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Low Beam Intensity

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Old 12-14-2007, 11:11 AM
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Low Beam Intensity

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a new 2007 RX-8 Touring 6 Speed.

I can't get over just how bad the low beams are on this car. It's too the point where I think something might be wrong as I thought these had those Xenon headlights.

Anyway, it's almost like these are pointed down or something. The visibility straight on stinks. I can have a car in front of me and it's like the light doesn't hit the backend (that's moving with a normal distance between us).

High beams I can see fine, low I cannot. I thought this car had some auto leveling headlights. Did I read that wrong in the manual?

How is it supposed to be for Low beams?
Old 12-14-2007, 11:34 AM
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something doesn't seem right. The cutoff line for my low beams is usually around the middle to top of the trunk lid of the car in front of me. I would get it checked out with your dealership.
Old 12-14-2007, 12:59 PM
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Ditto on what Ishu said. It's the same for me as well. Check with your dealership.
Old 12-14-2007, 01:00 PM
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something doesn't seem right.
The HID's on this car are actually REALLY good. You sure you've got HIDs on that thing?
Old 12-14-2007, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
something doesn't seem right.
The HID's on this car are actually REALLY good. You sure you've got HIDs on that thing?
Same here, noticed that I get flashed a lot now, especially when I just crest over a hill. Something doesn't seem right.
Old 12-14-2007, 01:08 PM
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yea my HID's are like WOW. and when driving in the snow its like daytime with everything lit up.
Old 12-14-2007, 01:11 PM
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I'm planning on buying the Manual Low Beam Leveling switch that's on the JDM RX-8's. I like how the EvoXI has them so I want to buy them from the RX-8 that's in Japan. My only concern is...

Do those switches that are on the JDM RX-8's work on the USDM ones? I know the climate control system won't but will the switch work?
If so, what do I have to wire it to?
If not, what do I need to get it to work?
Old 12-14-2007, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Dialn24
I thought this car had some auto leveling headlights. Did I read that wrong in the manual?
The auto level still requires an initial aim adjustment by the dealer. Tell them to break out the workshop manual and adjust the aim for you.


BTW, My ex-dealer insisted that the HIDs couldn't be adjusted. After my third complaint they opened the shop manual and performed the adjustment....
Old 12-14-2007, 01:22 PM
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I adjusted mine a few months ago when I installed the STechs and Konis
Old 12-14-2007, 02:41 PM
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i thought they adjusted based on the angle of the car.
Old 01-03-2008, 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by DarkBrew
The auto level still requires an initial aim adjustment by the dealer. Tell them to break out the workshop manual and adjust the aim for you.


BTW, My ex-dealer insisted that the HIDs couldn't be adjusted. After my third complaint they opened the shop manual and performed the adjustment....
Thanks for the advice. Had to deal with this for a copule of weeks as I left town and didn't need to drive at night, but I do have an appt scheduled for this coming monday to get my spoiler put on, the oil changed, spark plugs changed, and to get these freaking headlights adjusted correctly.

I've talked to the sales manager about it and my guess is that initial aim adjustment was not done. These things are much too low. Heck, I have a truck in front of me, the muffler, rear axle, etc. are illuminated quite nicely, and we aren't talking about a jacked up truck or anything like that. What's quite bright is lower then straight on.
Old 01-04-2008, 12:05 AM
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after they've adjusted them, drive up to a garage door or wall at night and verify that they're properly levelled. the HID's should NOT be level. The left will be slightly lower then the right if done properly. (so as to not blind oncoming traffic)
Old 01-06-2008, 07:41 PM
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i have gotten the high beam flash numerous times when mine were on low beam
then i blast the **** out of them
Old 01-07-2008, 12:41 AM
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the high beams are amazingly powerful, I have had to turn them off more than once because the light coming back from the reflectors in the middle of the road is brighter than the road being lit up.
Old 01-07-2008, 02:21 AM
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Dude...

After 3 weeks of ownership, I could not be more impressed with these headlights. Pardon the pun, but it's one of the "highlights" of this car. Take it to the dealer, and tell them to fix it. You're missing out on the experience.
Old 01-07-2008, 08:03 AM
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After the responses I've gotten on here and talking to the sales manager, I have no doubt there is an aiming issue. GOing today to get it rectified. Thanks again for the responses.
Old 01-07-2008, 08:06 PM
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Well, aiming it didn't fix the problem. Helped slightly, but something is still not right. So, it may come done to new light assemblys according to the service department.
Old 01-07-2008, 08:50 PM
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Here are a couple of pics. The light just seems rather low in the assembly. Is this how others look?



Old 01-07-2008, 09:02 PM
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By darkbrew, shot with DSC-W35 at 2008-01-07
Old 01-07-2008, 09:15 PM
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Thanks a lot DarkBrew. Definitely a huge difference and makes sense why I'm having problems with them aimed incorrectly.
Old 01-07-2008, 09:28 PM
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I hope it helps you at the dealer.
Old 01-07-2008, 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by DarkBrew
I hope it helps you at the dealer.
Me too. The guy seems to be helping me and was even talking about ordering 2 new light assemblies for me today (if it comes to that). It was late, so he is going to call the tech line (I think that's what it is called) first thing in the morning to inquire about how to adjust that assembly up.

I already emailed him a pic of yours and then a pic of mine.
Old 01-08-2008, 05:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Learjet_Pilot
After 3 weeks of ownership, I could not be more impressed with these headlights. Pardon the pun, but it's one of the "highlights" of this car. Take it to the dealer, and tell them to fix it. You're missing out on the experience.
+1

The low beams are very strong and bright. I honestly don't feel as safe as in my 8 now driving my winter beater just because the lights suck compared to the 8.

And the highbeams... well... when you turn them on the clouds part, the angels sing and you can actually see up to your destination, no matter how far it is
Old 01-08-2008, 05:05 PM
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I hate having to drive anything without HID's after driving the 8. It strains your eyes and feels like you are driving blind.
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