new tires, headlight problems?
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From: Houston - Clear Lake
C63 coupe, Z3M Roadster garage queen
new tires, headlight problems?
My bixenons are plenty bright but it seems like they don't point up quite enough to light up the road very far ahead of me. I feel like I'm overdriving my headlights. I don't recall being bothered by this before. It could be that I'm getting more picky but I'm also wondering if the taller (265) tires I put on the back recently might be tilting the nose down enough to do this. Any expert opinions?
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From: dayton ohio hopefully it will be some place warm and sunny when i finish med school
2002 C32 AMG silver & 2003 Lancer Evolution 8 black very moded
My bixenons are plenty bright but it seems like they don't point up quite enough to light up the road very far ahead of me. I feel like I'm overdriving my headlights. I don't recall being bothered by this before. It could be that I'm getting more picky but I'm also wondering if the taller (265) tires I put on the back recently might be tilting the nose down enough to do this. Any expert opinions?
did you recently upgrade you wheels from 17s to 18s or 19s? and why are you running 265 (just curious)?
i'm sure it would effect your headlights a little. but nothing that much. running a 265 tires just means your tires are WIDER not taller... if you're running like a 265/50/18 (not sure if thats a real size or not) your side wall would be taller than the OEM size of 245/40/17 (for the C32) or a 255/35/18 (for the C55).
the middle number in 265/50/18 is the side wall height or the aspect ratio.
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
Okay, back on track, a slight cahnge, say 1" in overall diameter WILL have a dramatic effect on your headlights, IE they will point into the ground. Again, check to see what your difference is between the two tires, OEM, to your new one. And yes, headlights are adjustable up and down. Note: On my toy with the Bi-Xeon, I noticed no difference from a 245 to my new 255's. Granted, it was only a .2" difference in overall height.
See yeah
Last edited by MRAMG1; May 6, 2008 at 02:27 PM.
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From: dayton ohio hopefully it will be some place warm and sunny when i finish med school
2002 C32 AMG silver & 2003 Lancer Evolution 8 black very moded
One slight correction, It is ONLY the aspect ratio, NOT sidewall height. Keep in mind that not all 265/50/18 will be the same overall diameter my friend. They DO change from manufacturer to manufacturer. Consult Tirerack.com for your individual tire diameter.
Okay, back on track, a slight cahnge, say 1" in overall diameter WILL have a dramatic effect on your headlights, IE they will point into the ground. Again, check to see what your difference is between the two tires, OEM, to your new one. And yes, headlights are adjustable up and down.
See yeah
Okay, back on track, a slight cahnge, say 1" in overall diameter WILL have a dramatic effect on your headlights, IE they will point into the ground. Again, check to see what your difference is between the two tires, OEM, to your new one. And yes, headlights are adjustable up and down.
See yeah
this is direct from tire rack's Tech Section
"Sidewall Aspect Ratio
Typically following the three digits identifying the tire's Section Width in millimeters is a two-digit number that identifies the tire's profile or aspect ratio.
P225/50R16 91S
The 50 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height (from rim to tread) is 50% of its section width. The measurement is the tire's section height, and also referred to as the tire's series, profile or aspect ratio. The higher the number, the taller the sidewall; the lower the number, the lower the sidewall. We know that this tire size's section width is 225mm and that its section height is 50% of 225mm. By converting the 225mm to inches (225 / 25.4 = 8.86") and multiplying it by 50% (.50) we confirm that this tire size results in a tire section height of 4.43". If this tire were a P225/70R16 size, our calculation would confirm that the size would result in a section height of 6.20", approximately a 1.8-inch taller sidewall."
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=46
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
See yeah my friend
PS: I did it for you, note three identical tires, ie spec, three different diameters
255/40ZR17 BFG
Load Index 94 = 1477lbs (670kg) per tire
Speed Rating “Y” = 186mph (300kph) 94Y SL Left Treadwear: 200
Traction: AA
Temperature: A200 AA A
1477 lbs.
44 psi
9/32"
27 lbs. 8.5-10"
9"
10.2"
NA
25" OD
831
255/40ZR17 [B]Bridgestone[/B
]Load Index 94 = 1477lbs (670kg) per tire
Speed Rating “W” = 168mph (270kph) 94W SL Runflat - OE vehicle use only Treadwear: 140
Traction: A
Temperature: A140 A A
1477 lbs.
51 psi
11/32"
30 lbs. 8.5-10"
9"
10.1"
8.8"
25.2" OD
827
255/40ZR17 Michelin
SL N2 (Porsche) Treadwear: 220
Traction: AA
Temperature: A220 AA A
1477 lbs.
51 psi
10/32"
24 lbs. 8.5-10"
9"
10.2"
NA
25.1" OD
827
Last edited by MRAMG1; May 6, 2008 at 01:48 PM.
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From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
I'm pretty sure there is some setting in the COMAND system to factor in what tires you have on the car. Not sure if this affects the autoleveling xenons, but it might.
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From: Bay Area, CA
2015 GL550, 2019 GLC350e
My bixenons are plenty bright but it seems like they don't point up quite enough to light up the road very far ahead of me. I feel like I'm overdriving my headlights. I don't recall being bothered by this before. It could be that I'm getting more picky but I'm also wondering if the taller (265) tires I put on the back recently might be tilting the nose down enough to do this. Any expert opinions?
brought it back to fix but still not 100% sure they are at the level as before
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From: Kansas City
'07 E63; 05 C55 gone; '02 C32 gone;1996 SL320;1978 280CE Gone
My C55 had the same problem, low beams appeared to be adjusted very low. The fix was "test and replace Xenon level sensor" 81071CPMBU $210.00; and parts as follows: 010-542-77-17 sender unit $142.21 (less 15% for MBCA membership); 209-320-02-89 rod $32.30 (less 15%); freight 15.00 (less 15%). After the fix the lights worked like new, although only one side needed the repair.
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
...Consequently, you wouldn't notice a difference, even if you changed your tire's OD...
zcct04, if your sensors and servos are otherwise functioning properly, the headlamps’ themselves facilitate a (limited) range of vertical and horizontal manual adjustments for this exact reason. Upon each startup, mine will cycle through from low to high before settling in on their programmed and adjusted aim.
Since yours is still covered by warranty, dsC32’s solution is probably the best bet.
