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In fact the facility to change the beam to suit continental driving is built in on all Scorpios and you can change them yourself while you wait for the ferry/train. There are no deflectors or masks to use which cuts down the light from the headlights and no additional expensive units to buy.

Changing the Symmetry
Lift bonnet. Remove each headlight rear cover by pressing down on the locking tab and pull the cover to rear and upwards. Be careful as you can destroy the filaments of the headlamp bulbs when trying to get the covers off - especially on the 24V. Carry a couple of spares (H1 style) with you.

You may need a torch but you can do this without one simply by touch. The upper ‘projector’ lens protrudes and you can feel this bulge with your fingers. Move your fingers towards either the centre of the car or the outside edge which ever is easiest and find the edge of the headlight bezel. You will feel a thin metal tab about half an inch long at the 3 o’clock position: move this lever gently to the 1 o’clock position on the nearside, 5 o’clock position on the offside if you are moving it on the inside or the opposite if you are moving the one on the outside. Both are connected to each other so it doesn't matter which one you move as the other will move anyway. It all depends which is easiest to get at. On the offside the washer bottle severely restricts the space, at least on the 24V.  Change the nearside unit first so you can get the ‘feel’ of it.

This is a picture from over the nearside front wing into the rear of the headlamp unit, the cover removed.

This second picture was taken from a headlamp out of the car and you can see the main reflector with the lever arrowed.

When you have moved the lever, relocate the two bottom tabs on the covers and press them back into position so that the tab locks.

Don’t forget to change the lights coming home!

 

Tips for Continental Driving
No, I’m not an expert. But I have been driving in Europe regularly for about fifteen years, so I may have learned something which may be of use to you if you’re travelling there for the first time.

First of all; don’t be intimidated by foreign roads. On primary routes you will find that, although they are mainly two lane motorways, lane hoggers are rare and you can make very good progress. People will move back in and will usually indicate their intention to do so. But foreign motorists will put their indicators on to pull out into the outside lane and will expect you to give way to them, so be careful if your speed is much higher as you pass a line of cars. On the toll motorways throughout Europe you will notice that the majority of native drivers exceed the speed limits significantly - they appear to assume that it is their right as they have paid for the privilege however do not get complacent - speed limits DO apply and if you get caught you will be expected to pay an on the spot fine!

When entering a motorway the rule is that you accelerate hard on the approach road with your indicator on and the vehicles on the inside lane of the motorway must give way to you. Likewise, if you are on the inside lane and you see a vehicle on the approach road indicating to join your lane, you must either pull out or slow down to let him in. He has right of way. This is safer, IMO and is something we could emulate here.

Motorways in Europe can end abruptly and within a few hundred yards may terminate in a set of traffic lights. This is not our normal experience so don’t get caught out, and don’t panic because you’ve lost the motorway. Always go straight ahead and the motorway will start again. If you are leaving the motorway to join another one watch your speed: their exit ramps have much tighter curves than you’ll be used to.

If there is an accident ahead which is taking time to clear, there may well be a lorry or van on the hard shoulder with what looks like a motorway maintenance man waving a yellow circle on a stick. This is advance warning of the hold-up so lose your speed quickly.

German autobahns do not have a maximum speed limit, only advisory. Watch your mirrors, because even if you’re doing 120mph there still be someone going 150mph waiting to get past.  You also have to remember that Lorries are travelling at 62mph - if you are approaching them at high speed be aware that they may pull out so always drive defensively - no car is going to help you if you run into the back of an 18 wheeler at 80mph closing speed. Also, remember that Belgian, French and Dutch roads do have maximum speed limits (normally 130KPH). If you’re in France for any length of time always carry a few hundred francs in order to pay a fine: the French police take cash.

German and Belgian roads have ‘wet’ speed limits: these are speed signs with a word printed underneath. In dry weather they are ignored, but generally you will find that motorists always slow down when the road is wet, so make sure you do, too. In some German states the traffic police use Porsche 911’s, so they can catch you if they want to.

In general, foreign drivers are much less aware of braking distances than we are, and will complacently follow you about an inch from your back bumper at a hundred miles an hour. If this is happening it’s no good getting wound up – he doesn’t know any better. Pull over and let him pass as soon as you can. IMHO this is why continental accident rates are much higher than ours – oh did you know, ours are the safest roads in Europe? Now I wonder why they’re plastering our roads with speed cameras ...?

On major routes all roundabouts have the same rules as ours, give way on the approach. French roundabouts on minor roads may use their old rules, (give way on the roundabout to a vehicle coming onto it) but these are rare. But be aware also that some French motorists can be arrogant when they see a GB plate, so approach French roundabouts with caution and be prepared to be carved up.

On minor routes you will see a yellow diamond as you approach a junction, this means you have right of way. If there is no yellow diamond it means you have to be prepared to give way, even if you are on the major road. In cities there are no yellow diamonds, which means that in theory vehicles can emerge from side junctions at any time, so keep your speed down and be prepared to give way virtually without warning. On German routes each village and town has a large yellow announcement board giving its name. The built up area speed limit (50KPH) begins from the board, so don’t get caught out looking for our large 30mph announcement boards – they aren’t there. Always look for repeater speed signs and stick to them. German police in particular are very hot  in built up areas.

On German pavements a lane is preserved for cyclists who have right of way as they cross a junction. So if you’re turning right or left into a junction in conflict with a cyclist on the pavement approaching the same junction, give way and stop if necessary to let him pass. It’s obligatory also to give way to pedestrians, so don’t assume they’ll stop to let you pass.

Most European motorways are lit at night, but they do not use cats eyes and this can be a pain driving long distance.

Lastly, relax. I find that continental motorists have much better lane discipline and better anticipation than we find here. Because there is no lane hogging progress can be rapid and really awful driving is rare, (except in France, where they can be atrocious: have you ever taken a ride in a French Taxi?)

Do you drive regularly in Europe? Have you any tips I’ve missed?