Honda Fit - Poor Headlights according to IIHS
#21
This Insurance report is the first comprehensive study they've done on car headlights and as such is a shot being fired across the car manufacturers - and regulators - bows to get their attention on this issue. Brighter headlights are not by themselves a solution to the problem and in fact may simply create other problems. We are probably heading for computer controlled adaptive LED technology much of which is not legal in the US presently. Changes to cars take time, particularly when it involves new technology, so the reports on headlights will probably be dismal for a long time to come.
#22
Stomp all you want because I know both the GTI and Golf R come with bi-xenon HID's with AFS so that's what I researched on the IIHS site and those are the headlights that they ranked poorly. I've owned cars with HID's in the past (my MX-5 has them currently) so I understand the technology and have also worked in the automotive industry for a decade.
So be careful falling off your high horse.
2017 Volkswagen GTI
As you can see the halogens of the lower trim model GTI also rate poorly. Also, if you're so concerned about how halogens suck maybe you'd consider buying your wife a different car instead of an econo-hatch while you have the expensive cars.
So be careful falling off your high horse.
2017 Volkswagen GTI
As you can see the halogens of the lower trim model GTI also rate poorly. Also, if you're so concerned about how halogens suck maybe you'd consider buying your wife a different car instead of an econo-hatch while you have the expensive cars.
#23
I've driven many cars over the years including the current GTI and STI so I am familiar with 2 of your 3 cars and the Golf R uses the same lights as the GTI anyway. I didn't say they were as poor as the Fit's lights, I said they are still rated poorly by the IIHS. Being an owner doesn't mean you know what you're talking about, it means you're a fanboi.
#24
I, too, find the GK's lighting inadequate on cloudly or rainy nights, but ok for clear nights in the city.
Also note that as we humans age, over 50yo our eyes are less sensitive to light and therefore need more illumination to perceive the same light intensity as the young punks.
Also note that as we humans age, over 50yo our eyes are less sensitive to light and therefore need more illumination to perceive the same light intensity as the young punks.
#25
I, too, find the GK's lighting inadequate on cloudly or rainy nights, but ok for clear nights in the city.
Also note that as we humans age, over 50yo our eyes are less sensitive to light and therefore need more illumination to perceive the same light intensity as the young punks.
Also note that as we humans age, over 50yo our eyes are less sensitive to light and therefore need more illumination to perceive the same light intensity as the young punks.
i dont have this problem in my cars and my wife should not have to either. thinking about getting her a new NX next year when the GK hits close to 30K.
#26
I found the Fit's headlights on both high and low beams be be poor on the staightaway, equally poor on both sides, and truly awful on curves, equally awful on both sides. I agree with the insurance co report that they don't present glare to oncoming drivers.
#27
My low beams are surprisingly very nice. I do find it odd that Honda chose to go with a flat cut-off instead of the traditional right/passenger side uptick.
The high beam pattern however is atrociously miserable. light and dark spots, beam scattered all over the place. IDK what to do that would fix this.
I have ordered some high powered LED bulbs that can be variably indexed, so I am wondering if that will help. If nothing else, my low beams will have even more power and I will just manually aim them a bit higher.
The high beam pattern however is atrociously miserable. light and dark spots, beam scattered all over the place. IDK what to do that would fix this.
I have ordered some high powered LED bulbs that can be variably indexed, so I am wondering if that will help. If nothing else, my low beams will have even more power and I will just manually aim them a bit higher.
#30
I had a problem with the headlights after I got the car but I raised the aim a few degrees and it's made a big difference. Also agree that it would be nice to have a bit more side illumination ... I often use the EX's fog lights for that but don't like to keep them on all the time.
#31
My S2000 lights are way brighter than my Fit's.
BUT they are much more focused & I find my visibility is worse with HID projectors than with the classic halogens in my 2012 Fit.
I welcome new technology, but gimme my old school lights until the new ones are better setup.
BUT they are much more focused & I find my visibility is worse with HID projectors than with the classic halogens in my 2012 Fit.
I welcome new technology, but gimme my old school lights until the new ones are better setup.
#32
I have owned a GE. Maybe that’s why the GKs lights don’t seem that bad.
#33
I had a problem with the headlights after I got the car but I raised the aim a few degrees and it's made a big difference. Also agree that it would be nice to have a bit more side illumination ... I often use the EX's fog lights for that but don't like to keep them on all the time.
Last edited by nomenclator; 11-25-2017 at 11:15 PM.
#34
Yeah the fogs have turned out to be maybe the best part of the EX upgrade; it was a pleasant surprise when I realized how well they illuminate beyond the corners.
Last edited by bach; 11-25-2017 at 11:54 PM. Reason: I can't leave a first draft to save my life ...
#35
Yes, the fog lights are excellent to fill in the edges around the front of the car. Seems I get something like 150 degrees or so of coverage on the 2018? There's quite a bit of throw to them, too. Last night they came in handy when I was going down a dark residential street, it helped a lot with scoping the curbs for parking.
#37
I think they read the complaints and also hire focus groups. The result is that every model change the vehicle gets softer and less focused toward it's original market until the car gets discontinued all together due to lack of interest.
For any given car people are going to generally say that it could use more space, be quieter, and ride better. If the marketing department is in control, the result is death to anything sporty. This is why the best cars come from engineering based companies and not marketing based.
For any given car people are going to generally say that it could use more space, be quieter, and ride better. If the marketing department is in control, the result is death to anything sporty. This is why the best cars come from engineering based companies and not marketing based.
#39
If you’re still going on about headlights, it’s already been pointed out that the headlights offered on most cars in North America rate poorly regardless of price point.
I seriously think you’re just still here so you can brag about the more expensive cars you own to us lowly Fit owners. Keep in mind that some of us own a Fit because we want to, not because it’s all we can afford.
#40
OK, friends, let's all settle down. We're here to discuss cars, not dreams. Our cars are a compromise between what we want and what can be produced within $$$ limits, and marketers often overrule engineers on the product.
Meanwhile let's continue to share advice and experiences to make our car better, safer, more enjoyable. Stay calm!
Meanwhile let's continue to share advice and experiences to make our car better, safer, more enjoyable. Stay calm!