I've been driving my brand spanking new NBP/Ebony AT Nav about 1 week now and enjoying every minute of it.

I have a question....

When driving at night, I notice the beam pattern of the HID on the driver's side has a shorter cutoff than the passenger's side by a few feet. Is the beam pattern suppose to be like this or does it need to be realign? I thought maybe it had to do with less glare for oncoming traffic.:wow:

 

I noticed the same thing and think you're right (glare).

 

yes...actually every cars' headlight do have the same pattern

they did it on purpose, but i am not sure y~

for the right hand drive cars the pattern will be reversed~ =)

 

Its to reduce glare to oncoming traffic. My S2000 has the same thing. You'll notice it sort of like a 'step' when your lights are aimed towards a wall.

 

from what i understand, all cars have that...the reason is because when you are on the driver's side, you need a closer look at the road on your side...it gives more intensity to objects that are closer to your car so that way you can see it...the passenger's side projectors in the front provide depth in visibility...it does make sense becuase if they both were angled equally, then either you can see really far or really near but never both...so i guess it's best of both worlds...

 

Yep, that's true...The passenger's side is a bit longer and wider to project more light on the curb of the road when driving..
Ed

 

thanks to all for the explanation....this forum is a wonderful source of information sharing.

now just 200 miles before break-in is over....

 

i suggest u break-in period extend until the first oil change

then u would be surprised how much the difference afterwards~ =)

 

so you're suggesting i break in until 3000K or whenever Maintenance Minder kicks in. Seems kind of excessive to me...

 

the actual reason is for it to illuminate road signs, and that's why it's reversed on rhd vehicles

 

Doesn't the manual suggest 1000 kms for the break in period?

 

I hate the light pattern! ..... and I want sooo much to love it.

I just bought my wife an 04 Sienna with HIDs and fell in love with them (they're not even projectors). The light pattern on the Sienna does not have sharp edges like projectors but they are great just the same.

The TL HIDs were not as bright, the overall pattern is smaller, and the edges of the pattern are crappy. I was expecting at least the same brightness as my Toyota or the A6 that I test drove.

The reduced size of the driver side light is certainly to address concerns of glare to oncomming traffic. However this pattern is way too small, to the point you question if this light pattern is correct.

Addtionally, there was a big dark spot in front of the car so the pattern should be lowered or focused to fill this area. The fogs did not fill this dark gap either.

Lighting is my thing so you this is certainly one of my hot buttons. Please please please current owners let me know if the patterns can be adjusted make the patterns wider, broader and more equal between the two.