Xenon Light Pattern
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Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 199
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From: CA
W211
Xenon Light Pattern
Why is it that the driver's side headlight has so much shorter range than the passenger's side???!!!
I have heard it's to reduce glare for oncoming drivers but still the range is absurd! It's less than half the range of the passenger's side
Even cars with halogens have longer range (less brightness of course)
Does everyone else with the bi-xenons have this peculiar light distribution?
I have heard it's to reduce glare for oncoming drivers but still the range is absurd! It's less than half the range of the passenger's side
Even cars with halogens have longer range (less brightness of course)Does everyone else with the bi-xenons have this peculiar light distribution?
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 101
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From: Santa Cruz, CA
'03 E320
Xenon range
I had to have my bi-xenon’s adjusted after taking delivery.
They were aimed too low and had limited range. After adjustment it was much better.
The bi-xenon’s do have very sharp focus, so there is not much stray light when using low beam, and limits ability to illuminate un-lit overhead signs.
Aiming bi-xenon’s in vertical direction can be achieved using Philips head screw driver. Access is gained through round hole in horizontal sheet metal located above and behind headlight assemblies.
Be careful, to not adjust too high, which would result in blinding others in front.
They were aimed too low and had limited range. After adjustment it was much better.
The bi-xenon’s do have very sharp focus, so there is not much stray light when using low beam, and limits ability to illuminate un-lit overhead signs.
Aiming bi-xenon’s in vertical direction can be achieved using Philips head screw driver. Access is gained through round hole in horizontal sheet metal located above and behind headlight assemblies.
Be careful, to not adjust too high, which would result in blinding others in front.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: New York
2003 E500
On my car I noticed a very sharp border on the driver's side, which to me is MB focusing the lamps down and forward on the 'oncoming vehicle' side. It looks like the throw pattern of the lamps is sort of trapezoidal, slanting up and right on the driver's side, but on the passenger side it lights up the license plates on vans in the neighboring lane.
Haven't noticed reduced range on the driver's side, but neither have I been doing much driving with on dark roads.
Haven't noticed reduced range on the driver's side, but neither have I been doing much driving with on dark roads.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Bay Area
MB E320, BMW 323i
I've noticed the same "trapezoidal" pattern on my E320 w/ Xenon. As a comparison, I checked the pattern of my 3-series that also has Xenon and noticed the same approximate, albeit much less distinctive, pattern as on my E320.
On a side note, what are people's thoughts about the recent complaints about HID headlights? When I see oncoming Xenons on the road, I don't have any problems so I'm not sure why people are complaining so much. The only time possibly is when an oncoming Xenon comes over a slight hill and even then it's only for a second or two. The bigger problem, in my eyes (no pun intended), are the SUV headlights in the rear view mirror.
I love my Xenons - don't take them away!
On a side note, what are people's thoughts about the recent complaints about HID headlights? When I see oncoming Xenons on the road, I don't have any problems so I'm not sure why people are complaining so much. The only time possibly is when an oncoming Xenon comes over a slight hill and even then it's only for a second or two. The bigger problem, in my eyes (no pun intended), are the SUV headlights in the rear view mirror.
I love my Xenons - don't take them away!
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 162
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From: Sudan
2003 Toyota Prado
same here, i always pay attention to HIDs on the orad especially the beemers coz theyve got that cool purple shade to them , and i never feel blinded by them , really wondering what all the fuss is about
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 18
From: Nashville, TN
2013 G550
My car has developed this same problem (again) and I am also seeing a purplish haze.
When I first picked up my car I had the problem and the dealer adjusted the lights. it was fine for a about 6 months and the problem is back. I am in a new city now and the dealer says thats the way they are.
Is there a specific dealer fix for this??
When I first picked up my car I had the problem and the dealer adjusted the lights. it was fine for a about 6 months and the problem is back. I am in a new city now and the dealer says thats the way they are.
Is there a specific dealer fix for this??
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: CA
W211
Re: Xenon range
I adjusted mine according to briar's instructions. The adjustment screws are located next to the ominous high voltage warning stickers just behind the headlights.
Originally posted by briar
I had to have my bi-xenon’s adjusted after taking delivery.
They were aimed too low and had limited range. After adjustment it was much better.
The bi-xenon’s do have very sharp focus, so there is not much stray light when using low beam, and limits ability to illuminate un-lit overhead signs.
Aiming bi-xenon’s in vertical direction can be achieved using Philips head screw driver. Access is gained through round hole in horizontal sheet metal located above and behind headlight assemblies.
Be careful, to not adjust too high, which would result in blinding others in front.
I had to have my bi-xenon’s adjusted after taking delivery.
They were aimed too low and had limited range. After adjustment it was much better.
The bi-xenon’s do have very sharp focus, so there is not much stray light when using low beam, and limits ability to illuminate un-lit overhead signs.
Aiming bi-xenon’s in vertical direction can be achieved using Philips head screw driver. Access is gained through round hole in horizontal sheet metal located above and behind headlight assemblies.
Be careful, to not adjust too high, which would result in blinding others in front.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,095
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From: Southern California, USA
03 White on Stone E320
Ours does that too. It's definitely not too low though. I'm not sure if it's aimed too high, but sitting from the driver's seat it looks like it's borderline. Nothing like those damn SUV lights though. THAT'S blinding; whether from behind or oncoming.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,348
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
Most of the problems I have seen have been with Xenon's on BIG trucks. Because of the abrupt cutoff of the Xenon light beam pattern, the eyes of oncoming drivers seem to pick that up, rather than the much softer halogen cutoff, which gradually fades away.
For this reason, trucks that are above a certain size do not have Xenon as an option, and that would mean that most of the problem SUV's are aftermarket Xenon jobs. As a whole, they tend to have improper beam patterns. Like with everything, the aim has to be accruate.
For this reason, trucks that are above a certain size do not have Xenon as an option, and that would mean that most of the problem SUV's are aftermarket Xenon jobs. As a whole, they tend to have improper beam patterns. Like with everything, the aim has to be accruate.
