Should the headlights be adjusted to 0 or 4?
3 Answers
Whether to adjust the car headlights to 0 or 4 depends on the driving conditions and the adjustment of the front headlight axis. If driving without heavy loads, luggage, or on flat roads, choose the normal position "0". If the number of passengers and the load or luggage in the car changes, the front headlight axis will be higher than the normal position. To adjust to the appropriate beam height, the higher the number marked on the corresponding switch, the lower the front headlight axis will be. Method for adjusting car headlights: Find a wall, ensure the ground is level, and park the car about 10 meters away from the wall. Measure the height from the ground to the center of the headlights and the distance between the two headlights. Place a horizontal masking tape on the wall 0.1 meters lower than the headlights, ensuring the tape is centered directly in front of the car. Turn on the headlights and adjust the vertical adjustment screw until the headlight beam is centered on the tape on the wall. Continue adjusting the vertical adjustment screw until the headlight beam is straight ahead. To ensure the adjustment is correct, measure the height of the beam on the wall and the height of the headlights to confirm they are equal. Precautions for using car lights: When a motor vehicle passes through an intersection controlled by traffic lights and turns left, the turn signal should be activated, and the low beam should be used at night. During periods when streetlights are on, or when driving in low visibility conditions such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, the headlights, position lights, and rear lights should be turned on. When a following vehicle is driving close to the vehicle in front in the same direction, the high beam should not be used.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I'm accustomed to setting my headlights to position 0. Especially when driving on highways or suburban roads at night, the 0 setting provides the longest beam distance, allowing me to clearly see road conditions about a hundred meters ahead. However, when the car is fully loaded with passengers or the trunk is packed with luggage, I need to adjust it to position 3 or 4. Otherwise, the front of the car tilts slightly upward, directing the beam straight into the eyes of oncoming drivers. Before every family trip, I make it a point to check the headlight height. It's crucial to adjust when there's a significant change in load – it's a matter of driving safety. In fact, many accidents are caused by improper headlight adjustment. Don't consider it a hassle; taking two minutes to turn a knob can save you from major trouble.
Last week when helping my cousin pick up his new car, I specifically researched headlight adjustment. Generally, the 0 setting is most suitable when the car is empty - it provides wide illumination without being too dazzling. But if the trunk is packed with New Year goods or there are three big guys in the back seats causing the rear to sag and the front to rise, you must adjust to setting 3 or 4 to lower the beams. The 4S shop technician taught me a trick: adjust the lights against a wall in an underground garage at night, ensuring the low-beam cutoff line aligns with the license plate position of the car in front for optimal safety. My personal habit is to keep it at setting 1 or 2 year-round, which works well whether temporarily carrying passengers or driving empty. Always remember that setting lights too high not only invites complaints but may also result in traffic tickets if caught by police.
