Are the new LED headlights bad? IIHS says so.

[Bombsquad68]

I haven't tried the new LED lights in an F-150 yet but IIHS just put this out and rates them among the worst in pickups.

"The Ford F-150, the centerpiece of the best-selling F-Series line, is among the poorest performers. Both the base halogen and the optional LED low beams provide inadequate visibility in all test scenarios, including both sides of the straightaway, on sharp curves in both directions and on gradual curves in both directions. The LED lights also produce unacceptable glare. The high beams on both versions have mostly inadequate visibility too."

Pickups fall short in headlight testing

This is their comparison of the best available headlights of each model:



Can anyone else confirm that, I was under the impression that they were pretty good? Guess I'm going to have to get a Ridgeline now

 

[buddilly]

What in the world? I have the LEDs on my 2016 F-150 Platinum and they are great. Could they be different?

 

[crash457]

So the only good headlights are a Honda Ridgeline...I'd rather walk.

And in what universe is a Honda Ridgeline a large pickup?

In this case IIHS must stand for International Incognito Honda Sales

 

[ovrlnd]

It looks like a well designed test - I wouldn't completely write it off, though I do have reservations.

I especially like that they're accounting for glare which is becoming a real problem with LEDs in that the car companies essentially have a lot more light available than they know what to do with.

Sounds like Ford needs a better reflector. They're losing light in directions it's not needed, creating glare where it could instead be usefully focused. It would be difficult to argue with the results when compared to the other trucks.

The big caveat I can see is that the test focuses on measured light levels rather than human response. Often, higher light levels can effect night vision in such a way that people see worse even if the light level is higher. It all depends on where the light goes and the contrast from light to dark. That is, say you can see adequately at a light level of X at 200'. You'll see objects better at 200' if that light level is increased, but your eyes may adjust so that you in turn will see worse at 300' where the light isn't increased as much.

Also, everything is relative. What determined the IIHS 'optimal' light levels? Would any car without LEDs meet those levels? Is every car over five years old suddenly unsafe? That's not to excuse Ford, however, since the comparison to other trucks is undeniable. It's just that ALL the trucks may have really good headlights, but because the Ridgeline has better lighting than the rest, that's where the bar has been placed.

Eventually, I'd like to see them repeat these tests with a loaded truck. If the truck doesn't have self leveling headlights, all their measurements go out the window once someone puts 1,000lbs in the back.

 

[Tex7432]

yeah this doesn't make a lot of sense. especially since the gmc is acceptable but the chevy is poor...don't they use the same bulbs?

 

[C07]

I have a 2016 Tundra and have no issues with the headlights being bright enough or covering well.

 

[crash457]

yeah this doesn't make a lot of sense. especially since the gmc is acceptable but the chevy is poor...don't they use the same bulbs?

Same bulbs? yes
Same Headlights? no

 

[Chris's FX4]

Would be interesting to see where the first gen halogens and HID's fall in this test.

 

[Toadster]

this is why I want to add these

 

[Truckzor]

Would be interesting to see where the first gen halogens and HID's fall in this test.

I would love to know that, as well. The Gen 1 HIDs were just ok in my book. The output is pretty good but the cutoffs are way too aggressive. They are set too low and the beam pattern is extremely narrow. Sounds like the new LEDs are similar.

I was going to get LS 460 projectors swapped in to solve the problem at one point but I didn't want to mess around with sending the heads out. Ultimately put some Rigid wide pattern D2s in my valance for extra coverage to the sides. I don't run them around town but they are invaluable up in the mountains. I feel like I am flying blind without them, especially with respect to critters.