Headlight aim
#3
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
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Re: Headlight aim
Originally posted by TheDosDog
Can someone post how to adjust aim on headlights? I have one that is a smidge low.
Can someone post how to adjust aim on headlights? I have one that is a smidge low.
I suppose this must be reversed for those countries that drive on the wrong side of the road...?
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Originally posted by TheDosDog
Does anyone know how to adjust the headlights?
Does anyone know how to adjust the headlights?
#6
Recovered Modaholic
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I saw in a thread from last October Canzoomer was going to post the procedure from the manual but never did. I presumed the autoleveling feature compensated for load. Therefore if the aim is off the autoleveling feature won't help. Since I don't have a shop manual yet I was hoping some helpful soul that had one would shed a little light (pun)
#7
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Originally posted by TheDosDog
I saw in a thread from last October Canzoomer was going to post the procedure from the manual but never did. I presumed the autoleveling feature compensated for load. Therefore if the aim is off the autoleveling feature won't help. Since I don't have a shop manual yet I was hoping some helpful soul that had one would shed a little light (pun)
I saw in a thread from last October Canzoomer was going to post the procedure from the manual but never did. I presumed the autoleveling feature compensated for load. Therefore if the aim is off the autoleveling feature won't help. Since I don't have a shop manual yet I was hoping some helpful soul that had one would shed a little light (pun)
#8
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Haven't gone back to the dealer yet, but I think that my right headlight is way too low. Anyone else notice that the aim isn't high enough to read the big interstate signs? I blew a stop sign in a residential neighborhood because the light didn't reach high enough to illuminate to the top of the pole.
#9
Re: Re: Headlight aim
Originally posted by G8rboy
If it's the driver's side one that seems low, then you might just be observing the Xenon's Z-pattern... the cutoff is lower on the driver's side to avoid blinding oncoming traffic on your left.
I suppose this must be reversed for those countries that drive on the wrong side of the road...?
If it's the driver's side one that seems low, then you might just be observing the Xenon's Z-pattern... the cutoff is lower on the driver's side to avoid blinding oncoming traffic on your left.
I suppose this must be reversed for those countries that drive on the wrong side of the road...?
#10
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From memory the actual headlight adjustment is done with a phillips screwdriver, but I think you should have your dealer adjust them for you, seeing it is still a relatively new car. They will adjust them so they are within legal limits, so you don't have to worry about people trying to take you to court for blinding them (popular passtime these days).
Last edited by Mr M; 03-16-2004 at 07:39 AM.
#11
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Had to have mine adjusted, unfortunately it didn't fix the problem. If I were to shine my lights on a wall the pattern I would see would look something like this:
___________-------------------""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Don't know how that will look when it's posted, but basically my light pattern steps up 2 levels from left to right.
Not sure what the problem is.
___________-------------------""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Don't know how that will look when it's posted, but basically my light pattern steps up 2 levels from left to right.
Not sure what the problem is.
#12
rev it up
I seem to have the same problem in reverse. I constantly have drivers flashing thier lights at me.....thinking I have the high beam on.
I will get this checked at the 10 000k service
I will get this checked at the 10 000k service
#13
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Originally posted by TheDosDog
I saw in a thread from last October Canzoomer was going to post the procedure from the manual but never did. I presumed the autoleveling feature compensated for load. Therefore if the aim is off the autoleveling feature won't help. Since I don't have a shop manual yet I was hoping some helpful soul that had one would shed a little light (pun)
I saw in a thread from last October Canzoomer was going to post the procedure from the manual but never did. I presumed the autoleveling feature compensated for load. Therefore if the aim is off the autoleveling feature won't help. Since I don't have a shop manual yet I was hoping some helpful soul that had one would shed a little light (pun)
The headlight adjustment is made from behind the assembly. Access to the adjustment screw(s) appears to require removal of the front bumper.
There is a significant amount of warnings about electrical shock and that 25,000 volts are present.
For this reason I have to suggest that anyone interested in an adjustment either take it for service or get their own copy of the service manual. I don't want to be responsible for injury by not having included the proper instructions or *all* of the proper instructions.
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Originally posted by God of Thunder
Had to have mine adjusted, unfortunately it didn't fix the problem. If I were to shine my lights on a wall the pattern I would see would look something like this:
___________-------------------""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Don't know how that will look when it's posted, but basically my light pattern steps up 2 levels from left to right.
Not sure what the problem is.
Had to have mine adjusted, unfortunately it didn't fix the problem. If I were to shine my lights on a wall the pattern I would see would look something like this:
___________-------------------""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Don't know how that will look when it's posted, but basically my light pattern steps up 2 levels from left to right.
Not sure what the problem is.
it will never be a straight line like you would imagine...
the driver side will always be slightly lower than the passenger side to prevent blinding of oncoming traffic
#15
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I would like to correct my last post, there is no need to initialize the levelling unit (I was thinking of Mazda6).
Adjusting the headlights is as easy as twisting a phillips screwdriver, clockwise to adjust up, and anti-clockwise to adjust down. There is a round protrusion coming out the back of your headlight, with a hole in the top for this. Make sure you finish off by screwing in the clockwise direction, otherwise the adjuster may back off and you headlight adjustment will change (probably what your dealer did).
You need a white board or wall 9.8 feet away, and to mark the center position of the lights on it. Point X (below) of the headlight beam should be about an inch below the center position you marked on the board for each headlight. Leave the engine running while you do this, or your battery may go flat (there should be one person in the driver's seat too).
.................................../----------------------------------------
............not................./
....illuminated............../ illuminated area
............................./
_______________X
|
|
|
|__________________________________________
Don't adjust them too high!
Adjusting the headlights is as easy as twisting a phillips screwdriver, clockwise to adjust up, and anti-clockwise to adjust down. There is a round protrusion coming out the back of your headlight, with a hole in the top for this. Make sure you finish off by screwing in the clockwise direction, otherwise the adjuster may back off and you headlight adjustment will change (probably what your dealer did).
You need a white board or wall 9.8 feet away, and to mark the center position of the lights on it. Point X (below) of the headlight beam should be about an inch below the center position you marked on the board for each headlight. Leave the engine running while you do this, or your battery may go flat (there should be one person in the driver's seat too).
.................................../----------------------------------------
............not................./
....illuminated............../ illuminated area
............................./
_______________X
|
|
|
|__________________________________________
Don't adjust them too high!
Last edited by Mr M; 03-16-2004 at 07:37 AM.
#17
Prodigal Wankler
This subject continues to amuse me. Here we are, in a country that prides itself in its level of technology, and we're only now coming out of the dark ages in terms of vehicle lighting. The rest of the world has had Z-beam halogen and HID lights for years, yet it's all new and exciting (and confusing, apparently) here.
(I installed my first set of aftermarket Z-beam Cibiés back in the early 80's.)
(I installed my first set of aftermarket Z-beam Cibiés back in the early 80's.)
Last edited by eccles; 03-16-2004 at 11:18 AM.
#18
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We've had fuel injection for 38 years, the light bulb for 126 years, and the differential for 177 years.
I bet you just fall over laughing when you hear stories about those!
Can YOU adjust your own headlights?
I bet you just fall over laughing when you hear stories about those!
Can YOU adjust your own headlights?
#20
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Not all the RX-8's are self- leveling. Those that are with the GS trim in Canada have normal halogen headlights and don't have this feature.
#21
Prodigal Wankler
Originally posted by Mr M
Can YOU adjust your own headlights?
Can YOU adjust your own headlights?
We've had fuel injection for 38 years, the light bulb for 126 years, and the differential for 177 years.
I bet you just fall over laughing when you hear stories about those!
I bet you just fall over laughing when you hear stories about those!
Until recently the DoT has forced us all to drive around with useless little puddles of light six feet in front of our cars, despite far better technology being available for years. And now that we're actually allowed lights that - shock, horror - light up the road more than twenty feet away, we all assume there must be something wrong because there's no puddle of light on the pavement right in front of the car.
#22
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Sorry, I mistook your previous post as criticizm for not knowing how to adjust your own headlights. I understand it wasn't now. Point taken, and agreed upon.
#23
Lubricious
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Originally posted by Mr M
Adjusting the headlights is as easy as twisting a phillips screwdriver, clockwise to adjust up, and anti-clockwise to adjust down. There is a round protrusion coming out the back of your headlight, with a hole in the top for this.
Adjusting the headlights is as easy as twisting a phillips screwdriver, clockwise to adjust up, and anti-clockwise to adjust down. There is a round protrusion coming out the back of your headlight, with a hole in the top for this.
#24
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Is it possible for someone to take some pictures and post a official DIY thread on our DIY Forum ? I think a lot of members will be benefited from this. Thanks !
#25
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bump
Originally posted by Smoker
Is it possible for someone to take some pictures and post a official DIY thread on our DIY Forum ? I think a lot of members will be benefited from this. Thanks !
Is it possible for someone to take some pictures and post a official DIY thread on our DIY Forum ? I think a lot of members will be benefited from this. Thanks !