One very important thing to keep in mind, if I may venture into this area, is that no matter how good a case you build, your Dad may not come around to your point of view. But, he most likely means well.

That said, I've put either e-code or z-beam (from which e-code evolved) on every car I've had since 1980. I've never been stopped for a headlight violation in the 24/25 years and over 500,000 miles I've been using e-code lights. As long as the light beam is controlled and is not blinding oncoming drivers then the police don't care. And the e-code beam is much, much better controlled than the US-spec blob.

**Edit to clarify and explain** Our Volvo wagon does not ***YET*** have e-codes on it. We've only had it about a year, and it requires a complete re-make of all the front lighting to put the e-codes in it, to the tune of $600 or more. We use the Volvo wagon primarily to haul our three Great Danes around in, and rarely use it at night, so no hurry. But it WILL get ecodes eventually.

Something I'd suggest you emphasize (and also REALLY know and accept for real, not just say to placate your Dad) is that you know your limits and know that you can "overdrive" even e-code headlights, and won't do so. They are NOT a pass to drive like a maniac at night, and I'd never recommend them as such. They simply provide a much higher margin of safety and visibility at night by providing more light where you need it, and keeping it from going where it can do harm (eyes of oncoming drivers). In short, e-codes don't allow you to go any faster at night, but do make normal driving much safer. US spec lights simply do not provide useable light.

A very impressive demonstration of just how well controlled the e-codes are would be to put them in your car and shine them on the garage door from the driveway. You could explain to your dad how the design of the e-code beam is tailored to provide maximum road lighting, but has the very sharp cutoff to keep light from blinding oncoming drivers. It also features the upward sweep on the right to illuminate road signs and hazards on the shoulder of the road.

Explain to your dad that the object of safe and proper lighting on a car is to provide the best illumination possible for the driver of the vehicle, but to avoid getting any light in the eyes of oncoming drivers. Then do the demonstration above. It might make it more impressive if you have a 2-car garage to put your car side by side with his US-spec headlights and demonstrate the difference.

Also, look over Daniel Stern's website, www.danielsternlighting.com for some ideas. Unfortunately you may have to keep checking back at Stern's website because as of right now his very informative FAQ is unavailable. Try emailing him with your questions and problem. He knows his stuff and is very helpful. But you might want to be careful with any direct Stern quotes because he can be a bit of a wise guy sometimes with his witty, but condescending and semi-disrespectful attitude toward US lighting regulations. Even though the US regulations certainly deserve scorn and contempt, because they endanger our safety, you are trying to build a thoughtful and convincing case to your Dad, not entertain him by making fun of misguided laws.

Your Dad can email me if he has any questions for me. And, if you look at my signature line below and wonder - Yes, even the Tercel has e-codes in it. Even though they are probably worth more than the car itself is. We live way out in the country, and my wife and college-age daughter often drive home at night in the Tercel. I want the best lighting possible for them, for their safety. Hence the e-codes in the Tercel.
--
Scott Cook - 1991 745T, 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE, 1986 Toyota Tercel (Don't laugh, it is reliable, faithful AND gets 41 mpg!)