The subtle yet important difference between a RHD and LHD aftermarket headlamp upgrade

Gorkey · 3rd June 2021, 18:00

I recently went onto alibaba to search for aftermarket headlights for my polo since its something that almost everyone upgrades to due to the poor visibility of the stock headlamp.

So I am browsing through different headlights and I stumble upon a nice looking dual projector setup pics which I'll post at the end of this. So I go on and enquire about the product to the seller and the first thing he asks me is whether my car is a RHD or LHD. I told him its a RHD and he immediately replied that the headlights which i was enquiring about is for LHD vehicles only. So I am like what does your steering configuration have to do with headlights? After which he sends me a photo of throw of light in case of LHD and RHD which I'll attach later.

So now I am in a dilemma on whether to order the headlights or not and as far as I know all aftermarket headlamps for polo usually come from taiwan or china where it is LHD and people are still using them. Will if affecting cars in the opposite direction too much or just a little bit. The attached pictures will maybe make this a little bit more clearer. Please lemme know if I am making any sense?

audioholic · 3rd June 2021, 19:11

I think there have been a lot of discussions in this regard especially with projector upgrades. I do not recommend using the opposite configuration in your car. This will lead to the low beam being wrongly directed and would cause glare to oncoming vehicles even without using high beam. The correct cutoff for left hand side driving is like \_ \_ or for projectors it is -_ -_ and the upper kink is exactly what will cause the illumination to be limited to the side of driving. If this is reversed, then the kink will cause light to be cutoff on the driving side and illuminate the opposite side.

Hence avoid doing this if you are planning to. Check with a different supplier if he can provide LHD configuration. I have managed to get it for projectors when I retrofit into my bike.

Kosfactor · 3rd June 2021, 20:16

Imagine driving through a nice winding country road in the night and it starts to rain heavily (can happen), thats all you need to know the difference.

If the head light has the wrong beam pattern, you may go off the road.

Duckdoc · 4th June 2021, 20:41

Heard in passing some years back from someone who took their car from England to Europe and back about having to put some stickers on their headlights to adjust the beam and I never thought about it after that.

However, my interest was piqued after your problem and found there are actually things called 'beam deflectors'. Don't know how you'll get it though. Hope this was of some use to you.

http://www.wheels-alive.co.uk/taking...dazzle-others/

https://youtu.be/ZFU2u_hINVk

Mr. Nobody · 5th June 2021, 15:45

The projector cutoff is diff for both. It will cause glare to oncoming traffic when you on humps/bumps /inclinations etc. Either get RHD ones or get RHD projectors retrofitted in current headlamps which will be better from a performance point of view as well.

Turbanator · 5th June 2021, 16:16

It does make a difference. I have tried on mine. You can change the settings on most BMW CBU models for LHD or RHD. I think the option is standard on most premium EU cars because of UK and other countries.

So, your seller is right.

Gorkey · 6th June 2021, 01:34

So anyone knows about where I can find a RHD steering Polo aftermarket headlights like the one I showed in the picture? These stock headlights are killing me

kamilharis · 8th June 2021, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorkey

So anyone knows about where I can find a RHD steering Polo aftermarket headlights like the one I showed in the picture? These stock headlights are killing me

Check on Instagram or Facebook marketplace. I have seen similar headlights being sold on some pages there. But you have to be careful with that too because they might be selling the headlights without any RHD/LHD concerns! Get the product/make details from them before buying.

audioholic · 8th June 2021, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorkey

So anyone knows about where I can find a RHD steering Polo aftermarket headlights like the one I showed in the picture? These stock headlights are killing me

Try speaking to a few sellers in Aliexpress. Some of them usually will have both options, or can customise one for you. It isnt a big deal to switch these setups from LHD to RHD and vice versa during the production, or even later by opening up the assembly. The cutoff plate just has to be reversed if possible, or if not a different cutoff plate. So one of the sellers must agree for this change.

amritpal2489 · 9th June 2021, 01:18

I was just curious on how to order from AliExpress as it is currently banned on India... Is there some way?

Gorkey · 11th June 2021, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by amritpal2489

I was just curious on how to order from AliExpress as it is currently banned on India... Is there some way?

Go to Alibaba website instead. Its working.

3rd June 2021, 18:00	#1
Gorkey BHPian Join Date: May 2021 Location: Jorhat Posts: 61 Thanked: 113 Times	The subtle yet important difference between a RHD and LHD aftermarket headlamp upgrade I recently went onto alibaba to search for aftermarket headlights for my polo since its something that almost everyone upgrades to due to the poor visibility of the stock headlamp. So I am browsing through different headlights and I stumble upon a nice looking dual projector setup pics which I'll post at the end of this. So I go on and enquire about the product to the seller and the first thing he asks me is whether my car is a RHD or LHD. I told him its a RHD and he immediately replied that the headlights which i was enquiring about is for LHD vehicles only. So I am like what does your steering configuration have to do with headlights? After which he sends me a photo of throw of light in case of LHD and RHD which I'll attach later. So now I am in a dilemma on whether to order the headlights or not and as far as I know all aftermarket headlamps for polo usually come from taiwan or china where it is LHD and people are still using them. Will if affecting cars in the opposite direction too much or just a little bit. The attached pictures will maybe make this a little bit more clearer. Please lemme know if I am making any sense? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by suhaas307 : 5th June 2021 at 15:50. Reason: Spacing for improved readability
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3rd June 2021, 19:11	#2
audioholic Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: BengaLuru Posts: 5,956 Thanked: 21,233 Times	re: The subtle yet important difference between a RHD and LHD aftermarket headlamp upgrade I think there have been a lot of discussions in this regard especially with projector upgrades. I do not recommend using the opposite configuration in your car. This will lead to the low beam being wrongly directed and would cause glare to oncoming vehicles even without using high beam. The correct cutoff for left hand side driving is like \_ \_ or for projectors it is -_ -_ and the upper kink is exactly what will cause the illumination to be limited to the side of driving. If this is reversed, then the kink will cause light to be cutoff on the driving side and illuminate the opposite side. Hence avoid doing this if you are planning to. Check with a different supplier if he can provide LHD configuration. I have managed to get it for projectors when I retrofit into my bike. Last edited by audioholic : 3rd June 2021 at 19:12.
	(12) Thanks

3rd June 2021, 20:16	#3
Kosfactor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: COK\BLR\MYS Posts: 3,864 Thanked: 11,217 Times	re: The subtle yet important difference between a RHD and LHD aftermarket headlamp upgrade Imagine driving through a nice winding country road in the night and it starts to rain heavily (can happen), thats all you need to know the difference. If the head light has the wrong beam pattern, you may go off the road.
	(7) Thanks

5th June 2021, 15:45	#5
Mr. Nobody BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 541 Thanked: 637 Times	Re: The subtle yet important difference between a RHD and LHD aftermarket headlamp upgrade The projector cutoff is diff for both. It will cause glare to oncoming traffic when you on humps/bumps /inclinations etc. Either get RHD ones or get RHD projectors retrofitted in current headlamps which will be better from a performance point of view as well.
	(1) Thanks

5th June 2021, 16:16	#6
Turbanator Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 7,451 Thanked: 31,944 Times	Re: The subtle yet important difference between a RHD and LHD aftermarket headlamp upgrade It does make a difference. I have tried on mine. You can change the settings on most BMW CBU models for LHD or RHD. I think the option is standard on most premium EU cars because of UK and other countries. So, your seller is right. Last edited by Turbanator : 5th June 2021 at 16:17.
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6th June 2021, 01:34	#7
Gorkey BHPian Join Date: May 2021 Location: Jorhat Posts: 61 Thanked: 113 Times	Re: The subtle yet important difference between a RHD and LHD aftermarket headlamp upgrade So anyone knows about where I can find a RHD steering Polo aftermarket headlights like the one I showed in the picture? These stock headlights are killing me
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9th June 2021, 01:18	#10
amritpal2489 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 80 Thanked: 117 Times	Re: The subtle yet important difference between a RHD and LHD aftermarket headlamp upgrade I was just curious on how to order from AliExpress as it is currently banned on India... Is there some way?
	(2) Thanks