Adjustment of xenon lights

[Cloudberry]

Had my Z4 in for service today. Everything was of course ok , except from one minor thing. The garage adjusted one of my xenon headlights because it was “too high”.

That makes me wonder; shouldn’t the xenons be self adjusting with an automatic set point? I mean, each time I start the car, the headlights are moving vertically to find their leveled position. Having a manual adjustment in addition sounds strange to me.

Anyone who knows if it is necessary for manual adjustment of the xenons?

 

[Smokin]

The self-adjusters work within a certain arc. If the headlights are above or below this arc, you have to use the manual adjusters to get them back within the area. In other words, the manual adjustment can go higher or lower than the automatic.

 

[paddy wright]

what would put them this far out?

 

[Cloudberry]

what would put them this far out?

Probably the vibration & shaking of the car when driving over potholes etc...

 

[cj10jeeper]

My understanding of how the adjustment works is that the correct position of the light (elevation or throw) is set when the car is static, level ground, etc. This is done by the 2 adjusters on theh rear of the light and once set should never need touching. Once driven the automatic levelling detects any change in body angle and moves the light to keep it at the original elevation.

In reality your lights could have been out of adjustment for days to years and provided within the tolerances of any annual testing would likely never be looked at until this particular mechanic checked them.

Highly unlikely to move at all unless bolts came loose (and it's held in by 4) or it had a decent hit or bang/impact.