Is this normal: low-beams at night generates a discreet line . . .

[Noel]

. . . above which I can see squat! I'm hoping there is a headlight adjusting capability since in this car it is frankly dangerous in certain conditions to drive at night w/ low beams on. The line of demarcation between illuminated foreground and areas out ahead that are not illuminated is way way way to distinct. All other cars I have ever driven diffuse this so you can at least see somewhat past the initial foreground area. W/ my FFH if I make a turn for example 90 degrees at an unlit intersection, the braking to slow down causes the front of the car to drop down slightly, and often I can't see a thing beyond about 15 feet it seems, so if a person, dog, deer, whatever is out a little ways I won't be able to see it in time to stop, so I end up putting my high beams on to eliminate this problem.

 

Anyone notice this? Is there an adjustment? It's really a bad thing and dangerous potentially.

 

Noel

[FFHdriver]

. . . above which I can see squat! I'm hoping there is a headlight adjusting capability since in this car it is frankly dangerous in certain conditions to drive at night w/ low beams on. The line of demarcation between illuminated foreground and areas out ahead that are not illuminated is way way way to distinct. All other cars I have ever driven diffuse this so you can at least see somewhat past the initial foreground area. W/ my FFH if I make a turn for example 90 degrees at an unlit intersection, the braking to slow down causes the front of the car to drop down slightly, and often I can't see a thing beyond about 15 feet it seems, so if a person, dog, deer, whatever is out a little ways I won't be able to see it in time to stop, so I end up putting my high beams on to eliminate this problem.

 

Anyone notice this? Is there an adjustment? It's really a bad thing and dangerous potentially.

 

Noel

The headlight adjustment instructions are on page 75 in the '10 owners manual and page 78 in the '11 manual. IMHO iIt's always a good idea to read the manual because it has much useful information.

[bbf2530]

. . . above which I can see squat! I'm hoping there is a headlight adjusting capability since in this car it is frankly dangerous in certain conditions to drive at night w/ low beams on. The line of demarcation between illuminated foreground and areas out ahead that are not illuminated is way way way to distinct. All other cars I have ever driven diffuse this so you can at least see somewhat past the initial foreground area. W/ my FFH if I make a turn for example 90 degrees at an unlit intersection, the braking to slow down causes the front of the car to drop down slightly, and often I can't see a thing beyond about 15 feet it seems, so if a person, dog, deer, whatever is out a little ways I won't be able to see it in time to stop, so I end up putting my high beams on to eliminate this problem.

 

Anyone notice this? Is there an adjustment? It's really a bad thing and dangerous potentially.

 

Noel

 

 

Hi Noel. :D What FFHdrier said. It is possible your headlights were aimed improperly at the factory. If you follow the adjustment procedures detailed in the Owners Manual, you can determine if they are aimed too low/improperly. If they are, you can then adjust them to the proper height.

 

Keep in mind that adjusting them higher than recommended in the instructions may cause problems for oncoming drivers.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[akirby]

All low beams have a cutoff - some more than others. That's why they don't blind oncoming drivers. But Ford is notorious for aiming the lights too low from the factory.

 

The adjustment procedure is in the owner's manual. Use a philips screwdriver even though it looks like it takes a large allen wrench. I was able to raise mine 1 or 2 full turns IIRC.

[xmech2k]

Hmm, I knew my fogs were aimed WAY too low, but 99.9% of my driving is on well lit highways when I drive at night, so I never thought they were too bad. I'll have to look into the aiming. Thanks for the info.

[CometFlash]

Hmm, I knew my fogs were aimed WAY too low, but 99.9% of my driving is on well lit highways when I drive at night, so I never thought they were too bad. I'll have to look into the aiming. Thanks for the info.

 

Just for reference's sake, the fog's on my 2009 Platinum F-150 absolutely stink. What's really strange, is that the fogs on my 1997 XLT, 1998 Lariat and 2004 Lariat F-150's were all fantastic! This is the first time they have had the round fogs on the F-150, perhaps it has something to do with that? All I know is, they are completely useless on a 52k truck. Doesn't surprise me to hear Ford has messed them up on their other vehicles either. Headlights are great, though.

[FFHdriver]

Just for reference's sake, the fog's on my 2009 Platinum F-150 absolutely stink. What's really strange, is that the fogs on my 1997 XLT, 1998 Lariat and 2004 Lariat F-150's were all fantastic! This is the first time they have had the round fogs on the F-150, perhaps it has something to do with that? All I know is, they are completely useless on a 52k truck. Doesn't surprise me to hear Ford has messed them up on their other vehicles either. Headlights are great, though.

Check to see if they are algned correctly. The ones on my car were awful until they were aligned. Seems like Fusions are leaving Mexico with headlights set too low and fogs set WAY too low.

[runutzzzzz]

Cut off in normal, might want to adjust it a hair up. If you're that concerned about cutoff you can have someone convert your projector to a TSX projector.

 

Here's a example with just the driver side done.

 

 

[Noel]

Ugg, thank you for pointing out the obvious! For some reason I envisioned if there was an adjustment it had to be done at an official headlight adjusting station so never looked at the manual. Thanks and this is very nice to know! Now not only do I feel like an idiot but you've gone and confirmed it!

 

Cheers,

 

Noel

[akirby]

Ugg, thank you for pointing out the obvious! For some reason I envisioned if there was an adjustment it had to be done at an official headlight adjusting station so never looked at the manual. Thanks and this is very nice to know! Now not only do I feel like an idiot but you've gone and confirmed it!

 

Cheers,

 

Noel

 

In GA we don't even do auto inspections any more so nobody ever checks headlights. It's not uncommon to see people driving with one headlight pointing towards the treetops.

[CometFlash]

In GA we don't even do auto inspections any more so nobody ever checks headlights. It's not uncommon to see people driving with one headlight pointing towards the treetops.

 

LOL :hysterical:

 

How come no inspections? Seems odd to not have any required checkups, especially for safety reasons.

[lolder]

Florida has no inspections either. Many states systems were/are corrupt or ineffective. Most car's systems announce problems automatically.

Edited December 12, 2010 by lolder

[CometFlash]

Florida has no inspections either. Many states systems were/are corrupt or ineffective. Most car's systems announce problems automatically.

 

Wow, had no idea. I bet a lot of people with no money or who just don't care or say they can't find the time; would never do any repairs at all unless the vehicle became impossible to drive without doing a specific repair. Sounds dangerous to leave it up to everyone like that, but who am I to know what's best; that's why I stay out of politics altogther.

 

What happens if someone from FL or GA drives up to say, MA? Are they allowed to drive around without having an Inspection Sticker?

[rfruth]

There IS a state inspection in Tx and in some counties a emission test to, in other words the state gets an extra $ 75.00 annual y from me (& lots of others) ((IMO this is a real money maker while keeping unsafe smog machines off the roads))

Edited December 12, 2010 by rfruth

[FFHdriver]

Wow, had no idea. I bet a lot of people with no money or who just don't care or say they can't find the time; would never do any repairs at all unless the vehicle became impossible to drive without doing a specific repair. Sounds dangerous to leave it up to everyone like that, but who am I to know what's best; that's why I stay out of politics altogther.

 

What happens if someone from FL or GA drives up to say, MA? Are they allowed to drive around without having an Inspection Sticker?

If your car is not registered in an inspection state you don't have a sticker and can drive in any state without one and you can't be forced to get a sticker..

Edited December 12, 2010 by FFHdriver

[georgeny]

LOL :hysterical:

 

How come no inspections? Seems odd to not have any required checkups, especially for safety reasons.

 

I live in NY but travel to Jersey a couple times a month and was surprised to see that NJ has eliminated car inspections. Pure dollars and cents, saves NJ 12 million bucks. They rationalize but bottom line is NJ is pretty much broke and eliminating as much as possible.

 

From TIMES Tribune:

 

" For drivers in Pennsylvania, the state-mandated safety inspection is a yearly ritual: Check the brakes, the lights, the wipers, pay around $20, take a new sticker and hit the road.

 

In New Jersey, that ritual disappeared Aug. 1, when the state no longer required passenger vehicles to pass an inspection. Only 20 states now require that vehicles undergo an annual or biennial checkup."

 

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-jersey-ends-car-inspections-pennsylvania-safety-experts-say-it-s-bad-idea-1.936784#axzz18qk1Vj3k

 

In NY we still have inspections and in my area suburbs of NYC they charge us more than rest of the state. New cars don't require much of an inspection for first two inspections no emission check.

 

FROM http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/broch/c-50.htm

 

Lights

 

All lighting must be of an approved type and inspected for operation, proper mounting, and broken or missing lenses. Side marker lamps, parking lamps, and additional flashing turning lamps mounted on the side of the vehicle are not inspected.

 

Headlights (low and high beam)

Tail lamps

Stop lamps

Directional signals

Backup lights (1969 and newer)

License plate lights

Hazard warning/four-way flasher (1966 and newer)

Directional signal indicator

 

Now it says inspected for operation and I remember back in the day they always checked and aimed headlights, I honestly don't think they do that now. Don;t recall ever seeing them actually check the aiming, just that turned on.

 

George in NY

 

 

George in NY

[bbf2530]

I live in NY but travel to Jersey a couple times a month and was surprised to see that NJ has eliminated car inspections. Pure dollars and cents, saves NJ 12 million bucks. They rationalize but bottom line is NJ is pretty much broke and eliminating as much as possible.

 

From TIMES Tribune:

 

" For drivers in Pennsylvania, the state-mandated safety inspection is a yearly ritual: Check the brakes, the lights, the wipers, pay around $20, take a new sticker and hit the road.

 

In New Jersey, that ritual disappeared Aug. 1, when the state no longer required passenger vehicles to pass an inspection. Only 20 states now require that vehicles undergo an annual or biennial checkup."

 

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-jersey-ends-car-inspections-pennsylvania-safety-experts-say-it-s-bad-idea-1.936784#axzz18qk1Vj3k

 

George in NY

 

Hi George. :D While I realize we are mainly discussing headlights here, that article is not completely correct concerning elimination of New Jersey Motor Vehicle inspections. No more inspections for operational "safety equipment " (headlights, windshields, wipers, brakes etc.) in NJ. However, we still have mandatory vehicle inspections (every other year with new vehicle time waivers) and inspection stations for emissions. We still must go every other year and get our windshield sticker. And cars with non-functional headlights, taillights or other safety equipment can be (and still are) stopped by the Police and ticketed for non-functioning safety equipment.

 

The NJ safety inspection (and DMV) is a well known joke anyway. Just another over-sized and dysfunctional bureaucracy where politicians pad their pension or get their unemployable slacker brother-in-law a job via nepotism. :hysterical:

 

Okay, I have calmed down now. :soapbox: :hysterical2:

 

Hope this information helps.

 

By the way, welcome to the Fusion Forum and Merry Christmas! :grouphug:

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited December 22, 2010 by bbf2530

[rpreuss]

Hi George. :D While I realize we are mainly discussing headlights here, that article is not completely correct concerning elimination of New Jersey Motor Vehicle inspections. No more inspections for operational "safety equipment " (headlights, windshields, wipers, brakes etc.) in NJ. However, we still have mandatory vehicle inspections (every other year with new vehicle time waivers) and inspection stations for emissions. We still must go every other year and get our windshield sticker.

 

Last time I went, they also pressure tested my fuel cap. Can't wait to see what they do when they open the door on my gas-cap-less 2010 fusion in 4 more years. (They just granted me a 1 year extension for new cars) :headspin:

[DeadButDreaming]

Cut off in normal, might want to adjust it a hair up. If you're that concerned about cutoff you can have someone convert your projector to a TSX projector.

 

Here's a example with just the driver side done.

 

 

are those HID's or halogen??