Torque Shop

After I replaced my car's left-side headlamp unit, which was cracked, the light beam on the left seems to be shorter than it was before. Did I buy the wrong headlamp unit? Or has it got something to do with the new bulb?

It is unlikely. The fact that you notice a short light beam from the new unit suggests that the lamp has not been correctly adjusted.

All headlamps can be adjusted for reach and spread or beam-length and beam- width respectively. Every car that leaves the factory has both lamps adjusted to the required specification.

Although adjustment is relatively simple - one screw for reach and one screw for spread - it is important to know the legal requirements of the beam stipulated mainly to avoid dazzling other road users.

SHREEJIT CHANGAROTH

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 13, 2016, with the headline Torque Shop. Subscribe