Very limited visibility on dark roads

[Dave Fingers]

I have an SX and had a similar problem when going to my cabin in the north GA woods (I live in Fl). I brought it into KIA after driving in the mountains and finding that if
I was going downhill you couldn't see twenty feet ahead if the terrain started going up hill. I found that driving was very dangerous and as per the Kia technician, KIA is aware of it but has no fix for it as of yet. He said if Kia gets more compliants they will eventually come up with a fix. I think Kia will br forced to come up with a fix once they start getting sued. It's extremely DANGEROUS!

 

[RetSab]

The IIHS ratings were focused on the 2020 model and the SX with stock LED headlights scored the highest, while the other 2020 trims (LX, S, and EX) had halogens and scored lowered. In 2021 Kia added stock LED to both EX and SX, with halogens still in the LX and S. Ref: 2020 Kia Telluride 4-door SUV

I think there was a technical service bulletin on this forum about correcting or adjusting the SX LEDs. That might help your situation.

For 2021 LX and S owners you are in the same boat as 2020 LX, S, EX owners if you don’t like the stock halogens in the stock projector housing these are the options:
- buy a better halogen
- buy a retrofit LED bulb
- upgrade to HID
- find a way to buy all the parts from the Kia factory LED headlights and electronics and swap which might not be easy

I’m a little skeptical about the IIHS ratings on modern headlights at the moment. Their headlight test and ratings only started in 2016 and the LED technology moves really fast. So if they were measuring expected performance using 2016 halogen projector bulb measurements it’s possible they were measuring for different things that don’t apply to LED technology. I know some people will disagree with me stating that the IIHS measurements determine if there is a 5 lux or higher at a given distance and it doesn’t matter with the bulb, but I can stare at a filament based amber halogen bulb with a higher lux measurement and then stare at an LED bulb with cooler light slightly lower lux rating and I will tell you LED is brighter to me and it illuminates more of the surrounding area. It could be my eyes or my brain tricking me but I use both when driving at night.

Consider this quote from Diode Dynamics “Lux is not a good measurement for automotive use, because automotive housings are designed for use with incandescent bulbs, which evenly distribute light in all directions.” Ref. LED Brightness

I remember shopping for a flat screen when plasmas were all the rage and LEDs had just come out. I recall sales people saying that plasma was the best and LEDs were just cheaper but read one article that said LED technology would some day replace plasma as it was superior in terms of upside. But in the plasma days people were measuring televisions compared to CRT tube TVs talking about the color depth and contrast. Now you can’t buy a plasma because they consume too much electricity, are heavy, more prone to failure and put off too much heat and LED TVs are the standard.

While IIHS is changing future ratings I don’t know that they go back and retest. Here’s a link to their methodology: Headlights are still an afterthought on many vehicles. My concern is that the IIHS headlight ratings carry too much weight to them. If switching a bulb dramatically changes the performance than I wish someone rated aftermarket bulbs.

Seeing that IIHS rates at a distance of about 325ft straight ahead and different distances on the side, I personally tried a few different bulbs in my S light housing and found that even better halogens made a difference in my level of comfort for visibility at night. I also found I am partial to a brighter “cool” light over amber at night. The stock halogens on the Telluride were only a little better than the cheapest halogens I found. I’m still very pleased with my Twelvolt wedge style LED retrofit. They appear to provide just enough illumination inside the projector housing to reflect back the right amount of coverage without blinding oncoming traffic, no dark spots and they haven’t broken the bank.

I also tried a pair of LED bulbs and found a "dark spot" area dead center in my field of vision. I then ordered a pair of twelvevolt LEDs for my EX and have been very happy with the results. Driving at night I have not been "Flashed" once by on coming traffic. I had tried to get away a little cheaper the first time, didn't work out!

 

[2020Telly]

I also tried a pair of LED bulbs and found a "dark spot" area dead center in my field of vision. I then ordered a pair of twelvevolt LEDs for my EX and have been very happy with the results. Driving at night I have not been "Flashed" once by on coming traffic. I had tried to get away a little cheaper the first time, didn't work out!

I have not regretted my Twelvolt purchase. They are just bright enough to help without too much glare for me or the other drivers. I understand that some people might say the wedge design is gimmicky, but for my money in the Telluride projector housing it provides coverage with no dark spots that I can find and minimal glare making them far superior to the stock halogens. The Twelvolts also didn't require any modifications or electrical wiring. So if I want to switch back to halogen, I can do it within a few minutes. Still cheaper to me than going to HIDs or an EX-P or SX. Plus I prefer the white driving LED lights over the amber. The LX, S and standard EX also have a single bulb projector, while the EX-P and SX LED housing uses two projector housings. I like the look of the single more.

 

[YAH DEF]

They aren't? That is news to me. I am ordering an SX, because of the LED lights, but would prefer just the EX with the bench seat. I hope I am not making a mistake.

I've had the 2021 SX for a month and I find the lights to be excellent. I also drive country roads every day.

______________________________

 

[Dave Fingers]

They aren't? That is news to me. I am ordering an SX, because of the LED lights, but would prefer just the EX with the bench seat. I hope I am not making a mistake.

I have an SX and if you drive in the mountains you will not be able to see

 

[Dave Fingers]

That’s a picture of the lights on my SX with high beams on. There is a distinct line and does not light above the hood line. Very dangerous in mountainous areas in my opinion. I just wrote to Kia corporate to see when they will have a fix for it.

 

[Tellthemride]

There is a distinct line and does not light above the hood line.

That high beam pattern doesn’t look right. Looks like you took two of the same photo with low beams on. One with the camera at a higher angle than the other.

When high beams are turned on correctly, you will no longer be able to make out the cut off beam pattern with the distinct dip because the solenoid that makes that pattern is supposed to retract and shine the full oval/circle pattern of the projector.

I will check mine later tonight.

 

[Dave Fingers]

That high beam pattern doesn’t look right. Looks like you took two of the same photo with low beams on. One with the camera at a higher angle than the other.

When high beams are turned on correctly, you will no longer be able to make out the cut off beam pattern with the distinct dip because the solenoid that makes that pattern is supposed to retract and shine the full oval/circle pattern of the projector.

I will check mine later tonight.

Those were high beams on, let me know how yours look and post a pic if you can. According to the dealership they are aware of the issue

______________________________

 

[bruesjoh04]

That’s a picture of the lights on my SX with high beams on. There is a distinct line and does not light above the hood line. Very dangerous in mountainous areas in my opinion. I just wrote to Kia corporate to see when they will have a fix for it.

If you’re two feet away from a wall, of course it’s going to look like that. The LED high beams are mounted all the way at the bottom of the unit (below the DRL halo) and designed to project way out. There likely isn’t enough space for them to be prominent over the top of the low beam line. The low beams are on all the time, it is just an additional light at the bottom that comes on when high beams are enabled.

I can verify with my own vehicle when I get home, but based on how these work, that picture is not surprising.

 

[Tellthemride]

@bruesjoh04 is correct. I totally forgot high beams are a separate bulb below the low beams. So forget what I said earlier about the solenoid.

It makes sense then when you are only a few feet from the wall, it cannot throw much light above the low beam pattern.

I did however check my high beams about 30 feet away from a building and can clearly see a much higher beam spread above the low beams just fine. Wasn’t able to get some photos, but you can certainly try it yourself to confirm.

Make sure you are pulling the signal stalk towards you to see it in action. If you push forward, it will only activate the high beam assist in the SX. You can repeat pushing forward again for continuous high beam.

 

[maridi]

I have an SX and if you drive in the mountains you will not be able to see

Wow! That would be awful. I don't get why they would make them like that. People shouldn't be afraid to drive their cars at night,
and yes, I know most people don't have to drive on dark, winding roads and mountains, but you'd think they would have made it better. It is an SUV and some people would expect to be able to take their SUV's to places like where I live. I am used to driving these roads, but I certainly wouldn't like not being able to see.

 

[maridi]

I have an SX and if you drive in the mountains you will not be able to see

Thank you for the pictures. Has Kia responded?

______________________________

 

[maridi]

Agreed, I just took delivery of my EX last night!! After following this thread, I was dreading the night-time visibility. I have to say, the stock EX Halogens really aren't that bad. Way better than my 2014 Jeep Wrangler that I came from...
I almost ordered LEDs for my Telluride before I even got my vehicle. Glad I didn't.

Have you done any rural driving, or just mostly within the city?

 

[Tellthemride]

Thank you for the pictures. Has Kia responded?

going downhill you couldn't see twenty feet ahead if the terrain started going up hill. I found that driving was very dangerous and as per the Kia technician, KIA is aware of it but has no fix for it as of yet. He said if Kia gets more compliants they will eventually come up with a fix. I think Kia will br forced to come up with a fix once they start getting sued.

Not sure there is anything to fix here.

If you are driving on a flat road, there is no doubt that the high beams are throwing light high above the low beams. What you are asking for is for the headlight to tilt uphill in anticipation as you are traveling downhill.

I don’t even think top trim Mercedes, BMW’s or Audi’s can even do this with their advance matrix LED arrays. It is basically high beam on or off. The closest thing to angle adjustment of the headlights are curve adaptive headlights that will swivel left or right based on which direction you turn the wheel.

@Dave Fingers do you have an example of another car that does a better job at lighting up the same mountain roads you travel on? I have a suspicion the problem boils down to you having owned previous cars that used old style halogen reflector housings which have much lower light output, and makes it more comfortable for some people to perceive the headlight beams “blend” into the darkness. As opposed to modern LED headlights that are super bright in the areas that are lit, and completely black where unlit.

 

[rbfromma]

Agree that there is likely not much here to "fix" on Kia's part. Our 2012 Mazda CX9 does have adaptive headlights (move left to right based on steering input) and also a leveling adjustment where you can slightly adjust the beams up and down. Very useful and definitely would have been nice on the Telluride. That being said, the up and down adjustment is not something that majorly increases the visibility going down and then up a hill. Headlight adjustment and checking should be done from around 25' from the wall. You won't see a major change in beam height line from so close to the wall as in the above pictures.

 

[Dutch]

I have not regretted my Twelvolt purchase. They are just bright enough to help without too much glare for me or the other drivers. I understand that some people might say the wedge design is gimmicky, but for my money in the Telluride projector housing it provides coverage with no dark spots that I can find and minimal glare making them far superior to the stock halogens. The Twelvolts also didn't require any modifications or electrical wiring. So if I want to switch back to halogen, I can do it within a few minutes. Still cheaper to me than going to HIDs or an EX-P or SX. Plus I prefer the white driving LED lights over the amber. The LX, S and standard EX also have a single bulb projector, while the EX-P and SX LED housing uses two projector housings. I like the look of the single more.

I just got my 2021 EX last week and have the Twelvolts ready to swap in. Did you remove the desiccant when you made the switch? Also, any other installation tips?

______________________________

 

[2020Telly]

I just got my 2021 EX last week and have the Twelvolts ready to swap in. Did you remove the desiccant when you made the switch? Also, any other installation tips?

This is an old thread with some notes.

Headlight Led Upgrade

@Twelvolt LED lights coming in tomorrow! So excited to get them installed, just hoping I don’t f*ck anything up with my fat hands, lol. @Nas4atu10 please do take some night pictures after installation.

tellurideforum.org

I did not have to remove the desiccant. Everything fit perfectly once I got the bulbs in and I could put the cap back on the back of the housing.

 

[Dave Fingers]

If you’re two feet away from a wall, of course it’s going to look like that. The LED high beams are mounted all the way at the bottom of the unit (below the DRL halo) and designed to project way out. There likely isn’t enough space for them to be prominent over the top of the low beam line. The low beams are on all the time, it is just an additional light at the bottom that comes on when high beams are enabled.

I can verify with my own vehicle when I get home, but based on how these work, that picture is not surprising.

Here are two pics, one is low beam the other is high beam and taken from the street to the back wall of the garage. It’s pretty much a straight line with slightly more bleed when high beam is on.

Thank you for the pictures. Has Kia responded?

 

[Dave Fingers]

I wrote to Kia corporate and no response. I just posted a complaint with NHTSA and included this picture.

 

[Tellthemride]

It’s pretty much a straight line with slightly more bleed when high beam is on.

Based on your photo, either you aren’t using the high beam stalk correctly or you have a broken/defective bulb or headlight assembly.

There should be a lot more light above that low beam cutoff pattern.