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Headlight Beam Pattern

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Old 04-27-16, 01:19 PM
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Marbella
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Default Headlight Beam Pattern

Hi there,

Would anyone mind posting a picture of what their headlight beam pattern looks like up against a wall? I recently had the HID bulbs changed in my car, but the pattern looks different now (less symmetric, even though both driver and passenger side bulbs were changed) and I'm wondering why.


Headlight Beam Pattern-0a2jp2e_b80c510b068383f63c9c1bcaf18c931598738163.jpg


Before (OEM bulbs)


Headlight Beam Pattern-yhgogn1_186baae05662375c67f5f4367fe36f7ce18bb842.jpg


After (new bulbs)
Old 04-27-16, 01:24 PM
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ESh
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I think they are not centered as they should be.


P.S. what are those 2 light squares above the beam pattern?
Old 04-27-16, 06:06 PM
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nevernu
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this is how the book measures the alignment
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Old 04-29-16, 04:09 PM
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Marbella
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Hmm thanks for that info.
Is this a DIY job or something the dealer should take care of?
Old 04-29-16, 05:29 PM
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ESh
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You can do it. Easy.
Old 04-29-16, 06:07 PM
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mlacomb
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Putting HIDs in a halogen projector housing throws off the beam pattern. The stock housings are meant for the halogen beam point, which is in a physically different area of the bulb than the HID beam point is. You can probably adjust them close, but they'll never be the same 50-100 feet out because of this.
Old 04-29-16, 06:32 PM
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Marbella
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I replaced the HID low beam with new HID bulbs. The existing bulbs were the exact same type as the new ones I put in, so I don't think that would apply?
Old 04-30-16, 03:07 PM
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nsnqst
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Originally Posted by LjeksesES
P.S. what are those 2 light squares above the beam pattern?
The are called squirrel spotters; google squirrel spotters
Old 04-30-16, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by nevernu
this is how the book measures the alignment
Thanks for sharing this; very helpful
Old 05-11-16, 11:04 AM
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CookieRoe
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Originally Posted by Marbella
I replaced the HID low beam with new HID bulbs. The existing bulbs were the exact same type as the new ones I put in, so I don't think that would apply?
Did you get an aftermarket HID bulb or from the dealer? If aftermarket, some bulbs will do that (pattern a bit off).
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