How to Adjust High Beam Brightness?
4 Answers
Methods for adjusting high beam brightness: 1. Before adjustment, set the interior height adjustment knob to the 0 position. 2. Park the car 7.6 meters away from a wall, measure the distances from the low beam to the central axis, from the high beam to the central axis, and from the low beam to the ground, then mark the corresponding positions on the wall. 3. Turn on the high beams and adjust the light projection position based on their position on the wall, adjusting both high and low beams in sequence (the height of high beams for ordinary cars is generally around 72cm). 4. There are no strict regulations for light height adjustment; it is usually based on illuminating the ground without interfering with the vision of drivers in front. When adjusting by yourself, compare with multiple reference points and adjust repeatedly until it is reasonable.
I always thought the brightness of high beams could be adjusted, but after driving several cars, I realized it’s mostly fixed and not manually adjustable. In most models, the brightness of high beams is determined by the bulb type and design, set during production to comply with safety regulations—too bright could dazzle others, while too dim might hinder visibility. Don’t lose hope, though—many cars have a headlight height adjustment knob, usually found near the driver’s seat. Turning it adjusts the beam angle to suit different loads or road conditions. Here’s what I learned from my mistake: don’t confuse brightness with height—brightness refers to light intensity, while height is the beam angle. When driving, high beams help spot distant obstacles, but avoid using them recklessly in urban areas to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. It’s wise to regularly check your headlight settings and consult a professional technician if needed.
In my daily driving, it's almost impossible to adjust the brightness of the high beams as they are fixed. However, you can change the beam direction using the headlight height adjuster inside the car. For example, the knob is usually located near the steering wheel—turning it to the right raises the beam, while turning it to the left lowers it. This is very useful because when the trunk is loaded, the front of the car sinks, causing the beam to shine too high into people's eyes; when the car is empty, the beam is too low to see clearly. I've tried adjusting it myself—it's very simple: start the car, turn on the lights, and then rotate the knob to test the effect. Remember, you're adjusting the position, not the brightness itself. Don't expect to solve the problem by adjusting brightness—high beams are designed for high-intensity illumination, with safety as the top priority. Headlight maintenance is also crucial—cleaning the lens can help focus the light better.
The brightness of high beams is generally not adjustable by users, as it is locked in automotive design for a simple reason: arbitrarily increasing brightness would violate road safety regulations. For instance, standards in Europe, the U.S., and China all impose limits on light intensity to prevent accidents. It is fixed based on the performance of the bulb or LED—increasing it could burn out components or dazzle other drivers, while decreasing it might risk poor visibility. I understand this must be upheld from a safety perspective. If you wish to adjust the light, you can use the height adjustment knob to control the angle of inclination, but the brightness remains unchanged. It is recommended to occasionally check for bulb aging; if the light seems dim, consider replacing the light source rather than attempting to increase the brightness.
