Difference between revisions of "Dipped Beam, Aligning"

Revision as of 07:39, 8 June 2009

Introduction

Source Information

I have used information from this link motuk.co.uk Manual to work out how to align your own dipped beams.

Disclaimer & Important Notes

It is entirely your own responsibility to ensure that your car is legal and roadworthy. After completing this process you should get it verified by an MOT centre to make sure you do not dazzle other road users if you have made a mistake.

Theory

It says that for cars where the headlights are lower than 850mm from ground, as are the Mondeo's (in all incarnations) that the beam angle is permissible from 0.5% to 2%. Dipped beam cut offs outside this will result in a fail.

It's important to realise just how large this bracket is. If we assume level ground and the Mark III Mondeo as having a headlight cut off height at the source of 645mm (a rough reading from my car), then a 0.5% dipped beam results in a 129m dip beam reach. At 2% the beam reach is merely 32.25m, both these extremes should theoretically pass an MOT.

0.5% is the same as 1 in 200. 1 in 200 = 0.1 in 20 = 0.05 in 10.

In 10m we should see a reduction of cut off height equal to 5% of cut off height at the source for a 0.5% beam angle. In 10m we should see a reduction of cut off height equal to 20% of cut off height at the source for a 2% beam angle.

Practical How To

Due to the gravity of the situation, a technical drawing is clearly necessary:

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