Raising Headlights on 2002 Q45

[jimmyrodq45]

I recently decided to spruce up my 2002 Q45 by installing a Body Kit, replacing to OEM 18" wheels with OEM 19" M45 and lowering the car with Swift springs.
I always felt the headlights shined to low for my night time vision. I heard the dealer can adjust them higher. When I drive at night I always run with the light height adjusted to the maximum. I still feel their too low. Now that I lowered the car it makes it more apparent to me.

Does anyone know how to do this without going to the dealer?
Thanks for your time. I also want to ad some horsepower and improve the mileage Any suggestions

Jimmy

[Q451990]

to NICO Jimmy!

I don't have any specific ideas for you, but looking at the factory service manual might give you some ideas. I can't imagine there aren't adjustments to the overall assembly that can be made to compensate during replacement after repairing body damage. The FSM is available at http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/

There was an update to the gas pedal, and some software changes to the transmission control and ECU that made a big difference on the '02 Q's acceleration. I would check your dealer service history if you don't already have a copy. It's available at any dealership and can be looked up by the VIN.

Later models had a revised differential gearing to get better off-the-line performance, but that would come at the expense of fuel economy.

Heath

[mcrews]

WELCOME ABOARD! WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED??
if you haven't down loaded the Field Service Manual yet.........Well I'm not sure what to think. having installed an IMPUL FULL BODY kit and swifts and numerous other mods, it would be IMPOSSIBLE without the FSM.
at the last page of the LIGHT section, there is an aiming quide. 30 ft from a wall etc....
If the lights are aimed corretly they well fall within the standard set on that page. You realize that these were the brightest lights in 2002. If you aim them to high you lose the desired effect. I run a set of piaa driving lights.

[jimmyrodq45]

Thanks for the information.
I am located in the San Jose Ca.

Ill look up the manual. I was told the dealership had the ability to raise them to a certain point. I will look for other options on lights.
Now that I have the body kit installed the bumper has some larger openings for nice lights like the Piaa's or some other options.

I will check into the gas pedal upgrade and computer adjustments for my year Q45

I hear mixed reviews on the Cold air intake options for increasing power. any other ideas for improved HP or is Cold intake the way to go?

Over all adding the springs and increasing the rims diameter increased the handloing while it did not seem to affect my comfort ride too much. Overall I'm pretty happy with the changes. Another inch lower in front would look nicer, but I'm not looking for a slammed look.

My gas mileage has dropped recently after installing the rims from 18.7 AVG MPG to About 17.6. Could be just me stepping on it more now that it handles so much better.



Any other feedback would be great.

[CHAD@FREEMANS]

I recently decided to spruce up my 2002 Q45 by installing a Body Kit, replacing to OEM 18" wheels with OEM 19" M45 and lowering the car with Swift springs.
I always felt the headlights shined to low for my night time vision. I heard the dealer can adjust them higher. When I drive at night I always run with the light height adjusted to the maximum. I still feel their too low. Now that I lowered the car it makes it more apparent to me.

Does anyone know how to do this without going to the dealer?
Thanks for your time. I also want to ad some horsepower and improve the mileage Any suggestions

Jimmy

Let us see some pics of that bad boy.

[djwarner]

I get 20-21 mpg in my 02 Q45 in suburban driving. And yes YMMV.

I would not recommend cold air intakes or K&N type filters for these engines as they do not stop grit and dust as well as the OEM system.

[jimmyrodq45]

I get some pics soon. When I had the body kit painted I dropped off the kit at the body shop and left the Paint code with them. As it turned out the Pearl white on the car had turned slightly off white over the years. So the body kit is brighter white then the rest of the body. The shop that installed the kit was not to happy with the result more then myself, so he is going to repaint the kit at "no charge" after he custom matches the paint. This will not happen for a few weeks. Meanwhile the tail that comes with the car was not installed since it requires drilling into the trunk of the car.
I may post a few pictures later. The differences are subtly but make the car look upgraded for not a lot of $$. I should have done this a while ago, but I doubt I would have gotten such a great deal on the body kit and wheels.