The Importance Ideal Distance for Setting Car Headlights
29 March, 2024
The ideal distance for a car’s headlights is one of the important points for vehicle owners to understand before using them. Especially when driving at night, if the headlights are not properly illuminated, it can interfere with the lighting and make it difficult for the driver in front to see the road.
The beam of this light can be adjusted to meet your needs and provide comfort while driving in various ways. Other drivers will be exposed to glare because the car’s high beam headlights are too high, obscuring road vision.
If the light beam is too far away, it will disturb other road users when passing them, but if it is too low, the driver’s view at night will be limited. In order to drive safely and not disturb other road users, you must understand the ideal distance for car headlights, as described below.
Rules for Using Car Headlights on the Road
Discussing the ideal distance for car light beams actually has a reference as stated in Government Regulation Number 55 of 2015 concerning Vehicles. These regulations regulate in quite detail the ideal distance for car headlights.
Apart from that, it has also been determined that if this regulation is not followed, the driver can receive a fine from the authorities. The following is a quote from Article 24 paragraph (1) of the Vehicle Regulations, regarding car lights:
- A total of 2 (two) pieces or multiples thereof
- Installed on the front of the Motor Vehicle
- Installed at a height not exceeding 1,500 (one thousand five hundred) millimeters from the road surface and not exceeding 400 (four hundred) millimeters from the outermost side of the vehicle
- Can emit light at least 40 (forty) meters towards the front for near headlights and 100 (one hundred) meters towards the front for high headlights.
Car users may be subject to penalties if these regulations are not followed. As a consequence, the driver may be subject to a maximum prison sentence of 2 (two) months or a maximum fine of IDR 500 thousand.
How Far Does a Car’s High Beam Light Shine?
According to international standards, a car’s high beam headlights must be able to shine a minimum distance of 100 meters in front of the vehicle before the light decreases to a lower intensity than the high beam. However, in practice, depending on the specifications of the car and the quality of the lights installed, some cars can have high beam headlights that can illuminate a greater distance than that.
It is always important to keep your vehicle’s headlights in good condition and clean them regularly to maximize their performance. This visibility should allow adequate reaction time in dealing with various situations on the road.
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Car Headlight Height Standards
The height of car headlights is also regulated as in Government Regulation Number 55 of 2015, namely the height of the direction of the main light beam is no more than zero degrees thirty-four minutes to the right and zero degrees nine minutes to the left, with the lights placed in a position that does not exceed 1.3 % (percent) of the difference between the height of the light beam when it is uncharged and when it is charged.
Factors of Car Lights Not Focusing
Car lights not focusing can be caused by several things. Here are several factors that cause car lights to not focus:
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Improper Lamp Position
Make sure the car lights are installed correctly and are not wobbly or removed from their original position. Incorrect positioning can interfere with the focus of the light.
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Incorrect Setup
If the car headlights have been reset or replaced, make sure the adjustments are according to factory specifications. Improper adjustment may cause the light focus to be disturbed.
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Dirt or Dust
Dirt or dust stuck to the light lens can also reduce the focus of the light. Make sure to clean your lenses regularly.
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Reflector or Lens Damage
A broken or damaged reflector or lamp lens can cause the light to be scattered unevenly, thereby reducing its focus.
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Change in Vehicle Height
If the vehicle experiences a change in height, for example due to changing tires or adding weight to the rear. This can affect the focus of the light.
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Damage to the Light Control System
A damaged light control system can cause car lights to not focus. Check cables and connections to ensure they are in good condition.
That is the explanation of the importance of the ideal distance for car headlights on the highway. Apart from your comfort while driving, ideal headlights will not disturb other drivers when passing them and will not create a lack of lighting at night. Meanwhile, if the light beam is too high it can cause other drivers to feel dazzled. So make sure the points above are followed by car drivers as best as possible.
