Have you ever been driving at night and suddenly been blinded by the headlights of an oncoming car? Not only is it uncomfortable, but it's also dangerous because it can interfere with visibility on the road. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the ideal headlight beam distance—it’s not just about brightness, but also about safety.

Why Is Headlight Adjustment Important?

Headlights that are too high can blind other drivers and cause them to lose sight of the road momentarily. Conversely, if the beam is too low, you yourself will suffer, as the road will not be clearly visible. The point is, the headlight beam must be just right: far enough to see the road, but not so far that it disturbs others.

Regulated by Government Regulations

To avoid arbitrariness, this matter is actually regulated in Government Regulation No. 55 of 2015 concerning Vehicles. It explains that:

1. There must be two headlights (or multiples thereof),

2. They must be installed at the front,

3. The maximum height from the road surface is 1,500 mm,

4. The minimum range of the low beam is 40 meters, and the high beam is 100 meters.

Violators will face penalties: a maximum of 2 months in prison or a fine of up to IDR 500,000. That's quite a lot, right? It's better to adjust your lights from the start to be safe.

How Far Should Car Headlights Shine?

Internationally, car high beams should ideally shine at least 100 meters ahead before their intensity decreases. However, this also depends on the type of headlights and vehicle specifications. Modern cars with LED or HID technology are usually brighter and more stable.

To maintain optimal performance, make sure your car's headlights are always clean and in top condition. Dim or dirty headlights can drastically reduce visibility, which is very risky, especially on unlit roads.

Headlight Height Regulations

Still according to PP No. 55 of 2015, the direction of the main headlights should not exceed 0°34' to the right and 0°09' to the left. If your car has had its springs, suspension, or tires replaced, make sure the headlight angle is readjusted—because changes in vehicle height can also alter the beam direction.

Why Car Headlights Can Be Unfocused

If you feel that your car headlights are scattered or unfocused, there could be many causes:

• The headlight position is incorrect or the mount is loose.
• Incorrect adjustment after replacing the headlights.
• The lens is dirty or dusty.
• The reflector is damaged or cloudy.
• The height of the car has changed, for example after replacing the tires or installing heavy cargo in the back.
• The light control system is damaged, whether it's the wiring, switch, or module.

Conclusion

Car headlight alignment isn't just about style or brightness. Proper adjustment makes night driving safer, more comfortable, and certainly doesn't disturb other road users. So, before heading out tonight, check your headlight alignment to avoid becoming a "road glare."

Indonesia 🇮🇩

Jarak Ideal Sorot Lampu Mobil, Jangan Asal Terang!

Pernah nggak, waktu lagi nyetir malam-malam, tiba-tiba silau karena mobil dari arah berlawanan sorot lampunya “nyorot” banget? Bukan cuma bikin nggak nyaman, tapi juga bahaya, karena bisa ganggu visibilitas di jalan. Nah, makanya penting banget tahu soal jarak ideal sorot lampu mobil, bukan sekadar urusan terang atau nggak terang, tapi juga soal keselamatan.

Kenapa Pengaturan Lampu Itu Penting?

Lampu mobil yang terlalu tinggi bisa bikin pengemudi lain silau dan kehilangan pandangan sejenak. Sebaliknya, kalau sorotnya terlalu rendah, kamu sendiri yang rugi, jalan jadi nggak kelihatan jelas. Intinya, sorot lampu harus pas: cukup jauh untuk melihat jalan, tapi nggak sampai mengganggu orang lain.

Sudah Diatur Dalam Peraturan Pemerintah

Biar nggak asal, soal ini sebenarnya sudah diatur dalam Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 55 Tahun 2015 tentang Kendaraan. Di situ dijelaskan kalau:

1. Lampu utama harus berjumlah dua buah (atau kelipatannya),

2. Dipasang di bagian depan,

3. Ketinggian dari permukaan jalan maksimal 1.500 mm,

4. Sorotan lampu dekat minimal 40 meter, dan lampu jauh minimal 100 meter.

Kalau melanggar, siap-siap kena sanksi: penjara maksimal 2 bulan atau denda hingga Rp 500 ribu. Lumayan, kan? Mending atur lampu dari awal biar aman.

Seberapa Jauh Harusnya Sorot Lampu Mobil?

Secara internasional, lampu jauh mobil idealnya bisa menyorot minimal 100 meter ke depan sebelum intensitasnya turun. Tapi ini tergantung juga pada jenis lampu dan spesifikasi kendaraan. Mobil modern dengan teknologi LED atau HID biasanya bisa lebih terang dan stabil.

Supaya performanya tetap optimal, pastikan lampu mobil selalu bersih dan dalam kondisi prima. Lampu yang redup atau kotor bisa bikin jarak pandang menurun drastis, dan itu sangat berisiko, terutama di jalan tanpa penerangan.

Aturan Ketinggian Sorot Lampu

Masih dari PP No. 55 Tahun 2015, arah sinar lampu utama nggak boleh lebih dari 0°34' ke kanan dan 0°09' ke kiri. Kalau mobilmu pernah diganti pegas, suspensi, atau bannya, pastikan sudut lampu disetel ulang ya—karena perubahan tinggi kendaraan juga bisa bikin arah sorotnya berubah.

Kenapa Lampu Mobil Bisa Nggak Fokus

Kalau kamu ngerasa lampu mobilmu kok nyebar atau nggak fokus, penyebabnya bisa banyak:

• Posisi lampu tidak tepat atau dudukannya longgar.
• Penyetelan salah setelah ganti lampu.
• Lensa kotor atau berdebu.
• Reflektor rusak atau buram.
• Ketinggian mobil berubah, misalnya setelah ganti ban atau pasang muatan berat di belakang.
• Sistem pengatur cahaya rusak, entah kabel, switch, atau modulnya.

Kesimpulan

Sorot lampu mobil bukan cuma soal gaya atau terang-terangan. Penyetelan yang tepat bikin perjalanan malam lebih aman, nyaman, dan tentu nggak ganggu pengguna jalan lain. Jadi, sebelum jalan malam ini, cek dulu sorot lampumu biar nggak jadi “penyilau jalanan”.