Can someone explain to me exactly how the auto tilt headlights work? I assumed that when you turn the vehicle, the headlights turn with it, e.g. to help "see" around corners at intersections. The manual states that this feature is only active when the car is going 6mph or faster. I can't seem to verify the feature is working, or I simply can't tell I should say, when I'm driving at night. Is there any good way to verify it's working other than having my wife stand outside the car one night down the street a bit?

 

they are probably working just fine. i agree w/ you the difference is barely noticeable in the GS. i am not sure if that is because of the height of the car/lights or what, but on an RX it's obvious they are turning. the brightness of the HIDs on the GS and the width of the light make it really hard to see the projectors turning at all.

what is weird is that, on my Audi sedan, it is very obvious they are turning

 

It wasn't until I smashed the front of my '06 GS that I noticed them turning.

My '07 has the lights adjusted higher and they're more noticeable now.

One easy way to see them turning is to drive an an unlit road at around 10 mph and swerve the car lightly from left to right.

 

if you look carefully, the top horizontal line of the light field is not smooth. (meaning there are 2 bumps on the light projected from your headlights) or maybe its just mine.

But whenever I'm taking a corner, I can see these bumps move in reference to my steering wheel. Its very prominent in a round-about, esp during the approach and depart lanes.

The AFS will also tilt your lights up and down depending on your cars inclination on the road. Try going up a speed hump very slowly and you'll see the difference.

 

Cool...I'm gonna check that out...

 

When you are driving,just turn the wheel quickly and you will see the light in thr road turn in the same direction.

 

Keep in mind that they turn more to the left than to the right (so it's more visible with left turns). I find it's more noticeable when the lights return to the center from a left hand turn.

The lights going up and down is part of the auto-leveling feature. You can really notice this when the lights first go on and they 'position' themselves into the proper driving plane.

 

also, reaction to hills is slower. I notcied it takes a secon or so before it'll auto level up/down when on a hill. the side to side thing does work, you can see it moving to the left alot, but the lexus is "only" 15deg left and something dumb llike 5deg to the right. so its not much.

 

Overall, for those of you who have this feature (and can tell it's working), is there a significant difference when you're turning? Do you fell safer? I ask because I didn't realize it was available on the GS until after I bought my car -- and found out my car doesn't have this feature.

 

You wont miss it. Its a feat idea. I CAN see the difference if I make a sweeping turn on an unlited part of the road. It does illuminate where the car is heading. But if it was a $500 option to get afterwards, I doubt if I would buy it.

 

Helps on the sweeping turns. We have a long left hander near our home and the swiveled lights cover the roadway well.
Seems like a 'neat to have' vs. a 'need to have' or a 'must have'.

 

Thanks, Star and Sarge. I've been a little bummed about it, but "neat to have" vs. "need to have" is a great way to look at it.

 

when driving the GX which just has regular non HID lights and no AFS, vs the GS with the HID mand AFS it is a significant difference. WHen I go around corners the lights just stay exactly straight ahead on the GX. THe lights on the GS turn with the car.
Would I feel bummed about not having it in a car, no, but it is definetly worth it if you have it. Very nice feature. I just with it was more reactive faster adjusting when turning. On the 550i I had, you could be sitting still, not moving and turn the wheel, and the lights turned as well.
With the GS you have to be moving 6mph or something like that...
But it is worth it, if you can opt for the option when purchasing, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over not having it after you already purchased.