09 Low Beam light pattern
 

Driving home on a dark country road with the low beam lights on, I noticed the light pattern is different than any that I have seen before. There is a noticeable horizon about hood level, there is no illumination above this level. Hitting the high beam switch and a whole new world is illuminated. I see the reasoning for this but I thought my eyes were deceiving me. I can't wait to see if this is easier to drive with in a heavy snow storm.

RE: 09 Low Beam light pattern
 

That is the effect of the projector headlights. There is a screen inside the housing that blocks the light from coming out at the top so you see that distinct cutoff line. Kind of neat if you ask me!

RE: 09 Low Beam light pattern
 

The sharp horizontal cutoff gives more light on the road and less in the eyes of oncoming traffic. Your manual shows how to adjust to this line.
I used this when I replaced my lamps with Sylvania (Osram) SU ultra. Legal and much better. They are hard to find, I got mine on EBay,