Bob

"Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
news:L%qAf.5408$lb.465318@news1.epix.net...
> Bob wrote:
>
>> "Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
>> news:gPjAf.230$Jn1.105@trndny01...
>>
>>>Bob wrote:
>>>
>>>>"GeoUSA" <GeoUSofA@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>news:1137766872.650735.49820@g47g2000cwa.googl egroups.com...
>>>>
>>
>>
>>>>I'm getting flashed with only the low beams - no driving lights - on.
>>>>I'm going to submit it to NHTSA. I suggest all others that have the same
>>>>problem do the same.
>>>
>>>What problem? That's the way headlights are now.
>>
>>
>> The problem with them is that they bother oncoming traffic to the point
>> that they turn their high beams on, subsequently negatively affecting my
>> ability to see. Not all new car headlights are that way. The very worst
>> ones are the HID headlights on the high end cars. The problem is that
>> there is a significant amount of light being projected above the road
>> surface from the lights in my car.
>
> They won't if they are adjusted properly. I've had my Sonata exactly one
> month now and I've had only two drivers flash their highs at me in 1500
> mmiles of driving. And one was on the way home the night I picked up the
> car. I thought I might have a problem, but I don't.
>
> I still think your problem is 80% improper adjustment and at most 20% the
> brightness or design of the headlight beam.
>
> I find that lots of new cars make me think they have their high beams on,
> especially those blue light specials.
>
> Matt

I've tried my best to adjust them with no success. I've taken it to the
dealer three times, and they adjust them so that they either light the
trees, or light the road in a nice spot 30 feet in front of the car. The
dealer insists that the precision aligned concrete block wall is the way
they adjust all headlights. I've tried the reasonable approach of lighting
the road for a decent distance, which is lower than the dealer adjusted them
twice. Maybe someone at Hyundai reads the NHTSA submittals, and will realize
they've got an issue. Calling Hyundai and asking them what to do about the
fact that the dealer can't align the headlights, and asking for suggestions
resulted in me being told that I need to talk to the dealer because they
handle all issues related to the vehicle. As far as continuing to mess with
it myself.... It's under warranty. I need to drive it, put gas and
windshield washer fluid in it, and do PM's to it. Anything else is Hyundai's
problem to resolve.

Matt Whiting

Bob wrote:

> "Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
> news:L%qAf.5408$lb.465318@news1.epix.net...
>
>>Bob wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>news:gPjAf.230$Jn1.105@trndny01...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Bob wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>"GeoUSA" <GeoUSofA@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>news:1137766872.650735.49820@g47g2000cwa.goog legroups.com...
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>I'm getting flashed with only the low beams - no driving lights - on.
>>>>>I'm going to submit it to NHTSA. I suggest all others that have the same
>>>>>problem do the same.
>>>>
>>>>What problem? That's the way headlights are now.
>>>
>>>
>>>The problem with them is that they bother oncoming traffic to the point
>>>that they turn their high beams on, subsequently negatively affecting my
>>>ability to see. Not all new car headlights are that way. The very worst
>>>ones are the HID headlights on the high end cars. The problem is that
>>>there is a significant amount of light being projected above the road
>>>surface from the lights in my car.
>>
>>They won't if they are adjusted properly. I've had my Sonata exactly one
>>month now and I've had only two drivers flash their highs at me in 1500
>>mmiles of driving. And one was on the way home the night I picked up the
>>car. I thought I might have a problem, but I don't.
>>
>>I still think your problem is 80% improper adjustment and at most 20% the
>>brightness or design of the headlight beam.
>>
>>I find that lots of new cars make me think they have their high beams on,
>>especially those blue light specials.
>>
>>Matt
>
>
> I've tried my best to adjust them with no success. I've taken it to the
> dealer three times, and they adjust them so that they either light the
> trees, or light the road in a nice spot 30 feet in front of the car. The
> dealer insists that the precision aligned concrete block wall is the way
> they adjust all headlights. I've tried the reasonable approach of lighting
> the road for a decent distance, which is lower than the dealer adjusted them
> twice. Maybe someone at Hyundai reads the NHTSA submittals, and will realize
> they've got an issue. Calling Hyundai and asking them what to do about the
> fact that the dealer can't align the headlights, and asking for suggestions
> resulted in me being told that I need to talk to the dealer because they
> handle all issues related to the vehicle. As far as continuing to mess with
> it myself.... It's under warranty. I need to drive it, put gas and
> windshield washer fluid in it, and do PM's to it. Anything else is Hyundai's
> problem to resolve.

Is there a different Hyundai dealer within a reasonable driving range?
Might be worth giving someone else a shot. Maybe even an independent
dealer. Unless the lights on my Sonata are different than yours, mine
are proof that they can be adjusted reasonably well. On low beam, mine
illuminate as much of the road on the level as does my pickup and
illuminates much better than does my Dodge minivan. The only complaint
is the cut-off when I'm driving into and out of a dip. My van has a
similar cut-off problem, but my pickup lights up a good part of the hill
ahead even before I start coming up out of the dip.

On high beam, the Sonata is one of the better vehicles I've ever had.
It is as good as or better than my truck, and nearly as good as my
Kawasaki Voyager motorcycle was. Yes, you heard that right, my Kawasaki
Voyager, with only one headlight, lit the road better than any other
vehicle I've ever owned ... on high beam. On low beam, it has the same
cut-off problem as the Hyundai. It as a real pain when you rolled into
a corner and saw the inside of the corner get really dark really quickly.

I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night
to see if they are any different than your car.

Matt

Matt Whiting

Bob wrote:

> "Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
> news:L%qAf.5408$lb.465318@news1.epix.net...
>
>>Bob wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>news:gPjAf.230$Jn1.105@trndny01...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Bob wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>"GeoUSA" <GeoUSofA@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>news:1137766872.650735.49820@g47g2000cwa.goog legroups.com...
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>I'm getting flashed with only the low beams - no driving lights - on.
>>>>>I'm going to submit it to NHTSA. I suggest all others that have the same
>>>>>problem do the same.
>>>>
>>>>What problem? That's the way headlights are now.
>>>
>>>
>>>The problem with them is that they bother oncoming traffic to the point
>>>that they turn their high beams on, subsequently negatively affecting my
>>>ability to see. Not all new car headlights are that way. The very worst
>>>ones are the HID headlights on the high end cars. The problem is that
>>>there is a significant amount of light being projected above the road
>>>surface from the lights in my car.
>>
>>They won't if they are adjusted properly. I've had my Sonata exactly one
>>month now and I've had only two drivers flash their highs at me in 1500
>>mmiles of driving. And one was on the way home the night I picked up the
>>car. I thought I might have a problem, but I don't.
>>
>>I still think your problem is 80% improper adjustment and at most 20% the
>>brightness or design of the headlight beam.
>>
>>I find that lots of new cars make me think they have their high beams on,
>>especially those blue light specials.
>>
>>Matt
>
>
> I've tried my best to adjust them with no success. I've taken it to the
> dealer three times, and they adjust them so that they either light the
> trees, or light the road in a nice spot 30 feet in front of the car. The
> dealer insists that the precision aligned concrete block wall is the way
> they adjust all headlights. I've tried the reasonable approach of lighting
> the road for a decent distance, which is lower than the dealer adjusted them
> twice. Maybe someone at Hyundai reads the NHTSA submittals, and will realize
> they've got an issue. Calling Hyundai and asking them what to do about the
> fact that the dealer can't align the headlights, and asking for suggestions
> resulted in me being told that I need to talk to the dealer because they
> handle all issues related to the vehicle. As far as continuing to mess with
> it myself.... It's under warranty. I need to drive it, put gas and
> windshield washer fluid in it, and do PM's to it. Anything else is Hyundai's
> problem to resolve.

Is there a different Hyundai dealer within a reasonable driving range?
Might be worth giving someone else a shot. Maybe even an independent
dealer. Unless the lights on my Sonata are different than yours, mine
are proof that they can be adjusted reasonably well. On low beam, mine
illuminate as much of the road on the level as does my pickup and
illuminates much better than does my Dodge minivan. The only complaint
is the cut-off when I'm driving into and out of a dip. My van has a
similar cut-off problem, but my pickup lights up a good part of the hill
ahead even before I start coming up out of the dip.

On high beam, the Sonata is one of the better vehicles I've ever had.
It is as good as or better than my truck, and nearly as good as my
Kawasaki Voyager motorcycle was. Yes, you heard that right, my Kawasaki
Voyager, with only one headlight, lit the road better than any other
vehicle I've ever owned ... on high beam. On low beam, it has the same
cut-off problem as the Hyundai. It as a real pain when you rolled into
a corner and saw the inside of the corner get really dark really quickly.

I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night
to see if they are any different than your car.

Matt

Matt Whiting

Bob wrote:

> "Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
> news:L%qAf.5408$lb.465318@news1.epix.net...
>
>>Bob wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>news:gPjAf.230$Jn1.105@trndny01...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Bob wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>"GeoUSA" <GeoUSofA@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>news:1137766872.650735.49820@g47g2000cwa.goog legroups.com...
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>I'm getting flashed with only the low beams - no driving lights - on.
>>>>>I'm going to submit it to NHTSA. I suggest all others that have the same
>>>>>problem do the same.
>>>>
>>>>What problem? That's the way headlights are now.
>>>
>>>
>>>The problem with them is that they bother oncoming traffic to the point
>>>that they turn their high beams on, subsequently negatively affecting my
>>>ability to see. Not all new car headlights are that way. The very worst
>>>ones are the HID headlights on the high end cars. The problem is that
>>>there is a significant amount of light being projected above the road
>>>surface from the lights in my car.
>>
>>They won't if they are adjusted properly. I've had my Sonata exactly one
>>month now and I've had only two drivers flash their highs at me in 1500
>>mmiles of driving. And one was on the way home the night I picked up the
>>car. I thought I might have a problem, but I don't.
>>
>>I still think your problem is 80% improper adjustment and at most 20% the
>>brightness or design of the headlight beam.
>>
>>I find that lots of new cars make me think they have their high beams on,
>>especially those blue light specials.
>>
>>Matt
>
>
> I've tried my best to adjust them with no success. I've taken it to the
> dealer three times, and they adjust them so that they either light the
> trees, or light the road in a nice spot 30 feet in front of the car. The
> dealer insists that the precision aligned concrete block wall is the way
> they adjust all headlights. I've tried the reasonable approach of lighting
> the road for a decent distance, which is lower than the dealer adjusted them
> twice. Maybe someone at Hyundai reads the NHTSA submittals, and will realize
> they've got an issue. Calling Hyundai and asking them what to do about the
> fact that the dealer can't align the headlights, and asking for suggestions
> resulted in me being told that I need to talk to the dealer because they
> handle all issues related to the vehicle. As far as continuing to mess with
> it myself.... It's under warranty. I need to drive it, put gas and
> windshield washer fluid in it, and do PM's to it. Anything else is Hyundai's
> problem to resolve.

Is there a different Hyundai dealer within a reasonable driving range?
Might be worth giving someone else a shot. Maybe even an independent
dealer. Unless the lights on my Sonata are different than yours, mine
are proof that they can be adjusted reasonably well. On low beam, mine
illuminate as much of the road on the level as does my pickup and
illuminates much better than does my Dodge minivan. The only complaint
is the cut-off when I'm driving into and out of a dip. My van has a
similar cut-off problem, but my pickup lights up a good part of the hill
ahead even before I start coming up out of the dip.

On high beam, the Sonata is one of the better vehicles I've ever had.
It is as good as or better than my truck, and nearly as good as my
Kawasaki Voyager motorcycle was. Yes, you heard that right, my Kawasaki
Voyager, with only one headlight, lit the road better than any other
vehicle I've ever owned ... on high beam. On low beam, it has the same
cut-off problem as the Hyundai. It as a real pain when you rolled into
a corner and saw the inside of the corner get really dark really quickly.

I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night
to see if they are any different than your car.

Matt

B Crawford

Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam burned
out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been from the
start!
BCinBC
"Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
news:tcxAf.5424$lb.467609@news1.epix.net...
> Bob wrote:
>
>> "Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
>> news:L%qAf.5408$lb.465318@news1.epix.net...
>>
>>>Bob wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>>news:gPjAf.230$Jn1.105@trndny01...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Bob wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>"GeoUSA" <GeoUSofA@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>news:1137766872.650735.49820@g47g2000cwa.goo glegroups.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>I'm getting flashed with only the low beams - no driving lights - on.
>>>>>>I'm going to submit it to NHTSA. I suggest all others that have the
>>>>>>same problem do the same.
>>>>>
>>>>>What problem? That's the way headlights are now.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>The problem with them is that they bother oncoming traffic to the point
>>>>that they turn their high beams on, subsequently negatively affecting my
>>>>ability to see. Not all new car headlights are that way. The very worst
>>>>ones are the HID headlights on the high end cars. The problem is that
>>>>there is a significant amount of light being projected above the road
>>>>surface from the lights in my car.
>>>
>>>They won't if they are adjusted properly. I've had my Sonata exactly one
>>>month now and I've had only two drivers flash their highs at me in 1500
>>>mmiles of driving. And one was on the way home the night I picked up the
>>>car. I thought I might have a problem, but I don't.
>>>
>>>I still think your problem is 80% improper adjustment and at most 20% the
>>>brightness or design of the headlight beam.
>>>
>>>I find that lots of new cars make me think they have their high beams on,
>>>especially those blue light specials.
>>>
>>>Matt
>>
>>
>> I've tried my best to adjust them with no success. I've taken it to the
>> dealer three times, and they adjust them so that they either light the
>> trees, or light the road in a nice spot 30 feet in front of the car. The
>> dealer insists that the precision aligned concrete block wall is the way
>> they adjust all headlights. I've tried the reasonable approach of
>> lighting the road for a decent distance, which is lower than the dealer
>> adjusted them twice. Maybe someone at Hyundai reads the NHTSA submittals,
>> and will realize they've got an issue. Calling Hyundai and asking them
>> what to do about the fact that the dealer can't align the headlights, and
>> asking for suggestions resulted in me being told that I need to talk to
>> the dealer because they handle all issues related to the vehicle. As far
>> as continuing to mess with it myself.... It's under warranty. I need to
>> drive it, put gas and windshield washer fluid in it, and do PM's to it.
>> Anything else is Hyundai's problem to resolve.
>
> Is there a different Hyundai dealer within a reasonable driving range?
> Might be worth giving someone else a shot. Maybe even an independent
> dealer. Unless the lights on my Sonata are different than yours, mine are
> proof that they can be adjusted reasonably well. On low beam, mine
> illuminate as much of the road on the level as does my pickup and
> illuminates much better than does my Dodge minivan. The only complaint is
> the cut-off when I'm driving into and out of a dip. My van has a similar
> cut-off problem, but my pickup lights up a good part of the hill ahead
> even before I start coming up out of the dip.
>
> On high beam, the Sonata is one of the better vehicles I've ever had. It
> is as good as or better than my truck, and nearly as good as my Kawasaki
> Voyager motorcycle was. Yes, you heard that right, my Kawasaki Voyager,
> with only one headlight, lit the road better than any other vehicle I've
> ever owned ... on high beam. On low beam, it has the same cut-off problem
> as the Hyundai. It as a real pain when you rolled into a corner and saw
> the inside of the corner get really dark really quickly.
>
> I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
> with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is possible
> that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If something got
> distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem. Might ask the
> dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to see if they are
> any different than your car.
>
> Matt

B Crawford

Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam burned
out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been from the
start!
BCinBC
"Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
news:tcxAf.5424$lb.467609@news1.epix.net...
> Bob wrote:
>
>> "Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
>> news:L%qAf.5408$lb.465318@news1.epix.net...
>>
>>>Bob wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>>news:gPjAf.230$Jn1.105@trndny01...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Bob wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>"GeoUSA" <GeoUSofA@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>news:1137766872.650735.49820@g47g2000cwa.goo glegroups.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>I'm getting flashed with only the low beams - no driving lights - on.
>>>>>>I'm going to submit it to NHTSA. I suggest all others that have the
>>>>>>same problem do the same.
>>>>>
>>>>>What problem? That's the way headlights are now.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>The problem with them is that they bother oncoming traffic to the point
>>>>that they turn their high beams on, subsequently negatively affecting my
>>>>ability to see. Not all new car headlights are that way. The very worst
>>>>ones are the HID headlights on the high end cars. The problem is that
>>>>there is a significant amount of light being projected above the road
>>>>surface from the lights in my car.
>>>
>>>They won't if they are adjusted properly. I've had my Sonata exactly one
>>>month now and I've had only two drivers flash their highs at me in 1500
>>>mmiles of driving. And one was on the way home the night I picked up the
>>>car. I thought I might have a problem, but I don't.
>>>
>>>I still think your problem is 80% improper adjustment and at most 20% the
>>>brightness or design of the headlight beam.
>>>
>>>I find that lots of new cars make me think they have their high beams on,
>>>especially those blue light specials.
>>>
>>>Matt
>>
>>
>> I've tried my best to adjust them with no success. I've taken it to the
>> dealer three times, and they adjust them so that they either light the
>> trees, or light the road in a nice spot 30 feet in front of the car. The
>> dealer insists that the precision aligned concrete block wall is the way
>> they adjust all headlights. I've tried the reasonable approach of
>> lighting the road for a decent distance, which is lower than the dealer
>> adjusted them twice. Maybe someone at Hyundai reads the NHTSA submittals,
>> and will realize they've got an issue. Calling Hyundai and asking them
>> what to do about the fact that the dealer can't align the headlights, and
>> asking for suggestions resulted in me being told that I need to talk to
>> the dealer because they handle all issues related to the vehicle. As far
>> as continuing to mess with it myself.... It's under warranty. I need to
>> drive it, put gas and windshield washer fluid in it, and do PM's to it.
>> Anything else is Hyundai's problem to resolve.
>
> Is there a different Hyundai dealer within a reasonable driving range?
> Might be worth giving someone else a shot. Maybe even an independent
> dealer. Unless the lights on my Sonata are different than yours, mine are
> proof that they can be adjusted reasonably well. On low beam, mine
> illuminate as much of the road on the level as does my pickup and
> illuminates much better than does my Dodge minivan. The only complaint is
> the cut-off when I'm driving into and out of a dip. My van has a similar
> cut-off problem, but my pickup lights up a good part of the hill ahead
> even before I start coming up out of the dip.
>
> On high beam, the Sonata is one of the better vehicles I've ever had. It
> is as good as or better than my truck, and nearly as good as my Kawasaki
> Voyager motorcycle was. Yes, you heard that right, my Kawasaki Voyager,
> with only one headlight, lit the road better than any other vehicle I've
> ever owned ... on high beam. On low beam, it has the same cut-off problem
> as the Hyundai. It as a real pain when you rolled into a corner and saw
> the inside of the corner get really dark really quickly.
>
> I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
> with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is possible
> that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If something got
> distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem. Might ask the
> dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to see if they are
> any different than your car.
>
> Matt

B Crawford

Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam burned
out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been from the
start!
BCinBC
"Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
news:tcxAf.5424$lb.467609@news1.epix.net...
> Bob wrote:
>
>> "Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
>> news:L%qAf.5408$lb.465318@news1.epix.net...
>>
>>>Bob wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>>news:gPjAf.230$Jn1.105@trndny01...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Bob wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>"GeoUSA" <GeoUSofA@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>news:1137766872.650735.49820@g47g2000cwa.goo glegroups.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>I'm getting flashed with only the low beams - no driving lights - on.
>>>>>>I'm going to submit it to NHTSA. I suggest all others that have the
>>>>>>same problem do the same.
>>>>>
>>>>>What problem? That's the way headlights are now.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>The problem with them is that they bother oncoming traffic to the point
>>>>that they turn their high beams on, subsequently negatively affecting my
>>>>ability to see. Not all new car headlights are that way. The very worst
>>>>ones are the HID headlights on the high end cars. The problem is that
>>>>there is a significant amount of light being projected above the road
>>>>surface from the lights in my car.
>>>
>>>They won't if they are adjusted properly. I've had my Sonata exactly one
>>>month now and I've had only two drivers flash their highs at me in 1500
>>>mmiles of driving. And one was on the way home the night I picked up the
>>>car. I thought I might have a problem, but I don't.
>>>
>>>I still think your problem is 80% improper adjustment and at most 20% the
>>>brightness or design of the headlight beam.
>>>
>>>I find that lots of new cars make me think they have their high beams on,
>>>especially those blue light specials.
>>>
>>>Matt
>>
>>
>> I've tried my best to adjust them with no success. I've taken it to the
>> dealer three times, and they adjust them so that they either light the
>> trees, or light the road in a nice spot 30 feet in front of the car. The
>> dealer insists that the precision aligned concrete block wall is the way
>> they adjust all headlights. I've tried the reasonable approach of
>> lighting the road for a decent distance, which is lower than the dealer
>> adjusted them twice. Maybe someone at Hyundai reads the NHTSA submittals,
>> and will realize they've got an issue. Calling Hyundai and asking them
>> what to do about the fact that the dealer can't align the headlights, and
>> asking for suggestions resulted in me being told that I need to talk to
>> the dealer because they handle all issues related to the vehicle. As far
>> as continuing to mess with it myself.... It's under warranty. I need to
>> drive it, put gas and windshield washer fluid in it, and do PM's to it.
>> Anything else is Hyundai's problem to resolve.
>
> Is there a different Hyundai dealer within a reasonable driving range?
> Might be worth giving someone else a shot. Maybe even an independent
> dealer. Unless the lights on my Sonata are different than yours, mine are
> proof that they can be adjusted reasonably well. On low beam, mine
> illuminate as much of the road on the level as does my pickup and
> illuminates much better than does my Dodge minivan. The only complaint is
> the cut-off when I'm driving into and out of a dip. My van has a similar
> cut-off problem, but my pickup lights up a good part of the hill ahead
> even before I start coming up out of the dip.
>
> On high beam, the Sonata is one of the better vehicles I've ever had. It
> is as good as or better than my truck, and nearly as good as my Kawasaki
> Voyager motorcycle was. Yes, you heard that right, my Kawasaki Voyager,
> with only one headlight, lit the road better than any other vehicle I've
> ever owned ... on high beam. On low beam, it has the same cut-off problem
> as the Hyundai. It as a real pain when you rolled into a corner and saw
> the inside of the corner get really dark really quickly.
>
> I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
> with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is possible
> that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If something got
> distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem. Might ask the
> dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to see if they are
> any different than your car.
>
> Matt

Bob

> Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
> head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
> properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
> Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
> never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
> distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam
> burned out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been
> from the start!

>>
>> I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
>> with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
>> possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
>> something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
>> Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to
>> see if they are any different than your car.
>>
>> Matt
>

I'm not giving anything up yet. I will be calling Hyundai again in addition
to the complaint I've filed with NHTSA. I've become rapidly disappointed
with the technical expertise at the dealer I bought it from. From the
headlights, to stealing tires from another vehicle on their lot to fix a
tire problem, to me standing there asking the service writer why the tech
used an impact gun to tighten the lug nuts on my alloy wheels with no torque
stick. His response to the service writer at that point was that they never
told him to use torque sticks. There's no other Hyundai dealer within 70
miles of here - Wilmington NC.

Bob

> Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
> head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
> properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
> Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
> never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
> distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam
> burned out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been
> from the start!

>>
>> I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
>> with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
>> possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
>> something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
>> Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to
>> see if they are any different than your car.
>>
>> Matt
>

I'm not giving anything up yet. I will be calling Hyundai again in addition
to the complaint I've filed with NHTSA. I've become rapidly disappointed
with the technical expertise at the dealer I bought it from. From the
headlights, to stealing tires from another vehicle on their lot to fix a
tire problem, to me standing there asking the service writer why the tech
used an impact gun to tighten the lug nuts on my alloy wheels with no torque
stick. His response to the service writer at that point was that they never
told him to use torque sticks. There's no other Hyundai dealer within 70
miles of here - Wilmington NC.

Bob

> Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
> head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
> properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
> Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
> never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
> distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam
> burned out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been
> from the start!

>>
>> I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
>> with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
>> possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
>> something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
>> Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to
>> see if they are any different than your car.
>>
>> Matt
>

I'm not giving anything up yet. I will be calling Hyundai again in addition
to the complaint I've filed with NHTSA. I've become rapidly disappointed
with the technical expertise at the dealer I bought it from. From the
headlights, to stealing tires from another vehicle on their lot to fix a
tire problem, to me standing there asking the service writer why the tech
used an impact gun to tighten the lug nuts on my alloy wheels with no torque
stick. His response to the service writer at that point was that they never
told him to use torque sticks. There's no other Hyundai dealer within 70
miles of here - Wilmington NC.

Matt Whiting

Bob wrote:

>>Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
>>head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
>>properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
>>Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
>>never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
>>distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam
>>burned out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been
>>from the start!
>
>
>>>I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
>>>with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
>>>possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
>>>something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
>>>Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to
>>>see if they are any different than your car.
>>>
>>>Matt
>>
>
> I'm not giving anything up yet. I will be calling Hyundai again in addition
> to the complaint I've filed with NHTSA. I've become rapidly disappointed
> with the technical expertise at the dealer I bought it from. From the
> headlights, to stealing tires from another vehicle on their lot to fix a
> tire problem, to me standing there asking the service writer why the tech
> used an impact gun to tighten the lug nuts on my alloy wheels with no torque
> stick. His response to the service writer at that point was that they never
> told him to use torque sticks. There's no other Hyundai dealer within 70
> miles of here - Wilmington NC.

Wilmington, NC, eh. I haven't been there in some time, but just about
lived there for 2.5 years back in the early 80s. I work for Corning
Incorporated and we were expanding our plant there pretty rapidly
through that time.

I'd still ask the dealer to let you drive one to two other Sonata's just
to see if you have a defective light possibly.

Matt

P.S. Is the Trails End restaurant still around? Always loved that
place even though it was never quite the same after it was rebuilt.

Matt Whiting

Bob wrote:

>>Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
>>head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
>>properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
>>Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
>>never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
>>distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam
>>burned out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been
>>from the start!
>
>
>>>I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
>>>with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
>>>possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
>>>something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
>>>Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to
>>>see if they are any different than your car.
>>>
>>>Matt
>>
>
> I'm not giving anything up yet. I will be calling Hyundai again in addition
> to the complaint I've filed with NHTSA. I've become rapidly disappointed
> with the technical expertise at the dealer I bought it from. From the
> headlights, to stealing tires from another vehicle on their lot to fix a
> tire problem, to me standing there asking the service writer why the tech
> used an impact gun to tighten the lug nuts on my alloy wheels with no torque
> stick. His response to the service writer at that point was that they never
> told him to use torque sticks. There's no other Hyundai dealer within 70
> miles of here - Wilmington NC.

Wilmington, NC, eh. I haven't been there in some time, but just about
lived there for 2.5 years back in the early 80s. I work for Corning
Incorporated and we were expanding our plant there pretty rapidly
through that time.

I'd still ask the dealer to let you drive one to two other Sonata's just
to see if you have a defective light possibly.

Matt

P.S. Is the Trails End restaurant still around? Always loved that
place even though it was never quite the same after it was rebuilt.

Matt Whiting

Bob wrote:

>>Many years ago I had a new car with a similar problem on the drivers side
>>head lamp. Eventually it turned out that the bulb filament had not been
>>properly positioned within the bulb itself when it was manufactured.
>>Therefore no matter how you adjusted the lamp assembly, the filament was
>>never in the centre focal point where it needs to be for a clean
>>distribution pattern. This didn't come to 'light' until the low beam
>>burned out & I replaced it. The new one showed me how it should have been
>>from the start!
>
>
>>>I wouldn't give up yet, but I can certainly understand your frustration
>>>with your dealer. I think it is a long shot, but it certainly is
>>>possible that you got a defective headlight reflector or two. If
>>>something got distorted during manufacturing, maybe that is the problem.
>>>Might ask the dealer to let you drive another Sonata or two at night to
>>>see if they are any different than your car.
>>>
>>>Matt
>>
>
> I'm not giving anything up yet. I will be calling Hyundai again in addition
> to the complaint I've filed with NHTSA. I've become rapidly disappointed
> with the technical expertise at the dealer I bought it from. From the
> headlights, to stealing tires from another vehicle on their lot to fix a
> tire problem, to me standing there asking the service writer why the tech
> used an impact gun to tighten the lug nuts on my alloy wheels with no torque
> stick. His response to the service writer at that point was that they never
> told him to use torque sticks. There's no other Hyundai dealer within 70
> miles of here - Wilmington NC.

Wilmington, NC, eh. I haven't been there in some time, but just about
lived there for 2.5 years back in the early 80s. I work for Corning
Incorporated and we were expanding our plant there pretty rapidly
through that time.

I'd still ask the dealer to let you drive one to two other Sonata's just
to see if you have a defective light possibly.

Matt

P.S. Is the Trails End restaurant still around? Always loved that
place even though it was never quite the same after it was rebuilt.

Brian Nystrom

Matt Whiting wrote:
> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>
>> The point of having the sharp cutoff on the left side of the beam is
>> to NOT blind drivers in the opposite lane. The right side of the beam
>> is not cut off, so it can illuminate road signs. Overall, this scheme
>> works pretty well. It's nothing new, as I had Hella headlights with a
>> similar pattern 25 years ago. Back then, they weren't street legal,
>> since they weren't sealed beams, which were still required by the DOT
>> at the time.
>
> I know the purpose of it, however, the assumptions aren't right for
> where I live. This sharp cutoff is only useful if you always drive on
> smooth, flat roads. Here in northern PA and upstate NY, either
> assumption is good on virtually any road I drive other than the
> interstates. And even then only on certain stretches.
>
> In the real world, a sharp cutoff is dumb and is very annoying as you
> now see a rapidly varying intensity from oncoming car headlights rather
> than the fairly steady intensity with the old sealed beams. Maybe the
> intensity was higher on average in the old days, but I much prefer that
> to the "flashing" affect of the newer light designs.

The alternative would be worse, which is having the full height beam
blinding you. At least with the cutoff beam, it only occasionally pops
up enough to be an issue. IMO, it's an advancement, as it allows
brighter headlights with minimal annoyance to other drivers. No, it's
not perfect, but there is no better alternative. Besides, there's
nothing you can do about it.

> Also, the right side of my Hyundai's pattern is cut-off pretty far to
> the right. It doesn't illuminate signs well on low beam, not as well as
> my 94 Chevy truck, and it makes the white background signs so bright on
> high beam that they nearly blind me!

I haven't experienced those problems. Perhaps your headlights are aimed
too far to the right. You can try bringing them back to the left a bit.

> The cutoff portion of the pattern
> extends clear across the road well onto the berm as I can't see the road
> ahead worth beans when going down into a dip.

That's what high beams are for. Switch to them or simply flash them if
necessary.

> I haven't pulled up to a wall yet to look at the pattern in more detail,
> but will try that some night to see if I can tell where the cutoff ends.

It's certainly worth a shot. You may find that the two beam heights are
not aligned or that one or the other is aimed off to one side. When
attempting to determine the aiming. I've found it easiest to stand on
the center of the rear bumper and look over the roof and hood.

Brian Nystrom

Matt Whiting wrote:
> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>
>> The point of having the sharp cutoff on the left side of the beam is
>> to NOT blind drivers in the opposite lane. The right side of the beam
>> is not cut off, so it can illuminate road signs. Overall, this scheme
>> works pretty well. It's nothing new, as I had Hella headlights with a
>> similar pattern 25 years ago. Back then, they weren't street legal,
>> since they weren't sealed beams, which were still required by the DOT
>> at the time.
>
> I know the purpose of it, however, the assumptions aren't right for
> where I live. This sharp cutoff is only useful if you always drive on
> smooth, flat roads. Here in northern PA and upstate NY, either
> assumption is good on virtually any road I drive other than the
> interstates. And even then only on certain stretches.
>
> In the real world, a sharp cutoff is dumb and is very annoying as you
> now see a rapidly varying intensity from oncoming car headlights rather
> than the fairly steady intensity with the old sealed beams. Maybe the
> intensity was higher on average in the old days, but I much prefer that
> to the "flashing" affect of the newer light designs.

The alternative would be worse, which is having the full height beam
blinding you. At least with the cutoff beam, it only occasionally pops
up enough to be an issue. IMO, it's an advancement, as it allows
brighter headlights with minimal annoyance to other drivers. No, it's
not perfect, but there is no better alternative. Besides, there's
nothing you can do about it.

> Also, the right side of my Hyundai's pattern is cut-off pretty far to
> the right. It doesn't illuminate signs well on low beam, not as well as
> my 94 Chevy truck, and it makes the white background signs so bright on
> high beam that they nearly blind me!

I haven't experienced those problems. Perhaps your headlights are aimed
too far to the right. You can try bringing them back to the left a bit.

> The cutoff portion of the pattern
> extends clear across the road well onto the berm as I can't see the road
> ahead worth beans when going down into a dip.

That's what high beams are for. Switch to them or simply flash them if
necessary.

> I haven't pulled up to a wall yet to look at the pattern in more detail,
> but will try that some night to see if I can tell where the cutoff ends.

It's certainly worth a shot. You may find that the two beam heights are
not aligned or that one or the other is aimed off to one side. When
attempting to determine the aiming. I've found it easiest to stand on
the center of the rear bumper and look over the roof and hood.