lol
LS430 headlight aim
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
LS430 headlight aim
FINALLY !!!! Pulled the trigger and got an '04 LS430 black/black with CL and smartaccess. Love the not having to take the key out because the fob is super "battle damaged." 38K for $28K before all was said and done. Price was not great, but experience and finance terms were good, so we were comfortable with it.
Did have a question on the headlights. I've driven HID vehicles before and the horizon line of the beams create a "straight" line across, but on the LS, it's sort of a "step" where the driver's side is lower than the passenger's side. So, when you look from left to right, it goes in a line, then at one point, it goes up and continues the line. Very strange. Is this normal, or is there an alignment issue?
Also, how far is the beam suppose to cast? Mine feels very low compared to other's I've driven.
"My last gas vehicle ever !!!"
Did have a question on the headlights. I've driven HID vehicles before and the horizon line of the beams create a "straight" line across, but on the LS, it's sort of a "step" where the driver's side is lower than the passenger's side. So, when you look from left to right, it goes in a line, then at one point, it goes up and continues the line. Very strange. Is this normal, or is there an alignment issue?
Also, how far is the beam suppose to cast? Mine feels very low compared to other's I've driven.
"My last gas vehicle ever !!!"
Last edited by AlexusAnja; Oct 7, 2008 at 10:55 AM. Reason: changed ML to CL
FINALLY !!!! Pulled the trigger and got an '04 LS430 black/black with CL and smartaccess. Love the not having to take the key out because the fob is super "battle damaged." 38K for $28K before all was said and done. Price was not great, but experience and finance terms were good, so we were comfortable with it.
Did have a question on the headlights. I've driven HID vehicles before and the horizon line of the beams create a "straight" line across, but on the LS, it's sort of a "step" where the driver's side is lower than the passenger's side. So, when you look from left to right, it goes in a line, then at one point, it goes up and continues the line. Very strange. Is this normal, or is there an alignment issue?
Also, how far is the beam suppose to cast? Mine feels very low compared to other's I've driven.
"My last gas vehicle ever !!!"
Did have a question on the headlights. I've driven HID vehicles before and the horizon line of the beams create a "straight" line across, but on the LS, it's sort of a "step" where the driver's side is lower than the passenger's side. So, when you look from left to right, it goes in a line, then at one point, it goes up and continues the line. Very strange. Is this normal, or is there an alignment issue?
Also, how far is the beam suppose to cast? Mine feels very low compared to other's I've driven.
"My last gas vehicle ever !!!"
You've just upgraded from only driving with nasty halogen to the best in the industry HID lighting/output. What you are seeing is the OE DOT cutoff, something that all OE HID projectors will show on the wall. Some have more color in the cutoff, and others won't. Here is a good example of a nice cutoff.
TFX Projectors and new Philips 85122+ bulbs.
The color!
The car!
TFX Projectors and new Philips 85122+ bulbs.
The color!
The car!
Last edited by emoshun; Oct 7, 2008 at 09:06 PM.
But I think I know what you are trying to say, you're saying that instead of seeing a normal step, you are seeing a stair step, as in you see the driver side step, then a line, then the passenger side step comes up out like an additional step?
If that, then yes, you need to adjust the alignment, if no, then its normal like the pictures above.
If that, then yes, you need to adjust the alignment, if no, then its normal like the pictures above.
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Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Carlsbad, CA
And thanks so much for posting this thread on your headlights. I had planned to post the same thing but never got around to it.
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Hi and congratulations on your acquisition. I had the same questions when I bought mine. I'd had HID before on my Acura's, but never such a sharp cutoff. I found mine too low without enough throw for my taste. I adjusted them higher and am much happier. One thing that's nice about that sharp cutoff is that I was able to adjust them higher without blinding anyone. I've never once been flashed in the LS while I was flashed often in the Acura's.
Steve
Steve
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Pictures...
DOH, you're right. Sorry, but I did not have time last night to post these. Anyway, this is what I'm talking about:
See how there is a "step" and then another "step" at the further horizon. I now that one is cast off of the other, but is this normal? With TL and CTS, have not seen this "stepping" and it's bothersome of sorts. Can this be adjust higher as someone else has posted?
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Cast off
Also, this is the distance thing I was talking about. The LS430 seems to be bright up front (too close) and then trail to the yellow line. The TL seems to be having a bright cast further out, but I must admit the TL seems to just end the light at the line, with no further casting of light.
Is this also normal for the LS430?
Thanks everyone thus far, and yes... no regrets about price and LOVE LOVE LOVE the car. Dream car come true !!!!
Is this also normal for the LS430?
Thanks everyone thus far, and yes... no regrets about price and LOVE LOVE LOVE the car. Dream car come true !!!!
First off, I want you to take some wall shots like I have shown above. Park on level ground about 30' from a wall, and you should see both of your cutoff's on the wall. If you don't, do the following.
Measure the projector height from the center of your projector to the ground. That number of inches should olny decrease by like 1-2" by measuring the height of your cutoff on the wall. For example if your projector height is 35" then your cutoff height should be no less than 33" from the ground. Got it!
Your owners manual should help you adjust headlight aim, if not, then dealer if you don't feel like tackling it yourself.
Measure the projector height from the center of your projector to the ground. That number of inches should olny decrease by like 1-2" by measuring the height of your cutoff on the wall. For example if your projector height is 35" then your cutoff height should be no less than 33" from the ground. Got it!
Your owners manual should help you adjust headlight aim, if not, then dealer if you don't feel like tackling it yourself.
Last edited by emoshun; Oct 8, 2008 at 10:32 PM.