factory headlights vs aftermarket (help) [Archive]

b2089

03-02-2007, 09:46 PM

I have a question. I'm a bit OCD by nature and lately something has been bothering me. My 03's headlights have three little clear tabs sticking out of the front of them, it looks tacky. Why do they have this? I assume it's part of the molding process but GM could have done better.

Are there headlights without those tabs? I don't care what they look like so much because I think the factory ones look fine. I'm even okay with the reflector on the side. The more legal it is the better.

Also does anyone know how the light output is on the aftermarket ones? Is it as good or (please god) better?

Lastly should I just get a set of collision replacement OE style ones, or will they have those nasty tabs also.

kody

03-02-2007, 10:22 PM

Originally posted by b2089
I have a question. I'm a bit OCD by nature and lately something has been bothering me. My 03's headlights have three little clear tabs sticking out of the front of them, it looks tacky. Why do they have this? I assume it's part of the molding process but GM could have done better.

The little tabs are used when doing a headlight alignment, I think there's some gadget that mounts to it.

sudden_impulse

03-02-2007, 10:27 PM

The headlight aiming bracket hooks onto the tabs. I think almost all aftermarkets have it too so you don't have to do the 25 feet away 3 feet up trick on a wall. On this subject, anybody know where I can download instructions for a headlight aimer? We found one in the shop but nobody seems to know how to really work it.

Bouchie11982

03-03-2007, 09:08 AM

the nipples?? yes those are used for headlight adjustment.

sudden_impulse

03-03-2007, 12:56 PM

One tip too, don't remove the nipples. If you have inspections that makes problems, you can't accurately aim them, and the light output is different in those spots.

Bouchie11982

03-03-2007, 01:41 PM

i do beleive the dealership doesnt use the nipples to aim them. htey just use the tape againt the wall and align them

b2089

03-03-2007, 09:11 PM

Okay since we're talking headlights, mine suck. I take it that's not uncommon. I have shadows in my lights. I'm in the process of installing better fogs to help that.

The reflector in mine that goes around the bulb is sort of a medium to dark grey. Why isn't it shinny? I would think it should be because that would reflect the light better wouldn't it? There are a few GA's in town that I want to look at to see if it's reflectors are the same shade.

Bouchie11982

03-04-2007, 08:03 AM

teh reflector that goes around teh bulb?? do you mean this little metal thing that is circled in yellow??
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/bouchie11982/deletethis.jpg

tenspeed

03-04-2007, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by b2089
The reflector in mine that goes around the bulb is sort of a medium to dark grey. Why isn't it shinny?

It's a shield, that's why it's not shiney. It directs the light away from oncoming drivers when the lights are on low beam.

TA^Guy

03-04-2007, 07:02 PM

The three bumps are there for alignment of the lights, without them you can't properly align the lights and in many states they won't pass inspection.

The headlight adjusters have three little feet that rest on those, each car has a different spec to set the feet at. Then it's secured by a suction cup in the center. Floating bubble levels say if it's in alginment up/dpwn. The technician then looks through a window at a mirror that has a line in it to the other one, this will tell if they are properly adjusted right/left.

b2089

03-04-2007, 07:44 PM

Yes, the shield / deflector thingy. I realize it's there for a reason, but somethings obviously wrong with the GA headlight design to create those massive shadow areas that I've seen in other peoples pictures as well as in person in my car.

It's almost as if GM was trying to sabotage the car. They gave the SE those ugly brake lights, then they changed to mickey mouse mirrors, used a 3 foot long antenna, put chrome on alot of them, and the headlights suck. We're not even getting into the LIM issue which seems to affect half of all GA owners.

I guess I'm just in a pissy mood.

bballr4567

03-04-2007, 07:53 PM

HAHA yea you are.

However Ive noticed that the bulb has A LOT to do with how well the headlights do. Yea I still have some shadows in my passenger light but for some reason I cant get them to go away. My lights are still bright enough so it doesnt bother me at all.

Now the fogs are a totally different story.

Vampyrate

03-04-2007, 08:11 PM

since we are on the topic of headlights, i want to get bulbs from www.autolumination.com (i love this company and they have cheap prices on great products). what is the complete list of bulbs for the exterior and interior so i can change them out. also, what type of bulb on the site would you recommend for best visibility at night and in teh rain.

b2089

03-05-2007, 01:04 AM

In my opinion the best visibility comes from a light that is slightly yellow, like the standard halogens. The bluer bulbs give the car a crisper look to oncoming traffic but it's also a light range that your eyes typically have more trouble filtering out glare and any moisture / pollution in the air will make it worse. If the light is too yellow, like old style sealed beams then your eyes have trouble seeing detail. In the past I found that for my eyes the best combination was true yellow fogs and a bright white headlight, with the fogs on all the time. It seemed to make road signs and the marking on the road jump out more than either alone would.

For rain visibility stay away from any of the high color (high spectrum or high color temp however it's stated) bulbs. They are doubly bad in rain and fog.

Vampyrate

03-05-2007, 07:12 AM

okay, that is what i was thinking, but just wasn't too sure. that is exactly what im going to get then, thanks a lot (in my old elantras i had blue head lights all around, looked cool as crap, but they were still halogen and not good for anything in anything other than clear weather)

Tommy00GT1

03-06-2007, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by TA^Guy
The three bumps are there for alignment of the lights, without them you can't properly align the lights and in many states they won't pass inspection.

Do you mean those damn things that stick out on the exterior of the lenses? I always seem to nick my fingers on those damn things when I wash my car. Either that, or the sponge will catch on one of those stupid things and it will tear the sponge.

If those were the bumps you meant, I always wondered what those protruding things were for, lol.. Hmmm... and I thought they were just for making my finger bleed when I'm in a rush to wash or wax the car. (I always wax the headlight lenses... bugs don't stick as much..)

Anyone else nick your finger on those things ????

Bouchie11982

03-06-2007, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by Tommy00GT1
Do you mean those damn things that stick out on the exterior of the lenses? I always seem to nick my fingers on those damn things when I wash my car. Either that, or the sponge will catch on one of those stupid things and it will tear the sponge.

If those were the bumps you meant, I always wondered what those protruding things were for, lol.. Hmmm... and I thought they were just for making my finger bleed when I'm in a rush to wash or wax the car. (I always wax the headlight lenses... bugs don't stick as much..)

Anyone else nick your finger on those things ????
yes Tom, those are called nipples :lol: maybe youshould sand down your nubs then if they cut your hand

coupe

03-06-2007, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by Tommy00GT1
Do you mean those damn things that stick out on the exterior of the lenses? I always seem to nick my fingers on those damn things when I wash my car. Either that, or the sponge will catch on one of those stupid things and it will tear the sponge.

If those were the bumps you meant, I always wondered what those protruding things were for, lol.. Hmmm... and I thought they were just for making my finger bleed when I'm in a rush to wash or wax the car. (I always wax the headlight lenses... bugs don't stick as much..)

Anyone else nick your finger on those things ????

how hard are you washing/waxing?
They arent sharp by any means.

b2089

03-06-2007, 01:07 PM

They come in handy for skewing pedestrians. I'm actually going to the other way and getting estimates on having larger ones installed. For self defense purposes only of course.

Tommy00GT1

03-06-2007, 04:28 PM

LOL.... I knicked my hand about three times on those things. But I guess I was in a rush and sponging down the car too fast.... caught my finger on one and tore off a little bit of flesh.
Outdoor temperature was about 30... I was going too fast I guess......

Hi Katie... hope all is well in Chicopee.. Man... is it cold today!!!!! Below zero tonight..