718 Headlights Cant be changed for continent driving!

[richardjjs1]

SORRY NEW 718
Has anybody had any problems with changing their Headlights to driving on the continent (718)
JUst heard you have to buy a new unit unless you specify a special one when ordering the car
And its a 3 hour job) you have to have a spare set of light

When heard this I wondered if it was April the firs

 

[Motorhead]

Years ago I'm sure someone posting on the forum said that his PC told him that the 981 headlamp setting was suitable for both the UK and abroad, i.e. no adjustment was necessary when driving in the EU but I'm not sure whether he had the standard headlamps or PDLS.

Jeff

 

[elstonc]

Assume you mean 981.

I was told the headlights are a 'flat beam' type and so don't need any adjustment for driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. We've driven ours to Italy and back three times and never made any adjustments and never had any angry flashing from oncoming drivers. Admittedly most driving was done in daytime but still enough at night and in tunnels to know if we dazzling..

 

[mr pg]

My 981 CS is changed through the settings on the lower rh stalk or on the PCM. I find it hard to believe the 718 isn't the same.

 

[BrianJ]

If you mean 981, I think it's as follows:

- if you have halogen bulbs (ie the "standard" non-Bi-Xenon bulbs as fitted to non-S cars unless Bi-Xenons are specified as option) there is a lever within the headlamp to change from left dip (as in UK) to a centralised beam pattern for driving in Europe. The instructions are in the handbook. It's fiddly, and seems to be getting more so with each generation of car model.

- if you have Bi-Xenons without PDLS (as an option for non-S cars or as standard for S) they have a centralised beam pattern so no change is needed

- if you have Bi-Xenons with PDLS (as an option for non S and S), you change beam pattern from UK to Europe and vice versa via PCM.

All this is in the handbook but it is written in a very confusing way. I happened to be looking at it this afternoon!

 

[Gorsh]

I agree with you Brian, never has been a need to option anything special or change the headlights on a 981 - in fact I'm sure earlier Boxsters have no issues either as loads of them go to Europe on holidays.

 

[richardjjs1]

Sorry Typo New 718 !!

Years ago I'm sure someone posting on the forum said that his PC told him that the 981 headlamp setting was suitable for both the UK and abroad, i.e. no adjustment was necessary when driving in the EU but I'm not sure whether he had the standard headlamps or PDLS.

Jeff

 

[Dick Dastardly]

I checked with my PC and they advised that there was no adjustment required on the Cayman 718 for driving on the continent. This applies to the Bi- Xenon lights. The reference to this is on page 119 of the manual.

 

[Dick Dastardly]

I checked with my PC and they advised that there was no adjustment required on the Cayman 718 for driving on the continent. This applies to the Bi- Xenon lights. The reference to this is on page 119 of the manual.

 

[Gorsh]

I checked with my PC and they advised that there was no adjustment required on the Cayman 718 for driving on the continent. This applies to the Bi- Xenon lights. The reference to this is on page 119 of the manual.

The only options are Bi-Xenon or LED I think? I was certain you didn't need anything special - I haven't access to a 718 manual but don't you even have to change it in the PCM? On the 981 and 991 switching it just flattens the dipped beam so oncoming drivers aren't dazzled, I assume cars made for the LHD countries have the light beam shaped to illuminate their side of the road just like ours do?

 

[Dick Dastardly]

I checked with my PC and they advised that there was no adjustment required on the Cayman 718 for driving on the continent. This applies to the Bi- Xenon lights. The reference to this is on page 119 of the manual.

The only options are Bi-Xenon or LED I think? I was certain you didn't need anything special - I haven't access to a 718 manual but don't you even have to change it in the PCM? On the 981 and 991 switching it just flattens the dipped beam so oncoming drivers aren't dazzled, I assume cars made for the LHD countries have the light beam shaped to illuminate their side of the road just like ours do?

No there is no adjustment in the PCM, in the manual it describes the the light distribution as homogeneous and states the lights cannot be converted for right or left hand drive.

 

[GrahamW]

I checked with my PC and they advised that there was no adjustment required on the Cayman 718 for driving on the continent. This applies to the Bi- Xenon lights. The reference to this is on page 119 of the manual.

The only options are Bi-Xenon or LED I think? I was certain you didn't need anything special - I haven't access to a 718 manual but don't you even have to change it in the PCM? On the 981 and 991 switching it just flattens the dipped beam so oncoming drivers aren't dazzled, I assume cars made for the LHD countries have the light beam shaped to illuminate their side of the road just like ours do?

No there is no adjustment in the PCM, in the manual it describes the the light distribution as homogeneous and states the lights cannot be converted for right or left hand drive.

This depends on which options you have on your car headlights. LED, Xenon + or standard. If you have LED you can as standard change the beam pattern via the PCM for continental driving. It's an option with Xenon and (I think?) it is unavailable with the standard headlight setup. It's optioned via PDLS from memory on the configurator.