Driving abroad - question about lights

[remlapeel]

To cut a long story short, I'm going to France in March and have been looking at the legal requirements. I have everything I need except the headlight adapters to stop me blinding people because I'm on the opposite side of the carriageway. With how clever the golf xenon lights are, I was wondering if there is a way of switching to a euro mode or something similar so I don't have to use stupid stickers

[KyleB]

There's something in the infotainment system. Click on car, then settings and lights. In there you can switch to right hand or left hand drive lights I think.

[remlapeel]

Now that's is exactly what I was hoping for!

[GeoBog]

You could use that option temporary, but it doesn't really "change" the headlights for left/right hand drive. The only thing that the option does is lower the beam of the left headlight to not blind the oncoming traffic. However the headlights will not project the light in the same way and shape as an european car would. It's a physical difference in how the lenses inside the headlights are designed. If you google about this topic you'll find loads of information.

[remlapeel]

Yeah I'm aware about the different in beam spread. It was just to stop the blinding of oncoming cars so I don't get a fine. Would the car not change the headlight direction, given it has dynamic bend headlights?

[fredgroves]

Yes,  change it in the menus.  Works just fine,  I do it all the time.  Whatever you do,  don't stick any of those beam things on xenon lights!  You'll be sorry... And it won't work anyway with afl

[monkeyhanger]

When working in LHD mode, the dynamic beam function is disabled. It will work well enough to stop you being fined by the French Police (although they may well get you for something else (breathalysers or safety equipment not carried).

[itavaltalainen]

When you turn it to right hand traffic for europe and then go to full beam you can see the extent it turn the lights to the right and down when you're on dipped beam in RH travel mode.

I never got stopped in Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland) for the lights, and had a fair few police in oncoming traffic. Would not recommend to stick beam converters on the plastic housing on modern cars if they offer travel mode.