Why Does the Headlight Beam of a Vehicle Leave the Road Surface at Night?
2 Answers
When the headlight beam of a vehicle leaves the road surface at night, possible road conditions ahead include sharp turns, large potholes, or reaching the crest of a slope. The following methods can help judge road conditions and terrain when driving with headlights at night: If you notice the headlight beam's illumination distance changing from far to near: The road ahead may be entering a curve with mountains or barriers on one side, reaching the low point of a slope, or approaching/entering an uphill section. If you notice the headlight beam's illumination distance changing from near to far: The road ahead may be transitioning from a curve to a straight section, entering a downhill slope, changing from a gentle to steep downhill, or moving from a downhill section onto level ground. When the headlight beam shifts from the center to the side of the road: The road ahead may be a typical curve or a series of curves. In the case of continuous curves, the headlight beam will correspondingly shift from one side of the road to the other.
As an experienced driver with over a decade behind the wheel, I once encountered a frightening situation where my headlights illuminated the road too high at night. Later, I realized the main reason might have been an overloaded rear, such as after moving furniture, causing the front of the car to lift and the headlight beams to rise off the ground. This is dangerous because limited visibility makes it easy to miss curves or obstacles, leading to accidents. It's essential to check that the load is evenly distributed and not exceeding capacity, and to adjust the headlight height using the adjustment screws to aim them properly at the ground. If this issue occurs frequently, it might be due to aging suspension springs or damaged shock absorbers causing the body to sag and the lights to rise. It's advisable to check the headlight projection height every six months to ensure it's in the correct position and make timely repairs to prevent accidents.
