Are European headlights allowed by Texas law?

[Texholdem]

Hi all,

I replaced the headlights with the Euro version.
That was my 1st mentionable DIY with my 300CE, and here is the whole story step by step: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1518541#post1518541

Now I have two problems:

- First I could not get the lights adjusted, have been to 3 service stations with state inspection (two Kwick Car and some other), they said they did not have the equipment to do it and told me to go to MB dealership. At dealership they would not do anything on aftermarket parts. Even my request only to check whether an adjustment is needed has not been accepted.

- Secondly, the MB service advisor brought up the question whether those Euro lights are allowed by Texas law.

Now I am driving with lots of uncertainty, uncertain about the correct beam height and uncertain about the legal aspect.

Did any Texan do the same to their car and can tell something about the legality of Euro-lights? Your inputs are much appreciated.

[Matt L]

They are probably prohibited by federal law.

I've run them for many years on SAABs. If they're properly adjusted, they just glare less in the eyes of oncoming drivers. I've never had a problem, but I could have gotten an equipment ticket from MO, had any officer cared to give me one.

[Arthur Dalton]

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

[Texholdem]

My less concern is a ticket but could one lose insurance coverage in accident case?

The reason I replaced the lights are the nice pix from people on this forum showing their cars, I did not give any thought about legal aspects. I might put the stock lights (an eye sore btw) back.

[Texholdem]

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

Thanks Arthur, it reads a bit complicated but anyway is something I can and should try. Need to find a wall with enough distance on level ground. Any legal input?

[Jim B.]

When I bought the euro lights, (Bosch H4 Hella) it said in plain English on the box they came in "For Off Road Use Only"

So, they are not DOT legal in any state, probably. Once installed and adjusted, though, they gave a far superior look and performance than the original DOT beams.

I would not worry about them. I have never heard of citations being issued by the state troopers for them, probably they don't even know the difference.

It's not likely the insurance companies know about them, or would deny coverage because of them.

You should keep them, after all that hard work and Ernesto's great advice to help you get them installed, it would be a shame to get rid of them.

Once you have the beam pattern just right, the night visibility is so much improved over stock, it could help you avoid an accident, like a deer running in front of the car.

A little bit of discussion on the legality
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3055998

[Texholdem]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

You should keep them, after all that hard work and Ernesto's great advice to help you get them installed, it would be a shame to get rid of them.

Once you have the beam pattern just right, the night visibility is so much improved over stock, it could help you avoid an accident, like a deer running in front of the car.

A little bit of discussion on the legality
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3055998

Jawohl Jim, "bis zum bitteren Ende" and as the German also say "legal, illegal, scheissegal" .

What is the equivalence of "scheissegal"? it is a bit of a strong expession for "legal, illegal, all the same sh.." (scheiss = sh..).

Forgive me if it is inapproppriate, just wanted to bring back a little good mood to myself.

[Arthur Dalton]

Originally Posted by Texholdem

Thanks Arthur, it reads a bit complicated but anyway is something I can and should try. Need to find a wall with enough distance on level ground.

I can make it simple for your lights..
take a magic marker , a measure tape , and some duct tape...go close to dark to a shopping center and drive around the back of a building..they always have a good level spot with a straight cinderblock wall

Pull the car straight up to the wall and get out..mark the wall with the tape ..one spot exactly where the center of each headlamp meets the wall..now, back straight from the wall til your headlamps are located 25 feet from the wall. Now, go back to wall and measure down 3 inches
from each headlamp mark..that is the normal drop you want for that car with 1/2 tank gas.
Those two spots are where you want the cut-off line to run across the wall and they are also the spots where you want the rise angle to start it's rise....That's about it..

Look at the first diagram from that site..that clearly shows the cut-off line and the rise angle

The cutoff line is to keep the lights out of the trees and on the road, and the rise is to light the right side of the road for the driver and to keep the lights focal points from glaring oncoming drivers...
..and finally,you do not set high beam on euro lights like you have..that is in the lens configuration, so just set the low beams ..and fogs if you want

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

When I bought the euro lights, (Bosch H4 Hella) it said in plain English on the box they came in "For Off Road Use Only"

So, they are not DOT legal in any state, probably. Once installed and adjusted, though, they gave a far superior look and performance than the original DOT beams.

I would not worry about them. I have never heard of citations being issued by the state troopers for them, probably they don't even know the difference.

It's not likely the insurance companies know about them, or would deny coverage because of them.

You should keep them, after all that hard work and Ernesto's great advice to help you get them installed, it would be a shame to get rid of them.

Once you have the beam pattern just right, the night visibility is so much improved over stock, it could help you avoid an accident, like a deer running in front of the car.

A little bit of discussion on the legality
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3055998

That's basically the same advice I gave Tex: "get them adjusted and don;t sweat it!"

Geniuses all think alike! <<

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

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Not in this weather!

[Texholdem]

I think I need someone with me to go to the back of a shopping center. First for the weight of the driver while I am out marking, measuring and adjusting. Second lest some carjacker could feel tempted

[A. Rosich]

They probably are not legal in any state, as the car was not certified with the Euro headlights when imported in the U.S., hence the dealer reluctance to even touch them (liability issues).

Although, I would guess that in case an insurance company may go as far to refuse a claim for such instance, that you could prove the lights were legal in Europe and worldwide and that they are not a hazard to yourself or others. Eventhough, what a pain...

In terms of adjustment, they have three adjustment screws on the back of the units, one for verticaland one for horizontal aim of low/high beam and one for vertical aim of the fog beam.

Park your car at a level surface in front of a wall at night about 10-12 feet away. Turn on your low beam and play with the screws to find out which does what. When found, the center brighter spot should hit the wall a little higher than knee level (for a regular height person).

[Texholdem]

Originally Posted by A. Rosich

Park your car at a level surface in front of a wall at night about 10-12 feet away. Turn on your low beam and play with the screws to find out which does what. When found, the center brighter spot should hit the wall a little higher than knee level (for a regular height person).

I suppose being 5'5" I am not a regular so I need to aim at half thigh .

[Arthur Dalton]

Originally Posted by Texholdem

I think I need someone with me to go to the back of a shopping center. First for the weight of the driver while I am out marking, measuring and adjusting. Second lest some carjacker could feel tempted

Whatever..I just write the procedure..you find the Wall..

[Texholdem]

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

Whatever..I just write the procedure..you find the Wall..

... you find the Wall-Mart ?

jokes and smileys aside I much appreciate your valuable tips. Have printed the procedure out to go. Thanks!

[Arthur Dalton]

Cool..

Whatever you do , don't use the "Average Knee Technique"

The reason for the 3" drop at 25" is b/c that is the how the Factory Spec. drop angle is determined. You have to have the headlamp C/L height with car in Curb condition before any measures are taken...every car has it/s own headlamp c/l height, so that is the first measure to consider..without that , all other are incorrect