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Very limited visibility on dark roads

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I have put LEDs in both my Mustang projectors and my Sorento projectors with no ill effects to on coming drivers, just make sure and before you remove the old bulbs, mark on your garage door where your beams are. After you put the new bulbs in, you may have to adjust your headlights to make them shine where they should. All three Sorentos needed no adjustments, but the Mustang did.
 
ucinn said:
I have put LEDs in both my Mustang projectors and my Sorento projectors with no ill effects to on coming drivers, just make sure and before you remove the old bulbs, mark on your garage door where your beams are. After you put the new bulbs in, you may have to adjust your headlights to make them shine where they should. All three Sorentos needed no adjustments, but the Mustang did.
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Who do you know? Did you stop and quiz on coming traffic? Have gone to DOT to get your lights checked?
 
Gwyn said:
So, it should not void the warranty as long as it does not cause the problem. I will say that electrical are not something someone should alter with out some care. As for increasing brightness. I will say this, it is unpopular but the truth.

Most 3rd party lights are way brighter then stock, because they are way brighter then stock, they will blind oncoming traffic. Unless the bulb is a direct copy of the original, and designed for the projector, the bulb will create glare for oncoming traffic. Remember upgrading your lamp will need to upgrade your projector. Now most states it is illegal to have excessive glare on your car. Some states like California it is illegal to change your lights. It is a several hundred dollar ticket when you are pulled over.

I understand that you think your headlights are dangerous, but upgrading will not make it safer for you, you are now just blinding oncoming traffic.

So what can you do? There might be 3rd party kits for you. You need to have them professionally installed with a person that as a glare chart. They can upgrade and adjust your lights increase brightness and reduce the glare, but you will always be some glare. This will cost a couple of thousands of dollars. If you are really handy you can do it yourself, but you will need to replace both the lamp and projector.

What every one that tells you to upgrade your headlights will not tell you to have them tested by Department of transportation. In fact, they will be complete crickets on actually have them tested by the state.

Bottomline.

Your cars projector is built for the lamp. It is built for the lamp of that brightness, size, and set at the proper angle/distance. When you change the lamp size, shape, brightness, angle, or distance, you will create a problem. You will need to match the new projector with the new bulb, to make sure you are getting the right light output.
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That's a point, but doesn't pose a solution for the poor light output of LX, S, and EX trims. The HID solution posted by JonFar is one of the best solutions to solve the problem. Even the SX headlights create glare for oncoming drivers, as noted by IIHS. Kia could do much better on headlights, but for now, owners who want to see at night need / should upgrade and adjust lights / beam pattern accordingly.

We had a 2013 Kia Soul, and the headlights were awful too. We never drove that at night.
 
Gwyn said:
Who do you know? Did you stop and quiz on coming traffic? Have gone to DOT to get your lights checked?
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That was so funny!!!!!
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BTW I did replace my stock bulb for an upgrade Sylvania and improve like 20% more light visibility if you don't want try LED or HID now with the LED I see way better the road
 
BobHornsby said:
I'm also wondering if upgrading to LED or HID voids any portion of the warranty. And since the HID requires ballasts, how much do you think the installation might be?
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See my 10:18am post above. Cost me $86 and installation is a relatively easy process.
 
Gwyn said:
So, it should not void the warranty as long as it does not cause the problem. I will say that electrical are not something someone should alter with out some care. As for increasing brightness. I will say this, it is unpopular but the truth.

Most 3rd party lights are way brighter then stock, because they are way brighter then stock, they will blind oncoming traffic. Unless the bulb is a direct copy of the original, and designed for the projector, the bulb will create glare for oncoming traffic. Remember upgrading your lamp will need to upgrade your projector. Now most states it is illegal to have excessive glare on your car. Some states like California it is illegal to change your lights. It is a several hundred dollar ticket when you are pulled over.

I understand that you think your headlights are dangerous, but upgrading will not make it safer for you, you are now just blinding oncoming traffic.

So what can you do? There might be 3rd party kits for you. You need to have them professionally installed with a person that as a glare chart. They can upgrade and adjust your lights increase brightness and reduce the glare, but you will always be some glare. This will cost a couple of thousands of dollars. If you are really handy you can do it yourself, but you will need to replace both the lamp and projector.

What every one that tells you to upgrade your headlights will not tell you to have them tested by Department of transportation. In fact, they will be complete crickets on actually have them tested by the state.

Bottomline.

Your cars projector is built for the lamp. It is built for the lamp of that brightness, size, and set at the proper angle/distance. When you change the lamp size, shape, brightness, angle, or distance, you will create a problem. You will need to match the new projector with the new bulb, to make sure you are getting the right light output.
Click to expand...
Installing an HID bulb with a ballast or a plug in LED bulb does not require any rewriting.
As for the projector housing, it is exactly that - a housing to hold a DOT approved bulb. as long as the projector is aligned properly, you will not blind anyone. I installed HIDs for $86 and tweaked the alignment of the projector. They are astronomically better than the halogens and not one person has flashed me. It is very easy to see the Telly projector cut line, and if aligned properly below eye level, there will be no problems.
 
Gwyn said:
Who do you know? Did you stop and quiz on coming traffic? Have gone to DOT to get your lights checked?
Click to expand...
No, after adjustment, I would have my wife wait until coming up my street and her coming towards me in her car, but thanks for the smart ass remark, it helps a lot. Just like you, I take my lighting seriously and want to make sure I'm not blinding others.
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Halogen lights have been approved for years, so the odds of NHTSA doing anything are slim to none. For $89 and a few hours labor I have a better than factory solution. Most of the folks installing a replacement LED bulb appear equally satisfied. However, given the complaints, it’s very likely that all 2021 trims will have LED projectors.
 
BobHornsby said:
We just got a Telluride EX a couple of weeks ago. We hadn't driven it at night on dark roads until last night. It was dangerous in our opinion. The light had a definite line that almost appeared like a dark screen on the windshield. Upon stopping and looking at the headlamps, I discovered that there is some kind of black deflector on the bottom and top of the headlamp bulb. This creates a "border" at the top of the light being shone on the road and surroundings. Normal headlamps allow some light to shine above this artificial border. I find this current lighting dangerous.
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And I thought it was just my eyes. I’ve had the same experience as your wife. I’m 62 and when I’m driving on dark 2 lane roads it’s downright scary. Fortunately I don’t have to drive at night very often.
 
BobHornsby said:
We just got a Telluride EX a couple of weeks ago. We hadn't driven it at night on dark roads until last night. It was dangerous in our opinion. The light had a definite line that almost appeared like a dark screen on the windshield. Upon stopping and looking at the headlamps, I discovered that there is some kind of black deflector on the bottom and top of the headlamp bulb. This creates a "border" at the top of the light being shone on the road and surroundings. Normal headlamps allow some light to shine above this artificial border. I find this current lighting dangerous.
Click to expand...
Agreed, one of the things I hate most about this vehicle. I find cornering at night with these lights difficult.
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Ann Lawlor said:
Any response from KIA on your complaint?
Click to expand...
i have an ongoing dialogue with Kia on this topic. the Kia Consumer Affairs rep even admitted in an email that she can see how the lighting could be a problem when I sent her some pictures.
 
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