Headlight visibility recall for snow / ice issues?

[Empty tank]

Just saying!!

 

[wtibbit]

Any vehicle with recessed led headlights have this problem. Even those with much more miles driven (jeep). Don't expect a recall here. That community generally recommends halogen or other alternatives (that generate heat) vs LED. But again, no recall.

Here's one of the Jeep crowd's similar threads regarding that vehicle when equipped with LED headlights.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ed-light-package-is-dangerous-in-snow.107027/

 

[pricedm]

You could buy a Rivian. Their EVs don't have this issue….lol...recessed LED headlights. Same problem on my 1994 Acura Integra due to recessed lights.

Every vehicle with LEDs has this issue.

Rear of all EVs is problematic due to no exhaust heat. Picture of my Model 3 after driving a mountain pass which closed due to heavy snow/ whiteout conditions as I was traveling on it. Illustrates why high-mount brake light is necessary!

 

[OldDirtyRobot]

Recalls are usually a result of bad design.

Recalls happen for lots of reasons. Bad parts from suppliers, improper assembly, or in some cases machining debris may not have been cleared from the engine.

 

[agordon117]

Had the first big snow of the season. It was absolutely a nightmare driving. The headlights were covered after about 6 miles on the turnpike. There are no lights along the pike, and there was so much snow on the side of the road that it would be unsafe to pull far enough off of the road to safely clear the headlights. Anyone who has ever said "JuST sTOp aNd cLEaR tHeM" is an actual crazy person. It is not safe to do that. And no, this doesn't happen with every car. Didn't happen with my model Y.

also, I learned this last night.

The damn side cameras are heated. But they couldn't figure out a washer or a heater for the headlights? Nah, no excuse.

Also, the wiper worked for crap. No matter how long I used wiper fluid, all that happened was the windshield had smeared road salt all over it. And I'm not even sure this is a hardware problem. I just think they have to change the sequence of what happens during a wash. It needs to spray fluid on the way down and the way back up, and it needs to do fewer dry wipes.

The truck handled snow very well in terms of traction and stability, I just couldn't see for shit. I guess I have to drive my jeep every time it's snowing since I have heated headlights in that.

 

[L3it3R]

I think tapping into the frunk's 48V accessory power and adding some sort of heating element under the frunk lip above the lights, or maybe a thin heating element laid over the lights themselves may be a possible workaround. This is something that the aftermarket will likely need to fix - others have already mentioned that there are many other manufacturers and models which have similar issues.
I haven't driven the truck in a snow storm yet, but have driven it through laid snow. It handles very well in slippery conditions, but I have no doubt that a snow storm will block those lights with a quickness.

 

[dalton108]

Just saying!!

I thought I was the coolest SOB alive when I had my S60 with these on it! And OMG those seats!!!!

 

[SentinelOne]

I ordered the Cybertruck co lights (2x not 6x) and plan to use with yellow lenses when it's snowing...flat, no shelf, redundancy, operated from in cab....that and some masking tape for the DRL and hoping good to go. When someone comes out with a 48v heating system I'll figure out a switch for the power feed so can independently control as needed...plus a 3rd split for frunk 12v.

 

[agordon117]

I think tapping into the frunk's 48V accessory power and adding some sort of heating element under the frunk lip above the lights, or maybe a thin heating element laid over the lights themselves may be a possible workaround. This is something that the aftermarket will likely need to fix - others have already mentioned that there are many other manufacturers and models which have similar issues.
I haven't driven the truck in a snow storm yet, but have driven it through laid snow. It handles very well in slippery conditions, but I have no doubt that a snow storm will block those lights with a quickness.

I didn't have much buildup on the bumper, but I had snow stuck to the lights themselves. When there happened to be a rest area, I was able to stop and look. So it's likely a 2 step solution. Heated lights and a heating element on the bumper. Because in heavier snow, both problems would exist

 

[dalton108]

Had the first big snow of the season. It was absolutely a nightmare driving. The headlights were covered after about 6 miles on the turnpike. There are no lights along the pike, and there was so much snow on the side of the road that it would be unsafe to pull far enough off of the road to safely clear the headlights. Anyone who has ever said "JuST sTOp aNd cLEaR tHeM" is an actual crazy person. It is not safe to do that. And no, this doesn't happen with every car. Didn't happen with my model Y.

also, I learned this last night.

The damn side cameras are heated. But they couldn't figure out a washer or a heater for the headlights? Nah, no excuse.

Also, the wiper worked for crap. No matter how long I used wiper fluid, all that happened was the windshield had smeared road salt all over it. And I'm not even sure this is a hardware problem. I just think they have to change the sequence of what happens during a wash. It needs to spray fluid on the way down and the way back up, and it needs to do fewer dry wipes.

The truck handled snow very well in terms of traction and stability, I just couldn't see for shit. I guess I have to drive my jeep every time it's snowing since I have heated headlights in that.

Seems like my FJ is not going anywhere soon.

 

[L3it3R]

I didn't have much buildup on the bumper, but I had snow stuck to the lights themselves. When there happened to be a rest area, I was able to stop and look. So it's likely a 2 step solution. Heated lights and a heating element on the bumper. Because in heavier snow, both problems would exist

I did find a couple companies who specialize in transparent heating solutions and have reached out to a couple just in general interest in their products.. One in particular seems very promising as they have very broad operating limits (48v would be perfectly fine) and are geared towards solutions like this. Awaiting their response!

As for the bumper: that could actually be pretty straightforward as there are plenty of custom all-weather heating elements available on the market and could easily be tied into that front 48v power tap.

 

[agordon117]

I did find a couple companies who specialize in transparent heating solutions and have reached out to a couple just in general interest in their products.. One in particular seems very promising as they have very broad operating limits (48v would be perfectly fine) and are geared towards solutions like this. Awaiting their response!

As for the bumper: that could actually be pretty straightforward as there are plenty of custom all-weather heating elements available on the market and could easily be tied into that front 48v power tap.

I wonder what the actual light transmission through the clear pane is. The headlights are already barely adequate as is. if we then stick an 80% light transmission clear element in front of them, that would suck.

 

[L3it3R]

I wonder what the actual light transmission through the clear pane is. The headlights are already barely adequate as is. if we then stick an 80% light transmission clear element in front of them, that would suck.

They state 95% on their site.
I don't find issue with the lights as long as the high beams actually turn on automatically which usually requires me to toggle the auto feature unless I'm using FSD

 

[Empty tank]

Had the first big snow of the season. It was absolutely a nightmare driving. The headlights were covered after about 6 miles on the turnpike. There are no lights along the pike, and there was so much snow on the side of the road that it would be unsafe to pull far enough off of the road to safely clear the headlights. Anyone who has ever said "JuST sTOp aNd cLEaR tHeM" is an actual crazy person. It is not safe to do that. And no, this doesn't happen with every car. Didn't happen with my model Y.

also, I learned this last night.

The damn side cameras are heated. But they couldn't figure out a washer or a heater for the headlights? Nah, no excuse.

Also, the wiper worked for crap. No matter how long I used wiper fluid, all that happened was the windshield had smeared road salt all over it. And I'm not even sure this is a hardware problem. I just think they have to change the sequence of what happens during a wash. It needs to spray fluid on the way down and the way back up, and it needs to do fewer dry wipes.

The truck handled snow very well in terms of traction and stability, I just couldn't see for shit. I guess I have to drive my jeep every time it's snowing since I have heated headlights in that.

Awesome snow review, stay safe!

 

[oisiaa]

Has anyone actually measured how much heat is generated by the headlights? If the consumption is 50W per side, there is still probably 5-10W of heat even from LEDs. That isn't enough to overcome a blizzard, but it's enough to melt most snowfall that people actually drive in.