Hi all,
Was looking through the XF forum and couldn't find any posts about this.
I have had my 2013 XFR for about 6 months now. I finally drove it a night this past weekend and noticed how awful the headlights are. I can't see more than 30 feet in front of me and when I pull up behind someone else, I can barely read their license plate. I have had various cars with xenons before, but I have never had a car with lights this bad. I was wondering if this is to be expected or should I have the dealer look at this and adjust them. The light pattern is symmetric, but they work worse than rental POS cars I have driven. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

On my 2011 XF, the headlights are outstanding. I can't imagine they got worse in 2013, so there's probably something wrong.

 

I also have the bi-xenon (HID) lights and they are very good.
A common issue with these lights is they can be pointing way too low, which may explain your problem. An easy fix with the adjusters built into the light housings.

 

That is also pretty new for your bulbs to be burning out already, but I agree...potentially readjust the pattern and maybe look for a bulb swap / replacement

 

I suspect they are simply aimed too low. I had the same problem with mine. Fortunately, they are easily adjustable.

 

I have no problems seeing with my lights.

 

I forget the exact reason for it, but a lot of the XF left the factory with the headlamps pointing down way too far.


My 12 had the same issue. I readjusted myself and it's 100x better. You can do it yourself with an allen key.

 

Yep, 6mm allen key. But it needs to be fairly long, otherwise a medium size flat blade screwdriver will work.

 

Can anyone post a picture of where the adjusters are located. I would like to adjust mine a little bit as well. Thanks

 

Here's a pic of the RHS one on my car (driver's side, remembering that my car is RHD).
The up/down adjuster has a very poorly drawn red arrow pointing to it. It's the hex shaped white plastic bit. The other one on the LHS of the pic is the horizontal (side to side) adjuster.

 

Thanks for all the useful info guys! The dealer claims that the light are adjusted within spec. Getting the fuel filler neck replaced as I have never been able to get more than 7/8 of a tank in the car.
Will go the allen key approach when I get the car back. By the way do you know which way is up/down when adjusting (clockwise or counter)?

In the mean time, I have to tool around in the loaner 2015 XJL. I guess I will just have to suck it up.

 

I can't remember which way to turn the adjuster to raise the light.
Best bet, and what I did, was park with my lights shining on a wall about 3 feet away, and mark with a pencil the top edge of the beam where it "cuts". Then, you can see if the beam goes up or down compared to the pencil mark, depending on whether you turn clockwise or anti-clockwise.

 

The adjuster mount is in color green on the newer cars like yours, so it will be easy to spot.


I can't remember for sure, but as you turn you will see the eyes, projectors move up and down.

 

Turn clockwise to raise the aim of beam

 

Adjusters have little arrows cast into the plastic showing which way to turn to raise or to lower.

Even when "properly" adjusted the xenons are not what we are used to.

The low beam cut off is so sharply defined you get no light scatter at all as you would with DOT halogens. You will see nothing above the cut off.

 

Just adjusted the lights and what a difference. Super easy to do! Thanks

 

Thanks to everyone, lights adjusted and can now see at night.

 

Just make sure not to adjust them too high or you will blind oncoming drivers. A helpful guide:

Aligning Xenon Headlights | BMW E46 3 Series DIY

There are others, but the end point is always the same.