[anandpadhye]

@Frank,

Though in this case it may be a real misalignment, I learnt an interesting fact from my Laura's manual - the headlights are never aligned 100% straight - they are aligned slightly to the left for RHD countries and slightly to the right for LHD countries. So one should not try to achieve 100% straight line setting. (I think the idea is to have the footpath and the edge of the road always visible - for safety).

This should cool your nerves a little bit.

BTW, why are you running around garrages?
Why don't you go to Honda and get it checked?

Cheers!

[frankmehta]

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

@Frank,

Though in this case it may be a real misalignment, I learnt an interesting fact from my Laura's manual - the headlights are never aligned 100% straight - they are aligned slightly to the left for RHD countries and slightly to the right for LHD countries. So one should not try to achieve 100% straight line setting. (I think the idea is to have the footpath and the edge of the road always visible - for safety).

This should cool your nerves a little bit.

BTW, why are you running around garrages?
Why don't you go to Honda and get it checked?

Cheers!

Yes, that's exactly the reason why importing headlights officially from European countries (which have LHD cars) is not recommended, even though they share the same parts bin as their Indian counterparts. The light might look the same and fit flush, but it will be unsafe as beam scatter will be directed to the left, instead of the right side and hence will blind oncoming drivers, esp on Highways.

I used the lights tonight for the first time since I upgraded them and the beam looks the SAME as the 51 w bulb. The extra 30 w is not showing. I attribute it to bad focusing as well...

I will turn to Honda soon, if there's no solution outside.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by frankmehta

...from European countries (which have LHD cars).... as beam scatter will be directed to the left, instead of the right side ....

For LHD vehicles, the beam scatter will be towards the right, not to the left ?

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by frankmehta

Yes, that's exactly the reason why importing headlights officially from European countries (which have LHD cars) is not recommended, even though they share the same parts bin as their Indian counterparts. The light might look the same and fit flush, but it will be unsafe as beam scatter will be directed to the left, instead of the right side and hence will blind oncoming drivers, esp on Highways.

Well, I think the headlights are same, the left/right orientation is settable. At least that's what I get from the Laura manual. Skoda says if you need to drive in another country that uses different system than yours, make sure to get the headlight focus adjusted accordingly. Will go home and try to quote word to word from the manual.

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

For LHD vehicles, the beam scatter will be towards the right, not to the left ?

Yes, I think so.

[S_U_N]

@frank: The RHS headlamp is probably a problem. Notice that the road illumination is much further ahead of the car.
You might want to try this exercise:
1. Place a thick towel on the one of the two headlamps and cover it completely. Then check the focus/ throw of the other headlamp.
There are screws/ gears for adjusting (Vertical & Horizontal). Use a socket wrench or something else more suitable for the same. Maybe the Civic thread can tell you where to locate these gears.
2. Repeat the step 1 for the other side.

This should improve the illumination for city use and buy you enough time to decide what to do next.

[frankmehta]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

For LHD vehicles, the beam scatter will be towards the right, not to the left ?

I think you are correct..

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

Well, I think the headlights are same, the left/right orientation is settable. At least that's what I get from the Laura manual. Skoda says if you need to drive in another country that uses different system than yours, make sure to get the headlight focus adjusted accordingly. Will go home and try to quote word to word from the manual.
Yes, I think so.

I must check my manual for that.

Originally Posted by S_U_N

@frank: The RHS headlamp is probably a problem. Notice that the road illumination is much further ahead of the car.
You might want to try this exercise:
1. Place a thick towel on the one of the two headlamps and cover it completely. Then check the focus/ throw of the other headlamp.
There are screws/ gears for adjusting (Vertical & Horizontal). Use a socket wrench or something else more suitable for the same. Maybe the Civic thread can tell you where to locate these gears.
2. Repeat the step 1 for the other side.
This should improve the illumination for city use and buy you enough time to decide what to do next.

I think my problem has been sorted fine. But superb advice. I had planned something on the lines you have suggested.

I might be wrong about the direction of the lights. Anand and Blue Thunder, I think you'll got it right.


OK guys, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!
Headlights issue sorted. Culprit: Poor fitting of bulbs on the head light housings from day one. The electrician who must have done it for the previous owner was clearly incompetent and made a mess out of the alignment of both bulbs. The headlight leveling motor itself was slipping due to poor fitting and everything was such a mess when we opened up the bumpers.
Went to Swadi automobiles who did a FABULOUS job. Thank you so much @tejas@perioimpl!
They have a Hella Leveling machine with a lux meter and a calibrated device that assists in alignment of the headlights. Apparently, the WHOLE time, the beam was facing skywards. It was pathetic, I tell you!!

Photos of the device followed by a few beauties I saw at Swadi. Have a look. I was charged Rs. 1266 as labour for opening up the bumpers and fixing the alignment. Worth it, since getting new headlights would have entailed 7000 rupees in parts and atleast Rs 1000 as labour. Money well spent!!

The beam issue is now fully sorted and when I flashed my headlights in my dimly lit parking lot, I was impressed. Will take photos of the beams at night..

[anandpadhye]

Wow, where is this workshop?
Cheers!

[dipen]

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

Wow, where is this workshop?
Cheers!

From our directory: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/mumbai...tomobiles.html

Tel: 022 - 23877916, 23870272, 23889352
Fax: 022 - 23872013
Contact: Mr K V George
Email: swadiauto@vsnl.net
Address: Petit Compound, Nana Chowk, Near Bata Showroom, Grant Road, Mumbai - 400007

[frankmehta]

Pictures speak a thousand words. I am extremely happy with the results. Here's a few pictures taken in tube light and also a few in the dark, with low beam and a dipped beam. A few of a frontal vision to see the beam scatter on the ground.

And then a couple of videos..

http://youtu.be/WQ264rupu9g

http://youtu.be/W9vPMff91IA

[frankmehta]

Guys. I am in dire need of someone who can just sit in the car and sort out all my rattling issues. I have about a dozen different rattles emanating from the car and I am getting unnerved with every bump on the road.
Is there ANYONE in Mumbai who actually specializes in this kind of stuff??

[saurabhkum]

Originally Posted by frankmehta

Guys. I am in dire need of someone who can just sit in the car and sort out all my rattling issues. I have about a dozen different rattles emanating from the car and I am getting unnerved with every bump on the road.
Is there ANYONE in Mumbai who actually specializes in this kind of stuff??

You can check up Sunil Shanbag's garage "Select Auto" , they have kept my OHC Vtec rattle free till date.

[frankmehta]

Originally Posted by saurabhkum

You can check up Sunil Shanbag's garage "Select Auto" , they have kept my OHC Vtec rattle free till date.

Thanks. Have called him and waiting for an appointment. Wanted to visit him since a long time. Now I have an excuse.

I just thought i'll make a mini update here.
Done 2500 with her already. A/C, Brakes, Engine ICE performing exceptionally well. Headlights now work fine. Rattles need to be addressed, though. Going to a petrol pump tomorrow for getting the engine bay and underbody washed.

As for mileage:
Did 156 km today and filled 277 rupees of CNG
Getting an average figure of Rs. 2.2-2.8 a km. As good as FREE!

[frankmehta]

Hey people!!! Any idea which company makes the ORIGINAL HONDA replacement Air filter elements for the Civic?? I have a SAKURA one in my car and I want to replace it with something less generic.

[jatinpatel]

Sakura is the original Honda replacement.
other might be the Purolator but didn find it good.

In my car the Air filter paper element strarted braking up within 5k kms luckily spotted it in time and replaced it.
It would had created a HAVOC if it would had entered the engine.

[vikram_d]

Frank, why not get a k&n stock replacement filter?