either headlamp or the manufacturer's plate by the symbol shown in
Annex 7.
The value of this indicated downward inclination shall be defined in
accordance with paragraph 6.2.6.1.2.
6.2.6.1.2. Depending on the mounting height in metres (h) of the lower edge of
the apparent surface in the direction of the reference axis of the
dipped-beam headlamp, measured on the unladen vehicles, the vertical
inclination of the cut-off of the dipped- beam shall, under all the static
conditions of Annex 5, remain between the following limits and the
initial aiming shall have the following values:
h < 0.8
limits: between -0.5 per cent and -2.5 per cent
initial aiming: between -1.0 per cent and -1.5 per cent
0.8 # h # 1.0
limits: between -0.5 per cent and -2.5 per cent
initial aiming: between -1.0 per cent and -1.5 per cent
or, at the discretion of the manufacturer,
limits: between -1.0 per cent and -3.0 per cent
initial aiming: between -1.5 per cent and -2.0 per cent
The application for the vehicle type-approval shall, in this case, contain
information as to which of the two alternatives is to be used.
h > 1.0
limits: between -1.0 per cent and -3.0 per cent
initial aiming: between -1.5 per cent and -2.0 per cent
The above limits and the initial aiming values are summarized in the
diagram below.
For category N3G (off-road) vehicles where the headlamps exceed a
height of 1,200 mm, the limits for the vertical inclination of the cut-off
shall be between:
-1.5 per cent and -3.5 per cent.
The initial aim shall be set between: -2 per cent and -2.5 per cent.
6.2.6.2. Headlamp levelling device
6.2.6.2.1. In the case where a headlamp levelling device is necessary to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 6.2.6.1.1. and 6.2.6.1.2., the device shall be automatic.
6.2.6.2.2. However, devices which are adjusted manually, either continuously or
non-continuously, shall be permitted, provided they have a stop position
at which the lamps can be returned to the initial inclination defined in
paragraph 6.2.6.1.1. by means of the usual adjusting screws or similar
means.
These manually adjustable devices must be operable from the driver's
seat.

So, no, it doesn't say xenons must have auto levelling. It's rather more widespread, in that it gives a number of requirements that you must meet, otherwise you will require levelling.

This isn't BS, nor is it a proposal. It became effective, the day after promulgation.

And on the other hand, you could learn a few manners. Forums are all about give and take, and coming on the way you have, just because someone may appear to disagree with you is rude and childish. I may well still be wrong in my reading of this, but it's offered simply to try to help somebody do the right thing with their car. Your comment that you've had no trouble with the police or with dazzling other motorists has very little veracity. The cops may well not have looked at your car properly (yet), and how would you know the effect of your lights on others.

I apologise for my rudeness just some of the forum users make me question the credibility of the information posted.

I take my hat off to you for finding all this information out.

In regards to your statements:

What are the odds of a cop pulling over a standard Jetta to do a check let alone headlights - 0%

Even if they did try and prove my headlights were not self levelling i can play stupid and say the sensor must be broken ill get it fixed under warranty etc

Secondly I know in my A3 i wasnt blinding on coming drivers as i manually configured the headlights with a friend by measuring the ideal angle for the beam to be projected so we didnt blind on coming drivers. Also usually people highbeam if your blinding them which i never had.

Anyways this info is useful i have always been against those cheap xenon kits with the same concerns you have.

I am still going ahead with my OEM upgrade as i will have just as much success with it as i had with my A3. With Xenons OEM is the only way to go as manufacturers spend so much money on improving lighting and beam quality.

[jayjay]

hang on.. if they're oem, doesn't that mean that they'd be exactly the same as another car that has them as an option, and hence meet all the adr requirements..? i mean, assuming you replaced the entire cluster/assembly.

[Mischa]

hang on.. if they're oem, doesn't that mean that they'd be exactly the same as another car that has them as an option, and hence meet all the adr requirements..? i mean, assuming you replaced the entire cluster/assembly.

if they're installed from factory they come with 2 levelling sensors (for when you go over a bump) one at the rear and one at the front as well as a levelling control unit right up near the headlight assemblies. they also come with headlight washers.

[Logzy]

you should have factory fitted these misch.. n00b. you also should have gotten a sunroof in which girls could party out of..

Leg Room.

[BarneyBoy]

Leg Room.

Yessiree - the material they use for the headlining makes it impossible to get the heel marks out - a sunroof is a must

[Mischa]

lol i dont know how you guys like to be oriented if her feet are out the sunroof thats what the back windows are for

[jayjay]

her..? you talk like there's only one of them...

[thestu]

just find an r32 and buy there lights

[Mischa]

do i need a ballast to run xenons or can i just plug the existing wiring loom into the 10 to 12 pin adaptor and hten straight into the headlights?

or is the ballast integrated into the bulb on the vw xenons?? blardy hell who would have thought xenons are so confusing lol.

[Mister_duck]

I know with the aftermarket hid xenon kits you can buy, it comes with a ballast , im pretty sure the oem xenons also have a seperate ballast as well.

[XXX-1.8T]

do i need a ballast to run xenons or can i just plug the existing wiring loom into the 10 to 12 pin adaptor and hten straight into the headlights?

or is the ballast integrated into the bulb on the vw xenons?? blardy hell who would have thought xenons are so confusing lol.

Ballast is part of the OEM headlights all u need to do is convert 10 to 12 pin adapter and you are set.