[SCMedic]

Mine are __________
________/



Worth fixing?

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by S'poreSTI

So, i finally got around to trying this, after a few night drives convinced me the settings were way too low. The link above is a great how to, but i ran into difficulties.
on my lights, somehow i just can't turn the white screw clockwise! i'm stumped, i applied quite a bit of twist, to the point where the screwdriver slightly deformed the slot in the white plastic, but it just wouldnt budge.
Am i missing something here (others reported it turned clockwise real easily)
or is something wrong with my adjuster? Any advice appreciated, before i take it in to the dealer for this & a few other things.

I turned counter-clockwise to raise mine; clockwise, as represented from the driver's seat as per the instructions, actually lowered my lights. You should really use a wrench instead of a screwdriver.

[S'poreSTI]

Originally Posted by Digitalfiend

I turned counter-clockwise to raise mine; clockwise, as represented from the driver's seat as per the instructions, actually lowered my lights. You should really use a wrench instead of a screwdriver.

Thanks, Fiend
I'll give that another try tomorrow, see if counter-clockwise is the charm. today i turned both ways, both seemed to have resistance, but i didnt push counter too much
True about the wrench, i'll see if i have one to fit, dont want to wreck the plastic
Mine are also __________
________/
i want to get them higher & more level

[Dante]

Anecdote. I drove Hwy 129 at Deal Gaps (aka The Dragon, 318 curves in 11miles) this weekend. Did a couple runs through it at night (only going 7/10ths of course ) and I was super impressed with these headlights! Keeping in mind I had my brights on too, I could see much better than the HIDs in my previous S2000 and better than most other cars I've driven. This is true 'sport' driving with elevation changes and tons of sharp curves and I felt very confident that I was seeing everything I needed too. :thumbsup: to Suby.

I also realize that just because they're good doesn't mean they couldn't be better.

[CKSTI]

Thanks for all the info peeps! I'll try this tonite at home.

[GilMikalian]

Originally Posted by SCMedic

Mine are __________
________/



Worth fixing?

I guess it bears repeating but the staggered pattern is deliberate from Subie so you're not blinding oncoming traffic. I would leave the stagger the same and just adjust up equally as needed.

BTW, I don't know if I'm getting used to them or what but I think mine are shining fine without any adjustment.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by Dante

Anecdote. I drove Hwy 129 at Deal Gaps (aka The Dragon, 318 curves in 11miles) this weekend. Did a couple runs through it at night (only going 7/10ths of course ) and I was super impressed with these headlights! Keeping in mind I had my brights on too, I could see much better than the HIDs in my previous S2000 and better than most other cars I've driven. This is true 'sport' driving with elevation changes and tons of sharp curves and I felt very confident that I was seeing everything I needed too. :thumbsup: to Suby.

I also realize that just because they're good doesn't mean they couldn't be better.

It's funny but in my old '05, the normal lights were good and the high beams were awesome. In the '08, the HIDs are so bright and clear than you almost don't need your highbeams, which I actually find sort of weak (probably because the HIDs are already so fricken bright). I'll definitely be upgrading the bulbs in my highbeams before my next trip.

I also like that the HIDs cast a white instead of a blue-ish light.

[jrdriller]

I had the dealer adjust the beam height during the 1st oil change so that when the dial is set to 0 the beam height is 24-25"

[Subie 2.5 STI]

that is a good idea, about the dealer adjusting the lights.
but yea i have noticed the lights kinda low.

[Bownse]

Originally Posted by S'poreSTI

on my lights, somehow i just can't turn the white screw clockwise! i'm stumped, i applied quite a bit of twist, to the point where the screwdriver slightly deformed the slot in the white plastic, but it just wouldnt budge.
Am i missing something here (others reported it turned clockwise real easily)

read the page again. DO NOT use a screw driver. the plastic is too soft. use a socket and ratchet. i used a ratcheting box end wrench for easy access.

digitalfriend: are you saying i got the directions for raising and lowering reversed? can anyone else confirm this? if so, i need to update the page.

jrdriller: target height item #3: "In this case, we're setting our mark at 25 (x-2) inches"
the trick in this case is not to do it at zero (where you are left with no way to adjust it higher when out on the open road) but at 2. this then lets 2 be your standard height with adjustment ranges higher and lower from there. setting zero at 25" leaves you with nowhere to go but down. that's at the root of the factory adjustment problem we started with (too low).

[S'poreSTI]

Originally Posted by Bownse

read the page again. DO NOT use a screw driver. the plastic is too soft. use a socket and ratchet. i used a ratcheting box end wrench for easy access.

digitalfriend: are you saying i got the directions for raising and lowering reversed? can anyone else confirm this? if so, i need to update the page.

jrdriller: target height item #3: "In this case, we're setting our mark at 25 (x-2) inches"
the trick in this case is not to do it at zero (where you are left with no way to adjust it higher when out on the open road) but at 2. this then lets 2 be your standard height with adjustment ranges higher and lower from there. setting zero at 25" leaves you with nowhere to go but down. that's at the root of the factory adjustment problem we started with (too low).

Well. screwdriver or socket, it wouldnt have mattered. I had the car to the dealer at the weekend, and asked them to adjust, they said it was already at the point it won't turn anymore. kinda odd, since its def. too low on mine.
I'm going to mess around some more this weekend, try clockwise and anti, and if nothing works then it can wait 'till the 1st service, i'll raise it as an issue that i want fixed

[jrdriller]

Originally Posted by Bownse

read the page again. DO NOT use a screw driver. the plastic is too soft. use a socket and ratchet. i used a ratcheting box end wrench for easy access.

digitalfriend: are you saying i got the directions for raising and lowering reversed? can anyone else confirm this? if so, i need to update the page.

jrdriller: target height item #3: "In this case, we're setting our mark at 25 (x-2) inches"
the trick in this case is not to do it at zero (where you are left with no way to adjust it higher when out on the open road) but at 2. this then lets 2 be your standard height with adjustment ranges higher and lower from there. setting zero at 25" leaves you with nowhere to go but down. that's at the root of the factory adjustment problem we started with (too low).

Bownse I don't disagree with you, however I do find that with the current height adjustment I use 0 when there is no oncoming traffic and have very good headlight throw, 1 for normal driving which does not intefere with oncoming cars, and then 2-onwards depending on how many passengers are in the car ie 1 click for each additional passenger. (BTW, the UK cars get auto leveling standard)

[UberWagon]

Originally Posted by Bownse

Update:

Web site page added with photos:

2008 Subaru WRX STi - Adjusting the HID Beam Height

Thanks for the great write up! Subscribing for future reference....

[SirMattieP]

I just installed some RikenSport 993HID 6000K and i adjusted the height, and oh my goodness They are SEXY!! Boys and Girls Just SEXY!! I look like im rolling in a BMW until i pull up next to someone and their like hey WTF MATE! and im like YEAH DAWG and race and beat them I win! hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa