I have a question about headlights - recently I noticed that the lighted up area is not of a regular form. Instead the one to the left (driver's side here) lights up smaller area than the right one. Anyone else notice such irregularity? I.e., is this by design or could it be a fault?

Hi Gauss,

 

It is normal for the near side to light up further forwards than the drivers side on dipped beam.

Two reasons for this.

 

1, It helps you to see the kerb and any pedestrians/cyclists that are on your side of the road.

2, The lower cut off to the drivers side stops you blinding on coming traffic.

 

You can see the cut off/pattern by driving up close to a wall with your dipped lights on.

Use something to cover up one headlight and you will see the pattern produced by the other.

It is normally horizontal for half way in then kinks up for your near side.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks AG Falco.

 

15 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

Hi Gauss,

 

It is normal for the near side to light up further forwards than the drivers side on dipped beam.

Two reasons for this.

 

1, It helps you to see the kerb and any pedestrians/cyclists that are on your side of the road.

2, The lower cut off to the drivers side stops you blinding on coming traffic.

 

You can see the cut off/pattern by driving up close to a wall with your dipped lights on.

Use something to cover up one headlight and you will see the pattern produced by the other.

It is normally horizontal for half way in then kinks up for your near side.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks AG Falco.

 

Thanks for clarification  I figured the same logic, but wanted to check if this indeed by design. Noticed it only after 1,5 years of driving, so was wondering if it was initially this way or if there is suddenly any fault  And thanks for the suggestion about the wall

No problem.

 

Thanks AG Falco.

 

Thanks for clarification  I figured the same logic, but wanted to check if this indeed by design. Noticed it only after 1,5 years of driving, so was wondering if it was initially this way or if there is suddenly any fault  And thanks for the suggestion about the wall 

 

 

Funny, I'd have thought you'd have noticed it after a day and a half, not a year and a half!

 

Although I think some countries just used to lower the beam and not deflect it. In the U.K. They have been lowered and deflected to the left forever!

2 hours ago, mrgf said:

Thanks for clarification  I figured the same logic, but wanted to check if this indeed by design. Noticed it only after 1,5 years of driving, so was wondering if it was initially this way or if there is suddenly any fault  And thanks for the suggestion about the wall 

 

 

Funny, I'd have thought you'd have noticed it after a day and a half, not a year and a half!

 

Although I think some countries just used to lower the beam and not deflect it. In the U.K. They have been lowered and deflected to the left forever!

I mainly drive on city roads and not much during dark hours outside of the city and alone (i.e., without children in the car who don't let you get bored enough to start noticing irregularities in the headlight patterns)