I have a simple question. Since I've only owned my 2005 XK8 for a short while I have been noticing that when I start the car with the headlights in the Auto-On position it looks like the lights come on sliding up. The light that is cast in front of the car definitely looks like they are rotating up from a down off condition. I have had no luck looking this up to find out how this works? The lights inside do not look like they are behind a lid or are in a down rotated position. Anyone have anything they can tell me as to how this affect occurs?

 

You have the HID low beam headlights. By law, they are required to have a self leveling system, which is what you are observing here.

 

Ahhh, interesting. Were the HID low beams standard or an option for the 2005 model year?

 

DBC, the Headlight Man!

Your 2005 XK8 came with HID Low Beam Headlights....When you turn them on or if they come on automatically, they will rise -up to the Leveling height and stop....Pretty neat Huh? This can be adjusted by going inside the Headlight itself and turning the adjustment screw on the Leveler....there is a bubble inside like a Level.....These low beam Bulbs are HID Bulbs, which have a Ballast that ignites the HID Bulb's gases.....I am in the process of replacing both the Bulbs and the Ballast on my 2005 XKR, as the set-up is now almost 14 years old. One of my Bulbs or Ballast has burned-out. These are great lights but I'm replacing the D1S Bulbs with the brightest Bulb that Osham makes as a replacement.....Also, your High Beam Lights came with H1 Halogen Bulbs and are not very Bright.....What I did was replace that system with an LED Bulb Headlight Kit that I got from CARiD. This will bring you out of the dark and you will be able to see again at night.....Then make sure that you have the Headlights adjusted properly so that you will be able to see at night.....but don't adjust them to HIGH as they might shine in my EYES! There is a happy medium and that is so much better than the Jaguar settings.

Be sure you get the correct Ballast for your XK8 when you replace the Low-Beams. I just bought a Kit with both Ballast and D1S Bulbs (NEW) for a little over $400.00 up in Chicago. You can find them at: HIDConcepts.com....The Bulbs and Ballast are new and are in the Factory wrappings. (NEW) and they are correct for the 2005 XKR! I found that most of the Ballast that are less than $100.00 Bucks are usually USED....from wrecked Cars...….They are less but what are you getting?

Good Luck with your XK8 Convertible! Take good care of Her!!!

Billy Clyde in Houston