BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-14-2016, 11:15 AM   #1
RhoXS
Second Lieutenant
15
Rep
233
Posts

Drives: 2002 Z3 3.0i + 2016 X3 28i
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Adaptive LED Headlight Vertical Adjustment

My X3 is 4 months old and is equipped with the adaptive LEDs. It seems to me the low beams, especially the right one, can be raised a small bit for a substantial improvement without being a hazard to oncoming drivers. Virtually every new car I have had has come with the low beams much too low and my X3 is no exception.

Looking down on the headlight assemblies, each has an uncapped white nylon hex socket more or less in the center of the top of the assembly. At the back outside corner of each assembly appears to be a black capped adjustment.

My guess is that the top center uncapped white nylon hex socket is for vertical adjustment.

Does anyone know for certain?

I also assume it would be necessary to make this adjustment with car completely off so everything is in its neutral position and there is no risk of competing with the servo motors. Is simply shutting everything down sufficient (i.e. same state as car would be in if unlocking and entering a locked car).
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2016, 07:39 AM   #2
JupiterBMW
Self Proclaimed Roundel Junkie
JupiterBMW's Avatar
United_States
627
Rep
1,593
Posts

Drives: '11 E90 M3 & '13 F25 X3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Jupiter, FL

iTrader: (6)

Better yet, find a parking lot next to a building with a flat wall so you can do it with vehicle running and lights on. Those adjustments are not integrated with electronics, so do them with the car running and lights on, them you can see your changes. Park straight facing the wall, approx. 10m away. Then make adjustments ands look at the beam pattern on the wall...
__________________
2018 F15 X5d Carbon Black/Nutmeg Individual- Oil Burner Tow Rig
2013 E82 1M3 Carbon Black/Black- S65/DCT Track Toy
2013 F25 X3 35i Alpine White/Chestnut- German American Family Hauler
Past: '11 E91 335is, '11 E90 M3, '10 X5M, '14 328d, '03 330i Dinan3 ZHP, '04 330i ZHP, '12 X3 35i
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2016, 01:30 PM   #3
RhoXS
Second Lieutenant
15
Rep
233
Posts

Drives: 2002 Z3 3.0i + 2016 X3 28i
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JupiterBMW View Post
Better yet, find a parking lot next to a building with a flat wall so you can do it with vehicle running and lights on. Those adjustments are not integrated with electronics, so do them with the car running and lights on, them you can see your changes. Park straight facing the wall, approx. 10m away. Then make adjustments ands look at the beam pattern on the wall...
That is exactly how I intend to do it but I am reluctant to make any adjustment until I am sure exactly which one it is. Is it the uncapped nylon hex socket in the center?

Not too far from you, Jensen Beach here.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2016, 01:17 PM   #4
JupiterBMW
Self Proclaimed Roundel Junkie
JupiterBMW's Avatar
United_States
627
Rep
1,593
Posts

Drives: '11 E90 M3 & '13 F25 X3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Jupiter, FL

iTrader: (6)

I would assume so. It looks different than the lights I've done, but those were on an E46 3 series. If you're unsure, try it out. Turn the hex head exactly 1 full turn, see what happens. If nothing, turn it back to the original location.

As always, when adjusting lights, you want to be precise. So you should count the turns anyway and make sure they're the same.

At the end of the day, its just a headlight, you won't break anything by trying it out.
__________________
2018 F15 X5d Carbon Black/Nutmeg Individual- Oil Burner Tow Rig
2013 E82 1M3 Carbon Black/Black- S65/DCT Track Toy
2013 F25 X3 35i Alpine White/Chestnut- German American Family Hauler
Past: '11 E91 335is, '11 E90 M3, '10 X5M, '14 328d, '03 330i Dinan3 ZHP, '04 330i ZHP, '12 X3 35i
Appreciate 0
      07-24-2016, 11:21 AM   #5
RhoXS
Second Lieutenant
15
Rep
233
Posts

Drives: 2002 Z3 3.0i + 2016 X3 28i
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JupiterBMW View Post
... its just a headlight, you won't break anything by trying it out.
Thanks for your advice.

Because it is an "adaptive" system I believe there are servo motors that position it. I am sure of this because I notice, when starting the car facing a wall, horizontal movement of the light pattern. That does not mean it is also mechanically positioned vertically but I do not want to take any chances stripping a nylon gear or making it lose its reference position.
Appreciate 0
      07-24-2016, 01:42 PM   #6
Ranger 6
Yorkshireman trapped in a Berkshire postcode
Ranger 6's Avatar
United Kingdom
11
Rep
213
Posts

Drives: X3 3.0d M-Sport
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW X3  [0.00]
I adjusted mine with everything on and running. No problems at all.
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2016, 07:14 PM   #7
RhoXS
Second Lieutenant
15
Rep
233
Posts

Drives: 2002 Z3 3.0i + 2016 X3 28i
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger 6 View Post
I adjusted mine with everything on and running. No problems at all.
Did you use the uncapped white nylon hex socket more or less in the center of the top of the assembly to adjust the vertical angle?
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2016, 09:46 AM   #8
Ranger 6
Yorkshireman trapped in a Berkshire postcode
Ranger 6's Avatar
United Kingdom
11
Rep
213
Posts

Drives: X3 3.0d M-Sport
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW X3  [0.00]
Yes. When I can ill photograph the top of my lights.
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2016, 01:47 AM   #9
Peter_R
Air Vice Marshall
Peter_R's Avatar
United Kingdom
256
Rep
1,639
Posts

Drives: X1 LCI xDrive 2.0i M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Somewhere in Blighty (UK)

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger 6 View Post
I adjusted mine with everything on and running. No problems at all.
How much adjustment did you need?
__________________
2007 BMW 325d M Sport remapped (E91).
2012 BMW 320d Sport (F31).
2013 BMW X3 xDrive 30d M Sport (F25).
2020 BMW X1 xDrive 2.0i MSport (F48).
2022 MB EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2016, 10:46 PM   #10
Ranger 6
Yorkshireman trapped in a Berkshire postcode
Ranger 6's Avatar
United Kingdom
11
Rep
213
Posts

Drives: X3 3.0d M-Sport
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW X3  [0.00]
A tweak to lift the dipped beams very slightly. It's passed an MoT so a legal adjustment.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:59 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST