New study on headlights

[kn5owa]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just put out a dismal report on 2016 auto headlights.

The Genesis was not among those listed, but my 2015 is a joke in the headlight dept. Had 'em checked and they seem to be properly aimed. The headlight problem was a hot topic on the forum a while back. Below is a link to the study.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/deskt...-headlight-ratings-show-most-need-improvement

 

[Rloyola0426]

I felt my headlights were dim also and when I had the dealer check them they said they were fine. I didn't agree with them though so I actually went to a shop that adjusts and certifies headlights for when people get tickets for having improperly aimed lights and they adjusted the lights to aim higher a few degrees. Now I can actually see at night and I don't feel I am outrunning my headlights.

 

[Aquineas]

Hmm something doesn't add up. My wife had a 2013 Fusion Hybrid Titanium before we traded it for her Acadia and those were the worst headlights of any car I'd ever driven, going back to 70s beaters. Surprisingly, it's listed as "marginal" in that report. They were so dim you'd have done better if you taped two flashlights to your hood.

 

[kn5owa]

I felt my headlights were dim also and when I had the dealer check them they said they were fine. I didn't agree with them though so I actually went to a shop that adjusts and certifies headlights for when people get tickets for having improperly aimed lights and they adjusted the lights to aim higher a few degrees. Now I can actually see at night and I don't feel I am outrunning my headlights.

I may try something like that - My genny is good out to maybe 100 ft while my 10 yr old sonata is good way beyond that. I wish the Ins. Inst. had tested the Genesis.

My genny numbers looked just like the study though. They said the majority of the cars were good to maybe 100 ft. and 300 ft should be a target number for headlight coverage.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

My genesis was always crap. I came from a custom retrofit with lexus projectors and clear lenses to the genesis. I hated my genesis lights every day. Adjusted them myself to make them higher and they were livable.

My K900 LED lights are actually quite good. Better than the genesis by far...but so was my tactical flashlight....

EDIT: Interesting that TLX is marginal when they have been the staple in projectors for years!

 

[jsmit86]

I had mine looked at during my first service. They were "in spec", so no adjustments.
I can tell you, I've got a couple of car lengths down the road. When I'm on a highway at night, it's high beams, or slow down.

The spec is definitely too low on this car. My Azera was much better, as was my '11 Sonata. I'll need to get these adjusted "off the reservation". I know I don't want to go so high that I'm a menace to drivers coming the other way, but there should be a lot of room to adjust them for better range.

 

[Rloyola0426]

I was also "in spec" per the dealership. I had to actually go pay at a state certified official lamp adjusting station to get it re-aimed. They actually have special instruments that show where the light should hit and my lights were definitely aimed too low. I'm sure you could do the same if you've got tape and tape measure and all that but it was easier for me to just pay and get it done. That way I for sure know that they aren't aimed too high where they blind oncoming traffic.

 

[jsmit86]

I was also "in spec" per the dealership. I had to actually go pay at a state certified official lamp adjusting station to get it re-aimed. They actually have special instruments that show where the light should hit and my lights were definitely aimed too low. I'm sure you could do the same if you've got tape and tape measure and all that but it was easier for me to just pay and get it done. That way I for sure know that they aren't aimed too high where they blind oncoming traffic.

I'm in the NW suburbs of Chicago. I'd love to find some official state inspection or similar. I'll gladly pay to have it done, but I'd like to show that info back to my dealer and Hyundai.

 

[homeofstone]

The rating in the test is not just brightness but how much glare is produced from an on coming driver's point of view.

 

[coolasice]

anybody look into brighter LED bulbs?

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Midnightsun]

anybody look into brighter LED bulbs?

LED bulbs are not as bright as HID so you would be going backwards. They are getting there but not yet in automotive applications. http://www.caradvice.com.au/278125/headlights-explained-halogen-v-hid-v-led-v-laser/

 

[StarPower]

Even if they make a LED bulb that's brighter than HID, it's not likely to work if dropped into a HID housing. The projector is designed to shape the light from a particular shape of light source into the appropriate beam pattern. The LED light source will have a different shape, and therefore not produce the proper beam pattern. Proper focusing/beam pattern is just as important (if not more so) than source lumens.

LEDs are not necessarily better than halogen or HID. I think it's interesting that the Honda Accord receives a better rating with the base halogen headlights than it does with the upgraded LED headlights.

 

[JBoogie]

I have a 2015 3.8 Genesis and have taken my car in 2x to have the alignment and headlights checked. I was told both times that they were "within spec".

I had to go to Firestone to have an alignment done and asked them to check my headlights. The tech adjusted them up about 3 inched from 12ft away and now night vision is much improved. I just think Hyundai doesn't understand how to align a car (so that it doesn't pull to the right) and how to adjust headlights where you can see worth a damn.

 

[nickpike]

My 2015 3.8L Genesis here in the UK has HID Xenon headlights. They give a nice wide beam, definite cut-off, so as not to blind the people coming the other way in there inferior, overpriced European rubbish, and plenty bright enough. Why would the US lights be worse?
I'm thinking these lights are the best technology available at present.

 

[kn5owa]

My 2015 3.8L Genesis here in the UK has HID Xenon headlights. They give a nice wide beam, definite cut-off, so as not to blind the people coming the other way in there inferior, overpriced European rubbish, and plenty bright enough. Why would the US lights be worse?
I'm thinking these lights are the best technology available at present.

As far as the genesis is concerned - it is not that they are worse - they are simply aimed dangerously low as they come from the factory.

I would not be surprised if it is some government mandate - when something is fouled up, look to the lawyers or the gov't, or both.

 

[smirn0ff]

I wanted from the service to higher my Genny HID headlights, because they was too low and when driving on the highway visibility was bad.

 

[TbonePdx]

I've been quite disappointed in my headlights, as others have mentioned. Am I the only one who thinks that the high beams are quite ineffectual as well?

Tony

 

[kn5owa]

I've been quite disappointed in my headlights, as others have mentioned. Am I the only one who thinks that the high beams are quite ineffectual as well?

Tony

Everybody agrees there is a headlight problem.

If you read the original study that was "hyperlinked" in the first posting - you will see that the only car getting good marks is a Prius.

 

[Nikgen]

I've been quite disappointed in my headlights, as others have mentioned. Am I the only one who thinks that the high beams are quite ineffectual as well?

Tony

Low beams have a hard cut-off due to the way they work (shutter). I always felt that my 2015 could have been aimed a tad higher. However, my 2016 is definitely better - perhaps they changed the aiming height?

Both cars had/have great high beams, though - so I totally don't get your "ineffectual" comment?

 

[TbonePdx]

Both cars had/have great high beams, though - so I totally don't get your "ineffectual" comment?

The high beams seem perfectly aimed yet they really don't light the road ahead as much as I'm used to. I'm afraid if I adjust the lows upwards the high beams will be too high and even less effective. I assume adjusting the height of the lows also changes the highs? Or are they independently adjustable?

Tony