Low beam headlight issues

philrae · 02-27-2008, 12:56 PM

I picked up my new 2008 STI yesterday. So far I am impressed, it is definitely more refined than my 2004 STI, except the low beam headlights.

It is hard to see where I am going in the dark desert night around here. The full beams are excellent but not much use when cars are coming at you. The pattern looks carefully engineered but does not throw light far enough out (I am using the 0 height setting already). Has anyone else noticed this or adjusted things to avoid crashing into stuff on the road more than 25yards ahead?

Thoughts/advice? I could find nothing on the forum with a search.

Some joker had set the rev limit buzzer to 2000rpm. As I drove off the lot and up the road there was a lot of pings and red lights. After consulting the manual it is now at 4000rpm for the break-in period.

Thanks

Philip

jph · 02-27-2008, 01:02 PM

yup, noticed this too.
there's a thread floating around somewehre with some info on how to adjust them. i'll be attempting to do that this weekend.

J.

JWA · 02-27-2008, 01:06 PM

They always come way to low from the factory. I noticed that you didn't mention that you have moved them up to the highest adjustment setting - you do know that there is a level adjustment wheel on the dash next to the illumination adjuster, right? Even still, you will likely need to adjust them up higher than the stock level. There's a thread here talking about it, but it only takes five minutes with a phillips screwdriver.

DrPhyzx · 02-27-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWA

They always come way to low from the factory. I noticed that you didn't mention that you have moved them up to the highest adjustment setting - you do know that there is a level adjustment wheel on the dash next to the illumination adjuster, right? Even still, you will likely need to adjust them up higher than the stock level. There's a thread here talking about it, but it only takes five minutes with a phillips screwdriver.

Umm... he DID day he was using the highest setting already. Link to the adjustment thread??

talsnic · 02-27-2008, 01:56 PM

i just drove home, which is 900km. 4 hours of it was in the dark. i must agree, the headlamps were set too low, but after about an hour, i was able to adjust to the lesser light conditions.

this weekend the screwdriver will be my friend, and ill adjust them on a dark road. just like many other vehicles, ive adjusted.

i must say i love the ability to lower the lowbeams. ive had many fog drives where i wished that i could lower the beam to reduce glareback.

pbm317 · 02-27-2008, 02:01 PM

Have you had projector style HID's before? They have a sharper cutoff than most people are used to.

LSE · 02-27-2008, 02:29 PM

yup. i have this problem with my 06, but I'm just too lazy to adjust them. I actually have one slightly higher than the other one haha. shameless.

GilMikalian · 02-27-2008, 02:42 PM

Here is the link to the thread dealing with this very issue.

Low beam HID shine distance

philrae · 02-27-2008, 03:20 PM

Excellent, thanks for the link. I guess I searched for "headlight" and so did not find it under "low and HID". I will try the fix later.

I like the idea of over correcting and setting it to 1 for normal use.

Philip

BlueF · 02-27-2008, 03:57 PM

Thanks for the link! This is something I've been meaning to look into The "highest" setting is ridiculously low from the factory. Funny, as the HID upgrade was one of the things I was looking forward to (from my 04 WRX). Glad to hear I'm not to only one who found this a problem. I'll be checking with my dealer to see if this is something they have specs for and will fix under warranty...

PS - Anyone else find it strange that the factory low beam pattern is staggered, being markedly higher on the passenger side?? I imagine this is deliberate, having more light on the headlight "further" away from oncoming traffic (at least when driving on a straight road anyway).... Wierd! I'm just glad this is something I can fix on my own.

PSS - Is there a guide/spec as to how high the low beam light pattern should be, so as to not blinding on coming traffic... something like 'park on level ground, XX feet away from a wall, then adjust your low beam height to YY feet up the wall??

skark_burmer · 02-27-2008, 04:34 PM

the lumpy headlight pattern is to give you better visibility for street signs and the like.

As for how far to adjust them, i simply drove to a large brick wall in a dimly lit area, turned my knob to 1 and popped the hood. i placed a towel over one headlight and adjusted the other with a 10mm wrench to make it easier to do one at a time. I was about 15' from the wall.
i just cranked them up to where i figured was just a little under horizontal and went for a drive. Bingo!
Since the headlights are rather low to the ground i didnt aim them down too much at all, besides if i load the back i can use setting 2,3,4...

MEXSTIMPREZA · 02-29-2008, 04:27 PM

Can someone post a pic of the teeth screws please? My problem is worse, I think my lamps were adjusted for a JDM car, the driver´s side is much higher than the passenger´s, but still very low. I need to correct that asap.
On another note, I drive in less than perfect roads and I know that HID´s have some kind of suspension system for protection, but C´mon, this is ridiculous, the bouncing is driving me crazy

. Has anybody else noticed this, or is something wrong with my HID´s

.

GilMikalian · 02-29-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEXSTIMPREZA

Can someone post a pic of the teeth screws please? My problem is worse, I think my lamps were adjusted for a JDM car, the driver´s side is much higher than the passenger´s, but still very low. I need to correct that asap.
On another note, I drive in less than perfect roads and I know that HID´s have some kind of suspension system for protection, but C´mon, this is ridiculous, the bouncing is driving me crazy

. Has anybody else noticed this, or is something wrong with my HID´s

.

No I get the bouncies too. It is annoying but I guess I've gotten used to them. Sorry can't help with the picture of the teeth as I have yet to get in there to adjust.

Mediumturbo · 02-29-2008, 05:12 PM

I already adjusted my low beams up alot more. It's real easy to do.

***Bownse*** · 02-29-2008, 05:30 PM

Without the anti-shock mounting your HID capsules wouldn't last worth flip. If you've spec'd out replacements they tend to be pretty spendy.

BTW: Update on 08 STi adjustments added to the other thread.

02-27-2008, 12:56 PM	#1
philrae Amateur STI Driver Posts: 15 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Low beam headlight issues I picked up my new 2008 STI yesterday. So far I am impressed, it is definitely more refined than my 2004 STI, except the low beam headlights. It is hard to see where I am going in the dark desert night around here. The full beams are excellent but not much use when cars are coming at you. The pattern looks carefully engineered but does not throw light far enough out (I am using the 0 height setting already). Has anyone else noticed this or adjusted things to avoid crashing into stuff on the road more than 25yards ahead? Thoughts/advice? I could find nothing on the forum with a search. Some joker had set the rev limit buzzer to 2000rpm. As I drove off the lot and up the road there was a lot of pings and red lights. After consulting the manual it is now at 4000rpm for the break-in period. Thanks Philip This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

02-27-2008, 01:02 PM	#2
jph S204 Racer Car: the wagon Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,804 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: Low beam headlight issues yup, noticed this too. there's a thread floating around somewehre with some info on how to adjust them. i'll be attempting to do that this weekend. J.

02-27-2008, 01:06 PM	#3
JWA STI Driver Posts: 292 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Low beam headlight issues They always come way to low from the factory. I noticed that you didn't mention that you have moved them up to the highest adjustment setting - you do know that there is a level adjustment wheel on the dash next to the illumination adjuster, right? Even still, you will likely need to adjust them up higher than the stock level. There's a thread here talking about it, but it only takes five minutes with a phillips screwdriver.

02-27-2008, 01:56 PM	#5
talsnic Junior STI Driver Car: White 08 STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 115 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues i just drove home, which is 900km. 4 hours of it was in the dark. i must agree, the headlamps were set too low, but after about an hour, i was able to adjust to the lesser light conditions. this weekend the screwdriver will be my friend, and ill adjust them on a dark road. just like many other vehicles, ive adjusted. i must say i love the ability to lower the lowbeams. ive had many fog drives where i wished that i could lower the beam to reduce glareback.

02-27-2008, 02:01 PM	#6
pbm317 Amateur STI Driver Car: White 07 Acura MDX Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 44 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues Have you had projector style HID's before? They have a sharper cutoff than most people are used to.

02-27-2008, 02:29 PM	#7
LSE Professional STI Racer Car: 06 STI WRB Fav Mod: Defi Gauges Location: Bethlehem PA Posts: 847 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues yup. i have this problem with my 06, but I'm just too lazy to adjust them. I actually have one slightly higher than the other one haha. shameless.

02-27-2008, 02:42 PM	#8
GilMikalian Silver Member Car: '08 DGM STI w/BBS Fav Mod: Britax Roundabout Location: L.A. Posts: 1,036 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues Here is the link to the thread dealing with this very issue. Low beam HID shine distance

02-27-2008, 03:20 PM	#9
philrae Amateur STI Driver Posts: 15 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues Excellent, thanks for the link. I guess I searched for "headlight" and so did not find it under "low and HID". I will try the fix later. I like the idea of over correcting and setting it to 1 for normal use. Philip

02-27-2008, 03:57 PM	#10
BlueF Junior STI Driver Car: 08 STI (black) Fav Mod: none yet... Location: Oregon Posts: 134 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues Thanks for the link! This is something I've been meaning to look into The "highest" setting is ridiculously low from the factory. Funny, as the HID upgrade was one of the things I was looking forward to (from my 04 WRX). Glad to hear I'm not to only one who found this a problem. I'll be checking with my dealer to see if this is something they have specs for and will fix under warranty... PS - Anyone else find it strange that the factory low beam pattern is staggered, being markedly higher on the passenger side?? I imagine this is deliberate, having more light on the headlight "further" away from oncoming traffic (at least when driving on a straight road anyway).... Wierd! I'm just glad this is something I can fix on my own. PSS - Is there a guide/spec as to how high the low beam light pattern should be, so as to not blinding on coming traffic... something like 'park on level ground, XX feet away from a wall, then adjust your low beam height to YY feet up the wall?? Last edited by BlueF : 02-27-2008 at 04:49 PM.

02-27-2008, 04:34 PM	#11
skark_burmer Amateur STI Driver Car: Silver 08 STI Fav Mod: bald, smoking tires Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 47 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues the lumpy headlight pattern is to give you better visibility for street signs and the like. As for how far to adjust them, i simply drove to a large brick wall in a dimly lit area, turned my knob to 1 and popped the hood. i placed a towel over one headlight and adjusted the other with a 10mm wrench to make it easier to do one at a time. I was about 15' from the wall. i just cranked them up to where i figured was just a little under horizontal and went for a drive. Bingo! Since the headlights are rather low to the ground i didnt aim them down too much at all, besides if i load the back i can use setting 2,3,4...

02-29-2008, 04:27 PM	#12
MEXSTIMPREZA Junior STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Juarez, Mexico Posts: 192 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues Can someone post a pic of the teeth screws please? My problem is worse, I think my lamps were adjusted for a JDM car, the driver´s side is much higher than the passenger´s, but still very low. I need to correct that asap. On another note, I drive in less than perfect roads and I know that HID´s have some kind of suspension system for protection, but C´mon, this is ridiculous, the bouncing is driving me crazy. Has anybody else noticed this, or is something wrong with my HID´s.

02-29-2008, 05:12 PM	#14
Mediumturbo STI Driver Car: Black on Gold 08 STi Fav Mod: ... Location: Southern California Posts: 211 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Low beam headlight issues I already adjusted my low beams up alot more. It's real easy to do.

02-29-2008, 05:30 PM	#15
*Bownse* Platinum Member Car: 08 Gray STi Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: USA Posts: 795 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Low beam headlight issues Without the anti-shock mounting your HID capsules wouldn't last worth flip. If you've spec'd out replacements they tend to be pretty spendy. BTW: Update on 08 STi adjustments added to the other thread. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.