Honda Lights

[gness]

The headlights on my Honda Civic have recently made night driving impossible. They seem to shine much lower than previously and cut off quite sharply. If I encountered a hazzard on a country road at 40mph I know I couldn`t brake in time to avoid it. Honda garage say they are fine and any adjustment would be illegal. Friends agree with me so I know I haven`t developed a peculiar eye problem. Has anyone else experienced this and can I do anything myself to fix it?

[Toureman]

Go to a local garage that doe's mots, they would charge practically nothing to make sure your headlights are set correctly.

[SlackAlice]

A lot of cars have an adjustment to the headlight beams for use if you have a heavily laden car. It's to prevent you dazzling oncoming drivers. Normally got a setting of 0 - 4, and a switch in the drivers area to adjust.
You haven't altered this in error?

[gness]

Thank you Toureman and Slack Alice. Familiar with adjustment switch under steering column. At highest setting still not good enough to drive in the dark. Had the car 6 years and has been fine until about 4 months ago. Not just distance lit up but very sudden cut off into darkness that is the problem. Honda did the MOT and report that the lights are fine. Took their mechanic for drive in the dark and he agreed that visibility was poor but big boss refused to make any adjustment as he would be breaking the law! Mind you, he also said that the council having turned off the street lights in nearby town could be the problem. Haven`t been there for two years. Maybe I should find a garage that doesn`t patronise women. Little Honda garage was great with the car after husband died but they have been taken over by a big showy concern who aren`t so good. Can I risk the manicure and adjust them myself?

[GRUMPY]

I would suggest that you go to an optician to have your eyes tested,you may have a problem that he/she will be able to sort out,good luck

[gness]

Hi Grumpy. .will optician give group discount for all family and friends who can`t drive this car at night?

[GRUMPY]

just trying to help!

[Andyvon]

Hi gness,

I fitted new headlights to my Golf last year - and what a difference! I didn't realise how poor the old ones had become until I used the new ones for the first time. My car is 27 years old and yours is only six but it might be that the silvering in your headlights is starting to deteriorate - possibly the bulbs too.

It might be worth considering a new pair of headlights. Mine were £12 each and ATS charged £15 to adjust them (although I ended up doing it myself while the mechanic watched as he didn't have a clue and damaged the adjusters! "Don't get many of these older cars in now" he said).

[gness]

Hi Andyvon
Thank you. Was hoping someone would have had similar experience and could advise. Have found highly spoken of one man garage where the mechanic is going to check the adjustment in case Honda has made a mistake. Honda charge £30 for this. The guy is getting me new bulbs and fitting them. Charge for fitting? No charge! He also explained, as you did, what could be causing the dimming. What a change from the guy who said it could be the switch off of street lights 4 miles away. Will stick with this garage for future car care.

[tonyav]

Change the bloody bulbs !.

[gness]

What kept you...goatboy? ;-)

[tonyav]

lol cheeky madam.