MD Titanium LED Headlights

[NX74205]

Just wondering if anyone can tell me whether this looks like a normal low beam spread for an MD Titanium with LED Headlights: it looks a little low to me and perhaps needs alignment, but the dealer said it's working normally.



Compare that with my BF Fairmont:



While my MD emits a brighter, whiter light, it looks as though my old BF illuminates further.

[whitelion65]

Doesn't the Titanium still have headlight level adjustment from the dash?

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by whitelion65

Doesn't the Titanium still have headlight level adjustment from the dash?

Not from what I can see, unless I'm missing something.

[ope126]

No internal adjustment.
Only adjustment via the Torx screws in the engine bay.
Here is a link that might assist; https://fordforums.com.au/showthread...12#post5933812

Although the picture does look a little low, small adjustments with the Torx screws will help.

But keep in mind that they are Adaptive LED Lights, so the beam / pattern adjust as pre-set speed and vehicle conditions. So when stationary, it might only produce a shorter throw of light. However once you drive, the light output / beam pattern will constantly adjust and therefore provide a greater spread of light.

Are you unhappy with the light spread whilst driving?

What year model is your Mondeo, have you had the LED Headlight recall done yet?

I had to have this done on my previous Mondeo Wagon, not required on the newer EcoBoost...

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by ope126

Are you unhappy with the light spread whilst driving?

Yeah, it's still looks a bit low when driving.

Originally Posted by ope126

What year model is your Mondeo, have you had the LED Headlight recall done yet?

Mine is built February 2016. Last time I checked, my car isn't affected by the headlight recall.

[R12RT]

They do look a little low compared to mine.

Mine are more like your BF.

[Mondaveo]

It looks similar to the light pattern I get in my MC Titanium (projector headlamps), and while it may seem a tad short and low, I'd say it's probably normal.

The projector lights have a shade (adjustable) which defines the upper part of the light beam and produces a characteristic sharp cutoff - it looks like your LED lights do the same. Whereas with older vehicles and traditional lights, the headlight beam has a more diffuse edge which contributes to the impression of a higher/longer throw.

Remember that low beams need to be calibrated so that the light beam is directed below the eyeline of other road users. You couldn't angle those lights much higher before it goes above the doorline of other vehicles, and then you'd be hitting oncoming drivers' eyes with them - and because of the sharp cutoff would then mean they cop the full intensity of your headlights.

In my case I do notice and find it frustrating that they don't illuminate as far down the road as I'd like, but you have to compromise for other drivers (I've also had the opposite problem with lights adjusted too high up, which I'm sure isn't fun for other drivers and some will let you know...).

[NX74205]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but can MD Titanium owners tell me whether their high beams are just as pathetic as mine?



Compared with my Fairmont:



I've got an upcoming road trip which might involve some night driving. I think I'll take the Fairmont.

[R12RT]

The headlights are adaptive. So I'm thinking the beams will lift as your speed increases.

I'm not 100% sure so I will have to take more notice next time I drive at night.

[commodorenutt]

After driving a myriad of different cars over the last 20+ years (hire cars, company cars etc) some of the best headlights you'll find are on the AU, BA, BF & FG Falcons (except the FG2 projectors).

Comparing many other cars to a BA is like comparing Julia Gillard to a supermodel. Might still get the job done, but doesn't look any good.

I reckon you've been spoilt by the BA, and nothing will come close to it.

[bungfritz]

I think they've adjusted them to ensure that the lights don't blind on coming drivers due to the higher intensity.

When I complained to the dealer that the lights were adjusted too low, they had them realigned which made them the best lights ever cos of the spread of light and the range.

Problem was every second person was flashing me thinking I had my high beams on so at the last service I've had them readjusted to factory spec. Can't win unfortunately.

One tip though, in the settings menu in your car, make sure that your lights are set on the left hand traffic setting as I'll have the lights aimed higher than right hand drive. Think the setting was designed so that in European countries they could switch the light height to ensure it didn't blind on coming traffic when going from country to country.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by bungfritz

the best lights ever cos of the spread of light and the range.

That's what I was expecting - I was thinking that LEDs have to be at least as good if not better than the halogens in my BF. I ended up being rather underwhelmed by the performance of the Mondeo's headlights.

I just wasn't sure if mine was the only one, or if they were all like that. I guess if they're all like that, then I'll just have to live with it.

[AlanD]

Originally Posted by bungfritz

One tip though, in the settings menu in your car, make sure that your lights are set on the left hand traffic setting as I'll have the lights aimed higher than right hand drive. Think the setting was designed so that in European countries they could switch the light height to ensure it didn't blind on coming traffic when going from country to country.

Oops, sorry, but I believe this isn't right.

The decision as to which setting to use is dictated by where the oncoming traffic is relative to you as the driver - and in Oz, and other drive on the left countries, such traffic is to your right, so the "right hand traffic" is the setting to use.

But I say this on the basis of a Sept 2016 build Titanium Mondeo, so it could be different to cars built at different times to that, but I wouldn't expect it to be.

On our car shifting from "right Traffic" to "left Traffic" throws the headlamp beams to the right with the right lamp higher than the left.

Of course there could be changes to how the settings are interpreted for earlier/later builds - best to check by switching the setting from one condition to the other and choosing the one that throws the beams to the left with the left beam slightly higher than the right so that the road left edge is illuminated for a greater distance.

If you are not satisfied with the low beam reach then go here:

https://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11478063

For details of how I got mine adjusted to my liking - last three posts in the thread.

Cheers

[R12RT]

On my March 2016 build Titanium I set the lights to left traffic.

This lifts the light beams and gives the best illumination. I don't get flashed by oncoming traffic with this setting.

The low beam performance can only be described as adequate but must be limited by the requirement not to dazzle oncoming drivers. High beams are very good. I have little trouble seeing kangaroos on the sides of back country roads. Compared to my previous car - a 2010 Mazda6 - the Mondeo low beams are on par with the high beams being better.