Headlight Aim and brightness
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Headlight Aim and brightness
I have a question about the headlight aim. I have a 02 Sc430 with 06 headlights. I saw a post about how to aim the 02-05 headlights and it said to turn two parts. Is the 06-10 headlights the same way?
Second, my headlights have some kind of extra bubble of light above it. Does anyone else have this?
Third, the 06-10 came with the (not sure what it's called IAFS or something) so that when you turn the steering wheel the headlights turned as well. Can I somehow install this so that it works with my car?
Fourth, I noticed my lights aren't bright compared to other cars. When I am at the stop light other cars would pull up beside me and their light would over shine mine. So I can't even see my light and only see theirs
Any help would be much appreciated
Second, my headlights have some kind of extra bubble of light above it. Does anyone else have this?
Third, the 06-10 came with the (not sure what it's called IAFS or something) so that when you turn the steering wheel the headlights turned as well. Can I somehow install this so that it works with my car?
Fourth, I noticed my lights aren't bright compared to other cars. When I am at the stop light other cars would pull up beside me and their light would over shine mine. So I can't even see my light and only see theirs
Any help would be much appreciated
#2
Pole Position
Black31385,
I am not an SC owner, but let's try to get to the bottom of this anyway.
As far as aim is concerned, on almost all vehicles, there are two *****/screws/bolts that can be turned to adjust the aim for the headlights. One of these will control vertical aim, and the other controls horizontal (left/right) aim.
The extra bubble light you refer to is a part of the headlight design. They are referred to as squirrel spotters. They are there to help light up signs that end up just above the cutoff.
It appears that you have HIDs (high intensity discharge/xenon/gas discharge/metal halide) headlamps, going by the picture. Could you confirm this? How old are the bulbs? Automotive HID bulbs are good for about 5-7 years before needed to be replaced. However, they often last about 10 years before going out completely. HID bulbs are different than other light sources in that they suffer from steep lumen depreciation over the life of the bulb. In other words, they dim over many hours of use. Because of this lumen depreciation, HID bulbs should be replaced every 5 to 7 years. Halogen bulbs don't have this problem as bad, because they benefit from the halogen regeneration cycle.
As far as other people's headlights overpowering yours, keep in mind that a large amount of this is due to perception, as well as ambient light conditions. Sorry if I getting too technical with all this.
Do you have HIDs? How old are the bulbs? Reply back with answers to this and we will go from there.
I am not an SC owner, but let's try to get to the bottom of this anyway.
As far as aim is concerned, on almost all vehicles, there are two *****/screws/bolts that can be turned to adjust the aim for the headlights. One of these will control vertical aim, and the other controls horizontal (left/right) aim.
The extra bubble light you refer to is a part of the headlight design. They are referred to as squirrel spotters. They are there to help light up signs that end up just above the cutoff.
It appears that you have HIDs (high intensity discharge/xenon/gas discharge/metal halide) headlamps, going by the picture. Could you confirm this? How old are the bulbs? Automotive HID bulbs are good for about 5-7 years before needed to be replaced. However, they often last about 10 years before going out completely. HID bulbs are different than other light sources in that they suffer from steep lumen depreciation over the life of the bulb. In other words, they dim over many hours of use. Because of this lumen depreciation, HID bulbs should be replaced every 5 to 7 years. Halogen bulbs don't have this problem as bad, because they benefit from the halogen regeneration cycle.
As far as other people's headlights overpowering yours, keep in mind that a large amount of this is due to perception, as well as ambient light conditions. Sorry if I getting too technical with all this.
Do you have HIDs? How old are the bulbs? Reply back with answers to this and we will go from there.
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Black31385,
I am not an SC owner, but let's try to get to the bottom of this anyway.
As far as aim is concerned, on almost all vehicles, there are two *****/screws/bolts that can be turned to adjust the aim for the headlights. One of these will control vertical aim, and the other controls horizontal (left/right) aim.
The extra bubble light you refer to is a part of the headlight design. They are referred to as squirrel spotters. They are there to help light up signs that end up just above the cutoff.
It appears that you have HIDs (high intensity discharge/xenon/gas discharge/metal halide) headlamps, going by the picture. Could you confirm this? How old are the bulbs? Automotive HID bulbs are good for about 5-7 years before needed to be replaced. However, they often last about 10 years before going out completely. HID bulbs are different than other light sources in that they suffer from steep lumen depreciation over the life of the bulb. In other words, they dim over many hours of use. Because of this lumen depreciation, HID bulbs should be replaced every 5 to 7 years. Halogen bulbs don't have this problem as bad, because they benefit from the halogen regeneration cycle.
As far as other people's headlights overpowering yours, keep in mind that a large amount of this is due to perception, as well as ambient light conditions. Sorry if I getting too technical with all this.
Do you have HIDs? How old are the bulbs? Reply back with answers to this and we will go from there.
I am not an SC owner, but let's try to get to the bottom of this anyway.
As far as aim is concerned, on almost all vehicles, there are two *****/screws/bolts that can be turned to adjust the aim for the headlights. One of these will control vertical aim, and the other controls horizontal (left/right) aim.
The extra bubble light you refer to is a part of the headlight design. They are referred to as squirrel spotters. They are there to help light up signs that end up just above the cutoff.
It appears that you have HIDs (high intensity discharge/xenon/gas discharge/metal halide) headlamps, going by the picture. Could you confirm this? How old are the bulbs? Automotive HID bulbs are good for about 5-7 years before needed to be replaced. However, they often last about 10 years before going out completely. HID bulbs are different than other light sources in that they suffer from steep lumen depreciation over the life of the bulb. In other words, they dim over many hours of use. Because of this lumen depreciation, HID bulbs should be replaced every 5 to 7 years. Halogen bulbs don't have this problem as bad, because they benefit from the halogen regeneration cycle.
As far as other people's headlights overpowering yours, keep in mind that a large amount of this is due to perception, as well as ambient light conditions. Sorry if I getting too technical with all this.
Do you have HIDs? How old are the bulbs? Reply back with answers to this and we will go from there.
#4
Pole Position
Sorry for the overly technical response. It was about 3am and I couldn't sleep, so I do what we all do at 3am, surf car forums.
Where did you purchase your bulbs from? What bulb do you have exactly? Which type (D2S or D4S)?
Attached is a document from The Retrofit Source, INC, on how to spot fake Phillips bulbs. The Retrofit Source is the place to get bulbs and other HID components. I have both from them several times and they have always been good.
www.theretrofitsource.com
For further information on HID bulbs in general (including how to spot fakes), here is a link to a good post (not written by me) about them. I have been meaning to write up something similar for Club Lexus for a while now, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
http://priuschat.com/threads/not-all...-equal.101472/
Where did you purchase your bulbs from? What bulb do you have exactly? Which type (D2S or D4S)?
Attached is a document from The Retrofit Source, INC, on how to spot fake Phillips bulbs. The Retrofit Source is the place to get bulbs and other HID components. I have both from them several times and they have always been good.
www.theretrofitsource.com
For further information on HID bulbs in general (including how to spot fakes), here is a link to a good post (not written by me) about them. I have been meaning to write up something similar for Club Lexus for a while now, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
http://priuschat.com/threads/not-all...-equal.101472/
#6
Pole Position
@bimmer416,
I don't think we are talking about HID conversion kits here, but rather the OEM HIDs from a 2006 SC430? LED kits seem interesting, but I haven't had a chance to try one yet. LEDs do have several drawbacks as well, so I would definitely be interested in seeing how the manufactures of such kits mitigate them. Do you have a link to a specific LED conversion kit that you have had success with?
@Black31385,
We are talking about OEM HIDs, right?
I don't think we are talking about HID conversion kits here, but rather the OEM HIDs from a 2006 SC430? LED kits seem interesting, but I haven't had a chance to try one yet. LEDs do have several drawbacks as well, so I would definitely be interested in seeing how the manufactures of such kits mitigate them. Do you have a link to a specific LED conversion kit that you have had success with?
@Black31385,
We are talking about OEM HIDs, right?
#7
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Sorry for the overly technical response. It was about 3am and I couldn't sleep, so I do what we all do at 3am, surf car forums.
Where did you purchase your bulbs from? What bulb do you have exactly? Which type (D2S or D4S)?
Attached is a document from The Retrofit Source, INC, on how to spot fake Phillips bulbs. The Retrofit Source is the place to get bulbs and other HID components. I have both from them several times and they have always been good.
www.theretrofitsource.com
For further information on HID bulbs in general (including how to spot fakes), here is a link to a good post (not written by me) about them. I have been meaning to write up something similar for Club Lexus for a while now, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
http://priuschat.com/threads/not-all...-equal.101472/
Where did you purchase your bulbs from? What bulb do you have exactly? Which type (D2S or D4S)?
Attached is a document from The Retrofit Source, INC, on how to spot fake Phillips bulbs. The Retrofit Source is the place to get bulbs and other HID components. I have both from them several times and they have always been good.
www.theretrofitsource.com
For further information on HID bulbs in general (including how to spot fakes), here is a link to a good post (not written by me) about them. I have been meaning to write up something similar for Club Lexus for a while now, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
http://priuschat.com/threads/not-all...-equal.101472/
These bulbs are D4S and are oem hid. I have the 2002 sc430 with 2006 headlights. So these should be better than the older ones.
If I have the fake bulbs does it make a difference on the output? Again thanks for your help
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#8
Intermediate
Thread Starter
LED conversion kits? I never heard of this and you also said that it is brighter than HID?
#12
Intermediate
Thread Starter
#13
Racer
iTrader: (3)
$225.00. WOW Check out the link below at Amazon. I thought I got a good deal when I bought them for $42.00 each about 2 years ago. Now $37.74 each.
Amazon.com: Philips D4S Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, Pack of 1: Automotive
Amazon.com: Philips D4S Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, Pack of 1: Automotive
The following users liked this post:
PURRRL (08-20-18)
#14
Buying Amazon sure doesn't guarantee genuine parts. I got fake Samsung batteries from Amazon last year. They took them right back when I complained.
#15
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
So since this thread also relates to aim, i have a question. My front left ride height sensor has gone bad. Took it to Lexus who wanted $800+ for the new part and repair. I can't afford that so I had them disconnect it. Now the lights do not auto adjust on start up and remain to point too low. I see the turn screws on both side, but it says only 10%. I assume that this will only increase the aim up 10% max. Can anyone confirm this? Is there a way to get them back to a higher level (other than the $800 repair). Thanks.