NEW OWNER: GC 2.0 ; HEADLIGHTS concern

edjd · Apr 23, 2009

Evening.
Picked up my base GC white 2.0 Turbo, 6sp Manual this afternoon. Driving this evening home and man, the right side light, just looks like it's aimed about 6 feet in front, there is a noticeable cutoff of light, I was wondering if the other owners have noticed in their GC... non-xenon.

I came from a MINI Cooper w/ Xenon and not liking the headlights on the GC, does anyone know how to :
1) angle the headlight higher
2) find out how to replace the bulb w/ better bulbs, more white and stronger bulbs
3) I mean how do I take the 'old' bulb out and put in new one and does anyone know what kind are needed as far as model number, etc.

thanks... still getting a feel for the GC, very different animal vs. MINI Cooper and my old CIVIC for that matter....

thanks.
-edjd

supercooled · Apr 23, 2009

I think it has to do with regulations that make it so the lights do not blind oncoming drivers.

Someone more versed in this area will eventually chime in with more details but that's the gist of it so don't worry.

Tufast · Apr 24, 2009

+1

eeshasdon said:
After talking to the dealer and Hyundai engineers, this is the way the lights are designed. The left lens cuts off below the right to prevent oncoming traffic from being blinded by your headlights.

I have noticed that the aiming overall of the headlights seems to be low. It only appears to be a car length or two out. When you are going 60 MPH that is not a lot of reaction time.

Hyundai will be sending an engineer out in a few weeks to look at this issue. Will let you know what they come up with.

good to hear

RudyH said:
get the dealer to re-aim, but I found going halogen to xenon back to halogen is a bad idea. You will never have the same driving experience at night without xenons.

+1

WildBill said:
Howdy. To answer your questions (warning a bit long)...

1) There should be a switch (typically a turning knob of some kind) on the back section of each headlight assembly. This is what turns left or right to adjust the angle of light. If you decide to do this, be sure to do so on a flat road/land as any curve can cause the lights to be aimed improperly and later cause worse visibility and possibly a distraction and/or blinging affect to other motorists. Also, you will want to do this in front of a building or wall where you can see the general cut off line of the wall in order to be sure the lights are level on both sides.

2) Check the manual for additional instruction, but typically on the back of the headlight assembly is a small plastic bracket that, once removed, will pull the bulb out with it. From there, just find the bulb size in a replacement (I run the bright Silverstars mentioned above in the 2nd or 3rd post) and switch them out. The bulbs for a pair should run you somewhere around $30 to $50 dollars. I got mine from Wal-mart for what it's worth. When switching the bulbs out, it is very important not to touch the bulb itself nor let it scrape the headlight assembly housing. If you touch it, the oils from your hand get on the bulb and can cause premature yellowing and bulb failure because the oil heats up from using the headlights and attacks like an insulator to the filament wire inside the bulb putting a higher heat strain on it. If you scratch or scuff the bulb, you may run the risk of getting weird light patterns because of the glasses additionally refraction of the light from the scratches. If you accidentally touch the bulb, just use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) from either a pre-moistened pad or with a cotton ball to remove any oil your hands may have left.

3) I am not sure of the bulb specification, but it should be listed in your owners manual under routine maintenance which is in the back 3/4 of your manual. Otherwise, see the explanation above. As for dealer assistance, you may try taking it to a different dealer and have them verify that. Furthermore, If this was a true safety feature as your dealer insists, then it would be highlighted in the manual as well. I know the Gen Coupe manual has a whole section devoted to all the safety features. I would check there first and then move on to other sections if you don't see it initially. Remember, sometimes these "safety features" are sometimes quickly referenced in "foot notes" or special highlighted boxes on regular pages that talk about the headlights and the headlight assembly.

Hope this helps.

Bill

good explanation

heymccall · Apr 23, 2009

Your warranty will cover having the headlamps aimed correctly. Your dealership "should" have the headlamp aiming target and be trained as to how to interpret it. As for the actual adjustment, unless Hyundai reinvented the wheel (and imported a FMVSS non-compliant vehicle), there will be two accessible screws to allow up/ down and left/ right adjustments.

My GTO came in with the DS down 2 turns and the PS down nearly 3 turns. Sorry I can't help with Pics, though.

N2OInferno · Apr 23, 2009

You can try Sylvania Silverstars. They're about the brightest halogen bulb you're going to find.

Other than that, you'll need to convert to HID. But please do it the smart, correct way if you're going to and use OEM parts.. Meaning the whole headlight assembly and not just a drop in kit that is ballasts, bulbs, etc.. They don't aim properly at all.

In terms of aiming them, I'm not sure cause I don't own one yet.

eeshasdon · Apr 23, 2009

After talking to the dealer and Hyundai engineers, this is the way the lights are designed. The left lens cuts off below the right to prevent oncoming traffic from being blinded by your headlights.

I have noticed that the aiming overall of the headlights seems to be low. It only appears to be a car length or two out. When you are going 60 MPH that is not a lot of reaction time.

Hyundai will be sending an engineer out in a few weeks to look at this issue. Will let you know what they come up with.

loco_stevie · Apr 23, 2009

-remember your bulbs are H11B, which is NOT the same as H11, very hard to find (for now), use search, there are xenon conversion kits for H11 that was MODIFIED to fit H11b.

-In my opinion, mtec offers good bulbs at brightness/price ratio. If money was not and issue go with PIAA super plasma series.

-to change the bulbs, remove the two screws (on each light) that's holding them to the upper rat support. Literally pull you headlights out to remove the seal caps. You won't be able to reach them without doing that, unless your forearms are 2 inches in diameter and a good controsionist!

-You can adjust the angle of the lamps, but I didn't ever do it, so I can really accurately describe it. All I can't tell you it is possible.

good luck

RudyH · Apr 23, 2009

get the dealer to re-aim, but I found going halogen to xenon back to halogen is a bad idea. You will never have the same driving experience at night without xenons.

edjd · Apr 23, 2009

thnx

sorry if not clear and thnx for feedback. If i'm in the driver seat, the passsenger side low beam headlight is atrociously low (imo), the driver side low beam appears to be at least ok in direction. and I have zero intention of anytype of conversion, etc.. I just want lights pointed right and want to replace halogen to brighter lite...

I will be stopping by dealer on the way home to have them do their thing and check light alignment, Sales guy said should take a few minutes.

Nonetheless, um, yup. I do miss xenon and I do have silverstars on my wifes expedition and like them better than 'normal' halogen.

I want to put silverstars on the GC!... but am not understanding something, the lights are H11B, meaning they are unique to Hyundai?? and just can't get silver stars over the counter yet for it, is that right???

-edjd

pyrux · Apr 23, 2009

I know what you are saying, I have the same problem on my 2.0 with hid's.

It's an easy fix though, just find the adjustment knob in the backside of the headlight (there's not a lot of room in there) and aim it higher, is not that difficult. I'll take you about 5 - 10 mins with the right tools.

Drag Limited · Apr 23, 2009

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WildBill · Apr 23, 2009

Howdy. To answer your questions (warning a bit long)...

1) There should be a switch (typically a turning knob of some kind) on the back section of each headlight assembly. This is what turns left or right to adjust the angle of light. If you decide to do this, be sure to do so on a flat road/land as any curve can cause the lights to be aimed improperly and later cause worse visibility and possibly a distraction and/or blinging affect to other motorists. Also, you will want to do this in front of a building or wall where you can see the general cut off line of the wall in order to be sure the lights are level on both sides.

2) Check the manual for additional instruction, but typically on the back of the headlight assembly is a small plastic bracket that, once removed, will pull the bulb out with it. From there, just find the bulb size in a replacement (I run the bright Silverstars mentioned above in the 2nd or 3rd post) and switch them out. The bulbs for a pair should run you somewhere around $30 to $50 dollars. I got mine from Wal-mart for what it's worth. When switching the bulbs out, it is very important not to touch the bulb itself nor let it scrape the headlight assembly housing. If you touch it, the oils from your hand get on the bulb and can cause premature yellowing and bulb failure because the oil heats up from using the headlights and attacks like an insulator to the filament wire inside the bulb putting a higher heat strain on it. If you scratch or scuff the bulb, you may run the risk of getting weird light patterns because of the glasses additionally refraction of the light from the scratches. If you accidentally touch the bulb, just use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) from either a pre-moistened pad or with a cotton ball to remove any oil your hands may have left.

3) I am not sure of the bulb specification, but it should be listed in your owners manual under routine maintenance which is in the back 3/4 of your manual. Otherwise, see the explanation above. As for dealer assistance, you may try taking it to a different dealer and have them verify that. Furthermore, If this was a true safety feature as your dealer insists, then it would be highlighted in the manual as well. I know the Gen Coupe manual has a whole section devoted to all the safety features. I would check there first and then move on to other sections if you don't see it initially. Remember, sometimes these "safety features" are sometimes quickly referenced in "foot notes" or special highlighted boxes on regular pages that talk about the headlights and the headlight assembly.

Hope this helps.

Bill

edjd · Apr 24, 2009

Thanks to all...

thanks to all for taking the time to respond n provide guidance....

got real lucky and got a chance to take to dealer for a few minutes, they were waiting and took care of it in about 5 minutes and they stated taht it was way offf..... they say they fixed, guess I'll see in my morning drive in...

thanks to all.

Now, in a day or two, I'll post my review of teh car.. and what I think.. again, im' comfing from MINI cooper and previous to that Honda Civic....and before that....well u get the idea...

-edjd

N2OInferno · Apr 24, 2009

Just throw this bad boy up on the roof and you'll have no problems seeing.

Kai · May 1, 2009

Lol DO IT

oxy · Apr 24, 2009

edjd!
would definitely love to hear your comments coming from a mini cooper...

I'm currently debating between the mini cooper classic convenience and the gencoupe 2.0T premium

rich_hobo94 · Apr 24, 2009

omg n2o!!! you're a genius

you're so helpful at being unhelpful...

back on topic: pretty much all cars are like this these days afaik. my mom took her previous car (bmw e46 sedan) and got the headlights checked and they said the same thing. it makes sense dont you think???

heymccall · Apr 27, 2009

edjd said:
Driving this evening home and man, the right side light, just looks like it's aimed about 6 feet in front, there is a noticeable cutoff of light, I was wondering if the other owners have noticed in their GC... non-xenon.

-edjd

I need to look further into this "aim" thing now, too. I officially drove my new baby home tonite with a 120 mile trip. It takes 7 miles before the first cop notices my "airplane spotting" HID's, and another 95 or so before the next one does. Looking in from behind, my lamp assy's have a black box with wires surrounding the spring-loaded adjuster stem. When I turned the black box, it would move 90 deg, and I could see the entire lamp and reflector insert moving within the housing. Does anyone know if that white plastic hex screw is the aiming screw??? Cause if I had to hazard a guess, these sure look like motor assy's for self-leveling.

At approx 6 car lengths behind a tractor-trailer, I can light up the entire rear, to the top, of the trailer with my low beams.

I'll report back with pics and results tomorrow, or tuesday.

edjd · Apr 27, 2009

mccall

yup...ur lights need adjusting...adn to be honest, I really odn't think I couldhave done any better of a job than what the 4 minutes the dealer spent 'fixing' the lites...it sounds like u know by feel how the lights shouild be looking and they are out of whack....

just call ur sales rep guy, tell him to get ur service guys to give u a few minutes..get ur lights safely setup, or atleast verify they are good to go..

-edjd

heymccall · May 1, 2009

The tool to adjust HID aim (1/4" drive nutdriver, 12" long 1/4" drive extension, 1/4" drive swivel, and an 8MM 6pt 1/4" drive socket.)

And the white plastic hex head for adjusting the height is in the middle of this picture. Clockwise is down and CCW is up.

AJisdaman · May 1, 2009

dude thats the exact same thing on my tibb when I installed my HIDs.

NEW OWNER: GC 2.0 ; HEADLIGHTS concern

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