Xenon woes

Then they are out of alignment or you are heavily loaded and have not use the adjust wheel (on the dash somewhere depending on model). Even non xenon have this feature.

Have the alignment of the beams checked. If they're auto leveling (you didn't mention the year and model of the car), the auto part may not be working correctly. I see a lot of xenon headlights these days and never feel that I'm being blinded by the high beams, except for the occasional jacked up SUV that will blind you no matter what type of lights they have.

Kyle.

You should park on level ground about 10 feet away from a white wall. Then turn on your headlights, they should shine high for about two seconds and then auto-level down to their correct position. I agree with the other posters, yours are too high if you are getting the treatment from other drivers as you say. You should have them professionally checked before driving at night again.

'05 325Ci. I had my Xenon recently replaced, and have had this experience both before and after the replacement. Yes, the lights do auto-level, and I think they're working just fine. My feeling is that most people believe they are being high beamed, and that NYers are especially ready to let me know how they feel about that...

Strange isn't it? My last 3 BMWs have had xenons, and occasionally (every three months or so) I get someone driving a non-xenon-equipped car flashing at me.

This usually happens during the dark morning commute, as if people are more grumpy/sensitive at that time.

It's just one of those things. I usually do nothing, but sometimes flash my high-beam xenons at them to show I'm not doing anything wrong. That usually placates them.

Are these original equipment or aftermarket?

Have you checked to be sure that they are properly adjusted? Xenons headlamp assemblies should have a very sharp and well defined cut-off that makes them *less* objectionable to other drivers. Of course if they are pointed too high (as in when you have a heavy load in the trunk).

I has a truck (or SUV can't remember exactly) come up behind me and tailgate me with his Xenons burning the back of my neck. I can tell you that is quite annoying. But I'm quite sure that asshole knew exactly what he was doing.

...and they wonder why there is so much road rage out there?

(Unfortunately) not in the US. No adjustment wheels on the dash.

Certainly in Europe all cars fitted with true xenon lights must be fitted with self levelling lights and washers. Dirty glass causes the light to dazzle much more than clean glass.

Huw

Original.

I haven't checked to see that they're properly adjusted, and perhaps I should. I did have the Right side recently replaced, and I figured they would have adjusted them at that time, but perhaps not... As for the "heavy load" -- isn't that what the auto leveling is for? Anyway, I never carry a heavy load.

Does any one know how to adjust the xenon's hight? Can I do it or is it something a dealer/garage must do? My lights are worthless. They shine about 10 feet ahead of me - the car is a 330i and it can very easily out drive the lights. I have even driven around with the highs on and have not been flashed at although I think they are a bit too high to be mistaken for lows and I do not like to drive with them (in traffic) much. On the other hand I would really like to see where I am going. :)

Charles C. Shyu wrote:

Well Charles, I'm here to tell you that you are quite correct. Even though I am routinely blinded by those blankety blank overpowered xenons on many of the newer cars, I have completely given up on flashing my high beams at them because I know that those blinding beams ARE the low beams. I really don't understand how such a dangerous device was allowed onto our highways without any testing, but I'm quite sure that a lot of accidents are caused by them. And the drivers causing the accidents are oblivious to their offense because they aren't involved in the accident. It is virtually impossible to see a pedestrian crossing in front of me or walking on the shoulder if one of the 'blue blasters' is coming my way. I can see how these lights might be useful to people driving 80mph through Montana or Wyoming at night but they definitely are a hazard in the city. Here's hoping that they are outlawed soon.

Usually they self adjust for height, but if you check your manual there is a section on how they can be changed for for either a right- or left-hand-drive set-up. If they're set up the wrong way around, it will be blinding for oncoming cars.