Worst factory headlight design

[3930dave]

I would guess that half of today's automotive engineers wouldn't know how to change a flat tire, let alone a headlight they designed.

They don't need to, as they have an app for that instead.

When the TPMS on the car reports below 20 psi, their ifone autodials AAA.

I shouldn't even joke.....

Rgds, D.

 

[DFB]

That is how I'd expect any competent ME to design....... though, as somebody (real-world) told me lately "Your expectations are seriously out of control".

Seems that era of GM engineers either got fired for doing too good a job, or where made to drink the bean-counters Koolaid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oKyanoXa70

Billable shop-time seems to be the priority now.

That vid reminded me of another reason I hate plastic assemblies. Around here, we lose more bulbs when it's cold...... just the kind of weather plastic fasteners love.

Rgds, D.

Oh man what would the common guy do without some of these online video tutorials hey!

You be standing there scratching your head trying to figure out how to change a headlamp bulb.

What would one figure, a $100 maybe if a dealership replaced the bulb?

 

[3930dave]

Even most little shops will bill an hour minimum.

Dealerships around here are over $100/hr, and I would not be surprised if they would bill for more than 1 hour.

Might be interesting, to get some dealer quotes - best done before you buy the vehicle.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Flitz now that's one I don't have.. darn I do have several Turtle Wax buffing compounds plus some Simi Chrome, and Mother's metal cleaners Novus plastic cleaners, and Harley Davidson and Meguiars liquid polishes. That HD stuff works great on my fiberglass shower

Thanks for the tip.

New lens covers aren't cheap

Remembered to ask, when I was by my buddy's shop today. One of the best cleaners they've found is:

Presta Products, Barberton OH
ReNuLite, PN 136816

Headlight Restoration Creme

Of course, I couldn't go to their website without finding something else innarresting....

Headlight Sealant, 6.5 oz. (137306)

Spendy, for a little bottle.... but if it works, that's about $3/light for the sealant.

Rgds, D.

 

[DFB]

Remembered to ask, when I was by my buddy's shop today. One of the best cleaners they've found is:

Presta Products, Barberton OH
ReNuLite, PN 136816

Headlight Restoration Creme

Of course, I couldn't go to their website without finding something else innarresting....

Headlight Sealant, 6.5 oz. (137306)

Spendy, for a little bottle.... but if it works, that's about $3/light for the sealant.

Rgds, D.

Ya thanks seems they have a whole system for restoration and the sealant is part of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7W1sY0Dbl0

 

[3930dave]

Ya thanks seems they have a whole system for restoration and the sealant is part of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7W1sY0Dbl0

If they are rating the sealant at 3 years, that's not bad at about $1/year/light.

Rgds, D.

 

[Oaktree]

Some companies today will put 1,000's of engineering hours into the infotainment systems on vehicles.

And still manage to make it totally non-intuitive/needlessly complicated.

 

[3930dave]

And still manage to make it totally non-intuitive/needlessly complicated.

Too True !

Rgds, D.

 

[mikehaugen]

Both my mom and a friend of mine have Nissan maximas, around '05 or '06. Between the two of them 3 bulbs have had to be changed for around $180 each. One shop actually told my mom that he couldn't get the bulb and it had to come from Nissan, so to the dealer she went. I've heard, but can't confirm, that the fender needs to be removed.

 

[dodge man]

I think its rare that the fender would have to be removed, most likely the inner plastic fender liner.

 

[DavesTractor]

And still manage to make it totally non-intuitive/needlessly complicated.

Exactly. I have a BMW with the goofy scroll button I-drive system. Yes it's cool and I pretty much have the hang of it, but sometimes I'd just like a radio with a knob for volume and a knob for tuning. And a knob to change the conditioned air from the floor to the dash, not 4 menus deep with the ability to customize for each occupant.

By comparison, we have a newer F350 and it is made for us guys with gray hair. Everything is simple and labeled and right at hand, not 4 menus deep.

 

[3930dave]

Exactly. I have a BMW with the goofy scroll button I-drive system. Yes it's cool and I pretty much have the hang of it, but sometimes I'd just like a radio with a knob for volume and a knob for tuning. And a knob to change the conditioned air from the floor to the dash, not 4 menus deep with the ability to customize for each occupant.

By comparison, we have a newer F350 and it is made for us guys with gray hair. Everything is simple and labeled and right at hand, not 4 menus deep.

While poor headlights are an obvious safety issue, so is distracted driving. Plenty of press on that lately. News today was talking about a 17% higher fatality rate, due to Daylight Savings changes. It doesn't take much....

My preference is dedicated hardware controls. If I want tech, I want it all-out : full voice recognition.

Rgds, D.

 

[timswi]

Hummer H3 has the worst headlight design of anything I've owned. Without the running lights, you'd never be able to see at night. The high beams are useless. Bulb replacement is easy, just can't find anything that actually gives any real light. My 70 Chevelle headlights are better if you can believe that. Fortunately this thing is a grocery getter so not a huge deal.

 

[bf109v7]

I would guess that half of today's automotive engineers wouldn't know how to change a flat tire, let alone a headlight they designed.

I am an automotive engineer. And I know to change anything on a car. But, I had to design a headlight for a leading german carmaker, and they wanted it so that the costomer can not change the bulb. When I ask why, they told me that each bulb has the light wire a little bit different and that the headlights should be adjusted after changing the bulb. I told them that this i a poor excuse for giving work to the dealers. But they sayed I can do it or they will give the job to sombody else.
Alex

 

[HHR]

I am an automotive engineer. And I know to change anything on a car. But, I had to design a headlight for a leading german carmaker, and they wanted it so that the costomer can not change the bulb. When I ask why, they told me that each bulb has the light wire a little bit different and that the headlights should be adjusted after changing the bulb. I told them that this i a poor excuse for giving work to the dealers. But they sayed I can do it or they will give the job to sombody else. Alex

This is sad, but I'm not surprised.

 

[bf109v7]

This is sad, but I'm not surprised.

Yes, but not only head lights. I started my career as a mecanic, and I alway tryed to make things so that the can be reached without breaking your fingers. Like bolts on an engine. But many times I was stoppt,they told me that this bolt will be tightend in the factory befor the engine is installed, if somebody later wants to take it out he can take out the engine first.
Alex

 

[3930dave]

This page has me thinking (not for the first time....), "I should get that Model T".

From Wikipedia...

Henry Ford oversaw the requirements and design of the Model T based on the realities of that world. Consequently, the Model T was (intentionally) almost as much a tractor and portable engine as it was an automobile. It has always been well regarded for its all-terrain abilities and ruggedness. It could travel a rocky, muddy farm lane, ford a shallow stream, climb a steep hill, and be parked on the other side to have one of its wheels removed and a pulley fastened to the hub for a flat belt to drive a bucksaw, thresher, silo blower, conveyor for filling corn cribs or haylofts, baler, water pump (for wells, mines, or swampy farm fields), electrical generator, and countless other applications.

Rgds, D.

 

[bf109v7]

I bought an ISUZU Crosswind here, the cheapest version. Not much worse than the model T. No eletronics, direct injection diesel, can be push startet without battery. But it would not pass USA or EU safty laws. I don't understand this laws anyway. Suiside is legal, why they make laws about how save a car must be. O.K. my last job was to design safty things for cars, but it should be the decision of the buyer whether he want to have them.
Alex

 

[3930dave]

bf - you should post a description of your Crosswind in this thread

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/288903-compact-diesel-trucks-we-cant.html

If you post hand-calculated mileage for your truck, I'll be away from TBN for a day or 3.

(Will need to replace computer keyboard due to salt damage from tears.... :duh.

Rgds, D.

 

[Garandman]

That is the one thing I don't like about my 2010 Subaru Outback;remove the tire,inner fender liner to change a bulb.

That's disappointing. On the 2006 I have, you twist off a plastic cover for the driver's side (about 10 seconds). On the passenger side you have to remove the plastic intake duct, which takes an additional, say, 20 seconds.

I use the Sylvania XtraVision as they are a little brighter, though they only seem to last 30-50,000 miles.