Miata Mailing List: October 1997, Message #46
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From: 	RSAlder@aol.com

Subject: Re: hella va confusion

Date: 	Wed, 1 Oct 1997 07:17:07 +0000



In a message dated 97-09-30 17:23:36 EDT, davo@lsil.com writes:



> 

>  There have been lots of input on how best to adjust these on the list. 

>  I copied all of them for my adjustment and when I got down to it, I

>  aimed them on my garage door...they looked okay so I went for a drive.

>  

>  No one flashed me, although I was frequently flashed with the OEMs.

>  (Maybe i should "qualify" my menaing of flashed?).  I think it's the

>  sharp cutoff.  More visibility with less glare to on-coming traffic.



The key to remember when aiming Euro style headlights...as well as fog lights

for that matter, is to never have the cut off line be above the horizontal.

 That way  only in situations where the road surface drops away in front of

you will there be any light in oncoming drivers eyes.  I wish more people who

have poorly adjusted fog lights and insist on using them on perfectly clear

nights were aware of this.



I might add that almost every Miata I've had in my rear view mirror at night

had their headlights adjusted too high.  Mine were when new...before the

Sylvania's came out and the Hellas went in...eight years ago.



You should try driving a US spec car in Europe if you want to get flashed.

 Europeans  are used to not seeing any glare coming from the headlights and

when they see some they assume that your brights are on.



Ralph Alder

SoCal 90 Red A