HID Level Switch?
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
Joined
·
331 Posts
Bingo.
Details are in the manual as to what load weights require a switch of the headlight angle.
Details are in the manual as to what load weights require a switch of the headlight angle.
Joined
·
5,542 Posts
you change it when you load the rear, which would cause the lights to aim higher, the leveling motors aim the lights down farther, I think I need to raise mine up some though, so I can use the switch to blind people that annoy me.
[quote author=Mellman link=topic=73033.msg1292064#msg1292064 date=1174933079]
I just leave mine on the highest...it still seems too low on hilly roads unfortunately
[/quote]
I found mine to be too low as well, so I manually raised them. Now my cutoff line is just below the top of most trunks. I have yet to have anyone high beam me, so I'm assuming that they are aimed well (had my brother drive in front of me and he said they were fine as well). I highly recommend doing it, it's very simple.
Some people have mentioned that they set it to 1 and adjusted that way, then when they are on a deserted road they can put it to 0 and have the HIDs a little higher. Haven't done it yet myself, I just use the high beams when no one else is around.
[quote author=TruboPower link=topic=73033.msg1292077#msg1292077 date=1174933353]
you change it when you load the rear, which would cause the lights to aim higher, the leveling motors aim the lights down farther, I think I need to raise mine up some though, so I can use the switch to blind people that annoy me.
[/quote]
Haha, a side benefit to aiming them up a little.
I just leave mine on the highest...it still seems too low on hilly roads unfortunately
[/quote]
I found mine to be too low as well, so I manually raised them. Now my cutoff line is just below the top of most trunks. I have yet to have anyone high beam me, so I'm assuming that they are aimed well (had my brother drive in front of me and he said they were fine as well). I highly recommend doing it, it's very simple.
Some people have mentioned that they set it to 1 and adjusted that way, then when they are on a deserted road they can put it to 0 and have the HIDs a little higher. Haven't done it yet myself, I just use the high beams when no one else is around.
[quote author=TruboPower link=topic=73033.msg1292077#msg1292077 date=1174933353]
you change it when you load the rear, which would cause the lights to aim higher, the leveling motors aim the lights down farther, I think I need to raise mine up some though, so I can use the switch to blind people that annoy me.
[/quote]
Haha, a side benefit to aiming them up a little.
[quote author=kokemon23 link=topic=73033.msg1292099#msg1292099 date=1174933799]
[quote author=Mellman link=topic=73033.msg1292064#msg1292064 date=1174933079]
I just leave mine on the highest...it still seems too low on hilly roads unfortunately
[/quote]
I found mine to be too low as well, so I manually raised them. Now my cutoff line is just below the top of most trunks. I have yet to have anyone high beam me, so I'm assuming that they are aimed well (had my brother drive in front of me and he said they were fine as well). I highly recommend doing it, it's very simple.
Some people have mentioned that they set it to 1 and adjusted that way, then when they are on a deserted road they can put it to 0 and have the HIDs a little higher. Haven't done it yet myself, I just use the high beams when no one else is around.
[quote author=TruboPower link=topic=73033.msg1292077#msg1292077 date=1174933353]
you change it when you load the rear, which would cause the lights to aim higher, the leveling motors aim the lights down farther, I think I need to raise mine up some though, so I can use the switch to blind people that annoy me.
[/quote]
Haha, a side benefit to aiming them up a little.
[/quote]
Sitting here at my desk its easy to ask you where you adjust them Since my car is in the garage and I won't get to see her for another 2 hours!
[quote author=Mellman link=topic=73033.msg1292064#msg1292064 date=1174933079]
I just leave mine on the highest...it still seems too low on hilly roads unfortunately
[/quote]
I found mine to be too low as well, so I manually raised them. Now my cutoff line is just below the top of most trunks. I have yet to have anyone high beam me, so I'm assuming that they are aimed well (had my brother drive in front of me and he said they were fine as well). I highly recommend doing it, it's very simple.
Some people have mentioned that they set it to 1 and adjusted that way, then when they are on a deserted road they can put it to 0 and have the HIDs a little higher. Haven't done it yet myself, I just use the high beams when no one else is around.
[quote author=TruboPower link=topic=73033.msg1292077#msg1292077 date=1174933353]
you change it when you load the rear, which would cause the lights to aim higher, the leveling motors aim the lights down farther, I think I need to raise mine up some though, so I can use the switch to blind people that annoy me.
[/quote]
Haha, a side benefit to aiming them up a little.
[/quote]
Sitting here at my desk its easy to ask you where you adjust them
Since my car is in the garage and I won't get to see her for another 2 hours![quote author=Mellman link=topic=73033.msg1292172#msg1292172 date=1174935278]
[quote author=kokemon23 link=topic=73033.msg1292099#msg1292099 date=1174933799]
[quote author=Mellman link=topic=73033.msg1292064#msg1292064 date=1174933079]
I just leave mine on the highest...it still seems too low on hilly roads unfortunately
[/quote]
I found mine to be too low as well, so I manually raised them. Now my cutoff line is just below the top of most trunks. I have yet to have anyone high beam me, so I'm assuming that they are aimed well (had my brother drive in front of me and he said they were fine as well). I highly recommend doing it, it's very simple.
Some people have mentioned that they set it to 1 and adjusted that way, then when they are on a deserted road they can put it to 0 and have the HIDs a little higher. Haven't done it yet myself, I just use the high beams when no one else is around.
[quote author=TruboPower link=topic=73033.msg1292077#msg1292077 date=1174933353]
you change it when you load the rear, which would cause the lights to aim higher, the leveling motors aim the lights down farther, I think I need to raise mine up some though, so I can use the switch to blind people that annoy me.
[/quote]
Haha, a side benefit to aiming them up a little.
[/quote]
Sitting here at my desk its easy to ask you where you adjust them Since my car is in the garage and I won't get to see her for another 2 hours!
[/quote]
I won't be able to tell you exactly, but on your headlight housings look for something like this (from this post http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=15699.msg319073#msg319073):
![]()
Look for the thing outlined in red.
This will adjust it, all you need is a phillips screwdriver. Basically park your car about 20 feet away from a wall/garage, turn them on, and adjust away. A lot of people will have someone that has perfectly aimed HIDs park the same distance from the same wall, then tape where the cutoff is and line theirs up that way.
Caution! Some people have ruined their headlights by over-adjusting because they were too close to the wall and it didn't seem like it was doing anything! I think there is plenty of room to adjust before you break anything, just be careful. I was pretty conservative with mine, did it a little at a time, then went for drives to check the height.
[quote author=kokemon23 link=topic=73033.msg1292099#msg1292099 date=1174933799]
[quote author=Mellman link=topic=73033.msg1292064#msg1292064 date=1174933079]
I just leave mine on the highest...it still seems too low on hilly roads unfortunately
[/quote]
I found mine to be too low as well, so I manually raised them. Now my cutoff line is just below the top of most trunks. I have yet to have anyone high beam me, so I'm assuming that they are aimed well (had my brother drive in front of me and he said they were fine as well). I highly recommend doing it, it's very simple.
Some people have mentioned that they set it to 1 and adjusted that way, then when they are on a deserted road they can put it to 0 and have the HIDs a little higher. Haven't done it yet myself, I just use the high beams when no one else is around.
[quote author=TruboPower link=topic=73033.msg1292077#msg1292077 date=1174933353]
you change it when you load the rear, which would cause the lights to aim higher, the leveling motors aim the lights down farther, I think I need to raise mine up some though, so I can use the switch to blind people that annoy me.
[/quote]
Haha, a side benefit to aiming them up a little.
[/quote]
Sitting here at my desk its easy to ask you where you adjust them
Since my car is in the garage and I won't get to see her for another 2 hours![/quote]
I won't be able to tell you exactly, but on your headlight housings look for something like this (from this post http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=15699.msg319073#msg319073):
Look for the thing outlined in red.
This will adjust it, all you need is a phillips screwdriver. Basically park your car about 20 feet away from a wall/garage, turn them on, and adjust away. A lot of people will have someone that has perfectly aimed HIDs park the same distance from the same wall, then tape where the cutoff is and line theirs up that way.
Caution! Some people have ruined their headlights by over-adjusting because they were too close to the wall and it didn't seem like it was doing anything! I think there is plenty of room to adjust before you break anything, just be careful. I was pretty conservative with mine, did it a little at a time, then went for drives to check the height.
Joined
·
331 Posts
[quote author=kokemon23 link=topic=73033.msg1292209#msg1292209 date=1174936373]
Caution! Some people have ruined their headlights by over-adjusting because they were too close to the wall and it didn't seem like it was doing anything! I think there is plenty of room to adjust before you break anything, just be careful. I was pretty conservative with mine, did it a little at a time, then went for drives to check the height.
[/quote]
So how much did you end up turning the screw? 1/2 rotation, 2 rotations, etc.?
Caution! Some people have ruined their headlights by over-adjusting because they were too close to the wall and it didn't seem like it was doing anything! I think there is plenty of room to adjust before you break anything, just be careful. I was pretty conservative with mine, did it a little at a time, then went for drives to check the height.
[/quote]
So how much did you end up turning the screw? 1/2 rotation, 2 rotations, etc.?
Joined
·
662 Posts
Blinding someone over their trunk (or hood) is only part of the problem. If some idiot is behind me with his lights too high, I can flip my rearview mirror to the other setting 'til he passes. If he's coming the other way, I'll flash him, but he'll be gone in a second.
But if someone is driving on the highway behind me in the next lane, he's shooting his lights into my sideview mirror at me. And he could be there a long time, with no way for me to correct things and still be able to see to the side.
With my HID's factory set (and at "0" level), when I drive down a sidestreet past parked cars, my cutoff is always just below the sideview mirrors. So I know on the highway, I'm not bothering anybody. Just because your lights don't make it over someone's trunk, don't think that you aren't ticking them off.
Do us all a favor. Keep them set below a passenger car's sideview mirror. When you get on a twisty, hilly road, you can just turn on the high beams. That's what they are for!!
But if someone is driving on the highway behind me in the next lane, he's shooting his lights into my sideview mirror at me. And he could be there a long time, with no way for me to correct things and still be able to see to the side.
With my HID's factory set (and at "0" level), when I drive down a sidestreet past parked cars, my cutoff is always just below the sideview mirrors. So I know on the highway, I'm not bothering anybody. Just because your lights don't make it over someone's trunk, don't think that you aren't ticking them off.
Do us all a favor. Keep them set below a passenger car's sideview mirror. When you get on a twisty, hilly road, you can just turn on the high beams. That's what they are for!!
[quote author=Mellman link=topic=73033.msg1292220#msg1292220 date=1174936580]
Sweet, I was pretty sure thats all it was - but thanks for the verification!
[/quote]
No problem.
[quote author=AlbertaMS3 link=topic=73033.msg1292274#msg1292274 date=1174937738]
[quote author=kokemon23 link=topic=73033.msg1292209#msg1292209 date=1174936373]
Caution! Some people have ruined their headlights by over-adjusting because they were too close to the wall and it didn't seem like it was doing anything! I think there is plenty of room to adjust before you break anything, just be careful. I was pretty conservative with mine, did it a little at a time, then went for drives to check the height.
[/quote]
So how much did you end up turning the screw? 1/2 rotation, 2 rotations, etc.?
[/quote]
I really couldn't tell you because it was about 3 months ago and I did it in increments (more to test than any concern for messing up the lights). I don't think I did more than 2 or 3 full turns at any given time, but I think there is plenty of room for error. One of the posters in the thread I linked said that to make up the difference between 0 and 1 was like 3 to 4 full turns. My bolded "caution" was probably overkill, I just don't want anyone to mess up their lights because of something I posted.
Also, I believe there is a separate one for left/right adjustments, so just make sure you're doing the correct one.
[quote author=thebrakeman link=topic=73033.msg1292331#msg1292331 date=1174938428]
Blinding someone over their trunk (or hood) is only part of the problem. If some idiot is behind me with his lights too high, I can flip my rearview mirror to the other setting 'til he passes. If he's coming the other way, I'll flash him, but he'll be gone in a second.
But if someone is driving on the highway behind me in the next lane, he's shooting his lights into my sideview mirror at me. And he could be there a long time, with no way for me to correct things and still be able to see to the side.
With my HID's factory set (and at "0" level), when I drive down a sidestreet past parked cars, my cutoff is always just below the sideview mirrors. So I know on the highway, I'm not bothering anybody. Just because your lights don't make it over someone's trunk, don't think that you aren't ticking them off.
Do us all a favor. Keep them set below a passenger car's sideview mirror. When you get on a twisty, hilly road, you can just turn on the high beams. That's what they are for!!
[/quote]
Believe me, I have been on the receiving end of what you are talking about and it annoys the hell out of me! My lights are good to go in all situations, no blinding anyone's side mirrors on highways. I was giving the below the trunk as a common example. I also believe that not all of our headlights are aimed the same from the factory, because mine were dangerously low even on flat ground.
Sweet, I was pretty sure thats all it was - but thanks for the verification!
[/quote]
No problem.
[quote author=AlbertaMS3 link=topic=73033.msg1292274#msg1292274 date=1174937738]
[quote author=kokemon23 link=topic=73033.msg1292209#msg1292209 date=1174936373]
Caution! Some people have ruined their headlights by over-adjusting because they were too close to the wall and it didn't seem like it was doing anything! I think there is plenty of room to adjust before you break anything, just be careful. I was pretty conservative with mine, did it a little at a time, then went for drives to check the height.
[/quote]
So how much did you end up turning the screw? 1/2 rotation, 2 rotations, etc.?
[/quote]
I really couldn't tell you because it was about 3 months ago and I did it in increments (more to test than any concern for messing up the lights). I don't think I did more than 2 or 3 full turns at any given time, but I think there is plenty of room for error. One of the posters in the thread I linked said that to make up the difference between 0 and 1 was like 3 to 4 full turns. My bolded "caution" was probably overkill, I just don't want anyone to mess up their lights because of something I posted.
Also, I believe there is a separate one for left/right adjustments, so just make sure you're doing the correct one.
[quote author=thebrakeman link=topic=73033.msg1292331#msg1292331 date=1174938428]
Blinding someone over their trunk (or hood) is only part of the problem. If some idiot is behind me with his lights too high, I can flip my rearview mirror to the other setting 'til he passes. If he's coming the other way, I'll flash him, but he'll be gone in a second.
But if someone is driving on the highway behind me in the next lane, he's shooting his lights into my sideview mirror at me. And he could be there a long time, with no way for me to correct things and still be able to see to the side.
With my HID's factory set (and at "0" level), when I drive down a sidestreet past parked cars, my cutoff is always just below the sideview mirrors. So I know on the highway, I'm not bothering anybody. Just because your lights don't make it over someone's trunk, don't think that you aren't ticking them off.
Do us all a favor. Keep them set below a passenger car's sideview mirror. When you get on a twisty, hilly road, you can just turn on the high beams. That's what they are for!!
[/quote]
Believe me, I have been on the receiving end of what you are talking about and it annoys the hell out of me! My lights are good to go in all situations, no blinding anyone's side mirrors on highways. I was giving the below the trunk as a common example. I also believe that not all of our headlights are aimed the same from the factory, because mine were dangerously low even on flat ground.
Joined
·
331 Posts
Thanks kokemon, I think I may have to do this soon. I have found myself flipping brights on when going up dark on ramps just to see ahead safely. Mine seem set too low.
Goodway of doing this (someone else posted this before) is:
1) set the control on 0 (the highest) mark the wall with tape at this setting.
2) set the control on 1 (the lights will be lower than the tape now)
3) adjust the screw until you get them high as you like (don't go over the tape)
4) if you go to the tape in step 3, having the control set to 1 is now the same as the old 0 setting, the 0 setting is now a bit higher
Maybe a good compromise is to go 1/2 way to the tape in step 3, this would make the 0 setting higher but not a "full step" higher. in other words 0 setting now is more like -0.5 and 1 setting would be more like 0.5
I'm going to try this tonight! I'm glad someone brought it up!!!! I'll post my findings. 8)
1) set the control on 0 (the highest) mark the wall with tape at this setting.
2) set the control on 1 (the lights will be lower than the tape now)
3) adjust the screw until you get them high as you like (don't go over the tape)
4) if you go to the tape in step 3, having the control set to 1 is now the same as the old 0 setting, the 0 setting is now a bit higher
Maybe a good compromise is to go 1/2 way to the tape in step 3, this would make the 0 setting higher but not a "full step" higher. in other words 0 setting now is more like -0.5 and 1 setting would be more like 0.5
I'm going to try this tonight! I'm glad someone brought it up!!!! I'll post my findings.
8)FWIW, here's how I always adusted headlights on my cars that didn't have a leveling switch. Read it in a repair manual years ago.
1) pull up to a wall on a flat level surface as close to the wall as you can.
2) turn on low beams.
3) mark the center of beam on wall with a "+" using tape.
4) back up the car in a strait line stopping about 25 ft away from the wall.
5) turn on HIGH beams.
6) adjust beams so they center on your tape marks.
I'd suppose the switch would need to be in it's higest position before you start.
1) pull up to a wall on a flat level surface as close to the wall as you can.
2) turn on low beams.
3) mark the center of beam on wall with a "+" using tape.
4) back up the car in a strait line stopping about 25 ft away from the wall.
5) turn on HIGH beams.
6) adjust beams so they center on your tape marks.
I'd suppose the switch would need to be in it's higest position before you start.
Joined
·
5,542 Posts
[quote author=thebrakeman link=topic=73033.msg1292331#msg1292331 date=1174938428]
Blinding someone over their trunk (or hood) is only part of the problem. If some idiot is behind me with his lights too high, I can flip my rearview mirror to the other setting 'til he passes. If he's coming the other way, I'll flash him, but he'll be gone in a second.
But if someone is driving on the highway behind me in the next lane, he's shooting his lights into my sideview mirror at me. And he could be there a long time, with no way for me to correct things and still be able to see to the side.
[/quote]When people do this I just adjust the mirrors back at them :lol: Especially when SUV's are behind me that shouldn't have HID's. I just move the mirror till it hits them. I've had quite a few turn off their lights until we started moving again
Blinding someone over their trunk (or hood) is only part of the problem. If some idiot is behind me with his lights too high, I can flip my rearview mirror to the other setting 'til he passes. If he's coming the other way, I'll flash him, but he'll be gone in a second.
But if someone is driving on the highway behind me in the next lane, he's shooting his lights into my sideview mirror at me. And he could be there a long time, with no way for me to correct things and still be able to see to the side.
[/quote]When people do this I just adjust the mirrors back at them :lol: Especially when SUV's are behind me that shouldn't have HID's. I just move the mirror till it hits them. I've had quite a few turn off their lights until we started moving again
from the workshop manual
Adjust the tire pressure to the specification.
2. Position the unloaded vehicle on a flat, level surface.
3. Seat one person in the driver's seat.
4. Position the vehicle straight ahead and perpendicular to the white screen.
5. Set the headlights 3 m {9.8 ft} from the white screen.
6. Place an object in front of the headlight not being adjusted to block its light beam.
7. Start the engine so that the battery remains charged.
8. Turn on the low-beam headlight.
9. Set the headlight leveling switch to the 0 position. (Vehicles with discharge headlights)
10. Adjust the headlight by loosening the adjusting screws as shown in the figure.
Note
• If the adjusting screws are tightened first, then loosened, they will continue to loosen when the vehicle is in motion and may cause the headlights to become misaligned. Always turn the screws in the tightening direction.
11. Turn the adjusting screws to adjust the headlight so that the elbow point is in the shaded area shown in the figure.
Adjust the tire pressure to the specification.
2. Position the unloaded vehicle on a flat, level surface.
3. Seat one person in the driver's seat.
4. Position the vehicle straight ahead and perpendicular to the white screen.
5. Set the headlights 3 m {9.8 ft} from the white screen.
6. Place an object in front of the headlight not being adjusted to block its light beam.
7. Start the engine so that the battery remains charged.
8. Turn on the low-beam headlight.
9. Set the headlight leveling switch to the 0 position. (Vehicles with discharge headlights)
10. Adjust the headlight by loosening the adjusting screws as shown in the figure.
Note
• If the adjusting screws are tightened first, then loosened, they will continue to loosen when the vehicle is in motion and may cause the headlights to become misaligned. Always turn the screws in the tightening direction.
11. Turn the adjusting screws to adjust the headlight so that the elbow point is in the shaded area shown in the figure.
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
