Blinding Xenons

[330ciSport]

I have the Xenons and I'm sure they have a self levelling mechanism. However, I seem to be getting alot of "flashes" (puns on a postcard please) from oncoming traffic.

I've had a closer look and the passenger side is clearly angled higher than the drivers side and I would expect this. But, I'm fully lighting up large roadsigns from 1/2 mile away on dipped h'lights. This doesn't seem right.

I know that when "bouncing" the lights angle up but is there any method for manual adjustment and has anyone else had problems?

Apologies for not being arsed to read the manual. I find you guys are more informative and interesting.

[Ali_]

Well ive got this same problem with my e36 but to be honest i think its cos my leveling motor thing has died, thats also might be my fault :rolleyes:

[BigFas]

there should be a screw mechanism behind the xenon light housing, which allows a manual adjustment of the xenon beam.

This is what Nick did

parked his car on a level surface, got his wife to park facing him, he manually adjusts it and she gives him the thumbs up when she's not blinded!! (dead serious)

If you can get someone to do the same, that'll be the best thing, it only takes a few minutes and you should be all set. I don't have xenons myself so can't provide pics, but I'm pretty sure your manual will provide info

[mysticm3]

it's not only you who get flashes from oncoming traffic...I believe most BMW I see on the road get flashes from othere due to having the xenon on...however I do not find it a problem as they don't blind me at all...I guess it's also something to do with driver's height etc...

the only thing that blinds me is Range Rover...X5 don't give me problems thought. You can do what Nick's done but I guess it'll only work for people who sits at the same level as Nick's wife (similar body figure/height etc)

[Faisal]

On my last E46, I had the lights looked at by my dealer because I thought they were too low. he said they were fine. I adjusted them upwards (on 2000 and before E46's, a small black cog just behind the lights which you can adjust yourself). Drove down the motorway, and got flashed 16 times in about 5 minutes. Stopped at services, and angled them downwards slightly -- no more flashes, and I could actually see where I was going now !

On my new car, Im not sure if that adjustment is there. The lights though are DEFINITELY angled higher, as I too can see road signs lit up a mile away. But only been flashed once over the past few weeks, so should be ok.

Btw - on UK cars, the passenger side is angled upwards, in this pattern:

\__

but there was a separate "European driving" adjustment for that. Im sure the newer E46's have the same...

Park up next to a wall, angle them both upwards, and then test. Then angle downwards till you stop getting flashed. :D