Headlight performance in the Infiniti M35/M45

[dralison]

Still considering the purchase of an M35X to replace my 2000 BMW 540i/6 sport. Tonight on the drive home I pulled next to a beautiful midnight blue M35X and noticed when I pulled towards the front that the HID headlights seemed almost muted and not very bright.

The xenons in my 540i are amazingly bright - do you M35/45 owners feel that your headlights are bright enough? If not is there an aftermarket solution? Thanks in advance...

[KenstyleM35]

Its bright enough but I did end up changing the HID to 6000k and its alot brighter than stock HID. I also did match my fog light with head light HID.

Jim

[Pashdut]

I love how bright mine are. I am satisfied.

[scjconsulting]

I have previously had xenons on a BMW 3 series and 2 Audi S4s. I have noticed no less light performance on my M35X.

[jshattner]

Ditto coming from a '00 E55 and '03 E500 Sport.

[timinfla2]

I think they are perfect - the low beams cut a perfect line below the line of sight of most oncoming drivers and the high's just blow the place up.

I especially love how they coordinate with the steering to illuminate the corners you take.

[mdratliff]

The headlights on the M is a disappointment when compared to BMW or MB. I previously leased a BMW X5 with HID/Xeon that provided unbelievable lighting. I later purchased an Infiniti FX35 that was ok but not near the X5. In the last month I replaced the FX35 with a QX56 (wife's vehicle) and observed much improvement over the FX35 but still not as good as the X5. For myself, I purchased a M45 Sport and very disappointed at the lights (not as good as the Fx35). The M45 light angle seems lower and with the highbeams on I have a significant gap (black space) between the low and high. Infiniti service indicated the lights were adjusted properly.

[117]

When the high beams are on, is it xenon high beam light or does it switch over to the old halogen light when the brights are turned on?

[117]

Talking about the 2006 M45/35's.

[tjp1963]

I came from a Saab 9-5 and have found the headlights of my M35x to be just OK. I have had the dealer adjust them 2x's now to raise their horizontal plane to elimnate a dark area between the high and low beam. they have great side light, but I think their forward focus could be better. I see some other post reference going to a 6000k bulb. Is that a direct replacement? Where do you get them? Waht is the part number?

Thanks,

TP

2006 M35x Obsidian/Rosewood

[mdratliff]

I don't believe the M35/45 high beam are Xenon. On my previous FX35, both low and high were xenon/HID lights. As the thread from TP indicated, there is a dark horizontal plane between the xenon low beams and the halogen highbeams. I plan to have the dealer to see if an adjustment can be made.

MR

2006 M45 Sport Aero/Obsidian/Graphite

[Pete_L_P]

The headlights on the M is a disappointment when compared to BMW or MB. I previously leased a BMW X5 with HID/Xeon that provided unbelievable lighting. I later purchased an Infiniti FX35 that was ok but not near the X5. In the last month I replaced the FX35 with a QX56 (wife's vehicle) and observed much improvement over the FX35 but still not as good as the X5. For myself, I purchased a M45 Sport and very disappointed at the lights (not as good as the Fx35). The M45 light angle seems lower and with the highbeams on I have a significant gap (black space) between the low and high. Infiniti service indicated the lights were adjusted properly.

Many people find that the "correct" factory adjustments are too low. However you can raise them yourself, as I, and many others, have done. Most dealers will raise them for you as well, if you explicitly request that. Having raised them, I'm completely happy with them at this point.

Pete

[117]

Does BMW & MB have bi-xenon lights? Why did Infiniti put only low beam xenon lights? A vehicle approx 60K dollars and they don't use bi-xenon lights.

[dralison]

My 2000 BMW 540/6 has Xenon lows and Halogen highs. Works fine.

[RLane]

High beams are halogen in the ~5K Kelvin range. Not sure if it was cost or safety issue for oncomers seeing your high beams. Going from sharp beam line cuts of HID low beams to wide beam spread halogens gives the annoying appearance of a transition zone gap. I'm a little disappointed in the lighting department. Negative reviews about the new M seem to reflect this topic. Wonder if the '07's will correct ? Posts on upgrade replacement Zenon ( 6K+K) and brighter halogen HB/fog replacement bulb sources would be appreciated.

[117]

Does anybody know how to adjust the low beams? On my FX it was very easy. There is a dead area between the high and low beams on my 06 M45. Does anybody have a detailed service manual for the 2006 M's?

Thanks,117

[szh]

Does anybody know how to adjust the low beams? On my FX it was very easy. There is a dead area between the high and low beams on my 06 M45. Does anybody have a detailed service manual for the 2006 M's?

Here are the relevant pages from the 2006 M Service Manual (click the images to get the larger pictures). Remember to use the info for the correct lamps you have (standard or xenon).

Also heed the instructions to make sure that you have the tire pressure correct, have a driver in the driver's seat (or equivalent load), full tank of gas, etc.



Z

[dralison]

Any source (other than the dealer) for obtaining the service manuals?

[jshattner]

Does anybody know how to adjust the low beams? On my FX it was very easy. There is a dead area between the high and low beams on my 06 M45. 117

Note that there does not appear to be a "low beam only" adjustment for the M, so the "dead area" will not disappear, just move higher or lower. Adjusting low beams upwards may make high beams useless.

[szh]

Any source (other than the dealer) for obtaining the service manuals?

Most definitely! If you have a reasonably high-speed Internet connection, then you can download the manuals (in PDF format) from the Nissan Infiniti technical web site. The web site is: http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/infiniti/ and access for a day session costs $20 - well worth the money!

Do remember to download the TSB's (Technical Service Bulletins) as well! These add information to the full service manual.

The only pain is that you have to download each file one at a time, but the end result is well worth it.

Z

[dralison]

Most definitely! If you have a reasonably high-speed Internet connection, then you can download the manuals (in PDF format) from the Nissan Infiniti technical web site. The web site is: http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/infiniti/ and access for a day session costs $20 - well worth the money!

Do remember to download the TSB's (Technical Service Bulletins) as well! These add information to the full service manual.

The only pain is that you have to download each file one at a time, but the end result is well worth it.

Z

Outstanding - very helpful. Thanks much szhosain!

[CRG]

Dealer told me my M35x should be in soon. It was ordered without the xenon headlights because of the need to order the advanced option package I did not want. Some have stated they have replace the bulbs. What brand? PIAA?

[szh]

Dealer told me my M35x should be in soon. It was ordered without the xenon headlights because of the need to order the advanced option package I did not want. Some have stated they have replace the bulbs. What brand? PIAA?

Hmmm ... I have used the Sylvania Silverstars in the past and liked them a lot. I do not have any experience with PIAA, although they are a very well-known brand, of course!

Z

[Tony407]

Anyone solve this problem? I have an '07 M45 Sport and the headlight aim is absolutely AWFUL. The low beams are aimed too low and the high beams are way too high. On a flat, level road I can't even tell if the high beams are on because they're aimed up so high. The only time they seem useful is going up and down hills. I even replaced the bulbs with Sylvania Silverstars, which made them brighter, but no more useful because of the aim. And with just the low beams on, I have a hard time seeing far enough ahead and have serious doubts that I'd have enough time to stop should something be in the road. I don't feel confident or safe driving this car at night, which is when I enjoy driving the most. This comes from someone with very good night vision. I guess my Maxima spoiled me because I could independently adjust the low and high beams. I aimed the low beams as high as they could go without causing other drivers to flash me, and aimed the high beams at just the right height for maximum visibility. I guess I'm just looking for some more discussion on this before I contact my dealer. They're a 4-hour drive away, so if this is something I can do myself, then great. Otherwise, it'll have to wait.

Tony

[117]

Anyone solve this problem? I have an '07 M45 Sport and the headlight aim is absolutely AWFUL. The low beams are aimed too low and the high beams are way too high. On a flat, level road I can't even tell if the high beams are on because they're aimed up so high. The only time they seem useful is going up and down hills. I even replaced the bulbs with Sylvania Silverstars, which made them brighter, but no more useful because of the aim. And with just the low beams on, I have a hard time seeing far enough ahead and have serious doubts that I'd have enough time to stop should something be in the road. I don't feel confident or safe driving this car at night, which is when I enjoy driving the most. This comes from someone with very good night vision. I guess my Maxima spoiled me because I could independently adjust the low and high beams. I aimed the low beams as high as they could go without causing other drivers to flash me, and aimed the high beams at just the right height for maximum visibility. I guess I'm just looking for some more discussion on this before I contact my dealer. They're a 4-hour drive away, so if this is something I can do myself, then great. Otherwise, it'll have to wait.

Tony

Amen! Unacceptable headlight design! I don't feel comfortable driving the 06 M45 at night.

We need an aftermarket replacement regardless of the cost.

[mdratliff]

Tony,I have a 06 M45 with the same problem. I raised the issue in this forum severla months back and the admin included a few pages from the M35/M45 manual how to adjust your headlights. I have since paid $20 to get a 24 hour access to download any Infiniti manual in pdf format. I would attach, but it is beyond the size restriction.

The manual indicates there is a single adjust for Low & High beams. When I took my M45 in for oil change I asked the dealer to lower the high beams. They indicated it was auto leveling. I assume as you raise the low beams, the high beams would pivot downward. The driver side is the worse for my car. The passenger side low beam and high has a smaller spread since the low beams are raised higher. If you have a personal email, I can email the Lighting Section from the manual.

Good luck.

[Tony407]

Tony,I have a 06 M45 with the same problem. I raised the issue in this forum severla months back and the admin included a few pages from the M35/M45 manual how to adjust your headlights. I have since paid $20 to get a 24 hour access to download any Infiniti manual in pdf format. I would attach, but it is beyond the size restriction.

The manual indicates there is a single adjust for Low & High beams. When I took my M45 in for oil change I asked the dealer to lower the high beams. They indicated it was auto leveling. I assume as you raise the low beams, the high beams would pivot downward. The driver side is the worse for my car. The passenger side low beam and high has a smaller spread since the low beams are raised higher. If you have a personal email, I can email the Lighting Section from the manual.

Good luck.

Thanks!! I just emailed you.

This is something that absolutely has to be solved, one way or another. I've never felt unsafe driving at night until I purchased this car. With all the painstaking attention to detail Infiniti took when designing this car, it surprises the crap out of me that this wasn't addressed before the car was released for sale...much less after the second year of production!

Tony

[117]

Tony please let us know if this resolves the problem.

Thanks,117

[Pete_L_P]

Tony

I have auto leveling headlights on my M45 premium, and have absolutely handled this with the very simple adjustment mentioned above. For that matter, many many owners have done the same, all totally satisfied. Believe me it's a done deal.

You can find some pictures and more info here. Make sure you read through the thread and read the later posts, very clearly describing the use of the phillips head screw driver.

Pete

[Tony407]

Tony please let us know if this resolves the problem.

Thanks,117

I will.

Tony