I would like to explain. as a professional commercial driver for over 53 years in all 48 states and in Canada with over 4 million accident and ticket free driving. my experiences with this topic. We drivers do not share the same excitement on these new headlights. At night we get all the reflection from these right in our face and worse yet as you pass us. the headlights shine right in our mirrors. Adding to this. a lot of drivers, especially younger or the ones with very little regard for safety feel they have to have their lower driving lights on all the time. It only makes common sense that they are for driving when there is a need on roads with little traffic as a country road at night. We professional drivers have the same problem with foreign truck drivers coming here and disregarding our laws and our driving courtesy. In Europe and other countries, they have the same problem. no respect for others. Folks, you are not the only person on the road and. yes. I have a strong opinion about this, but you drive like we have to, over 100,000 miles a year, I think you would get tired of these new headlights also.
When I was a kid working in a gas station in the early ‘70s I adjusted headlights all the time. I can make a video detailing how to properly adjust them in front of a garage wall. However, LED bulbs can wreak havoc with the beam pattern of a reflector headlight assembly so you may not be able to keep the LED low beams out of the oncoming traffic’s eyes.
I am interested in hearing about this. I'm developing the older age issues of not seeing as well at night. I recognize the need for driver courtesty and not wanting to flash blind other drivers. Part of that is the right technology, and the other is common sense and courtesy of me as the driver.
My solution was to just quit driving at night but it won't work for everyone. LOL
We have a few trucks in our area that haul through town all night and a couple of them have installed the 3 foot LED light bars for off roading above their bumpers. They light up the whole world for over a mile on a dark night.
Glenn, we are NOT behind in America. We have freedoms that most of the world doesn’t enjoy. Those countries that you think are better than the USA also have lots of other rules that we don’t have to put up with. I’ve been to almost 50 other countries and I’ve not seen one ahead of us, that I’d rather live in. Maybe you have.
2007 Dutch Star. Kept all light fixtures and re-lamped all lights except headlights to LED. When the current headlights fail we will re-lamp to LED too. (Lighting speak: lamp = bulb, fixture = what the lamp (bulb…c’mon, you can learn this) plugs into.
Current LED complaints:
a. fail to re-aim the light fixture after work, and now they light up the heavens instead of the road. Shim the entire fixture if necessary and possible.
b. ignore color temperature…3,000K and lower are better for night vision without going down to true yellow.
c. ignore lumens (think “light output”). Match the lumens to whatever is OEM unless you’re looking for something brighter.
d. lamps are not USA-made. There’s a lot of junk out there from any number of foreign countries.
e. ignore beam-spread. Most every lamp is different…look up the manufacturer’s pretty pictures and charts that will give you an idea of how well the new lamp will match the OEM lamp.
In process: incandescent ceiling rope lights. Delay is because I haven’t yet found them in the very specific diameter rope that fits flush in the ceiling channel.
There are a number of internet lamp and fixture suppliers out there that DO post technical details on their products.
I upgraded the headlights on our 2016 Winnebago Travato from the stock H7LL bulbs to Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulbs, then to LED bulbs. TheSilverstar Ultra;'s were a significant improvement over the H7LL's whcih many of my fellow Ram Promaster owners have characterized as providing dangerously poor illumination. I purchased my LED ugrade kit from a vendor (OpenGlass Van Mods) that claims to have very carefully selected the LED bulb ssuch tat when they are installed into the stock Ram Promaster headlight assemblies, the original beam pattern is closely maintained and does not shine into oncoming drivers. I have confirmed this. After installing these LED bulbs, I did not even have to re-aim my headlights. The improvement in illumination of the road was dramatic. After approx. one year's use, I have never had an oncoming driver flash headlights at me notifying me to dim my headlights.
I upgraded the headlights on our 2016 Winnebago Travato from the stock H7LL bulbs to Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulbs, then to LED bulbs. TheSilverstar Ultra;'s were a significant improvement over the H7LL's whcih many of my fellow Ram Promaster owners have characterized as providing dangerously poor illumination. I purchased my LED ugrade kit from a vendor (OpenGlass Van Mods) that claims to have very carefully selected the LED bulb ssuch tat when they are installed into the stock Ram Promaster headlight assemblies, the original beam pattern is closely maintained and does not shine into oncoming drivers. I have confirmed this. After installing these LED bulbs, I did not even have to re-aim my headlights. The improvement in illumination of the road was dramatic. After approx. one year's use, I have never had an oncoming driver flash headlights at me notifying me to dim my headlights.
The issue as I see it is that they’re great as long as the road is flat and the load in the vehicle is perfectly balanced to keep the light beams where they’re supposed to be. A rough road can cause a strobe light effect and too much weight in the rear end can cause near blindness to oncoming traffic.
I’m considering installing Air Lifts on my F-150 with the Max Towing package. Even though I have a weight transfer hitch and carefully manage the trailer tongue weight to around 900 lbs, there’s still a few inches of truck squat which does lift the headlight pattern a bit. Plus, a stiffer rear suspension should reduce porpoising over washboard roads.
I usually only write about electrical things, but I’ve towed all kinds of trailers across the country and I’m obsessed with towing safety!
So, interesting situation... I would PREFER to run LEDs, BUT the owners manual for my 2021 Chevy Equinox toad specifically states NOT to install LEDs, as they could damage the electricals.... Hmmmm....
My factory installed halogen headlights are terribly dim. I feel compelled to upgrade them, therefore I am very much looking forward to your test results and recommendations.
I would like to explain. as a professional commercial driver for over 53 years in all 48 states and in Canada with over 4 million accident and ticket free driving. my experiences with this topic. We drivers do not share the same excitement on these new headlights. At night we get all the reflection from these right in our face and worse yet as you pass us. the headlights shine right in our mirrors. Adding to this. a lot of drivers, especially younger or the ones with very little regard for safety feel they have to have their lower driving lights on all the time. It only makes common sense that they are for driving when there is a need on roads with little traffic as a country road at night. We professional drivers have the same problem with foreign truck drivers coming here and disregarding our laws and our driving courtesy. In Europe and other countries, they have the same problem. no respect for others. Folks, you are not the only person on the road and. yes. I have a strong opinion about this, but you drive like we have to, over 100,000 miles a year, I think you would get tired of these new headlights also.
Good morning Mike
You did not give an option such as “plan to upgrade” or “my factory lights stink and I’m waiting for a DOT approved option”
Stay safe out there
That's why I asked you to comment, which you did.
Yes, factory halogen headlights stink and I'm trying to find a DOT approved option.
I switch my Halogen rectangle head lights [Peterbilt Style] to Speaker LED's.... No longer have candles for lights. Vogue '88 3-35'-Pusher...
Speaker #8800 ... Off Amazon... Had them on for 4 years ....
When I was a kid working in a gas station in the early ‘70s I adjusted headlights all the time. I can make a video detailing how to properly adjust them in front of a garage wall. However, LED bulbs can wreak havoc with the beam pattern of a reflector headlight assembly so you may not be able to keep the LED low beams out of the oncoming traffic’s eyes.
I am interested in hearing about this. I'm developing the older age issues of not seeing as well at night. I recognize the need for driver courtesty and not wanting to flash blind other drivers. Part of that is the right technology, and the other is common sense and courtesy of me as the driver.
Excellent article right here about this very subject Mike:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/15/cars/headlights-tech-adaptable-high-beams-cars/index.html
My solution was to just quit driving at night but it won't work for everyone. LOL
We have a few trucks in our area that haul through town all night and a couple of them have installed the 3 foot LED light bars for off roading above their bumpers. They light up the whole world for over a mile on a dark night.
Good read. It's a shame we are so far behind in this country!
Glenn, we are NOT behind in America. We have freedoms that most of the world doesn’t enjoy. Those countries that you think are better than the USA also have lots of other rules that we don’t have to put up with. I’ve been to almost 50 other countries and I’ve not seen one ahead of us, that I’d rather live in. Maybe you have.
Chill. My comment was concerning the subject at hand.
Yes, let’s all play nice here… 😁
2007 Dutch Star. Kept all light fixtures and re-lamped all lights except headlights to LED. When the current headlights fail we will re-lamp to LED too. (Lighting speak: lamp = bulb, fixture = what the lamp (bulb…c’mon, you can learn this) plugs into.
Current LED complaints:
a. fail to re-aim the light fixture after work, and now they light up the heavens instead of the road. Shim the entire fixture if necessary and possible.
b. ignore color temperature…3,000K and lower are better for night vision without going down to true yellow.
c. ignore lumens (think “light output”). Match the lumens to whatever is OEM unless you’re looking for something brighter.
d. lamps are not USA-made. There’s a lot of junk out there from any number of foreign countries.
e. ignore beam-spread. Most every lamp is different…look up the manufacturer’s pretty pictures and charts that will give you an idea of how well the new lamp will match the OEM lamp.
In process: incandescent ceiling rope lights. Delay is because I haven’t yet found them in the very specific diameter rope that fits flush in the ceiling channel.
There are a number of internet lamp and fixture suppliers out there that DO post technical details on their products.
(Yeah, I’m a lighting geek.)
I upgraded the headlights on our 2016 Winnebago Travato from the stock H7LL bulbs to Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulbs, then to LED bulbs. TheSilverstar Ultra;'s were a significant improvement over the H7LL's whcih many of my fellow Ram Promaster owners have characterized as providing dangerously poor illumination. I purchased my LED ugrade kit from a vendor (OpenGlass Van Mods) that claims to have very carefully selected the LED bulb ssuch tat when they are installed into the stock Ram Promaster headlight assemblies, the original beam pattern is closely maintained and does not shine into oncoming drivers. I have confirmed this. After installing these LED bulbs, I did not even have to re-aim my headlights. The improvement in illumination of the road was dramatic. After approx. one year's use, I have never had an oncoming driver flash headlights at me notifying me to dim my headlights.
I upgraded the headlights on our 2016 Winnebago Travato from the stock H7LL bulbs to Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulbs, then to LED bulbs. TheSilverstar Ultra;'s were a significant improvement over the H7LL's whcih many of my fellow Ram Promaster owners have characterized as providing dangerously poor illumination. I purchased my LED ugrade kit from a vendor (OpenGlass Van Mods) that claims to have very carefully selected the LED bulb ssuch tat when they are installed into the stock Ram Promaster headlight assemblies, the original beam pattern is closely maintained and does not shine into oncoming drivers. I have confirmed this. After installing these LED bulbs, I did not even have to re-aim my headlights. The improvement in illumination of the road was dramatic. After approx. one year's use, I have never had an oncoming driver flash headlights at me notifying me to dim my headlights.
https://jalopnik.com/hack-your-way-to-the-superior-euro-headlights-the-gover-1851266675
The issue as I see it is that they’re great as long as the road is flat and the load in the vehicle is perfectly balanced to keep the light beams where they’re supposed to be. A rough road can cause a strobe light effect and too much weight in the rear end can cause near blindness to oncoming traffic.
Wish these trucks had self-leveling headlights!
I’m considering installing Air Lifts on my F-150 with the Max Towing package. Even though I have a weight transfer hitch and carefully manage the trailer tongue weight to around 900 lbs, there’s still a few inches of truck squat which does lift the headlight pattern a bit. Plus, a stiffer rear suspension should reduce porpoising over washboard roads.
I usually only write about electrical things, but I’ve towed all kinds of trailers across the country and I’m obsessed with towing safety!
Your survey is missing a couple of options: I would like to upgrade and/or I dislike my factory halogen lights
There’s only so many characters allowed on each line with this poll. That’s why comments are appreciated…😁
8^)
I can't imagine what "damage" could occur, other than, as you say, the 'puter thinking the lamp is out, BUT.... GREAT topic to address, by the way!
Many times these manuals have been edited by lawyers, not engineers.
Still hesitant to go against something so specific in the owners manual!!! 8^p
Oh yes, it’s a real conundrum…
So, interesting situation... I would PREFER to run LEDs, BUT the owners manual for my 2021 Chevy Equinox toad specifically states NOT to install LEDs, as they could damage the electricals.... Hmmmm....
LED lights draw significantly less current than tungsten or halogen, which can cause your vehicle’s computer to report the bulb being burned out.
I'd think they would simply require a Can (can-bus?) compatible lamp to be installed, vs saying it can cause damage.... dunno....
Some LED lamps say they’re CAN bus compatible.
My factory installed halogen headlights are terribly dim. I feel compelled to upgrade them, therefore I am very much looking forward to your test results and recommendations.