Headlight full beam

[mariner82]

Hi Guys,

Being new to Audi I'm not sure if I'm just imagining it or not, but my full beam looks really high. I don't get much light straight in front of the car on full beam. Now I will fully admit it could just be me, my other car is a Range Rover which I have put extra lights on the roof and in the bull bar, however even when these are off the full beam seems much brighter and straight forward facing than the A8. When it's foggy / misty out it is really noticeable that they are pointing skyward on full beam, dipped beam is as it should be.

Cheers

[Micha_elD]

Sounds like you might have a problem with the self-levelling, or perhaps your headlights are just adjusted wrongly, they shouldn't be like that.

[mariner82]

Hi Micha,

Thank you for your response, I was wondering if what I was seeing on a foggy night was just because I'm used to sitting higher up or not. This is my first "normal" car (compared to a range rover) for several years so wasn't sure if it was normal or not and I'm guessing from your reply it isn't. Do you happen to know if there is a separate adjustment for full beam? Normal dipped beam is ok, at least I don't get anyone flashing me at night.

Cheers

[Micha_elD]

Its an odd, but very efficient arrangement, there is only one bulb, dip works by putting a shutter over the bulb, so if you adjust the lights, it will move both.

The second light you can see through the front is the DRL, which is a dim halogen bulb in the early cars and a LED cluster in the later ones.

I'd park the car in front of a wall or garage door and see what light pattern is coming from the headlights. Stand in front of one to see how the other illuminates

[mariner82]

Hi Micha,

Thank you for that, I had a feeling that might be the case. I'll have to clear some space in the barn (I know the floor is level in there) and check as you suggest.

I'm guessing that any adjustments have to be mad via VCDS or can it be done manually without VCDS? VCDS is on my list to get but the scheckles haven't quite reached there yet.

Cheers,

Oscar

[M1tchy]

It can be made manually using some screws ontop of the headlight. If you think they are off I'd get them checked at a dealer so they are aligned properly. If a xenon bulb is even slightly off it will be horrible for other drivers.


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[mariner82]

Hi M1tchy,

Thank you for that. I'll check it against a wall and then consider going to a dealer if they are out. I can compare the beam pattern against another car to get a better idea of how far out they are if at all.

Cheers,

Oscar

[M1tchy]

No worries. They might seem ok close to the wall so back right off and see if you still think they are ok. Obviously if you are really close they won't have time to shine in the air like you describe.


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[mariner82]

I'll do the check and if I get the chance (and remember) I'll try to take a picture of the full beam from the drivers seat. I realise it is difficult to diagnose without seeing it and you only have my word on it. Also I'm not used to the light pattern of non off-roading 4x4s which could well be the actual problem, just want to make sure that the car is as it should be for night driving. Kinda went OTT with the rangie in terms of lights, as standard there are 4 on full beam, I then added two more in the bull bar and another 4 on the roof. When I meet people at night with full beam in that they know about it, I usually manage to dip before I blind on coming traffic though.

if the audi is correct then I might look at doing a covert installation of some extra lights behind the grill for full beam and dipped isn't a problem at least for me :)

Cheers,

Oscar

[Micha_elD]

Dont you find it a problem when you drop from 10 lights down to 2, I'd have though you'd take quite a few seconds of blackness whilst your eyes adapt to the lack of light

[mariner82]

Surprisingly not. The full beam pattern is very wide and as I'm higher up in the rangie on coming traffic's lights don't affect me as they do in the audi, well with the exception of some trucks and busses. It does take me a second or two to adjust from full beam to dipped in the audi if I've been on full beam for a while but that is mainly because of oncoming traffic.