GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hiya All,My Vibe finally made it to Germany! (Cheers!)However, the TÃœV (the government agency that inspects the cars) has never heard of it. Go figure, even the Toyota dealer is in the dark.Problem:I cannot drive it without EU headlights. Does anyone know if there are vibe headlights with an EU stamp on them? The stamp would be a circle with a capital "E" followed by a number.Do you Voltz owners have the stamp?On a side note, I saw a black Vibe in Darmstadt, military plates so they did not have to follow the rules. Other than that, I think I have the only one here! Maybe I can finally keep it clean. lolAny help with the stamp appreciated,Cheers,JS

maybe Hallow in Lithuania can help you out?...then again, Lithuania isn't considered a member of the EU yet so they don't have to follow the rules...http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=18563

what is your purpose there. Do you live there or are you military. Military have exemptioons. When I went I didnt have to change anything of my zx2.

Nah, I retired from the Airforce, now I control satellites.The wife is German, and she did not like the weather in the Yukon (-49C last winter), so it was an easy choice to move here.I do believe that Lithuania is a part of the EU now, but the Vibe is not offered there, the Vibes had to be imported.Cheers,JS

my mistake for not knowing about EU member countries... so wouldn't somebody from lithuania have to get EU certified lights if imported also?

Probably not, the TÃœV is a German thing. they measure exhaust gas levels, interior noise levels and exterior noise levels. My Harley had to be below 101 db, making it sound more like a Honda shadow. lolNo worries about no knowing who's in the EU, I had to look it up online.Cheers,JS

Isn't the TUV inspection a fun experience? BTW: Enjoy driving your "Vibe combi" from now on (that is, if you get those headlights fixed)!Tschuss.

Oh it was! 08:00 until 15:00, and 200€ later...Nein Danke! (no thanks)Sometimes I miss the bush in North America.Cheers! (Tschüss)JS

Quote, originally posted by JSCampbell »Oh it was! 08:00 until 15:00, and 200€ later...Nein Danke! (no thanks)Sometimes I miss the bush in North America.Cheers! (Tschüss)JSWhere you probably went wrong was when you pulled up to the TUV station and did not compliment the inspector on his nice blue overalls. Next time you pull up to the TUV, make sure you've stopped before hand at Tschibo to pick him up a cup of good, strong coffee and a schneckennudel. Then greet him in the formal German, compliment his choice of blue overalls, and attempt to make moderately friendly small talk. And if that doesn't work, you can always peel out of there, boost a couple of USAREUR plates from the Coleman Barracks area, and live life "on the edge." PS: Once you do get your German plates (those "shorty" plates to boot!), don't forget to glue a leaf on the front one and hose them down with Aqua Net. It might not stop radar kontrolle from taking your picture, but it adds to the rebellious nature of driving a Vibe in Europe.

The Vibe's headlights are most definately E-code lights, as you can tell from the light projection pattern. However - they are not marked with the E-code symbol -- they're marked with the SAE code.You can find the markings yourself - open the hood and look on the top edge of the headlights - it's imprinted in raised characters in the plastic edge.

you know, I was thinking the same thing. most cars now have e code headlights with the projection pattern they have, but no code means no luck.

yep,and unless the TÃœV inspector has a document telling him that the SAE standard meets the EU, it's a no-go.I will keep hunting, maybe I can find something on the net about the SAE code.Thanks,JS

good luck with your search, if I come across something i will let you know.

Hmm, I now know a lot about headlights, lol.My headlights are made in Taiwan, and the ones for the Voltz would be wrong as the pattern is reverse because the Voltz is a right-hand drive.SAE standards have a higher glare than the EU, and use less current.I am still no closer to having EU approved lights. Funny that the foglights are EU approved.Cheers,JS

That must be awsome to know you are one of hte only ones in an entire country or continant for that matter with a Vibe...I bet you get alot of looks? It's also a Pontiac which arn't in Europe either!

I have an idea...There is a company that produces some sort of acid that etches glass for the purpose of those anti-theft markings (a lot of dealers do it and charge you a few hundred bucks for it) - I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about. They stick a sticker on the window, put the acid on the cut areas of the sticker, remove the sticker and voila - etched numbers on your glass.Now... if you could get your hands on a bit of that acid, I could make you a little "E" sticker that you could stick on the headlight, rub with acid, and bingo...Just thinking out loud, but it might actually work!- Ryan

you know. that is a great idea. you could be a black market headlight etcher. nice!!! lol

Lithuania is a member of EU and we have to follow EU rooles, but...sometimes it's good to live in exSocialistic countries, becouse you can made everything if you have some aditional hundreds $...Legally I will never get the stamp in TUV, becouse, as I know, there are no lamps fot Vibe, made in Europe, but for $100 I have got it...I don't know how to make it in Germany...Just search for good peoples in TUV, who can help you for additional hundreds...Quote, originally posted by Atomb »maybe Hallow in Lithuania can help you out?...then again, Lithuania isn't considered a member of the EU yet so they don't have to follow the rules...http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=18563

Great idea but Germans live for paperwork, it would not work here.I think I will contact the headlight manufacturer in Taiwan, and ask if they have any lenses with the EU stamp. Cheers,JS

Mr. Campbell,Hey I am also in the military and I have been driving my Vibe Gt here in Germany for 2 years with no issues concerning headlights. At Darmstadt, don't you guys go to the base inspection center where you get you registration and plates? That's what we doi here at Ramstein.......Opie

Cool, is yours the Wine colored one, or the Black one, or one I haven't seen?Unfortunately I am retired military. I am now a permanent resident. This means that I do not get special plates etc. and all the normal rules apply. Believe me, if I could get around the Tüv I would lol.At least the Vibe looks good in the garage waiting for me to get the 1600€ ($2000USD) to have it "imported". Funny thing is, I will be able to drive it here no problem because some special approved mechanic gives a signature. I will be driving with the same headlights! Ah well, bureaucracy...it gives everyone a job. LOLThanks again for the ideas everyone,Cheers,JS

Dear Mr. Campbell,I would like to ask you how did you solve the problem with your lights? I have the same problem now and I really would appreciate to know what did you do.Warm regards,Pawkar

I would get the glass etching kit. You can find them at most Auto stores. We used them at the dealer for VIN Etch.You can easily make it and in about 5-10 minutes you have E headlights. I would so go this route!