2024 Subaru Forester headlights too low?

[Stormy]

I have had my 24 Forester several months, but seldom drive in the dark. However, during a night drive I noticed my headlights were not throwing enough light for me to see beyond the immediate front of the car. The view through my windshield was divided as the top half of windshield was black, and the lower half I could see the road. It was as if I had to lean slightly and look through the lit area. I am guessing my lights became "stuck" facing downward??? I do not think I can drive safely like this. The local Subaru dealership told me its just the way new Subaru's are. I have had Subarus for many years.... Is this me being picky or is this a thing? Can it be corrected at a (better) Subaru dealership? I would think this is waranteed as well? Thanks for any advice. I am new to this forum.

 

[WordsMyth43]

That's a rather interesting issue and inadequate response from the dealership. My 2024 Crosstrek - like most 2024 Subarus - has headlights that "follow" the direction when you're turning, and, I suppose it's possible that your headlights could have been "stuck" in the wrong position due to a sensor or mechanical malfunction. I would certainly try another Subaru dealership if one is available. It might also not hurt to talk to the service manager at your current dealership - in a non-hostile, cooperative way - and see if they can take another look and perhaps resolve the issue for you.

 

[chevy]

I have a 23' forester and noticed the low beams have a fairly sharp "cutoff" in illuminating the road ahead...I think this may be designed so as to prevent blinding opposing traffic..however if you leave light switch in auto and move lever to high beam position, the dark area gets lit up well...if the auto mode senses light from various sources including opposing traffic, it will automatically turn off the high beams briefly and continue to cycle in that manner..when the brights are on, I think they illuminate the road well..

 

[Stormy]

Chevy I think you are correct. After reading about LEDs vs oncoming traffic, the low light setting makes more sense, and yes I did just discover as you mentioned : leave it in auto and high beam and that does help a lot. The sharp cutoff you describe is what alarmed me the most I think, thinking that something was awry. My last Subaru was a 2010 and lots has changed since then!. Thanks for you perfect response to my conundrum !

 

[Dick Foster]

I think the reason the lights may seem to be aimed too low is because of the move to LEDs which but out less light over a much narrower spectrum than the previously popular tungsten halogen lamps did. They must concentrate what limited output LEDs produce into much a more tightly concentrated coverage area.