2016 LED Headlight Aiming

gmharle said:

I am wondering if anyone can answer a question about the LED headlight aiming. My driver's side seems to be slightly lower than the passenger side causing a weird artifact right in the middle of my view at night as you can see in the picture. Does anyone know if this is by design? I took it back to have the lights adjusted but it is still the same after.

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I cannot answer specifically about your Q3, but virtually every car I've driven over the last 50 years has the offside headlight reaching further out then the one closest to oncoming traffic so that headlight does not "dazzle" the oncoming driver.

From your photo, it looks normal to me....unless you've got a right-hand drive car....

Agreed that it is likely normal. Pretty sure that they purposely set the headlights like that.

As all said - normal - DampDuffer's got it right ...

Thanks all for the replies. I figured as much but just wanted to be sure as they are very different than anything else that I have ever had. I guess I am more used to a flood type of beam pattern and not such a sharp line. I am sure that I will get used to it.

Just picked up my 2016 Q3 W/ LED headlights today, and it's the same as yours. Therefore I am guessing it's by design.

I am certain that the left and right beam angles ARE different (with the left beam slightly lower and to the right as you have) - but at the same time I am surprised at the unusual artifact of what looks like cancelled light at the intersection of both beams. I might be inclined to query the dealer on this -THAT part I do not think to be normal...the squared "s" shape is correct, but it should be a sharp line (with the zone beneath full of light) not with that grayish area within it - just mho -

rnlabas said:

I am certain that the left and right beam angles ARE different (with the left beam slightly lower and to the right as you have) - but at the same time I am surprised at the unusual artifact of what looks like cancelled light at the intersection of both beams. I might be inclined to query the dealer on this -THAT part I do not think to be normal...the squared "s" shape is correct, but it should be a sharp line (with the zone beneath full of light) not with that grayish area within it - just mho -

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Thanks I'll share the picture tomorrow at my service appointment. I didn't have a photo the last time.

Isn't there a system that gets the headlights to kind of turn when you are going around a corner to illuminate the road better? Is this possibly what is happening here?

Otto said:

Isn't there a system that gets the headlights to kind of turn when you are going around a corner to illuminate the road better? Is this possibly what is happening here?

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There are systems that do that, but I dont think any trim level or package available for the Q3 has it.

That's called Adaptive Lighting and you are right, the Q3 does NOT have this even available although other Audis certainly do - it's about a $1500 option or part of a Technology Package -

rnlabas said:

That's called Adaptive Lighting and you are right, the Q3 does NOT have this even available although other Audis certainly do - it's about a $1500 option or part of a Technology Package -

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It was offered last year 2015 in Canada, I wanted it but took a unit on the boat instead. It was a few hundred as I recall.

I am familiar with the afs headlights as I have them on my S4. This is not the case with the artifacts that I shared in the photo. In the photo the car is completely stopped.

I have not driven my Q3 at night yet! I need to check this out soon!!

I am starting to get used to it. It was just a little weird compared to anything that I have had before since the lines with the LED lights are so sharp. There is no "flood" at all.

My 2016 Q3 Prestige's LED headlights do the same thing (and I find it annoying) which leads me to believe that it is intentional.

My 2013 A5 has projection lights and the light beam horizon is a straight line across (perfectly level), however.

I have gotten used to it now and can't say that it really bothers me anymore. But it sure did in the beginning!

Since my wife is the primary driver on the Q3, I tend to notice it since its not at issue on my A5.

Regarding the 'adaptive headlights' feature, I am pretty sure my headlights don't aim or change position into a turn, but they do seem to have some secondary lamps that only come on when the wheel is turned in either direction enough, simulating the same effect.

Parked in the driveway with the headlights on.... I started turning the wheel to the left and eventually more lights suddenly 'turned on' from the left headlight when the wheel traveled far enough.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) takes dim view of small SUVs' lousy headlights....

The Audi Q3 was rated "poor."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money...vs-have-lousy-inadequate-headlights/86997798/

I'll chime in along with everyone else although we definitely have come to an answer. Yes it is normal, my vehicles do it too !