Headlights on 2006 Sonata

Bob · 2006-01-20T03:06:42+00:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that I have a problem with the headlights on my 06 Sonata GLS. Basically, it came from the factory with the headlights so high, it blinded (verified by me driving towards it in another vehicle, while my wife was driving it) oncoming traffic. Anyway, first trip to the dealer resulted in headlights that were so low, they might as well not be on.Next trip to the dealer the next day resulted in me lighting the trees better than the road. On advice from people here, I adjusted them down such that they lit the road, and didn't seem too high. I still got blinded from oncoming traffic flashing because they think I've left the high beams on. (Believe it or not, the NC DMV driver manual says to do that! )Off to the dealer I went again. They cranked them way down again. Anyone else have a similar issue theirs? It seems the choice is either lights too low to be usable, or blind the other guy which results in them blinding you.

Jan 20, 2006 26 Replies

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Brian Nystrom 20 years ago

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.

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.

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

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.

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Brian Nystrom 20 years ago

So flash your high beams back, so they know that you have your low beams on and you're not being a jerk. If you educate other drivers, eventually they'll get used to modern headlights like we all must do.

Of course there is. You need to be able to see down the road and also up on the right side of the road to read signs.

Headlights are just brighter now, plain and simple. The only "fix" to your complaint would be to go back to the older, dimmer headlights that we complained about for not providing enough visibility. You can't have it both ways. Yeah, sometimes it's irritating, but the alternative is less visibility overall, which I don't see as an improvement.

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Mike Marlow 20 years ago

Hmmmmmm.... I never complained about the old headlights. They worked fine. I have noticed that all of my cars that are in the 2000 plus vintage (2000,

2003, 2004) do a much worse job at lighting the road in up and down dips than the older cars used to. High beams or low beams - makes no difference. These new lights may have some benefits (though I have yet to put my finger on what the benefits are), but they certainly have some drawbacks as well.

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Matt Whiting 20 years ago

No, an alternative is to have more of a Guassian distribution with just the tail going high enough to be seen by oncoming drivers. My Chevy truck is close to this and it has great headlights, probably as good as the Hyundai, and doesn't "flash" incoming drivers.

I'm talking about the high beams. The cut-off is still rather pronounced compared to my pickup.

Yes, definitely worth looking at when I get a chance.

Matt

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Matt Whiting 20 years ago

I believe I have both with my 1994 Chevy pickup, so I know it is possible.

Matt

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Matt Whiting 20 years ago

I agree. The Sonata may be a little brighter than my Chevy pickup, but I haven't parked them side by side to tell. You can't tell any big difference going from one vehicle to the other from a brightness perspective. The only difference is the truck is much better for driving on hilly back roads.

Matt

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Mike Marlow 20 years ago

Yup - it's the dips and dives that black right out with all of the newer lights.

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