Headlight use and abuse

[MarkH13]

Don't forget the idiots that swap the wiring so they run their high beams as their low beams.

"EBay" HID's should be banned. The cutoff is basically non-existent.

Dave...excellent reference and knowledge source you linked to. I've used that sight numerous times!

 

[LVSteve]

I drive a 2016 F150 and wish the headlight were brighter both low beams and high beams. Even with the driving lights and low beams. My friend me to change the bulbs to the clear blue bulbs. what say you?

My buddy has a similar truck and had the same problem. Believe it or not the problem was that the lights were aimed far too high. Had the same issue with a brand new Xterra. The blue bulbs are a total waste of money.

 

[LVSteve]

The blue bulbs actually output FEWER lumens. The color fools your eye into thinking it's brighter, but it's because there is more glare, not more light. Overall you will see less than before.

More info here: Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

For genuinely higher light output, get something like the Philips X-tremeVision. They probably won't last as long as a standard bulb, but they will be brighter and let you see more. I put them in my wife's car and my daughter's car

Daniel Stern is the man. He sold me a set of Cibie Z-beams for my 96 Firebird. The wattage was the same, but the way the light was directed was so superior it was ridiculous.

 

[grizz700]

I like my Toyota Tundra lights. They have motors on the elevation adjustments so when I am in town or driving in heavy traffic I can turn them down and when I am out on the highway I can turn them up so on highbeam you can see the deer.

 

[CBus660R]

With regards to DRLs, I've been guilty of running only those from time to time on my new truck. Get in around dusk before it's really dark and you don't really need the headlights yet and as you drive it suddenly occurs to me that my lights aren't that bright. Oh yeah, I haven't turned them on yet lol

 

[Targets Guy]

But Officer,I was just using the windshield washer...

Tampa had that law in the early 80's. Always liked it.

 

[Targets Guy]

I am waiting for car makers to get radar in the cars. Pick out the deer along the roadway and display the readout to the windshield like a HUD. Long overdue.

 

[NYlakesider]

I like my Toyota Tundra lights. They have motors on the elevation adjustments so when I am in town or driving in heavy traffic I can turn them down and when I am out on the highway I can turn them up so on highbeam you can see the deer.

For people that do not own a Tundra, that adjustment is intended to primarily lower the lights so you do not blind other drivers if you have a heavy load in the bed. Other that that I do not touch the adjustment!

 

[Arik]

Even worse, many cars now have those blueish ultra bright and piercing headlights that can completely blind you as the oncoming driver. Why would anyone want to blind the oncoming driver when that oncoming driver and his car can wind up in the thoughtless driver's front grill?

Those come factory. As annoying as they are they are pretty good when you're behind them. Much better light

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[JcMack]

When the street lights come on I have to be home.

 

[LVSteve]

Even worse, many cars now have those blueish ultra bright and piercing headlights that can completely blind you as the oncoming driver. Why would anyone want to blind the oncoming driver when that oncoming driver and his car can wind up in the thoughtless driver's front grill?

You can thank the US Department of Transport (USDoT) for that nonsense. European and Japanese spec HID lights (the bright bluish ones) have a pattern with a very sharp cutoff that minimizes glare when the lights are adjusted properly. In Europe a self leveling system is required, too.

In the US I believe that the self leveling systems are banned. Either that or they were until very recently.

Worse, the USDoT HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR UPWARD SCATTERED LIGHT!!! The excuse is that so much of the US has unlit overhead signage. Umm, solar powered LEDs?

I think Daniel Stern has something to say on the matter. Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply
Scroll down to the headlight pattern pictures and see how messy a USDoT pattern is compared to a Euro spec light.

 

[SW MP15]

All of my vehicles have auto headlights. They come on when cloudy or dusk. I don't have to worry about them at all. They turn off when the vehicles are turned off.

 

[jessebogan]

I have a 93 Volvo wagon that has "OK" headlights, and a beater 99 Jag that has fantastic lights. I forget how lame the Volvos are until I switch to it from the other car.
And regarding the lights on with wipers laws...What are you supposed to do when the wipers are on intermittant? Flash the lights?