poor headlights

[pauljohnson]

57 plate 2.5 - the standard dipped headlights seem particularly poor in brightness / reach. My Smart fortwo seems to be brighter.
is there a simple amd cheap way of improving the quality of the headlights?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Hi
Welcome to the forum. standard halogens are rather poor and located close to the ground seem even worse.
Do have a search on this one as it's been covered dozens of times and some recent threads from changing to xenons to upgraded bulbs, etc.

 

[srhutch]

as cj said covered many times, I bought brighter bulbs, but as you say reach is the issue not brightness really, in the end I ended up raising the lights 2 complete turns of the adjuster, and now I can see.

 

[Sceptre]

I had a 2.5 Z4 some years ago. It had standard halogen H7s.

The lights were poor. I bought PIAA bulbs and other obscure makes to try and improve them.

I have to say that Osram Silver Light (IIRC) were better than the 130 watt PIAA's.

Good luck with your improvements.

Sceptre

 

[chester]

as cj said covered many times, I bought brighter bulbs, but as you say reach is the issue not brightness really, in the end I ended up raising the lights 2 complete turns of the adjuster, and now I can see.

Is there a walk through with pics on how to change the adjuster

 

[cj10jeeper]

as cj said covered many times, I bought brighter bulbs, but as you say reach is the issue not brightness really, in the end I ended up raising the lights 2 complete turns of the adjuster, and now I can see.

Is there a walk through with pics on how to change the adjuster

If I knew what you were asking I'd guide you?

If you mean up and down, left and right on the beams there are 2 white knurled nuts on the rear of each light. Use a crosshead screwdriver while illuminating a garage door or wall and it will soon be obvious what it's all about. Do remember which you turned and by how much in case you need to go back a few degrees.

If preparation for Euro driving that's inside the light and I can explain in detail.

 

[BombayDuk]

as cj said covered many times, I bought brighter bulbs, but as you say reach is the issue not brightness really, in the end I ended up raising the lights 2 complete turns of the adjuster, and now I can see.

When I got my 2003, the lights were so bad that I had my son stand on a dark road about 30 ft in front of the car and I could not see him. I took it back to the dealership and they said the lights were adjusted properly. I told them they could adjust them up or give me another car; they made the adjustment.

I remember many others saying they had the same problem; the lights were aimed about 15 ft in front of the nose.

 

[srhutch]

as cj said covered many times, I bought brighter bulbs, but as you say reach is the issue not brightness really, in the end I ended up raising the lights 2 complete turns of the adjuster, and now I can see.

When I got my 2003, the lights were so bad that I had my son stand on a dark road about 30 ft in front of the car and I could not see him. I took it back to the dealership and they said the lights were adjusted properly. I told them they could adjust them up or give me another car; they made the adjustment.

I remember many others saying they had the same problem; the lights were aimed about 15 ft in front of the nose.

I owuld agree, if I hit a sudden incline I would gauge distance down to less than 10 feet, bloddy dangerous at times.

 

[ElegantSpoon]

Just to confirm is the bit to twist inside the headlight where the bulbs are our outside the headlight?

Thanx

 

[ElegantSpoon]

Just had a look are we talking about the white screws on the back of the headlight when looking down on it? Will have a go at this mod tonight I think!

 

[czechT698]

anyone know anything to make the headlight clear plactic cover funky-fresh again? my is full of grease and little chips.. :thumbsdown:

can´t see sh"t at night to be honest... :!:

 

[srhutch]

Just had a look are we talking about the white screws on the back of the headlight when looking down on it? Will have a go at this mod tonight I think!

Yes that sound like the one 6mm allen key required from memory.

 

[cj10jeeper]

anyone know anything to make the headlight clear plactic cover funky-fresh again? my is full of grease and little chips.. :thumbsdown:

can´t see sh"t at night to be honest... :!:

You can clean then with a porter cable or similar and plastic polish. Takes a few minutes and they come up like new. You have to do it slow though else heat build up can partially melt the lens.

 

[czechT698]

anyone know anything to make the headlight clear plactic cover funky-fresh again? my is full of grease and little chips.. :thumbsdown:

can´t see sh"t at night to be honest... :!:

You can clean then with a porter cable or similar and plastic polish. Takes a few minutes and they come up like new. You have to do it slow though else heat build up can partially melt the lens.

what exactly is porter cable? so will machine polisher and some polishing paste do the job?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Porter cable is a random orbital polisher used by a lot of car detailers. Search it on the forum and there are many references to it and alternatives. I'm sure you could use any form of polisher if you use it correctly and avoid heat build up on the work surface.

I cannot comment on 'polishing paste' as it could be anything. I purchased special plastic polish designed for the job.

My process with lights has been to sand out any deep scratches gently using wet 1200 grade paper, then polish away and finish with plastic sealer.

 

[czechT698]

Porter cable is a random orbital polisher used by a lot of car detailers. Search it on the forum and there are many references to it and alternatives. I'm sure you could use any form of polisher if you use it correctly and avoid heat build up on the work surface.

I cannot comment on 'polishing paste' as it could be anything. I purchased special plastic polish designed for the job.

My process with lights has been to sand out any deep scratches gently using wet 1200 grade paper, then polish away and finish with plastic sealer.

Thank You Cj, as soon as good weather hits I will do the whole process corrertly

 

[Broaders]

Re: poor headlights
by srhutch on Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:11 pm

as cj said covered many times, I bought brighter bulbs, but as you say reach is the issue not brightness really, in the end I ended up raising the lights 2 complete turns of the adjuster, and now I can see.

Thanks srhutch, just adjusted my headlights upwards and it does make a noticeable difference. Must remember to move them down again for the MOT in 11 months time!

 

[*AL*]

Re: poor headlights
by srhutch on Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:11 pm

as cj said covered many times, I bought brighter bulbs, but as you say reach is the issue not brightness really, in the end I ended up raising the lights 2 complete turns of the adjuster, and now I can see.

Thanks srhutch, just adjusted my headlights upwards and it does make a noticeable difference. Must remember to move them down again for the MOT in 11 months time!

Can you not just use your adjuster??? I'm going to raise mine this weekend and buy some uprated bulbs.

 

[srhutch]

Al if you mean the adjuster on the dash, yes you could use to lower for MOT, problem is the tester may always set to 0, better use the adjuster under bonnet to be on safe side.

 

[*AL*]

Al if you mean the adjuster on the dash, yes you could use to lower for MOT, problem is the tester may always set to 0, better use the adjuster under bonnet to be on safe side.

True but i've never had any tester check the level adjuster.If the beam height/pattern is correct at the time of test then it will be ok.