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Car Forum / Hyundai Cars / September 2006Sontat "projection lamp" headlight question.
I've been the owner of a Sontota Limited for about 3 1/2 hours now. I test drove it and picked it up during the day, but after driving about the countryside at night, I have a question. The headlights are fine when the road is straight and level. There is a very definite line of lighted, and unlighted space ahead. There is no stray light to speak of above about 8 feet of so. The problems though, was when I hit some hilly areas. As the car is going down an incline, the lighted portion becomes very short in front of the car and visibility is unsafe to drive above about 30 mph ! If something jumped out in front, it would be a serious problem. With high beams on, it is OK. Is this normal for the projector style bulbs? IMO, it is damned dangerous to drive on a very dark road with some hills with just low beams. The car is going back to the dealer tomorrow for some other issues with the remote starter, interior lights. We are not off to a good start (no pun intended, but hey, it works)  SignatureEd http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/ Ed, I have had my 2007 Limited for one month and have the same issue. It appears to be inherent in this car. If you have the beams adjusted upwards, you risk always having on coming traffic think your high beams are on. If there is a solution, I would like to know one as well. > Ed, I have had my 2007 Limited for one month and have the same issue. It > appears to be inherent in this car. If you have the beams adjusted > upwards, you risk always having on coming traffic think your high beams > are on. > > If there is a solution, I would like to know one as well. If the road is very dark and not well traveled, it is not a big deal to leave the high beams on. I found myself flipping them off and on far too often on at least one road as a car would approach. Turns are very dark also, but I'll admit I've been spoiled by the turning lights on my LeSabre. My guess is that the projector bulb concentrates the light better, at the expense of peripheral vision. This is my first car with them. One more thing, on the dashboard, is the buttons for the trip meter and reset supposed to be lighted? On mine, they are not. I have other lighting issued, but I think that is all due to the remote starter installation. This is the first care I've ever had to take back after only 40 miles. > If the road is very dark and not well traveled, it is not a big deal to > leave the high beams on. I found myself flipping them off and on far too [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > My guess is that the projector bulb concentrates the light better, at the > expense of peripheral vision. This is my first car with them. I had not heard of anyone complaining of this Ed. My wife's Sonata is an '04, so it's not the same as your '06, but its lights rank among the best I've ever had on a car. I can only wish that my Grand Am could throw light like her Sonata does. > One more thing, on the dashboard, is the buttons for the trip meter and > reset supposed to be lighted? On mine, they are not. I have other lighting > issued, but I think that is all due to the remote starter installation. > This is the first care I've ever had to take back after only 40 miles. What lighting issues are you having Ed? Signature-Mike- mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net "Mike Marlow" <mmarlow@alltel.net> wrote in message > What lighting issues are you having Ed? Lighting issues associated with the remote starter installation. The dealer took it to a local shop that supposedly makes their living installing these things and they either put in a defective unit or just botched the job. The starter starts the care, then it runs ten seconds and stops and repeats four times. Lights are supposed to go on and stay on for 1 minute when you lock the doors. They do not. A competent installer should have caught all of that. It is back there now to get fixed. . Other than that, seems to be OK. > "Mike Marlow" <mmarlow@alltel.net> wrote in message > > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > lock the doors. They do not. A competent installer should have caught all > of that. It is back there now to get fixed. . That sucks. You're right - a competent installer should never have let the car go like that. Did it act like that when you picked it up at the dealer, or did that develop shortly after that? Signature-Mike- mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net "Mike Marlow" <mmarlow@alltel.net> wrote in message > That sucks. You're right - a competent installer should never have let > the > car go like that. Did it act like that when you picked it up at the > dealer, > or did that develop shortly after that? It did start once and we shut it right off because we were going over everything else. The dealer (salesperson) really didn't have a clue. Later in the evening I read the manual and figured out how things work, like the trunk release that uses the same button as the "unlock", just held for three seconds. . So far, the dealer is interesting in making things right. Supposedly, Hyundai is covering things in the first year that are technically not covered, like wiper blades, just to keep customers very happy. While I was typing this, they called and said the car is ready. Ed "Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message > While I was typing this, they called and said the car is ready. > Ed Picked it up and seems OK for starting. I was told it was a bad connection. Problem was the installer, not Hyundai or the dealer. >>If the road is very dark and not well traveled, it is not a big deal to >>leave the high beams on. I found myself flipping them off and on far too [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > I've ever had on a car. I can only wish that my Grand Am could throw light > like her Sonata does. I mentioned this in this forum shortly after I got my 06 in December of last year. It isn't much of an issue on the highway, but on the back roads where I live, it is a real pain on the rolling hills. As you enter a dip in the road, you can't see 30 yards in front of the vehicle. This isn't good in deer country. Matt > I mentioned this in this forum shortly after I got my 06 in December of > last year. It isn't much of an issue on the highway, but on the back > roads where I live, it is a real pain on the rolling hills. As you > enter a dip in the road, you can't see 30 yards in front of the vehicle. > This isn't good in deer country. I stand corrected Matt - I do recall you mentioning that. Signature-Mike- mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net >>I mentioned this in this forum shortly after I got my 06 in December of >>last year. It isn't much of an issue on the highway, but on the back [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > I stand corrected Matt - I do recall you mentioning that. I did find a solution, however. I just close my eyes until I'm heading up the other side and the lights become effective again. :-) Matt >> If the road is very dark and not well traveled, it is not a big deal to >> leave the high beams on. I found myself flipping them off and on far too [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > light > like her Sonata does. Actually, that was - and still is a major gripe of mine. I believe you even suggested a way to fix it... http://tinyurl.com/lnczd > >> If the road is very dark and not well traveled, it is not a big deal to > >> leave the high beams on. I found myself flipping them off and on far too [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Actually, that was - and still is a major gripe of mine. I believe you even > suggested a way to fix it... http://tinyurl.com/lnczd Oh - I'm fine with aiming headlights against a wall, but my point was that my Grand Am just does not have a good light reflector, thus some of the worst high beam lighting you've ever seen. Signature-Mike- mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net > I've been the owner of a Sontota Limited for about 3 1/2 hours now. I > test drove it and picked it up during the day, but after driving about the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > remote starter, interior lights. We are not off to a good start (no pun > intended, but hey, it works) It's typical of a lot of newer cars. The lights are brighter and have more distinct cut-offs that the lights in older cars. There's no reason you can't flip on your high beams when going down a dark hill if you need more illumination. "Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message > There's no reason you can't flip on your high beams when going down a > dark hill if you need more illumination. Yeah, flip, flip, flip, depending on condition it is a real PITA and on some roads, the "dark spot" comes up fast and unexpected. It will take some getting used to; sometimes progress isn't. >"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message >> [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >some roads, the "dark spot" comes up fast and unexpected. It will take some >getting used to; sometimes progress isn't. **I have to agree with Edwin. I have a 2005 Impreza and the headlights cut off sharply and, I feel, don't project far enough. I'm from MI where the roads are straight and flat so I didn't have too much trouble driving around (that, plus I rarely drive at night). I still feel very uncomfortable with what they're *not* illuminating. I'm now visiting family in CT and the other night I drove some unlit, tiny curvy roads and was *really* displeased with the lights. Every corner was a surprise, fast and unexpected is right! I wasn't even going fast (Gran was in the car) :) either but it felt really weird. I had the dealership look at it a few days later but they said that the headlights were correct. I shouldn't have to have my high beams on at all. They used to be a rare occasion but I have to use them all the time for night driving with this car. I don't think that's right. kaboomie >>"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > at all. They used to be a rare occasion but I have to use them all the > time for night driving with this car. I don't think that's right. Your high beams should be used ALL of the time at night, except when another car is oncoming or you are driving in fog, snow, etc. That is what high beams are for. Matt >> I'm now visiting family in CT and the other night I drove some unlit, >> tiny curvy roads and was *really* displeased with the lights. Every [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >another car is oncoming or you are driving in fog, snow, etc. That is >what high beams are for. **And all those etceteras add up to: My high beams are rarely used. There's usually always traffic, oncoming or I'm following or I'm already in a well-lit neighborhood or area. I don't like running through people's neighborhoods with my high beams on. Do I use my high beams in sparsely-populated areas, low traffic, and/or underlit areas? Yes, of course, I do. I'm saying that my previous vehicles had excellent lighting, that I did not need my high beams to see up ahead. With the Impreza, I feel that I absolutely *must* use them or else I can't see and that is my complaint and a problem. Also, some of us prefer a manual transmission so I really don't need or want to be constantly flicking the lights while I'm trying to maneuver curvy back roads. kaboomie >>>I'm now visiting family in CT and the other night I drove some unlit, >>>tiny curvy roads and was *really* displeased with the lights. Every [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > constantly flicking the lights while I'm trying to maneuver curvy back > roads. I use high beams in urban areas as well if there is no traffic nearby. I also drive standard shift and haven't found dimming the lights to be a major hassle and I live in an area with many curvy and hilly back roads. And many deer. Using high beams as much as possible is the best prevention against a deer encounter. Matt >> **And all those etceteras add up to: My high beams are rarely used. >> There's usually always traffic, oncoming or I'm following or I'm [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > And many deer. Using high beams as much as possible is the best >prevention against a deer encounter. **Oh man, do I know that! I always check for that tell-tale eye illumination far down the road. I live in southeastern MI and, boy, do they have a deer problem. Just ask Ted Nugent :) I use my high beams around home, not a lot of houses and sparse traffic at night. The roads are wide and reasonably straight so you can see those beady-eyed buggers in the distance. However, since I'm in CT, at the moment, and probably will be moving back here, this particular 'feature' of the Impreza is now a problem. Dimming the lights in and of itself is not a hassle, I do it when I'm able to and it's needed. Being forced to do it in order to see because the regular headlights were not doing their job in the particular set of circumstances that I was in, was indeed a big hassle. There was a lot of oncoming traffic and I was completely thrown by the ineffectiveness of the headlights. I truly believe that something's wrong, even though, perhaps that's what the headlights on Imprezas are like. It's my first Subaru. But, I did my part, I did take it in to the dealership like I said previously, so I guess I'll have to live with it or start chatting the boys up in Subaru forums ;) kaboomie >> I'm now visiting family in CT and the other night I drove some unlit, >> tiny curvy roads and was *really* displeased with the lights. Every >> corner was a surprise, fast and unexpected is right! I wasn't even >> going fast (Gran was in the car) :) either but it felt really weird. On twisty roads, the fog lights can help considerably, as they illuminate the edges of the road and their beam is much wider than the low beams. However, they don't increase distance visibility and I strongly recommend that you not use them unless they're really needed, as I find fog lights on approaching vehicles to be very annoying. >>> I'm now visiting family in CT and the other night I drove some unlit, >>> tiny curvy roads and was *really* displeased with the lights. Every [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > strongly recommend that you not use them unless they're really needed, > as I find fog lights on approaching vehicles to be very annoying. Brian, I didn't write a single word of the above that you attributed to me. Matt >>>> I'm now visiting family in CT and the other night I drove some unlit, >>>> tiny curvy roads and was *really* displeased with the lights. Every [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >I didn't write a single word of the above that you attributed to me. **Hi Brian, those were my scribblings not Matt's. :) However, I'd like to thank you for the fog lights idea and I'll be looking into it. I used to have fog lights on my old Santa Fe and I used them rarely because the regular headlights were fine but the car did look cool ;) Thanks kaboomie "kaboom" <kaboomicus@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message > **Hi Brian, those were my scribblings not Matt's. :) However, I'd like > to thank you for the fog lights idea and I'll be looking into it. I [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > kaboomie They do look cool, but as another car approaches in the opposite with them, I've often been know to utter some nasty words. Mostly on the after market ones installed by a kid that knows nothing about aiming lights. I'll have to try them and see if I piss of anyone else. >"kaboom" <kaboomicus@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message >> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >They do look cool, but as another car approaches in the opposite with them, >I've often been know to utter some nasty words. **I didn't mean cool with them turned on, I meant with them off :) I've probably uttered the same nasties as you, Edwin. >Mostly on the after market >ones installed by a kid that knows nothing about aiming lights. **Yea, nothing like those aftermarket jobbies that just kinda dangle there, eh? >I'll have to try them and see if I piss of anyone else. **Well, it's either going to be foglights pissing them off or your high beams. Fogs are probably the lesser of the two evils. kaboomie > "Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message >> There's no reason you can't flip on your high beams when going down a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > some roads, the "dark spot" comes up fast and unexpected. It will take some > getting used to; sometimes progress isn't. Hmmm. I daresay that if flipping the high beam switch is such a chore, driving must be real agony for you. ;-) Seriously, it's just a matter of adapting to the car, just as you do with switch locations, heater & A/C controls, radio buttons, etc. It's really no big deal. If you quit resisting, it won't take long at all. "Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message >> Yeah, flip, flip, flip, depending on condition it is a real PITA and on >> some roads, the "dark spot" comes up fast and unexpected. It will take [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > switch locations, heater & A/C controls, radio buttons, etc. It's really > no big deal. If you quit resisting, it won't take long at all. Yes, it is un-necessary agony. Best headlights I ever had was my '97 LeSabre. In the four years that I had it, I'll bet the high beams were not used more than 50 times. With the projector lights, I'd probably flipped them 50 times on one trip down River Road. I did drive about 40 miles last night on highway (light traffic) and city with no need to use the high beams. It is just some of the smaller roads, especially with turns and hills. |
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