A week or two ago there was a discussion about HID headlamps and if washers are required for the SVA test.

I have just been looking on the Philips web site and have come across the following:

“To comply with European legal requirements Xenon light can only be fitted to your car in combination with an “automatic leveling device” and a headlamp windshield clearning system”

As the IS200/300 styling kit removes the headlamp washers does this make your IS300 illegal?

Have you got the link for this stement? I would like to see it.

And you can ask your dealer to fit the washers into the styling kit when you order...

[url="http://www.eur.lighting.philips.com/automotive/eur/html/products_xenon.html"]http://www.eur.lighting.philips.com/automo...ucts_xenon.html[/url]

hmmmmmmmm......

[i]"Note “Please note that Xenon light can only be fitted by a professional car dealer. To comply with European legal requirements Xenon light can only be fitted to your car in combination with an “automatic leveling device” and a headlamp [b]whindshield clearning[/b] system”. To find out more, please consult our FAQ section.”"[/i]

This is the Phillips International website and they spell like that???

I haven't heard of this regulation to be honest - but I will check tonight.

I have heard of this regulation before - I'm sure it was on this site.

[quote name='djanderso' date='Jul 15 2003, 03:59 PM']I have heard of this regulation before - I'm sure it was on this site.[/quote]
The auto levelling yes - but surely not washers? I'll check anyway.......

Defo was on here before. Was somebody asking about mods. required for SVA to import a car.

Mr ZEE if you would like to use our search facility .......................

[quote name='Zee007' date='Jul 15 2003, 02:20 PM'][i]"Note “Please note that Xenon light can only be fitted by a professional car dealer. To comply with European legal requirements Xenon light can only be fitted to your car in combination with an “automatic leveling device” and a headlamp [b]whindshield clearning[/b] system”. To find out more, please consult our FAQ section.”"[/i][/quote]
Spot on. Any car fitted HID head lamps must have headlight washer system.

This is required by law.

Should be confirmed by the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval Directive............

So how do Lexus get away with selling the IS300 with styling kit?

[quote name='Risky3301' date='Jul 15 2003, 10:43 PM'][quote name='Zee007' date='Jul 15 2003, 02:20 PM']

[i]"Note “Please note that Xenon light can only be fitted by a professional car dealer. To comply with European legal requirements Xenon light can only be fitted to your car in combination with an “automatic leveling device” and a headlamp [b]whindshield clearning[/b] system”. To find out more, please consult our FAQ section.”"[/i][/quote]
Spot on. Any car fitted HID head lamps must have headlight washer system.

This is required by law.

Should be confirmed by the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval Directive............ [/quote]
Indeed, you are quite correct. I have looked up the facts:

[i]6.2.9. Other requirements
The requirements of paragraph 5.5.2. shall not apply to dipped-beam headlamps.
Dipped-beam headlamps shall not swivel according to the angle of lock of steering.
[b]Dipped-beam headlamps with gas-discharge light sources shall only be permitted in conjunction with the installation of headlamp cleaning device(s) according to Regulation No 45.[/b] (9)[/i]

[url="http://europa.eu.int/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=en&numdoc=31997L0028&model=guichett"]Taken from Commission Directive 97/28/EC of 11 June 1997 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 76/756/EEC relating to the installation of lighting and light- signalling devices on motor vehicles and their trailers HERE[/url]

So, how do Lexus get away withn this.........?

[quote name='Zee007' date='Jul 15 2003, 11:02 PM']So, how do Lexus get away withn this.........?[/quote]
Are they,

Looking at all of the IS300 approved used cars. The photo's are not that great, none of them look like they have a head light washers fitted, could be wrong. As they may have some other method of cleaning the headlights.

I will double check when I get to work tomorrow.

this only applies to those IS300's fitted with the sports styling kit.

When buying the car back in March, I asked about having the styling kit fitted. In the end, I opted for the Sat Nav (boring, I know ). However, the dealer didn't mention any legal requirement for washers with HIDs, and actually pointed out that one disadvantage was that you'd lose the headlamp washer system. So it looks as though Lexus dealers might not be aware of this regulation

I know of at least one LOC member with an IS300 with the styling kit and no washers fitted, hence my reply to the original thread. However, didn't think it fair to name him/her.

Lexus UK even give a price on the web site for the IS300 + styling kit so it seems it's not just the dealers who might not be aware of this regulation.

I have contacted Lexus via their web site to get an answer but I don't expect an reply if the question goes to their customer service centre.

I've received an email from Lexus who have confirmed that the washers are removed when the styling kit is fitted. They are currently checking with their legal department about the legal requirement and should get back to me shortly.

[quote name='ColinBarber' date='Jul 16 2003, 05:17 PM']I've received an email from Lexus who have confirmed that the washers are removed when the styling kit is fitted. They are currently checking with their legal department about the legal requirement and should get back to me shortly.[/quote]


Good old Lexus Legal Department....... I'm sure they have it covered........

[quote name='Zee007' date='Jul 16 2003, 05:21 PM']Good old Lexus Legal Department....... I'm sure they have it covered........ [/quote]
Well they do indeed have it covered Zee, but that's the problem.

They need to Uncover it!!

Not sure how Lexus UK are going to get away with this, as the Jap's are usally pretty hot on all the vehicle reg's

Could this be a possible re-call for all IS300's fitted with HID's and Styling kit front bumper.

or do Lexus have a little man that comes out of the headlights at the touch of a button to clean the headlights

Maybe get round it like this ...

If regulations apply for type approval, IS300 as factory supplied will pass.
Styling kit is NOT factory fitted - it's added by Toyota GB in the UK. So...
could be considered an aftermarket accessory ... Is it then still subject to red tape ?

If i remember correctly, the TTE (or 'styling kit') front bumper is available
with or without provision for headlamp washers.
The 'without' option was introduced because the edges of the holes
for the washers were being damaged by washer fluid or something.

[quote name='TonyGoose' date='Jul 16 2003, 10:24 PM']Maybe get round it like this ...

If regulations apply for type approval, IS300 as factory supplied will pass.
Styling kit is NOT factory fitted - it's added by Toyota GB in the UK.  So...
could be considered an aftermarket accessory ... Is it then still subject to red tape ?

If i remember correctly, the TTE (or 'styling kit') front bumper is available
with or without provision for headlamp washers.
The 'without' option was introduced because the edges of the holes
for the washers were being damaged by washer fluid or something.

[/quote]
They can only use the 'After Market' Get out jail free card, if Lexus first sell the Car, i.e to Lexus GB (this would mean the car would have one registered owner) then the changes could be made, not sure what would happen at the first MOT though. This is not good practise that said. Lexus wouldn't be the first to do it.

I think this one will run and run.

maybe it would be worth asking the ministry of transport?

Just received this from Lexus

[quote]I have spoken to technical today. They have informed me that the IS Series styling kit fitting instructions have recently be modified to include instructions on retaining the headlight washers on IS300 vehicles. Therefore if a styling kit is fitted to an IS300 there should be no problems legally.

If I can be of any further help or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,

Tim Cayless
Lexus (GB) Customer Account Manager[/quote]


I would recommend that anybody who has an IS300 + styling kit contact their dealer to arrange the fitting of some new washers.

So, they'll be thanking those dilligent chaps over at LOC for pointing this out, and rewarding them appropriately. So Colin, your courtesy SC430 for the month will be presented to you at JAE by the MD of Lexus GB

If you cannot have lights that swivel according to steering lock (do they mean left and right or up and down??)

This is what the new RX300 has isn't it - so is that out too?

[quote name='ColinBarber' date='Jul 23 2003, 07:15 PM'][quote]I have spoken to technical today. They have informed me that the IS Series styling kit fitting instructions have recently be modified to include instructions on retaining the headlight washers on IS300 vehicles. Therefore if a styling kit is fitted to an IS300 there should be no problems legally.[/quote]
[/quote]

By 'recently', do you think they mean..... earlier today

[quote]By 'recently', do you think they mean..... earlier today[/quote]

That was my thought to

[quote]If you cannot have lights that swivel according to steering lock (do they mean left and right or up and down??)

This is what the new RX300 has isn't it - so is that out too?[/quote]

If you have HID headlights then they must be self leveling and they must have washers. The RX300 has both so there is no problem.

I just bought an IS300 with the styling kit - as my car does not have the washers it needs to have them refitted so Lexus in Hatfield have ordered a kit to do this.

Apparently I am one of the first that will have the washers restored on their car.

Seems dealers are now being told

Was it a new car you brought or used?

used - ex demonstrator

[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/albums/Misc/IS300_StyleHID.jpg[/img]

For sale at the local Lexus dealer here - IS300 with styling kit, minus headlamp washers! Maybe I should tell 'em?

I'm sure the Lexus Legal department have it covered..........

[quote]For sale at the local Lexus dealer here - IS300 with styling kit, minus headlamp washers! Maybe I should tell 'em?[/quote]

maybe! you should also tell em to sort out that price! 26.5k with 10,000 miles on the clock? theyre haveing a laugh surely?

true - so you would say that £26,500 for an IS300 with 10,000 miles is fair? I reckon its well steep personally.....

however, getting back on topic, as I said before I am waiting for the headlamp washer kit to be delivered to Lexus Hatfield to restore the washers on the body kit.

I will keep you informed of my progress.....

[quote name='eddiea1' date='Aug 14 2003, 11:06 AM']maybe! you should also tell em to sort out that price! 26.5k with 10,000 miles on the clock? theyre haveing a laugh surely?[/quote]
Don't forget - us softy sutheners expect to pay thru the nose for everything!

£375,000 for a 2 bed terraced house in Brighton .... ok, but £2.60 a pint? Now that's robbery!

bartkat.......

when i get my car back........i will rip out the headlight washer system...if you want it..for a few sheckles....the actual washers are still fitted to my now defunct front bumper

[quote]I wasn't aware that the UK IS300's came with headlight washers.[/quote]

All ISs have them in the UK, 200 and 300 models. In fact the whole of the Lexus range have washers in the UK. Any model in Europe with HIDs require them by law.

[quote]All ISs have them in the UK, 200 and 300 models. In fact the whole of the Lexus range have washers in the UK. Any model in Europe with HIDs require them by law.[/quote] except the IS300 with the styling kit

[quote]Don't forget - us softy sutheners expect to pay thru the nose for everything![/quote] Don't I know it! The UK is rip off central when it comes to cars....

At least it's not just Lexus that make this mistake...


"There was panic at BMW, our sources tell us. Its fleet of demonstration M3 CSLs arrived complete with the optional xenon headlights as ordered, but the factory hadn't fitted lamp washers - without which the ultra-bright units are illegal. Bosses decided it'd be easier to swap back to halogen beams rather than plumb in the washers" - Autoexpress.

never did hear from Lexus about this

who should I contact at Lexus GB?

[quote name='eddiea1' post='74689' date='Aug 13 2003, 01:51 PM']I just bought an IS300 with the styling kit - as my car does not have the washers it needs to have them refitted so Lexus in Hatfield have ordered a kit to do this.

Apparently I am one of the first that will have the washers restored on their car.[/quote]

and in actual fact im probably one of the last to have the bumper with the headlight washers on their IS300. I just collected my IS300 this morning after they put the bumper on yesterday, along with a service and MOT