S2000 Under The Hood S2000 Technical and Mechanical discussions.

low beam headlight aim

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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 11:04 AM
  #1  
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rai
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From: mount airy
Default low beam headlight aim

Since day one I've been POed with the headlight aim. Never did anything about it. Basically you already know, the drivers side cuts out about 5 feet before the passenger side.

I took my car to the dealer just before my 36 months were up and asked them to check the aim. Of course they said they were spec.

Is there an easy way to aim the drivers side up a few degrees?

Thanks

ps sorry if this has been asked and answered before.
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 11:18 AM
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DO NOT adjust the driver's side beam pattern to be level with the passenger side beam.

It is supposed to be that way so you don't blind the oncoming traffic.

The S2000 headlights are extremely bright, and somewhat painful when they shine in your eyes.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone put a fist in your eye to return the favor.

Here is what the beam pattern should look like:



-Pete
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 11:21 AM
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 11:46 AM
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From: mount airy
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I see what it looks like on the wall, but the pattern on the ground (furthest distance) for me is like 5 feet shorter on the drivers side. Really it's not very good for me b/c I can only see like 20 feet in front of the car. (I'm just guestimating, but is that the way it is for you guys?)




Like this is the pattern on the ground :


........./~~~~
~~~/

(ignore the dots) ~~~ is the leading edge of my lights
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 12:04 PM
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on the ground it is easily 3-5 feet.
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 12:13 PM
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From: Judo Town, USA
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Originally Posted by rai,Oct 17 2005, 11:46 AM
I see what it looks like on the wall, but the pattern on the ground (furthest distance) for me is like 5 feet shorter on the drivers side. Really it's not very good for me b/c I can only see like 20 feet in front of the car. (I'm just guestimating, but is that the way it is for you guys?)




Like this is the pattern on the ground :


........./~~~~
~~~/

(ignore the dots) ~~~ is the leading edge of my lights
rai- You need to purchase a factory service manual. All of the deatils about adjusting the headlights are there. (And everything else!)

The beam pattern on the ground has nothing to do with correct adjustment.

The measurements are taken off the wall. I don't remember the parameters off-hand, but I think the car should be 25 feet from the wall, and the top of the driver's beam should be 19.5 inches from the ground. That's my recall, but don't quote me on that. (Just to give you an idea of how it's done)

-Pete


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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 11:36 AM
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I like to adjust the driver side lower few degrees so that I don't blind the oncoming traffic, but I like to raise the passenger side a little to see traffic signs.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 03:47 PM
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good post. i just got my 05 and was trippin' thinking my lights were misaligned also... interesting reason....

they are bright as hell, but as RAI said - they dont really go far in front of the car, hard to see signage...
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 04:09 PM
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Once again, the step in the headlight pattern isn't due to a difference in adjustment between the left and right headlights. It's due to a stepped mask built into each light.

Block one light and look at the pattern on your garage door. Block the other light and look again.
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 05:49 PM
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yup. exactly as dhayner said. the driver side light is NOT aimed lower than the passenger side light.

there is a mask built into both sides, that creat the effect that you see, making it look like the driver's side is lower. as he said, cover one side, and you'll see the pattern. cover the other side, and you'll still see the pattern.
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