Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 82
Light pattern of adaptive headlights
First of all Best Wishes for 2010 to all Disco3 enthousiasts! Many happy, safe and problem free km's to you all.
Question for all with adaptive headlights: can anyone confirm that the light pattern of the adaptives is different from the pattern of regular fixed beam headlights? What I mean is this: with regular headlights the beam pattern is such that (on a left hand drive model such as in The Netherlands) the beam goes up on the right hand side. This is so that roadsigns and the roadside are illuminated without hindering the oncomming traffic. You can clearly see this when in front of a wall with your lights on.
With the adaptives the light pattern is different: they do not shine up on the right hand side but rather project a straight level pattern. At least on my car they do.... Is this normal or should I have the stealer have a look at it?
Regards.
4th Jan 2010 10:04 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
I certainly noticed a difference between my last, and my current D3. Last one had normal Xenon's. new one has adaptives.
The adaptives do seem to be set to a lower beam, but they do self adjust the pitch to take into account the braking/acceleration pitching of the car.
I do sometimes find myself wanting them to be a bit higher though.
4th Jan 2010 10:52 am
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14368
Heres the difference for halogens and xenons
G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
4th Jan 2010 11:23 am
disco_steve
Member Since: 25 Aug 2009
Location: Are you sure this is the M5 ?
Posts: 1498
I agree, my adaptive Bi Zenons seem very low when on dipped, and almost too high on main beam
Does anyone in the forum know if/how they can be manually aligned ?
Steve !Never get mad - get even !!
06 D3 now gone to family member and still going strong at 265k
previous vehicles:
04 D2 TD5 - (clocked 189k from new)
52 X-Trail 2.2 SVE
various euro boxes !
4th Jan 2010 12:02 pm
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14368
Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 82
Let me further explain my question by adding this picture. It's not of my car but clearly shows what I mean.
Notice the beams going up on the right side of each headlights beam. This will result in the light pattern as in the diagram Wiggs posted. This is the effect that seems to be missing with adaptives. They project a horizontal pattern that doesn't curve upwards... Am I the only one, i.e. is there something wrong with my Disco3? Could it be that the lever for switching between left and righthand side traffic is stuck half way? Is this even possible with adaptives?
Any advice welcome! Thanks,
4th Jan 2010 4:58 pm
disco_steve
Member Since: 25 Aug 2009
Location: Are you sure this is the M5 ?
Posts: 1498
Cheers Wiggs - you're the man Never get mad - get even !!
06 D3 now gone to family member and still going strong at 265k
previous vehicles:
04 D2 TD5 - (clocked 189k from new)
52 X-Trail 2.2 SVE
various euro boxes !
4th Jan 2010 5:41 pm
buellbeast
Member Since: 30 Jul 2008
Location: Exile
Posts: 1885
You should get the "kick -up" to the right for LHD and to the left for RHD. I do on mine. Easy to set up as well by turning both adjusters in equal increments to adjust the height.
Pdf here I set mine up this way after feeling the n/s was low, it was miles out. Have since checked them on a professional beam setter and they're spot on.
4th Jan 2010 6:45 pm
pauleline
Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 82
Thanks Buellbeast,
I think you just confirmed that I should indeed get the kick-up, even with the adaptive headlights. This means something is not 100% and I will be back at the stealer some time in the near future....
Just looking at this, and one thing that would stop the "kick" would be if someone has moved the lever that allows a LHD car to drive on RHD roads without dazzling. The lever moves a shutter down that removes that "kick" pattern. Works the same on RHD lamps when driving in mainland europe.
Sorry it took 2 weeks to reply with that one I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
20th Jan 2010 7:35 pm
pauleline
Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 82
No problem for the late response.... Just glad that there might be a simple solution. Will look into this and see if I can solve it the simple way, since the car is at the dealer's on Friday for.... Yes: a non-starting FBH.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
