One Headlight Brighter than the other?

[Event]

Why do some cars seem to have one headlight brighter than the other? You can see this a lot looking into the rearview mirror at night. So many have one really bright headlight? Are they low on headlight fluid?

 

[sUn]

One is the high beam, while the other is the low beam. I may be in-correct, but I know this goes for motorcycles.

 

[Event]

It seems to just be distracting! I don't like looking into the rearview mirror to that! I could flip the mirror up, but then I have reduced visibility...

 

[halfracedrift]

Probably improper calibration of the headlights (isn't there like.. a 35 foot rule where the headlights have to meet at a point or something?)

They probably twisted the calibration screw while thinking they were securing the headlight, thus, making one headlight shoot farther than the other one.

 

[Duke]

Actually, you shouldn't have to mess with the calibration in order to change the lamp. However, a minor bump or fenderbender might do it.

If one lamp is a LOT darker than the other, like a dull yellow color, it usually indicates a bad ground connection on the dim lamp.

 

[Slick6]

My guess would be two different bulbs with two different wattages being used.

 

[1X83Z]

Why do some cars seem to have one headlight brighter than the other?

Calibration, as was said. Both bulbs are the same brightness, but one's pointed in your face - so it looks brighter.