Anyone else's lowbeams pathetic??

tobermoryvibe · Post by **tobermoryvibe** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:13 am

Tonight was our first night with the new vibe after dark. The low beams were almost dangerous to drive with, they were barely visible more than 35 feet infront of the car. Is it somewhat easy to adjust the lights up, or can anyone recommend a brighter bulb??Tom

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:20 am

Definitely check your headlamp aim. I know I had the same gripe back when I bought mine and just a little adjustment of the aim up made a huge difference. Check this thread for more info:http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...#6195

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:43 am

hey Tom,It's definitely the aim...VERY easy to adjust, follow the link. What i found handy was a stubby phillips screwdriver....cheap at canadian tire if you don't have one!I kept it in the car for the first few weeks i owned the car and would stop occasionally to fine tune the angle but after a couple of adjustments it made a huge difference and the night is illuminated!I am paranoid about headlight angle after hitting a deer one night that i think i may have avoided if my headlights (in my last car) were adjusted accordingly.Tom

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:44 am

I changed out my headlamp bulbs to brighter ones, no more dim yellow ones for me.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:46 am

i was actually impressed with the vision at night when i first got my vibe. due to it's higher ride, the lights seem to travel pretty darn far.

vibe-anator · Post by **vibe-anator** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:55 am

Adjustment for headlights?? Uhmm, excuse me, but I just took my 05 vibe to Todd Wenzel Pontiac and told them I wanted my headlights adjusted up a little because on low beam at 50 ft out its completely dark! If a deer was crossing I never would see it until its too late.Anyway, I went to pick up the car at the dealership and they said AND I QUOTE - " There is NO adjustment for the headlights so theres nothing we can do about that probelm"Now if your telling us there IS a adjustment that can be done, then I want soemones head on a platter at Todd Wenzel!!!I have lived a breathed Mopar all my life, I drag raced mopars for years and 90% of all the 27 cars I've owned has been Mopar, but I got the Vibe because of the MPG, but I am getting real sick and tired of the retards at GM!First time I was in there, the tech tried telling me the Vibes headlights have to be on all the time because its the law... What an *ss.Then GM puts luggage racks on a car but doesn't offer crossrails as a option in the 05' book...Gheezzzzzzz Then when I call GM about vibe accessories they give me the phone number of a clothing maker for GM stuff, they say they keep telling GM to STOP confusing the #. Then I called GM back and they then give me a new # which is a company that makes model GM cars...GOD!Anyone know a big shot at GM I can call and vent ?

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:25 am

what about bob lutz,vibe-anator why dont you look at the head light and see if you can find the adjusting screw, then when you find it you can yell at the ppl at your dealership

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:49 am

Just adjust them yourself and be done with it... You're not the first person who has had their dealer tell them something completely irrational.For the record, I have absolutely no complaints about my high or low beams, and that's with standard halogens.

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:10 am

are you kidding me? You actually listened to the dealer when they told you there was no way to adjust the light?

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:08 am

Every headlamp on EVERY car has some sort of adjustment. Especially on newer ones.

vibe-anator · Post by **vibe-anator** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:59 pm

Right after I read this post,I went out and adjusted the lights in about 60 seconds! seriously ! You guys explained it very well.I had the vibe in for a leaky sunroof, and ask them to adjust the lights while they had it.I said in another post that, YES I am going to go down and take the tech that said it couldn't be done and show him in person how to adjust them (along with his boss).

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:58 pm

Quote, originally posted by vibe-anator Â»First time I was in there, the tech tried telling me the Vibes headlights have to be on all the time because its the law... What an *ss.They're half right.Canadian law mandates that ALL new vehicles have daytime running lights. Although the US does not mandate DRL's on new vehicles, GM puts them in anyway. It's a safety feature. It makes your car more visible during the daylight hours.

vibe-anator · Post by **vibe-anator** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:10 pm

Yes,in Canada. So lets send the tech to Canada to work and he'll be right at home there!

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:12 am

Quote, originally posted by vibe-anator Â»Yes,in Canada. So lets send the tech to Canada to work and he'll be right at home there!i was just about to post a 'good job vibe-nator' until that comment! glad to hear you found the adjustment. it is very easy to do...eh?(i'll pretend your comment was constructive instead of insultive. )

Pick · Post by **Pick** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:51 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â» It's a safety feature. It makes your car more visible during the daylight hours. I wish we had the same law, i can't tell you how many complete idiots driving without lights in VERY poor lighting conditions.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 3:14 am

I took it to mean that since the tech incorrectly thought they were required by law in the US, the tech should move to Canada so that he would be correct when he said that they were required. Not a slam on Canadians. At least that's how I read it.

zionzr2 · Post by **zionzr2** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 3:27 am

not only is it an important safety feature mostinsurance companies give a discount for having them...

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:08 am

Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»I took it to mean that since the tech incorrectly thought they were required by law in the US, the tech should move to Canada so that he would be correct when he said that they were required. Not a slam on Canadians. At least that's how I read it.i know...me to. i try not to take life too seriously, let alone stuff on the web!

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:13 am

Quote, originally posted by Storm Â»are you kidding me? You actually listened to the dealer when they told you there was no way to adjust the light? so, you had to go to MO to call the guy stupid?99% of the people here know the vibe is not genuine GM. however, since it technically is GM, you have to get it serviced at one of their shops for warranty work

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 5:59 am

I post idiotic comments I find on the internet in alot of places

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:02 am

for my benefit, where is the idiocy in his post?

Post by **NSimkins** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:13 am

Time to get back on topic...

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:22 am

the fact that he beleived the dealer. There is a way to adjust the lights on ALL cars and I'm not talking about cars from the 1920s, I'm talking about daily driver cars. Now why I posted it in another forum was because the Moderators here frown upon those types of posts. If you look on Matrixowners there's posts about comments from different boards all over. I'm NOT singling out genvibe I actually find myself here more than matrixowners lately and I'm not anti-vibe.So lets move on. I appologize for my rude comments on matrix owners

vibe-anator · Post by **vibe-anator** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:46 am

No, I did not mean to slam Canadians! I go to Canada a few times a year. great people, great land !I was basically being sarcastic about the GM tech and perhaps he should work in Canada since he seems to know about their laws.Tongue and cheek my friends, tounge and cheek.I was busy today, but I will get down to the dealership....stay tuned

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:54 am

yes, my hubby is from Canada and was a service advisor for one of the Ponty dealerships in Ontario. watch your sarcasm as it's easy for people to read it the wrong way... (not that i'm guilty *looks away*)remember, GM techs usually don't know much about Toyota built vehicles. you shouldn't be surprised that the dealership's service departments don't know jack about your car. lol. i usually had to tell them what they needed to do inorder to fix my vibe.

tangerine · Post by **tangerine** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:00 am

I find the headlights in these to be better than any other car i'v driven. With those diamond cut overlays they are extremely bright and when i put HID's in there whoa could I see.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:01 am

i want HID!

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:03 am

HID's are the way to go especially since you have projectors(I think the legacy gt has them)

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:06 am

yes, i have projectors, but HID wasn't an option. i thought that was wierd since they made this car to compete against the Mercedes and BMW 3 series! those all have HID! and the STI comes with HID.... grumble grumble....

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:08 am

I'm sure you can find some HIDs. BUT stay low on the Kelvin rating. like 5000K will give you a nice white light, unless you want blue or purple...

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:11 am

oh, i doubt i'd do a HID upgrade anytime in the near future. unless it's super cheap, then no spending $$$ on the LGT right now. sigh, people complain their wives won't let them mod their car...... j/k hun. HOUSE!

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:17 am

As a victim of hellish glare from a ricer's HID setup just two nights ago, I have to say HID's installed in a vehicle that was not originally intended to have them are a big no-no. Conventional headlamp assemblies simply do not have the proper design to handle HID lights. Thus, while they are bright as hell, you're just throwing that bright as hell light every which way which may benefit you somewhat, while putting other motorists in danger.

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:27 am

Not true. Most people with aftermarket HIDs do not adjust the headlights accordingly and they usually get the 6000K-12,000K HIDs. Most vehicles that come with HIDs come with 5500K or below. Also there are cars out there that do not have projectors with HIDs. So yeah, you can expect "ricers" to blind you. My HIDs are angled down. I get MUCH more light output, but I do not blind the drivers coming the opposite way.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:27 am

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic Â»As a victim of hellish glare from a ricer's HID setup just two nights ago, I have to say HID's installed in a vehicle that was not originally intended to have them are a big no-no. Conventional headlamp assemblies simply do not have the proper design to handle HID lights. Thus, while they are bright as hell, you're just throwing that bright as hell light every which way which may benefit you somewhat, while putting other motorists in danger. You CAN successfully retrofit an HID kit into a car not designed for them. Ensuring proper aim is key, and yes, I had to adjust the aim on my headlights when I converted over to HID. But I haven't had any problems since then...no one ever flashes me, and even my parents haven't said anything about the light being blinding or distracting when I pass them on the road sometimes.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:29 am

i would disagree. raging's HID set up in his vibe was sweet and so is this one in an LGT. we already have projector lamps... http://legacygt.com/forums/sho...nt=15

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:38 am

...But are they legal? Last I heard, you can't legally purchase these kits in the US. Hence, the reason I can't just go to Pep Boys and buy some HID kit - instead, they have to be bought on ebay or whatever...

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:30 am

they're like radar detectors. In some states they're illegal, but you can still buy them. It is however illegal to install them. There's a sticker that comes from the factory stating that the vehicle may be equipt with HIDs so you can get away with it. I have yet to be stopped for my lights

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 10:38 pm

HID's are for the most part not too bad (sorta) as far as brightness is concerned...what gets me are the people that have HID headlights/fog lights/driving lights/etc. and ALL turned on at the same time while driving around in the downtown of a well lit major city!we all know they have an insecurity complex but enough with the 'look at me' lighting!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 1:40 am

Quote, originally posted by Atomb Â»HID's are for the most part not too bad (sorta) as far as brightness is concerned...what gets me are the people that have HID headlights/fog lights/driving lights/etc. and ALL turned on at the same time while driving around in the downtown of a well lit major city!we all know they have an insecurity complex but enough with the 'look at me' lighting! Are we all trying to subtley bash my lighting? Sheesh. Seriously though. It's just that. LIGHTING. Why is everyone all offended at LIGHTING? So what if it's a city. You still need to be visible. You still need to see potholes and debris in the road. THe more light on the road, the safer you drive.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 1:48 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â» You still need to see potholes and debris in the road. THe more light on the road, the safer you drive.they obviously worked for you. you have never run over anything in yours!

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 1:51 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»Are we all trying to subtley bash my lighting? Sheesh. Seriously though. It's just that. LIGHTING. Why is everyone all offended at LIGHTING? So what if it's a city. You still need to be visible. You still need to see potholes and debris in the road. THe more light on the road, the safer you drive.i didn't want to come out and say it, raging, but your lights were bothering me .... all the way up here in Canada! i understand your point, on a dark(er) country road or interstate, but if the road is well lit (as in the city) do you really need more than your headlights?OR...let's apply your 'more is always better' to other aspects in this world...you get the point.OR...let's consider the safety of others around you whether shining into their rearview or oncoming. It's the 'put yourself in their shoes' mentality that doesn't seem to happen enough these days.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:04 am

Quote, originally posted by Atomb Â»i didn't want to come out and say it, raging, but your lights were bothering me .... all the way up here in Canada! i understand your point, on a dark(er) country road or interstate, but if the road is well lit (as in the city) do you really need more than your headlights?Sometimes yes. Headlights illuminate far ahead. In the city, it's what's directly in front of you that you need to watch for. Fogs hit the road directly in front of you better than headlights alone. As previously said, they saved me from disatrous potholes on numerous occasions. Even in my pre-HID era.Quote Â»OR...let's apply your 'more is always better' to other aspects in this world...you get the point.I should clarify. More light is better...WITHIN REASON! I'm not advocating or supporting people who have 26 lights on the front of their cars. But I have no issues with people who use fog/driving lights as part of their regular "lighting routine." I do it myself, and when I turn off the fogs, the amount of light thrown is *dramatically* reduced. The extra light HELPS!Quote Â»OR...let's consider the safety of others around you whether shining into their rearview or oncoming. It's the 'put yourself in their shoes' mentality that doesn't seem to happen enough these days.This is not a problem that is attributed to only HID's. Even the yellowist of crappiest lights is STILL distracting to drivers ahead of you and oncoming if your lights are not properly aimed. Anyone who drove in front of me at a meet I believe will testify that my properly-aimed HID lights are no more distracting or harmful to drivers than silverstars or xtravisions.

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:22 am

well said on all 3 accounts, raging.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:40 am

ty. i just hate when the public groups me in with ricers just because I converted to HID. some of us are good-hearted folk who simply love the glow of a white light.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:51 am

Quote Â»This is not a problem that is attributed to only HID's. Even the yellowist of crappiest lights is STILL distracting to drivers ahead of you and oncoming if your lights are not properly aimed. Anyone who drove in front of me at a meet I believe will testify that my properly-aimed HID lights are no more distracting or harmful to drivers than silverstars or xtravisions.very well said, my friend!Quote Â»i just hate when the public groups me in with ricers just because I converted to HID.i would hardly call the european autos and high end vehicles rice.

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:54 am

Agreed. It's all in the AIM. You just notice improperly aimed HIDs more because they're that much brighter. You don't notice the guy with the eurovan whose lights are pointing off to the side because they aren't glaringly bright when you stare at them..

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:01 am

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa Â»Agreed. It's all in the AIM. just ask any bathroom janitor, he'll tell you the same.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:10 am

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe Â»just ask any bathroom janitor, he'll tell you the same.(removed)!

vibe-anator · Post by **vibe-anator** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:12 am

I took my first night drive last night after adjusting the lights...... its SOOOOOO much better! Now I can see the deer before I hit them!

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:41 am

Damn it, I didn't mean to start that much *bleep*. I was just *bleeping* about how I got blinded by a poorly installed HID kit. heh

Anyone else's lowbeams pathetic??

Anyone else's lowbeams pathetic??

Re: Anyone else's lowbeams pathetic?? (tobermoryvibe)

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