Can anyone help in telling me how to change the beam for driving abroad?
Car is a Focus RS allthough i'm 99% sure its got the same headlights as most of the later focus's. (not Xenon)
thanks in advance
Pete
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Focuses with high intensity gas discharge lights have a 2-position alignment lever behind the headlight cover.
Conventional headlights require stick-on masks. These are a complex shape which you can't guess from the shape of the headlamps. Your Ford dealer should be able to provide you with a template to cut out the masks (I've no idea what a dealer would charge, but it shouldn't be much for a paper pattern).
Alternatively, buy a Ford Technical Information System T.I.S. CDROM from Ebay. This will allow you to print the template on your computer printer. Select Focus (not Focus RS), then section 417-01 Exterior Lighting General Procedures.
Elsewhere, I've seen concerns about using certain types of masking tapes on polycarbonate headlight covers. Maybe someone else can post a recommendation for a suitable masking material.
Ian
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Isn't it about time this info was put into the cars manual?
A qu to all: Are we aiming to eliminate the bit of the headlamp beam which goes up to the left (passenger side)?
If so, putting the car in front of the garage door with lights on and just trial and error until you get it right. My suggestion...use a bit card first and turn on one headlamp at a time.
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I was told by a gendarme at Caen recently that we don't need deflectors (patches you stick on) in France.
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You might find the info in the owners handbook - my Saab 9-5 has a little diagram showing where to mask on the lights (I just use insulation tape). And yes to the other question, you are trying to stop the "kick-up" on the left caused by asymetric beams as by driving on the right you are kicking it into ther drivers eyes. The gendarme may have been right about not actually needing them by law (although I'm not entirely sure this is true), but it should be done for reasons of safety and indeed respect & courtesy for the country you are visiting.
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Cut out an interesting vaguely triangular piece of black tape, about the size of the palm of your hand.
Apply to either one or the other side of the perspex - it really doesn't matter which but looks as though you've tried.
For courtesy's sake, my Focus has a knurled knob which somehow adjusts the beam downwards when my gargantuan offspring are in the back. [you may wish to ignore this if you have just been picked on by the gallic gendarmerie]
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My Grand Cherokee handbook says all I need to do is drop the headlight alignment on the knob in the car. Has worked well for the last 4 years but it does cut the amount of useful light you get out of dipped beam too.
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Terry
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Pete
Please tell me what you decided to do in the end re Focus beam deflection for France
We are taking our ST170 Estate to France in the next few days and still dont have a clue what to do
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Hi,
I have managed to get in touch with Ford's Customer Helpline and they have faxed me a diagram of exactly where to block the headlight with tape.
I can't remember the telephone number now but I spoke to directory enquires and asked for a ford technical helpline number.
This is after visiting 2 main dealers who didn't have a clue!
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