Very limited visibility on dark roads

[BobHornsby]

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]

Make sure you file an official complaint with Kia.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

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.

This is one area where Kia dropped the ball. The entry level Corolla has LED bulbs as do several others.

I agree with the need for LED bulbs or an HID kit as already mentioned by others.

Thankfully, the KT has a projector housing that you can retrofit HIDs. They don't work well at all in a reflector housing that is 40 year old technology like on my '17 Pacifica.

HIDs have a sharp demarcation line in some cars. My '02 and '04 X5 had "self leveling Xenons (HID) that had a "shelf like" cutoff.My 13 X5 does not have a cutoff that I can see. These cutoffs mostly on the driver's side is to prevent binding other drivers. Many other cars I've owned including and currently own, 13 Accord (retrofitted by me with factory Honda LED), 15 Genesis HID and 13 X5 HID all have spectacular lighting. Only the LED Accord has a noticeable cutoff.

I can't wait to experience BMW and Audi's laser headlights. Laser (light amplification by stimulated emitted radiation).

As mentioned, you need to upgrade your lights. My experience with new halogen bulbs has been dismal. Sylvania Silver Stars, GE Night Hawk, Nokya Hyper White all sound good but offer no real improvement in visibility, whiter bulbs in nice pictures notwithstanding. They also burn out fast.

You might try LED bulbs first. Keep stock bulbs in the glove box in case aftermarket bulbs fail on a road trip. You still have your high beams to use also without spares on board.

I tried LED bulbs in my Pacifica reflector housing and it was unbelievable output but was like staring into an eclipse for oncoming drivers. I only installed one and checked it in my driveway. I took 15 minutes for my retina to recover. I returned them and just use my high beams all the time and only dim when needed for courtesy. LED bulbs in a projector should work much better. Some better than others.

Next I would do an HID kit like Morimoto or other quality brand.

GLuck.

 

[JonFar111]

I have a complete post for installing HIDs. I believe they are currently better than after market LEDs. I dropped the driver side a touch lower than the OEM halogens. I never get flashed by oncoming drivers. night pics don’t do theses justice, but this will give you an idea. These provide better side illumination, but when making a 90 degree turn, it’s still darned dark. Really wish Kia had added turning lights.

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[Patenista]

Make sure you file an official complaint with Kia.

I filed a complaint with Kia and with NHTSA. Thank you for the links, everybody.

 

[BobHornsby]

I filed a complaint with Kia and with NHTSA. Thank you for the links, everybody.

Please keep us posted. I’ll do the same.

 

[Patenista]

I filed a complaint with Kia and with NHTSA. Thank you for the links, everybody.

UPDATE: Kia corporate called me just two days after I filed the Kia complaint. Unfortunately, the response was, "that's the way the headlights are designed and there's nothing we can do." After stressing tht the EX headlighs are a safety issue, I finally convinced the customer service rep to pass my complaint on to someone who could do something about the design, and she said she'd pass it to the "design" department. I'll update again if I hear anything.

 

[Mhdecoys]

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.

I agree, we just drove our sx home and same issue...bad headlights, definite line

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[Mhdecoys]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. Is there any reason the dealer couldn't install SX lights on my EX?

sx lights are not any better!

 

[Jcorbink]

I just put in leds in my s last week and today was first time driving at night, now the problem isn’t the brightness it’s they flicker when the car turns off and on when you are stopped. Super annoying!! Anyone that has had this problem have a solution? Thanks in advance.

 

[G-173051]

I’m at the dealer now. It seems the lights are functioning “normally” but this is not an acceptable situation for me. My wife won’t drive the car at night. I feel like the dealer should point out that the vehicle has projector lights as it’s so different from reflector style.

I hate driving the darn car at night, especially turning right, totally dark. Selling and going back to my Jeep, feel so much safer there.

 

[alexdrums]

sx lights are not any better!

Yes they are

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[alexdrums]

I just put in leds in my s last week and today was first time driving at night, now the problem isn’t the brightness it’s they flicker when the car turns off and on when you are stopped. Super annoying!! Anyone that has had this problem have a solution? Thanks in advance.

You probably want to return them and try a different brand. There is plenty of advice on the multiple LED light threads on this forum.

 

[ucinn]

sx lights are not any better!

SX lights are the best headlights I've had on any car, they are worlds better.

 

[GEAR_HEAD]

sx lights are not any better!

I would trust the IIHS over you, and the IIHS disagrees. And their testing process is incredible.

 

[Jcorbink]

Y

You probably want to return them and try a different brand. There is plenty of advice on the multiple LED light threads on this forum.

yeah I was afraid of that, I bought the sea lights S3 because others said they were good, I guess I’ll try a different set.

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[JonFar111]

Y

yeah I was afraid of that, I bought the sea lights S3 because others said they were good, I guess I’ll try a different set.

Xenon HIDs. Tested for years and fit/work great in the Telly. Lots of threads in this forum.

 

[masha1982]

Xenon HIDs. Tested for years and fit/work great in the Telly. Lots of threads in this forum.

Hi, we are looking to replace the lights as well, but just noticed this in the Owner's Manual, which seemed a bit odd. Have you experienced any such issues?

[4-171 - Notice: If you install an aftermarket HID head lamp, your vehicle's audio and electronic device may malfunction.]

 

[Tellthemride]

People are complaining about beam cutoffs above due to the fact they’ve never own a car with projector headlights before? All projectors have cutoffs. There is some light above the cutoff to illuminate signs on the road. Although if you have the halogen bulbs, it’s already known they perform poorly in the Telluride.

The SX LED headlamps perform way better than halogen in the lower trims. No comparison.

 

[JonFar111]

Hi, we are looking to replace the lights as well, but just noticed this in the Owner's Manual, which seemed a bit odd. Have you experienced any such issues?

[4-171 - Notice: If you install an aftermarket HID head lamp, your vehicle's audio and electronic device may malfunction.]

If you installed an HID bulb without the appropriate canbus ballast, you might have issues. I’ve had no problems with lights or any other electrical at all.