Author Topic: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa  (Read 3104 times)

Offline 08micsta

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Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« on: 23 October 2008, 16:49 »
Hello guys

My last thread was locked and I do not want this thread locked either. I could unlock the other thread but that would open a old can of worms so lets all just behave please.

TT. I spoke to the head technicians at three VW dealers here in Cape Town and got the following reponse.

1. The Xenons fitted to South African GTi's have sensors on each wheel that adjust each headlight seperately so that glare from the beams will not be a problem to oncoming traffic- I assume this is the same as UK GTi's?

2. Washers are an option on South African GTi's. You either have them or you dont. The reason for this is to keep the cars price down. The washers are however an option. Hence the two piece trim on the bumper. However vehicles like the Tuareg and Passat have to by law have washers here in SA due to the bulb being more intense or brighter on the larger vehicles.

Interestingly enough our parts etc comply to European and American laws here because we ship vehicles to America apparently and certain vehicles (didnt ask which ones) get sent to Australia which apparently also falls under European law. So we really are the rainbow nation :cool:

We however have our own laws as stated above and the GTi does not fall under the category that needs to have washers. All three of the techies also mentioned climate etc. But I zoned out as Gossip Girl came on.  :lipsrsealed:

Problem solved.

Mike


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Offline Egbutt Wash

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #1 on: 23 October 2008, 23:26 »
Is there a South african GTI site?  They might be missing this.
Currently digging a bunker.

Offline Teutonic_Tamer

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #2 on: 23 October 2008, 23:46 »
1. The Xenons fitted to South African GTi's have sensors on each wheel that adjust each headlight seperately so that glare from the beams will not be a problem to oncoming traffic- I assume this is the same as UK GTi's?

Technically, not quite correct.  Just one front and one rear wheel has a level sensor (think they are both on the left side), and the headlamp beams are both adjusted simultaneously.  This appears to be a world wide requirement.

2. Washers are an option on South African GTi's. You either have them or you dont. The reason for this is to keep the cars price down. The washers are however an option. Hence the two piece trim on the bumper. However vehicles like the Tuareg and Passat have to by law have washers here in SA due to the bulb being more intense or brighter on the larger vehicles.

Hmmm - struggling to agree with all that.  Yes, I accept that headlamp washers are an option for the halogen headlamps, and the need to keep prices down and all that.  However, what they say about the two peice bumper just dont add up.  If you have NO headlamp washers, then there is a one piece filler trim on the bumper below each headlamp.  You only get the two piece bit if you have headlamp washers (for halogens or Xenons).  Hading been fiddling, the smaller outer piece of the trim is actually fixed to the headlamp washer jet, and being as your pics clearly showed a two-piece trim, then you must also have the headlamp washers.  I really cant see South Africa being on their own on this issue, because everywhere else in the world, it is compulsory for the headlamp washers with Xenons.  When I was in Morroco 18months or so, I stayed in a posh hotel, and the Mercs and Beemers, and even Passats which had Xenons had the washers too.

Did you manage to pull out the plastic trim cover from the bumper?  If not remove either of the fog lamp grilles (one phillips screw, and then gently pull out), and you can clearly see the pipework for the washers.  I seem to remember your stealers were crap when trying to sort you self opening electric windows!

Interestingly enough our parts etc comply to European and American laws here because we ship vehicles to America apparently and certain vehicles (didnt ask which ones) get sent to Australia which apparently also falls under European law. So we really are the rainbow nation :cool:

Well I'd stick my neck on the line and categorically state that you must have headlamp washers in south africa.  Have you asked on VWclub.co.za ?

We however have our own laws as stated above and the GTi does not fall under the category that needs to have washers. All three of the techies also mentioned climate etc. But I zoned out as Gossip Girl came on.  :lipsrsealed:

^^^ Huh ^^^

Problem solved.

Not so sure . . .
Sean - Independent Automotive Engineering Technician (ret'd)
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Offline Teutonic_Tamer

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #3 on: 23 October 2008, 23:47 »
Is there a South african GTI site?  They might be missing this.

Don't think there is a specfic GTI site in ZA, but there is a "VWclub" site.
Sean - Independent Automotive Engineering Technician (ret'd)
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Offline MervMan

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #4 on: 24 October 2008, 07:33 »
Howzit Micsta.


Tha SA GTI's with xenons definitely have the washers. Got them on mine and they work.

Maybe your car's washers are just faulty?

M

Offline PhilMart

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #5 on: 24 October 2008, 10:17 »
Hey guys

From Australia

" .. certain vehicles (didnt ask which ones) get sent to Australia which apparently also falls under European law.."

I believe five door GTIs come from SA and three dooor GTIs come from Germany. I have the five door GTI with Halogen and one piece only.

In Australia (I can only vouch for my own dealer as well), there are hardly any options to a GTI. You get Xenons, Leather, DSG and Sunroof as factory fitted. You can get other things like amps and drawers etc however this is hit and miss and you don't generally get charged. As an example, I have an amp and MP3 socket in the middle arm rest. From what I have heard here .. you guys even have to pay to get the arm rest? Other options like revers park sensors and bluetooth are dealer add-ons which they claim are VW fitted but are only fitted at the dealership after delivery.

As such my belief is that all Bi Xenons have the washers as standard. I may be wrong but I am pretty sure this is the case as the AU brochure shows the sprayers with the Bi Xenon option and is written as such. I say I may be wrong as some people over here have complained about not having the amp and mp3 adaptor, so it may be the case here as well.

Hey Mike ... do you guys get the same sort of options and if you get three door variants do you get them from Germany?
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Offline MervMan

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #6 on: 24 October 2008, 10:22 »
Yo Phil

No 3 door GTI's here in SA (pity).

Options here include:
MFSW
DSG
Xenons
6 Disc Changer
Ipod Adapter
Sunroof

For a full list see here http://www.vw.co.za/models/gti/pricesandoptions/

The armrest is standard, as is leather!

M

Offline 08micsta

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #7 on: 24 October 2008, 16:41 »
Hello guys...

Ok.... What Merv said is right. We get a lot standard.

I will switch the car on tomorrow and check if a sprayer comes out when the lights go on.
Maybe that will sort it out  :evil:

Mike


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Offline 2007GTI

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #8 on: 25 October 2008, 22:13 »
you haven't even checked that?  page 1 dude! 
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Offline Greenouse

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Re: Headlight washers on Xenons in South Africa
« Reply #9 on: 25 October 2008, 22:30 »
Hey guys

From Australia

" .. certain vehicles (didnt ask which ones) get sent to Australia which apparently also falls under European law.."

I believe five door GTIs come from SA and three dooor GTIs come from Germany. I have the five door GTI with Halogen and one piece only.

In Australia (I can only vouch for my own dealer as well), there are hardly any options to a GTI. You get Xenons, Leather, DSG and Sunroof as factory fitted. You can get other things like amps and drawers etc however this is hit and miss and you don't generally get charged. As an example, I have an amp and MP3 socket in the middle arm rest. From what I have heard here .. you guys even have to pay to get the arm rest? Other options like revers park sensors and bluetooth are dealer add-ons which they claim are VW fitted but are only fitted at the dealership after delivery.

As such my belief is that all Bi Xenons have the washers as standard. I may be wrong but I am pretty sure this is the case as the AU brochure shows the sprayers with the Bi Xenon option and is written as such. I say I may be wrong as some people over here have complained about not having the amp and mp3 adaptor, so it may be the case here as well.

Hey Mike ... do you guys get the same sort of options and if you get three door variants do you get them from Germany?

All Golf's including GTI's made in Wolfsburg Germany  :wink: