Hello

I've recently bought a 16 plate 500X, and when night driving, oncoming traffic keeps flashing me as they think my full beam is on, when it isn't. It does look REALLY bright and the beam does look higher than my old car (but then the car is higher than my old car (07 fiesta)

The tyres are at the correct pressure for the loading.

Has anyone else has this trouble? Is it likely to just be brighter headlamps a la this report?

RAC Survey April 2018 "Drivers are being temporarily blinded by modern vehicle headlights, according to an RAC survey.
Two-thirds of drivers say they are "regularly dazzled" by oncoming headlights even though they are dipped, the survey of 2,061 motorists suggests.
And 67% of those said it can take up to five seconds for their sight to clear with a further 10% claiming the effect on their eyes lasts up to 10 seconds.
The RAC said advances in headlight technology were causing the problem.
About 15% of those drivers polled said they had nearly suffered a collision as a result of being dazzled by other drivers using full-beam headlights."


Thanks

Which model do you have? The Cross Plus got Bi-xenon lights as standard which are great and alot brighter. There's a chance the headlamps have become misaligned for some reason as they should not dazzle other drivers. Stand in front of your car with the lights on - You should only be dazzled by them once you crouch down - if they blinding you when stood there is a problem. Check the lights are not loose etc. Non xenon cars may have been fitted with aftermarket lighting/non standard bulbs etc.

There is a control on the dash near the lighting switch that adjusts the levelling of the lights according to load. The other control is for dimming the instrument lights. Perhaps it is not set correcetly.


When I got my 500X Cross I was dissapointed in the headlamps, not that bright and very yellow so swapped them out for a pair of Philips Racing Vision, much better, a sharper and brighter beam.

If you don't find an obvious reason for dazzling then check out/contact your local borough council MOT testing station.

Most, if not all will only willingly check you headlight alignment free of charge. You will have to fit in with their schedules. Most run MOT's on the hour and take up to 45 minutes so they will probably want you to be ready and waiting at the half hour.

My car has the standard halogen lights and I thought they were pretty poor at night. Changed bulbs for Osram night breakers ... much better. If yours are standard sounds like yours are adjusted to high or bulbs have been altered/ misaligned?

I’ve got the bi-Xenons they are amazing!

Thanks for all the replies. It's a 500X Cross Plus.

I'm 99% sure I don't have the headlight levelling control on the dash panel as I looked a few weeks ago. I'll double check tomorrow though. Sounds like I do need to get it checked out. Thanks

kjbkjb said:

I'm 99% sure I don't have the headlight levelling control on the dash panel as I looked a few weeks ago. I'll double check tomorrow though. Sounds like I do need to get it checked out. Thanks

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It is the little scroll wheel marker 0 , 1 , 2, 3 next to the main lights rotary knob.

s130 said:

It is the little scroll wheel marker 0 , 1 , 2, 3 next to the main lights rotary knob.

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I don't see any markers. Is this it?

Goodcoin said:

I don't see any markers. Is this it?

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Puzzling. I've just downloaded/looked at the 2016 handbook (check yours) the the manual on page 26 shows the wheel in your picture being mark 0,1,2,3.

When you turn the wheel is it stepped/notched?

Can only suggest you park up 3m from your garage door/wall, headlamps on and twiddle the wheels and see what happens.

s130 said:

Puzzling. I've just downloaded/looked at the 2016 handbook (check yours) the the manual on page 26 shows the wheel in your picture being mark 0,1,2,3.

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According to my manual it's the ambient light control.

Is there nothing in your manual about headlamp level adjustment?

Seems really odd.

Yet another cost reduction?

First the engine bay under tray went
Then the Mood Control (Sport, Auto, Weather/Traction)
Now the headlamp level adjuster

Could be all four wheels next

Well just to add to the confusion, I checked again and I actually have the headlight beam adjustment with the 1, 2, 3, scroller on it. I parked up behind a car in a carpark earlier (I have no garage door to park up against) and moved it and there was absolutely no movement in the beam on the car in front. So either it is so minimal it wouldn't make a serious difference to oncoming traffic, or something ain't working as it should.

kjbkjb said:

Well just to add to the confusion, I checked again and I actually have the headlight beam adjustment with the 1, 2, 3, scroller on it. I parked up behind a car in a carpark earlier (I have no garage door to park up against) and moved it and there was absolutely no movement in the beam on the car in front. So either it is so minimal it wouldn't make a serious difference to oncoming traffic, or something ain't working as it should.

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Each of the adjustment levels are fine. I mentioned doing the test a 3 meters, more is better. Headlamp shine is not going to be an issue to an oncoming car 3m from you. 10, 20, 30+ m is where the problem arises.

Try again on something 3+ m away from you. Would add that a flat vertical surface like a wall or garage door is required for this test as only then will you get perpendicular reflection that you can clearly define/visualise.

s130 said:

Yet another cost reduction?

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That, or just the usual weirdness of the US spec.

Goodcoin said:

That, or just the usual weirdness of the US spec.

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Ooops. You have said US spec. I was not aware you were/are a US market 500X.

You may wish to update your details so your US location is shown against your forum name so we know where you are coming from and what international version of the 500X you may have.

Pretty sure they are a legal requirement in the UK. Easy to check if they are working. Park car, turn ignition and lights on, open bonnet and stand by a lamp unit and listen while a helper moves the control. You should hear the adjustment motor whirr.

TrevC said:

Pretty sure they are a legal requirement in the UK. Easy to check if they are working. Park car, turn ignition and lights on, open bonnet and stand by a lamp unit and listen while a helper moves the control. You should hear the adjustment motor whirr.

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If the op has xenon's could easily have automatically leveling so no manual adjustment
Not familiar with the 500x myself never been in one

chris3234 said:

If the op has xenon's could easily have automatically leveling so no manual adjustment

Not familiar with the 500x myself never been in one

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I've got xenons on my Cross Plus and no automatic levelling. Twiddly wheel to right of lights dial

s130 said:

You may wish to update your details so your US location is shown against your forum name so we know where you are coming from and what international version of the 500X you may have.

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The car is from the US, but I'm not: I live in Lithuania, as indicated under my forum name, the yellow-green-red flag waving and all.

Also, I have the car details in my signature and it shows that the car is the US spec, because the 2.4 petrol engine is only available in the US.