Hi All,

 

The headlights have always seemed a bit weak on my car, since I got it last year. The illumination seems quite a lot worse than other cars I have had. I find myself putting the full beam on whenever I can, and even that doesn't seem great.

 

Is this just down to the design of the car and light positions? Or maybe my bulbs are poor? They are just the bulbs that were in the car when I bought it. They may never have been changed for all I know.

 

Can anyone recommend bulbs that would be significantly better?

 

Thanks,

Damian

Osram night breakers are better then standard.

LED bulbs give nice white look but not neccessarily better output, just cleaner. You will also need adapters to fit them, unless they come with the set you buy. I have LED's, find them ok but not wonderful. Premium branded ones SHOULD be better as I paid around £12 on the "Bay" for mine but for £60, I'd want someone to come round, fit them and make me a cup of coffee, before they left!

I use philips extreme power, made a big improvement, and so did setting the headlights up myself on a beam setter !!..........

 

which is the issue with the MOT, the light pattern only has to be within limits to pass the test, does not mean it's is set for best performance, but it can be significanly improved if for example it was at the lower limit or near to (as mine was)

Thanks you two. That's great.

From a quick search, it sounds like the Osram lights are stronger, but don't last very long.

The Philips option seems a bit weaker than Osram, but still strong, and last longer.

I think I'll go with Philips.

 

What the heck is a 'beam setter'?

2 hours ago, DamianS said:

What the heck is a 'beam setter'?

"Beam aimer" - A device used for confirming that the aim of headlamp beams is legal. Normally only found in garages or MoT  centres because they're not cheap.

Thanks KenONeill

The old trick was to set them up on a garage door. Not the best option but you kind of park close, mark the hight of the headlight (Might be centre), then reverse a short distance and test the beam is at or just below said hight. Adjust as necessary and by the method used on your own particular lights.

This is a basic description, not fully conclusive. All measurements must be made on level ground, too.

Get it wrong and you will be lighting up the floor in front of your bumper, or shining it in to oncoming lorry driver's eyes!

Its probably as simple as the headlamp height adjustment control on the fascia is set for the lowest setting for when towing or carrying a heavy load, if its like other Skodas then its a tiny thumbwheel beside an identical one for the panel light dimmer, both out of the drivers field of vision when needed (driving at night) so often the wrong one is moved.

 

Check it first, also that the headlight motors respond to its commands.