Unilateral AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) ?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 3
From: CT
Unilateral AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) ?
I noticed tonight driving home in the fog that my headlight AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) is much more noticeable on the left than the right side. Turning left will aim the headlight significantly left, but turning right yields much less light to the right. I assume the system works by raising a small mirror to reflect more light to the side as one turns.
1) Has anyone noticed such an AFS imbalance?
2) I was leaving AFS on all the time since it's very handy for driving at night. Or is AFS something that can wear out easily, and should only be turned on when needed?
1) Has anyone noticed such an AFS imbalance?
2) I was leaving AFS on all the time since it's very handy for driving at night. Or is AFS something that can wear out easily, and should only be turned on when needed?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,737
From: North Carolina
It's normal, not an imbalance. AFS System is designed that way.
In a left-hand turn, the left headlamp will pivot up to 15 degrees (the right-hand headlamp remains pointed straight ahead) and in a right-hand turn, the right headlamp will pivot up to 5 degrees (the left-hand headlamp remains pointed straight ahead).
In a left-hand turn, the left headlamp will pivot up to 15 degrees (the right-hand headlamp remains pointed straight ahead) and in a right-hand turn, the right headlamp will pivot up to 5 degrees (the left-hand headlamp remains pointed straight ahead).
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 3
From: CT
Thanks Dave and Booyah!
Thanks Dave -- I am still trying to understand the logic of having lower deflection for turning right than left.
Thanks Booyah -- as I recall with AFS on, it will activate at higher speeds; but with it off I think the lights stay straight ahead. My question is if leaving AFS on all the time puts inadvisable wear and tear on the mechanism.
Thanks Booyah -- as I recall with AFS on, it will activate at higher speeds; but with it off I think the lights stay straight ahead. My question is if leaving AFS on all the time puts inadvisable wear and tear on the mechanism.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,481
Likes: 198
From: San Francisco, CA
i believe they stay off actually if you push the button.
what happens is the bulb actually turns with the wheel. Im sure using and using it will cause wear and tear, but it doubt its enough to notice. I leave mine on all the time, and they seem to be working.
what happens is the bulb actually turns with the wheel. Im sure using and using it will cause wear and tear, but it doubt its enough to notice. I leave mine on all the time, and they seem to be working.
Trending Topics
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,397
Likes: 453
From: GA
Those Adaptive lights are designed where if they failed...like stuck to either side, coverage is still within the spec....just another item to consider on the FMEA, Failure Mode Effects Analysis.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 604
Likes: 1
From: PA
My 05 330 does exactly the same and that is normal, as others have stated. In addition, this topic is covered fairly well in the manual.
Is the ability to turn off the AFS something that was NOT available until after 2005? When we bought our car new, we both read the novel (way to big to be a manual
) and even spent time in the car, learning switches and such. I have no recollection of an on/off switch for the AFS.
Gary
Is the ability to turn off the AFS something that was NOT available until after 2005? When we bought our car new, we both read the novel (way to big to be a manual
) and even spent time in the car, learning switches and such. I have no recollection of an on/off switch for the AFS.Gary
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 604
Likes: 1
From: PA
Oth, this is her car; mine is a new BMW 328.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star
My 05 330 does exactly the same and that is normal, as others have stated. In addition, this topic is covered fairly well in the manual.
Is the ability to turn off the AFS something that was NOT available until after 2005? When we bought our car new, we both read the novel (way to big to be a manual ) and even spent time in the car, learning switches and such. I have no recollection of an on/off switch for the AFS.
Gary
Is the ability to turn off the AFS something that was NOT available until after 2005? When we bought our car new, we both read the novel (way to big to be a manual
) and even spent time in the car, learning switches and such. I have no recollection of an on/off switch for the AFS.Gary
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 24
From: TX
The reason the lights deflect more to the left is that you are crossing a lane of traffic if you are turning left on a two way street. When you make a right turn you don't cross any lanes of traffic so less deflection and illumination is needed.
I wonder if the 15 and 5 degree deflection is reversed in the UK, Hong Kong and Japan, since they drive on the "wrong" side of the street in those places.
I wonder if the 15 and 5 degree deflection is reversed in the UK, Hong Kong and Japan, since they drive on the "wrong" side of the street in those places.