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Acura TSX - Headlights

30 messages,  Last post on Sep 11, 2012 at 1:49 PM

You are in the Acura TSX Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Lights, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 3

#2 of 30 quirks by fernhill

Jul 17, 2003 (8:15 am)

I have had my TSX for a week and noticed that my rear window vibrates also.
 
In addition - when driving at night the headlights are distracting especially on dark roads that go uphill or downhill. (I previously had a CL with similar headlights but did not find them distracting at night). For example - when stopped at a traffic light the bottom half of the car in front of me will be illuminated from the bumper down to the street and from the bumper up the car will be dark. As my car travels uphill or downhill this lighting effect goes up and down on the road in front of you causing a distraction.
 
Anybody else experience this - maybe the lights are pointed to low?

#3 of 30 Headlight Annoyance by geoinsdca

Jul 17, 2003 (9:20 pm)

I've seen the same issue with my HID lights at night (lighting the visual field below the trunk of the vehicle in front of me). The other strange thing is the prism/rainbow effect that seems to shine on everything. The headlights in my TL worked much better because I didn't have to constantly reassure myself their design is really great.
One additional issue I have with the lighting is the way the NAVI screen flips to black with headlights on...my LCD screen image looks like a stretched graphic all of the time (probably to fill the 8" screen?).The image quality is far superior on the older NAVI screens (also MUCH brighter in daylight).
Overall, I think the TSX is a mixed-bag of great ideas, and just "so-so" actual functional features in an '04 car.
By the way...why doesn't the voice tell you when fuel is low, or headlights are on? My '81 Nissan 200sx did this and it was actually pretty cool.

#4 of 30 Headlight annoyance by runner24

Jul 28, 2003 (11:52 am)

Just picked up my car this weekend and have the same issue with the illumination of the headlights. Driving on an unlit curvy road at night, the beam did not seem directed far enough ahead(low beam) to properly light up the road, especially when the road dips. Is this common with this type of headlight, or is it an alignmet problem?
Love everything else about it, so far.

#5 of 30 icstars and bright lights by combustible1

Jul 29, 2003 (4:38 pm)

to Quote:
 
"5. I don't like the HID headlights because of the issue with oncoming drivers and because it is a propagation of a myth--that we have to eliminate nighttime with ludicrously bright lights in the name of 'safety.' In fact, glare and the excess contrast between what is and isn't illuminated by bright lights (HID, gas stations, etc.) is more of a problem than if all headlights illuminated moderately. If you let your eyes become accustomed to a level of light, you will see fine."
 
ahh. good point. Very similar to this is what people mistakenly do for security lighting around their homes. They think that "I want bright light to scare away the burglars".
 
Well, if you do that, you better be darn sure that you've illuminated every nook and cranny of your home. If not, criminals can work within the shadows to gain access. The better advice is to have LESS intense lighting, therefore, the contrast between the lit and unlit areas will be lessened and thereby creating an atmosphere where it's harder to go unnoticed.
 
Perhaps the same can be said about automotive lighting. Several people complain that they think there is less visibility at night. Not from areas within the HID beam range, mind you, but outside of it. Everything else is now more difficult to see because of that greater contrast.

#6 of 30 HIDs by runner24

Jul 30, 2003 (12:44 pm)

"Perhaps the same can be said about automotive lighting. Several people complain that they think there is less visibility at night. Not from areas within the HID beam range, mind you, but outside of it. Everything else is now more difficult to see because of that greater contrast"
 
Exactly my feeling about them. I also heard that they are VERY expensive to replace.

#7 of 30 any problems with xenon headlights? by dj552255

May 10, 2004 (8:51 pm)

Hello, just had the xenons on my '03 maxima stolen for the 3rd time, and I'm looking at replacing it with a TSX. I know the previous generation TL's had some problems with the xenons being stolen, but has anyone heard of any problems with the TSX? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

#8 of 30 HID Headlights- shed some light? by kasperghost

Feb 21, 2005 (8:48 pm)

I was wondering about HID visibility at night. My wife has night vision issues. I was in another forum and caught a couple of comments about the HID's not being the best, namely too short/narrow field of view. The core technology is the same in all cars, but lens shape could affect the power of the light. I would appreciate any input on your satisfaction with Xenon's in general and on the TSX specifically. Thanks- Jason

#9 of 30 Re: HID Headlights- shed some light? [kasperghost] by thepdmm

Feb 22, 2005 (7:01 am)

Replying to: kasperghost (Feb 21, 2005 8:48 pm)
I have liked my lights and I too have a bit of a night vision issue.. Xenon technology doesn't disperse like Halogen so you have the same light intensity at every angle however the lights do stop illuminating almost immediately. Only the low beams for the tsx are both Xenon and projector the high beams are halogen reflective (low beams stay on when highs are on)
 
As far has being low I kind of agree with that but I think it is more apparent because they cut off so quickly, I still get "flickered" at buy on coming traffic if the road ahead is angled up at me at all.
 
I suggest test driving one at night and parking your car and the TSX facing a building the same distance away and see the difference. If you like it good if you don't.. well bummer, maybe a vehicle with auto leveling would be a better fit for your wife.

#10 of 30 Re: HID Headlights- shed some light? [thepdmm] by kasperghost

Feb 22, 2005 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: thepdmm (Feb 22, 2005 7:01 am)
Taking them out against a wall sounds like a good idea. Do the lights go up and wide enough even with the sharp cutoff?
 
I thought auto leveling headlights were for heavy loads where the lights would be tilted up- like auto leveling suspension on nicer SUV's. Will they auto level with bumps in the road?- seems it would be too expensive in this form except for something like an S Class, etc.

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