Getting "bright lighted" all the time

[Mr.Goat]

In my 03 I get the lights flashed at me regularly. I'am only using my low beams. Apparently there are aliened to specs.

The visibility with my lights is poor, but everybody apparently sees me quite well. The headlights in the 03 dodges are poor at best. I've heard others complaining as well. Pete

 

[CZCAPRI]

I drive all of the time with my fog lights and low beams on. The factory low beams suck and the fog lights make a descent headlight much better up close to the truck. It seems the only place that the factory headlights place good light is directly into oncoming traffic. If the fog lights are designed to light up just in front of you and to the side, which they do, why would they be blinding to oncoming traffic much farther ahead of you? I sometimes out of my own stupid will sometimes drive around for a short period of time with just the fog lights on and nobody has flashed me then. Most of the cars that flash me are cars that don't have good headlights themselves so when they see a truck with descent headlights they get upset Also aren't Fog lights amber and DRIVING lights clear.

 

[DBond]

For those who think the fog lights give them more seeing distance do a little test. Go out on the road and drive for a while without the fogs on and then turn them on, you will notice that the far distance ahead is not as clear but right in front of you just got better and to the sides just got better. The light is too bright directly in front of you for you to be able to see greater distances. You need those greater distances to see harmful objects further down the road to avoid an accident. Traveling at 55-65 MPH those objects come up pretty fast...

I totally agree.

the fogs make the area directly in front of you brighter, this is an uneven illumination pattern and your eye adjusts to the brighter area. I don't generally need see the 1st 5 feet in front of me when traveling at 60mph, though more side light to see wildlife can be helpful.

 

[SHyans]

All I know is I see that deer in the road a lot sooner with my "fogs" on than I do with high beams on.

The factory lights on their own are almost worthless. Hit a deer ONCE in my lifetime, never again.

High beam me all you want.

 

[Matt400]

Something I forgot to mention was being followed by a fog user with no fog.

Thats actually worse even if they are not tail gateing having the added glare in the mirror.

Its much more noticeable in my wifes PT Cruiser setting lower to the ground than if I am in the truck. I don't see the point in following someone with the fogs on.

 

[phloop]

For me this is kind of a sore subject. I myself do not like to see a car coming at me with their "cool fog lights" on and not dimming them. I do not know if it is still a law here in OR but at one time it was against the law to run added lights on the front without dimming them when you met some one head on. In todays time with almost every car coming from the factory with fog lights as an option, those who buy the cars/trucks with them will 90% of the time use those *$@# things every time they get into their car. And never ever turn them off until they turn off the car/truck.



And for those that have argued for using their fog lamps at all times, how do you think the person you come up behind feels with all those lights in their rear view mirrors blinding/distracting them from what is happening in front of them with another BOZO coming at them with THEIR fog lamps on?



I guess what really erks me is that even though I am only 41 I still know what driving etiquette is. You speed up to the speed limit when you merge onto a highway, not make the other traffic conform to your driving/merging tactics. You use your turn signals when you change direction's, not let the other people around you guess wtf you are doing. And you dim you lights when some one is coming at you and when you come up behind someone.



Now-a-days it seems like it is every one for themselves and forget about the other person. Anyone want to guess how road rage got started?



Oh and buy the way, it does sound like you might need to lower those lights of your's a touch. I was never flashed until I lowered the rear of my truck by about an inch and a half which raised the aim of the lights. And I have had silverstar's in both the head lights and fog lights since the truck was new, well before I lowered the rear. And even then I have not been flashed but 3 or 4 times in the year it has been lowered, including towing the trailer.



And rant mode is now off. :-laf

 

[OHale]

Thanks for everyones input. I will try to readjust them and see if that is the problem. What do you think? Maybe use the garage door to shine them on and then make adjustments?

The best way is to go to a shop. They can shine them on a special 'target' or use a levelling guage. That way you will know they are correct and it will only cost you very minor $. The garage door method means you will only be able to check your alignment results by either burning someone's eyes out or have them shining at the ground. Spend $15 and have it done right, IMO.

 

[Tom W]

I knew a lady who in all seriousness told me her solution to high beams.



"I just put my high beams on and steer right at them"



and she wasn't kidding, that's what she really did. Not too smart but effective. There are nuts out there.

 

[cyborg]

All I know is I see that deer in the road a lot sooner with my "fogs" on than I do with high beams on.

The factory lights on their own are almost worthless. Hit a deer ONCE in my lifetime, never again.

High beam me all you want.

NOT!



Your fogs are suppose to be aimed just short of your low beams. People drive with the fogs on to look cool. Get a clue, turn the fog-lights on for---FOG!!! Snow and rain are okay. Go get some LEDs for your wiper blades or something...



To date the best illuminating, without reflecting back, fog lights made are still the Per-Lux. Louverd to shine the light on the road.

Rain, snow, HEAVY SNOW, and fog, the best.

 

[SHyans]

NOT!

Your fogs are suppose to be aimed just short of your low beams. People drive with the fogs on to look cool. Get a clue, turn the fog-lights on for---FOG!!!

Keepin' it real: It's presumptious for you to make assumptions about what I think makes me cool or not... . as they say ***/U/ME ... . but that's off the topic.

 

[hensign]

The factory headlights dont suck they are just different than any other lamp I have ever seen. They headlights are mounted inside the projectors for the parking lamps, which block all light out to the sides. There is plenty of light out the front of the truck but if you look out the sides, the halo of light that is normally out the sides is just not there. I never use my "driving lights" except late at night on country roads but I still get flashed all the time. I suspected it was just because it looks like the near headlight is out to oncoming cars.

 

[Miner49er]

I drive 150 miles of "back roads" twice a week; most of the time at night.

You bet I use the fogs at night. Too many critters on the side of the road that I can't see with the highs or lows alone ( cows, deer, antelope, coyotes... you name it).

Flash me more than one time and you may get a dose of "Light Force" that would blind a dingo...

 

[SHyans]

I drive 150 miles of "back roads" twice a week; most of the time at night.

You bet I use the fogs at night. Too many critters on the side of the road that I can't see with the highs or lows alone ( cows, deer, antelope, coyotes... you name it).

Flash me more than one time and you may get a dose of "Light Force" that would blind a dingo...

AMEN BROTHER!

I think these guys "assume" we are hitting the freeway every night with our fogs on so we look "*****in' man"?? I guess they don't understand that where we drive, it can be like game of "Frogger" but pitch black out. No city lights, street lights, etc and lots of e lk, deer & moose trying to be your next hood ornament.

 

[mroodzant]

I drive 150 miles of "back roads" twice a week; most of the time at night.

You bet I use the fogs at night. Too many critters on the side of the road that I can't see with the highs or lows alone ( cows, deer, antelope, coyotes... you name it).

Flash me more than one time and you may get a dose of "Light Force" that would blind a dingo...

I feel the same way. The stock dodge headlights are pathetic. I drive lots of back country roads at night. I almost hit two deer in a week traveling at 50 MPH on a 60 MPH highway. First I added the bright box, A decent improvement. Then I added a "Fancy white light bulb" all around, WORTHLESS P. O. S. Then I added the PIAA driving lights 25 degrees, A great improvement, But I still am seeking the long distance light. I am looking for a way to mount some lights flush in the grill that will shine a mile down the road when Its dark and rainy. which is very seldom in Washington.

 

[cyborg]

This may be a tough concept, but all lights are not diffused the same. Your fogs don't shine further than your low beams!! They are not designed to. I attached a pic to help.

The next guy who flashes you may be officer friendly TRYING not to issue a cite. Flash your PIAAs at him and hand him that line of krapp :-laf



I used to run up and down Hwy 395 in Ca. From Ridgecrest to Snoozanville. And all over Hwy 50. Chains up and sometimes after the roads had closed. And the same for the eastern sierra passes. I have news for you, when visibilty is 50' in a blizzard, with the best fog lights, you are only going to illuminate 50' of road.



If people (plural) flash their high beams a lot, YOU are the problem.



If you use auxillary lighting, dim them for approaching traffic. Courtesy goes along way on the highway



This is why some states have laws limiting the use of auxillary lights, requiring covers and such.



Lastly, if you lifted your truck, your lights may need to be re-aimed to illuminate the road.

 

[SHyans]

if you lifted your truck, your lights may need to be re-aimed to illuminate the road.

Been there, done that.

 

[cyborg]

Don't get me wrong.

I'm all for the use of auxillary lighting. Especially on the side road of a side road. Off-road? all bets are off, pop a flare!!



I love my headlights. I can see better and farther than with the hella's on my jeep.



Just use whats needed, when needed.

 

[scotty1]

Just last night I was driving in a blizzard.

I have the factory driving lights as well as Silverstars, a set of PIAA driving lights, a set of PIAA fogs and a pair of Lightforce 240's.

I only had the low beams on because the reflection off the snow is too much when its nearly snow blind out there.

I would have stopped but the storm hit me half way home and with the 2 month old baby on board, I was going home.

I flipped on the Lightforce with the blue Lens' on and what a difference! Sliced through a lot more snow. I did have to turn them off when I hit the city.



I was getting flashed while running the factory driving lights until I put the air bags on... I level off the truck with them... towing or empty and no more flashing from oncoming traffic.



Not sure of the model # of these PIAA lights. They are the round 4" ones.

Not too impressed with them but I still need to do some adjusting and fine tuning.



Another thing to consider with offroad or auxillary lighting is placement.

I put the clear driving lights down low and more outboard.

I put the fogs up higher and closer together.

I spaced the Lightforce set evenly between each other and the factory headlights.



I know what its like getting annoyed with oncoming bright lights so I try to do what I can on my end too.



Scotty

 

[MCummings]

In town, I drive with the fogs on.

There are so many street lights, and so many people on the road, it almost doesn't make sense not too. plus Honestly,, I do feel cool.



Now, on the highway, or when I start getting away from the city lights, I turn the fogs off. I find it to be more considerate to drive with them off with dark suroundings, plus I also feel blinded because there is so much light right in front of the truck.



For the last month or so I have been driving 130 miles between 4:00am and 6:15am on a two lane highway down here in South Texas. As soon as I see a vehicle approaching, or just before a vehicle comes up over a hill (Tx mountain) I will drop to my low Beams. When the approaching vehicle does not return the favor and they get close enough to light my interior of my truck up a little I'll give them a really quick flash. 90% of people drop to the low beams after that) If they start getting closer with the high beams on, I'll give 'em a slightly longer flash. (Most don't go to low beams) By then, I can usually see if the truck is a GM vehicle (High beams on inside, Low beams on outside), or if the vehicle is towing.

If a vehicle is towing, I am considerate, move my vehicle over to ride slightly on the shoulder stripe, and let them pass. However, if it's a lifted truck, or a vehicle with very bright lights, I am a little more aggresive and will pop my high beams back on about 30'-40' before they pass. However, if it's a GM vehicle, or the high beams are literally making my eyes burn, I become very aggressive. After a few "high beam flashes" like I stated earlier, I will pull my vehicle far off to the shoulder and put my high beams on, pause a second with them on and then try to get my high beams right into their windshield. If I were to be able to meet them in person I would slap them. Having no compassion pisses me off more than anything else, and if only your high beams work, get them fixed, or don't drive at night.





In my personal truck, I have the blue lights, and I really like them. They seem to have a soft glow about them, and I have never been "bright lighted". They are only stock wattage and are DOT legal. It feels like walking into a garage that has a 15W light bulb hanging from the ceiling, compared to my Dad's '05 that feels like a 75W or 100W hanging. My truck has soft shadows, and my Dad's truck, shadows are sharp. Now the Blue vs. Yellow vs. White light debate still has me curious, but I do like the soft light cast onto the road, and since I don't drive too much in the middle of the night

and more at dusk and dawn, I prefer the look the blue lights give my truck. ( I can be vain )





Merrick

 

[Speedo]

AMEN! Oo. I want nothing to do with "fog lamps" that are white. Nothing cuts through fog and snow like a nice deep amber lamp. I don't understand why everyone uses bright white/blue lights for fog.



-Ryan

Amber lenses might help some people with depth perception but as far as I'm concerned they just cut the amount of light available, I'll stick with a good quality fog light with a properly focused lens. The fog lights that come on these trucks are not much of a fog light as far as I'm concerned.



Gus