Head Sick of Car flashing when my headlights are dipped!!

[Variantealta]

Does anyone else find that other drivers think that their headlights are on full beam when they are not...leading to much flashing and aggravation

[Unknownsoldier]

Nope, used to with my HID in my BM' but not no more.

Tom

[Variantealta]

problem is unless i have my lights on 0 setting for position they don't light the road enough to be able to see where im going...i'm V-tall and i don't think that helps..

[Unknownsoldier]

Do you have a spare wheel??? Or any stuffin the back or the boot, this would cause your lights to go high as it were.

Tom

[Variantealta]

sometimes but not all the time

[illegalhunter]

Just put the full beam on for badness

[f.ss.t]

Hi, yes i get the same, its quite funny i think when people think your beams are on, and flash you, usually i flash them back to say
'nah mate, my beams arent on! d*ckhed"

[Bez]

Glad someone else gets this too. Only happened since I've changed the bulbs (they are legal) but had it done 4 times in the last few weeks.

Thought I was getting a warning about plod up ahead the first couple of times but obviously not. Problem is, my headlights were pants before I changed the bulbs & I'd rather be able to see where I'm going than go back to guessing just to please someone else!

[TTDegs]

As I have self leveling HIDs, not sure if this is the case in non-HID cars - but isn't there an adjuster for the beam height in the engine bay too?

Not quite sure how your height affects things though Varinteala?

[Pottsy]

VA,

So you have trouble seeing out of both the front and the rear! Looks like you need to get that Civic on your forecourt and slip into something else.

Why not just wind the lights down a touch, if they are annoying other cars then they are clearly too high.

[Greedy]

Originally Posted by TTDegs

As I have self leveling HIDs, not sure if this is the case in non-HID cars - but isn't there an adjuster for the beam height in the engine bay too?

Not quite sure how your height affects things though Varinteala?

HID Type - auto adjuster fitted - legally required. Non -HID manual adjustement via the superbly designed H/L Adjust knob on the dash.

This knob should be used far more often than most do. Basically - Front seats used - setting 0, Rear seats used - setting 1, Load in the boot, setting 2, Trailer on the back - setting 3. This is a general rule of thumb but the manual should give you specifics.

[Variantealta]

You...you....read....(gags)...the manual!!

[ctrdaveg]

Originally Posted by Variantealta

Does anyone else find that other drivers think that their headlights are on full beam when they are not...leading to much flashing and aggravation

Yes i have a similar problem with this when my lights are set on "0" where they should be if only the driver is in the car and with no load.

I have to constantly have them set on "1". but in the dark lanes with no street lights it's not high enough to see any approaching bends. Surely this must be a fault with the beam settings

I'm going to mention it to the dealers when it goes in for the first service. A while to wait but no major issue.

[Greedy]

Originally Posted by Variantealta

You...you....read....(gags)...the manual!!

Me ---- oh no, just covering my proverbial for those who may point out this is not EXACTLY what the manual says.

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by Greedy

HID Type - auto adjuster fitted - legally required. Non -HID manual adjustement via the superbly designed H/L Adjust knob on the dash.

This knob should be used far more often than most do. Basically - Front seats used - setting 0, Rear seats used - setting 1, Load in the boot, setting 2, Trailer on the back - setting 3. This is a general rule of thumb but the manual should give you specifics.

fully agree

but also (on HID models at least, bot sure on non-HID), just inside the bonnet lip, there are 4 adjusters - 2 for each side.

These allow you to adjust the base position of the beam up / down and left / right.
The self-levelling (on the HIDs) then works 'on top' of this.

If the same 4 adjusters are there on non-HID, then it could solve VA's problem
(or at least, this one )

Originally Posted by Variantealta

You...you....read....(gags)...the manual!!

yes, some of us do read the manuals, as unfortunately it appears that most dealerships don't bother

[Variantealta]

Good point...you can't seem to win...0 is enough light but flashing...even when on my own...1 is too low and risks a crash...as my journey home sometimes involves single lane welsh roads....
Annoying really...

[TTDegs]

the adjusters in the engine bay are 'infinately variable' screw types - no 1/2/3/4/5/6 type clicks or anything.

You should therefore be able to set the interior dial thing to 0, park up facing a wall, and adjust them to the appropriate safe (and legal) height with the adjusters in the engine bay.

Hopefully, this should give you the best compromise between being able to see where you are going, and blinding on-coming drivers


**EDIT - obviously, you should be getting someone else to fiddle with the adjusters, while you are sitting in the driver seat.

[Variantealta]

I'll have to get my spanners out tonight....(got arrested last time, but hey!)

[TTDegs]

from memory, you need screwdrivers, so you might get away with it this time

or it might have been allen keys...

[alanwalne]

Originally Posted by Variantealta

I'll have to get my spanners out tonight....(got arrested last time, but hey!)

They need allen key fittings, I have adjusted mine so they are just legal on setting 1, giving me the option of a slightly higher setting if needed on bumpy roads. Just remember to turn them back for the MOT or you'll get a bill for adjustment as I did in the other half's Corsa!!!