I went to the dealer and got my headlights replaced a couple weeks ago. My cut off is terrrrrrrrrrible now. I just want to know if i'm exaggerating and that's just the way mazda is, or if something truely is wrong.

I'm assuming that not all headlights are created equal correct? The hid projector on the GT is going to be different then the halogen projector on the base model. Is that right?

I have a feeling that they may have put on the wrong headlights and that's why my cut off is so bad. I have a cut off like _______________-------------------- which is fine, but it's about 10 ft infront of my car, then the rest of the light is above that with no cutoff. If i point it directly at my garage i have the cut off, but there is a bunch more light above the cutoff... wtf.

Could this just be improper aiming or something?

If someone could just post a pic of their cutoff (stock HID) that would be sweet.

 

had the lights replaced, lost most of my projection beyond 50', brought it back twice, they said it was normal, I got rid of the car...

 

thanks, that's comforting to know :o

 

That's a shame you got rid of it. It's just an adjustment issue, you can reaim them yourself. I had this problem also, do a search and you'll find the shop manual page that someone uploaded to adjust them. All you need is a philips screw driver and about ten minutes. If you look under the hood at the top of your headlight there's a little white plastic piece on each side with little teeth/gears inside it. Put the screwdriver in there and turn it. I believe right will adjust up, and left will adjust down....or it could be vice versa, but just play with it and you can adjust them up and get it to where you need it.

I'd find the diagram for you, but I don't have the time...

 

Awww screw it I took the time to make sure you get it right...

 

also note that the driverside light is purposely aimed a little low, as to keep from blinding on-coming traffic.

 

^^^ True, but if you cover one of your headlights you'll notice that both lights have the "Z" pattern. When I covered one of my lights the pattern still looks like

--------------
-----------

The z pattern is required by law now...

 

...and conversely, the passenger side is aimed higher to see the road signs...

 

Hey guys, i actually found those threads, and I dont believe it's an aiming issue. My issue is that the cut off is terrible. Does anyone have a pic of their cut off?

 

cleoent, did you change from regular halogens to HID? HIDs have very sharp cut-off (sharp demarcation between light and dark) and it takes getting use to if you have not used on before. It is normal.

 

I guess i'm not explaining this right.

My problem is that there is NO sharp cutoff. The light is everywhere. There is a sharp cut off about 10 ft in front of my car, and then the light shines everywhere else. Which is why i'm wondering if perhaps there is a chance that they put in the halogen projectors instead of the HID ones.

 

well, halogen vs HID is pretty easy to discern. Halogen is way too yellow, but if you're not sure find somebody with HID and I'm sure you can figure that one out. If at 10ft you still see the sharp cut-off then I don't think there is anything wrong IMO. Of course I'm not there to see exactly what you think is wrong with your light pattern...

Try this, find a very dark road at night and while driving see if you can still clearly notice the cutoff bobbing up and down in the distance. If this is what you're missing then you might just need to finetune the aim... Hope this helps.

 

You guys are great, i appreciate all the help! :D

Let me just clarify again what I think could be the problem.

I think they took my HID bulbs and ballasts and accidently put them in the halogen projectors. Is this possible? Does the halogen projectors use the same size of bulb as the HID bulb? Would it even be possible for them to make this mistake?

What i think could have happened is they put my HID equipment into a halogen projector.

 

Why don't you go to the dealership, grab the service manager, and you both compare the cutoff of your lights to that of a comparable model on the lot. That will let you know with certainty if there's a problem!

 

Brilliant! But i honestly thought it would be easier to get a pic of a cut off from one of youse guys

No one takes pics of their cut off's anymore?

 

If the bulb was installed wrong, it will adversely affect the cut off beam. I'd try twisting the bulb before anything.

 

HID = D2S
Halogen = H7

They are not interchangeable.

 

Only cut offs I'd take a picture of wouldn't help you with your HIDs...

 

I think I can see hair!

 

:D Naw, it's shaved.

 

thank you very much :D

 

No no no, this will help, more pics please :D

 

got my car back yesturday. They adjusted the headlights and they are MUCH better now. There is still some crap above the cutoff, but the lights project quite nicely

 

I had a perfectlly straight cutoff until I got headlights replaced on my GT HID account of film. got the car back and the passenger side is the same as it used to be but the drivers side is about 5 feet shorter. Looks like 2 steps up to the passenger side about 2 1/2feet up 2 1/2 feet over then 2 1/2 feet up then straight across passenger side. If this is an adjustment to meet some new law I'll have to break it and adjust them myself, it is so distracting I feel like it interferes with my driving, the with the high beems on it is bearly noticeable, they cover it pretty well.