Brightness/ alignment of new cars/ LEDS head lamps
- Thread starter cu3ed
- Start date
Yep, really noticed it last weekend while needing to drive some smaller country roads in the dark.
Could see they'd knocked full beam off before getting to me but I'd say 75% of cars with LEDs still done a really good job of being dangerously dazzling.
Could see they'd knocked full beam off before getting to me but I'd say 75% of cars with LEDs still done a really good job of being dangerously dazzling.
last years xmas thread
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/is-it-time-to-ban-led-headlights.18836261/
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/is-it-time-to-ban-led-headlights.18836261/
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My Q8 has 'automatic matrix' headlights. So, they're supposed to actively dim the lights to prevent it blinding oncoming traffic.
It's absolute junk. If I relied on it, I'd blind 50% of traffic. Any traffic not driving directly towards me gets blinded (eg waiting at a junction), any cars over a horizon that the headlights aren't visible yet. Even in perfect conditions it seems very slow to dim.
I have to turn it off and just set them manually - it's an utterly ridiculous idea.
It's absolute junk. If I relied on it, I'd blind 50% of traffic. Any traffic not driving directly towards me gets blinded (eg waiting at a junction), any cars over a horizon that the headlights aren't visible yet. Even in perfect conditions it seems very slow to dim.
I have to turn it off and just set them manually - it's an utterly ridiculous idea.
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Ahh bugger sorry I did search, just noticed it massively this year.
I do actually notice some Audis "trying" to knock the beam off as I pass, but its like its too slow to react or just doesn't measure the oncoming car well enough.
I should add theirs a 12 mile stretch of road I have to take home that's all dark, and still very busy, so the amplifies it more.
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Theres 3 modes controlled by one of the left stalks. There's a virtual forward position and a back position. Forward is lowered beam, back is Auto/Full Beam. To switch between Auto and Full beam you push the stalk back. To swap from Auto/Full to lowered you have to pull forward. However, that is also the flash function. So, if Auto isn't working (ie, it's not blocked out the area where it should be adequately) the only way to turn that off is to flash your headlights.
Smart.
Smart.
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I get the impression a lot of new cars don't get checked for alignment. I got a brand new Kona on lease in 2021 with LED headlights, and the alignment was absolutely horrific. Quickly took it to a dealer and they realigned for me. To get what was the correct "0" position, the level selector would have needed to be on 2 or 3 (the lowest setting) pre-alignment.
Teslas also do an automatic realignment whenever they software update, I believe. However, it expects the car to be on level ground so if you're parked on a slope it can set the alignment far too high and start blinding everyone!
Teslas also do an automatic realignment whenever they software update, I believe. However, it expects the car to be on level ground so if you're parked on a slope it can set the alignment far too high and start blinding everyone!
Ahh yes, blind them more to try and not blind them.
Yea it's annoying. The high kelvin white light is very dazzling and reflects brightly off everything. Headlights need to be yellowish, a longer wavelength which cuts through bad weather and doesn't scatter as much. That's why they were like that in the 3-4000k range. Another example of things going backwards in car design.
On top of that the automatic stuff is rubbish, is just doesn't work effectively.
On top of that the automatic stuff is rubbish, is just doesn't work effectively.
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Nope, not just you, I've noticed it too. Also some people using full beams when travelling down country roads etc and not switching them off when approaching is another issue I'm finding.
Mind you I've also experienced the opposite where people don't even have their lights on, it seems with all the extra light from other cars they don't realise
Mind you I've also experienced the opposite where people don't even have their lights on, it seems with all the extra light from other cars they don't realise
Seeing the no headlights on thing way more than I used to as well, not just new cars. I've seen some older ones with nothing at all, almost invisible. Same thing in thick fog.
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
What makes you think it's doing that?
In my experience such systems are actually very good and much better than basic automatic high beam systems. I'm not sure how you'd be able to tell if it was blinding another driver?
Having very bright DRLs, and auto headlights can sometimes catch you out. Especially if you're not driving on a dark road.
If the headlights on the Leaf aren't on, the dash is much brighter - so it would be very difficult to make that mistake. However some cars its much less obvious that they're on or not.
If the headlights on the Leaf aren't on, the dash is much brighter - so it would be very difficult to make that mistake. However some cars its much less obvious that they're on or not.
I don't think you'll be seeing many new cars with no headlights on at night.
I can see the full beam lighting them up, and them flashing me.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 30 Jul 2013
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- 29,674
Being flashed more than usual would be the giveaway.
How many of you are glasses wearers? The lenses can massively exacerbate the problem of oncoming LED's and light bars.
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I think people do this regardless of whether they are actually blinded or not - if they can see that you've not actively switched the entire full beam off they'll do it, even if the system is functioning correctly and not blinding them.