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Lexus LS 400/LS 430 - Headlights

16 messages,  Last post on Sep 01, 2008 at 12:51 PM

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#2 of 16 2004 LS Headlights by jerry5505 Sep 21, 2006 (1:13 pm)
I was wondering if any one else who owns an LS 430 is disapointed with the short distance the headlight beam on low? I have had the dealer adjust them the other day and they have a short beam on low. When it is dark with no street lights it is very hard to see at a distance without putting on the high beam. Replies to this message: famwald (Sep 22, 2006 5:16 am) garyh1 (Sep 22, 2006 6:46 am) nvbanker (Sep 22, 2006 4:45 pm) wwest (Sep 23, 2006 7:55 am) frisco7 (Oct 30, 2006 11:10 am) nvbanker (Oct 31, 2006 4:45 pm) wwest (Feb 16, 2008 9:23 pm)
#3 of 16 Re: 2004 LS Headlights [jerry5505] by famwald Sep 22, 2006 (5:16 am)
Replying to: jerry5505 (Sep 21, 2006 1:13 pm) I've noticed this but it has not been a problem for me. I rarely drive on roads without street lights, though. In our neighborhood with sparse street lights, I tend to put the high beams on for certain hills and corners, in case a deer wants to jump out in front. Even at 30 mph I don't want to hit anything.
#4 of 16 Re: 2004 LS Headlights [jerry5505] by garyh1 Sep 22, 2006 (6:46 am)
Replying to: jerry5505 (Sep 21, 2006 1:13 pm) I was wondering if any one else who owns an LS 430 is disapointed with the short distance the headlight beam on low?   I think it is partly a function of the very distinct cut-off at the top of the range of the halogen headlights, versus the normal softer "bleed-off" of normal headlights. This was a design choice made by the engineers to keep the extremely bright halogen lights out of the eyes of oncoming drivers.   Another factor is the auto-leveling feature of the lights, especially on a hilly road.   Lexus describes it as "The auto-leveling High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps of the LS cast a blue hue, illuminating a wide area of road and reducing glare to oncoming traffic."   The HID system is "Headlamps that provide illumination three times that of conventional halogen headlamps while power consumption is reduced by roughly 30 percent. They also feature auto-leveling that automatically adjusts the angle of the headlamps to help reduce glare to oncoming drivers."   So you've got extremely bright lights, but they can't be aimed very high up without blinding oncoming drivers.
#5 of 16 Re: 2004 LS Headlights [jerry5505] by nvbanker Sep 22, 2006 (4:45 pm)
Replying to: jerry5505 (Sep 21, 2006 1:13 pm) No - I find them to be adequate in all cases - the brights are a bit anemic, IMO. In my Volvo, the brights will illuminate a small city.... Replies to this message: wwest (Sep 23, 2006 7:55 am)
#6 of 16 Re: 2004 LS Headlights [nvbanker] by wwest Sep 23, 2006 (7:55 am)
Replying to: nvbanker (Sep 22, 2006 4:45 pm) If you look at the internal structure of the newer Toyota/Lexus projector type HID headlamps, say the RX330, you will find that a "high cutoff" beam shading plate has been added.   Projector beam provides tighter forus and therefore brighter forward lighting in areas of true need. But because of that it also requires a better cutoff method to prevent blinding oncoming drivers.   Such a tightly focussed "projector" beam is also why many manufacturers are adding side swivel capability when turning. Sort of equivalent to the popularity of FWD resulting in the need for ABS and Trac(engine dethrottling) developement.
#7 of 16 Re: 2004 LS Headlights [jerry5505] by frisco7 Oct 30, 2006 (11:10 am)
Replying to: jerry5505 (Sep 21, 2006 1:13 pm) I too have noticed the short distance the headlights shine on low beam. It is very noticeable and much worse than previous Lexus I have owned. Also, the headlights should turn in either direction but the manual is wrong on the button setting. It is in reverse of what lights show on the dash. Check it out. Replies to this message: nvbanker (Oct 31, 2006 4:45 pm) wwest (Feb 16, 2008 9:23 pm)
#8 of 16 Re: 2004 LS Headlights [frisco7] by nvbanker Oct 31, 2006 (4:45 pm)
Replying to: frisco7 (Oct 30, 2006 11:10 am) Also, the headlights should turn in either direction but the manual is wrong on the button setting. It is in reverse of what lights show on the dash. Check it out.   I don't understand. What button setting are you talking about and what lights showing on the dash? BTW, mine do turn...

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