HID light angle (low beam)...

SmoothStyle1 · 02-17-2010, 09:16 AM

When I first got my car in late December I noticed that in evening driving the HID light angle (low beam) seemed to be very sharply angled down. Meaning that there seems to be a cut-off line in the road beyond 50 feet that no light was cast beyond. It makes evening driving very nerve ranking as pot holes appear out of nowhere and I find myself putting on the high beams very often.

I had my car in the shop in January and was given a 335i loaner and noticed that it had a much better low-beam light angle which didn't seem to be pointing down so much and I could see further down the street without having to put on my high beams.

Can I adjust the light angle by myself, or should I take it into the BMW dealership to fix? I'm assuming this fix would be under warranty?

Kevin Harney · 02-17-2010, 09:18 AM

If you can get it done under warranty why would you want to do it yourself ?!?!?!

SmoothStyle1 · 02-17-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Harney

If you can get it done under warranty why would you want to do it yourself ?!?!?!

Well, if it's an easy/quick fix why should I bother taking the car in to the dealer and the associated headaches and hassles that come with that?

MalM3 · 02-17-2010, 09:27 AM

Normally wth Xenon, they adjust themselves in level according to plane.

But the light has to be centered propperly first of course

Do both your lights adjust when you start the car?

SmoothStyle1 · 02-17-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mallard

Normally wth Xenon, they adjust themselves in level according to plane.

But the light has to be centered propperly first of course

Do both your lights adjust when you start the car?

Yes, both lights adjust upon start up but consistently revert back to the "low angle" I described above.

bimdaddy · 02-17-2010, 09:51 AM

Just do it yourself. It takes 2 minutes. Look directly behind your headlamp assembly. You'll need a phillips head screwdriver and turn lefty loosy (to raise the beam) about one complete turn, then check to see if you need to turn some more.

SmoothStyle1 · 02-17-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimdaddy

Just do it yourself. It takes 2 minutes. Look directly behind your headlamp assembly. You'll need a phillips head screwdriver and turn lefty loosy (to raise the beam) about one complete turn, then check to see if you need to turn some more.

Cheers, I'll give that a try.

Is there anyway to ensure that both lights are level with each other aside from just eyeballing it?

xplicitstylez · 02-17-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimdaddy

Just do it yourself. It takes 2 minutes. Look directly behind your headlamp assembly. You'll need a phillips head screwdriver and turn lefty loosy (to raise the beam) about one complete turn, then check to see if you need to turn some more.

+ 1
i have the same problem thanks for helpin

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-17-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimdaddy

Just do it yourself. It takes 2 minutes. Look directly behind your headlamp assembly. You'll need a phillips head screwdriver and turn lefty loosy (to raise the beam) about one complete turn, then check to see if you need to turn some more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmoothStyle1

Cheers, I'll give that a try.

Is there anyway to ensure that both lights are level with each other aside from just eyeballing it?

In for a pic of said screw to turn.

Spoolin335 · 02-17-2010, 10:58 AM

LEFT

RIGHT

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-17-2010, 11:03 AM

thank you sir

reprod · 02-17-2010, 11:07 AM

Only way to verify high is to eyeball it against a flat wall from a descent distance (20 ft or so).

Make sure the low beam is still pointing downwards though because there is a possibility you can be blinding other drivers if it is too high.

E92-Lighting · 02-17-2010, 05:26 PM

you can "manually" adjust your xenons with a screwdriver

SmoothStyle1 · 02-17-2010, 06:40 PM

I took a look under the hood after work and didn't notice the circled element below. Could it be that it is under some type of cover? ('07 335i sedan)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoolin335

RIGHT

Spoolin335 · 02-17-2010, 06:49 PM

The sedan is different, sorry i didnt notice thats what you had
Search the forum with the SEARCH button and you will find your answer. Check the back of the headlight... its there somewhere.

I know for a fact that there is a thread WITH pictures of the e90 version of our headlight.
Im pretty sure the knobs look the same although they might be in a different place.

SmoothStyle1 · 02-17-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoolin335

The sedan is different, sorry i didnt notice thats what you had
Search the forum with the SEARCH button and you will find your answer. Check the back of the headlight... its there somewhere.

I know for a fact that there is a thread WITH pictures of the e90 version of our headlight.
Im pretty sure the knobs look the same although they might be in a different place.

Cheers, found it all here. The thread dates back to 2005!
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...adlight+adjust

02-17-2010, 09:16 AM	#1
SmoothStyle1 Lieutenant 116 Rep 406 Posts Drives: 340i, 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NC, USA iTrader: (0)	HID light angle (low beam)... When I first got my car in late December I noticed that in evening driving the HID light angle (low beam) seemed to be very sharply angled down. Meaning that there seems to be a cut-off line in the road beyond 50 feet that no light was cast beyond. It makes evening driving very nerve ranking as pot holes appear out of nowhere and I find myself putting on the high beams very often. I had my car in the shop in January and was given a 335i loaner and noticed that it had a much better low-beam light angle which didn't seem to be pointing down so much and I could see further down the street without having to put on my high beams. Can I adjust the light angle by myself, or should I take it into the BMW dealership to fix? I'm assuming this fix would be under warranty? __________________ Specs: '16 340i\|6sp MT\|Silver Metallic\|Black Leather with Oyster Highlights\|Aluminum Hexagon Trim. Options: M-Sport\|Cold Weather\|Technology\|Track Handling\|Power Rear Sunshade\|Driving Assistance \|Driving Assistance Plus\|Lighting\|Harman Kardon\|Surround View Pics of my car
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02-17-2010, 09:18 AM	#2
Kevin Harney Captain 20 Rep 767 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Herndon, VA iTrader: (0)	If you can get it done under warranty why would you want to do it yourself ?!?!?!
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02-17-2010, 09:27 AM	#4
MalM3 4 pot warrior 37 Rep 1,307 Posts Drives: E90 318I Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DENMARK iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 e90 [10.00]	Normally wth Xenon, they adjust themselves in level according to plane. But the light has to be centered propperly first of course Do both your lights adjust when you start the car? __________________ Been there, done that, wanna do it again
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02-17-2010, 09:51 AM	#6
bimdaddy Major 37 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: 911 Carrera & G01 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (10)	Just do it yourself. It takes 2 minutes. Look directly behind your headlamp assembly. You'll need a phillips head screwdriver and turn lefty loosy (to raise the beam) about one complete turn, then check to see if you need to turn some more. __________________ 2020 X3 X-Drive 30i; Alpine White/Mocha
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02-17-2010, 10:58 AM	#10
Spoolin335 Justin Herass 333 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: X6M / M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (7) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2012 Audi TTRS [10.00] 2012 BMW X6M [9.00] 2007 BMW 335i [9.00]	LEFT RIGHT __________________
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02-17-2010, 11:03 AM	#11
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	thank you sir
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02-17-2010, 11:07 AM	#12
reprod Lieutenant Colonel 148 Rep 1,728 Posts Drives: '16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (6)	Only way to verify high is to eyeball it against a flat wall from a descent distance (20 ft or so). Make sure the low beam is still pointing downwards though because there is a possibility you can be blinding other drivers if it is too high. __________________ '11 Space Grey E92 335xi M-Sport (KWv1 Coils \| Saddle Brown \| Bamboo) (Returned) '14 Mineral Grey F32 335i M-Sport (Dinan DHP \| LED Lights \| Coral Red \| Hexagonal Aluminum) (Returned) '16 Mineral Grey F80 M3 ZCP
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02-17-2010, 05:26 PM	#13
E92-Lighting 860 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	you can "manually" adjust your xenons with a screwdriver
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02-17-2010, 06:49 PM	#15
Spoolin335 Justin Herass 333 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: X6M / M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (7) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2012 Audi TTRS [10.00] 2012 BMW X6M [9.00] 2007 BMW 335i [9.00]	The sedan is different, sorry i didnt notice thats what you had Search the forum with the SEARCH button and you will find your answer. Check the back of the headlight... its there somewhere. I know for a fact that there is a thread WITH pictures of the e90 version of our headlight. Im pretty sure the knobs look the same although they might be in a different place. __________________
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