Worst factory headlight design

3930dave · Mar 5, 2015

HHR said:
I would guess that half of today's automotive engineers wouldn't know how to change a flat tire, let alone a headlight they designed.

They don't need to, as they have an app for that instead.

When the TPMS on the car reports below 20 psi, their ifone autodials AAA.

I shouldn't even joke.....

Rgds, D.

DFB · Mar 5, 2015

3930dave said:
That is how I'd expect any competent ME to design....... though, as somebody (real-world) told me lately "Your expectations are seriously out of control".

Seems that era of GM engineers either got fired for doing too good a job, or where made to drink the bean-counters Koolaid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oKyanoXa70

Billable shop-time seems to be the priority now.

That vid reminded me of another reason I hate plastic assemblies. Around here, we lose more bulbs when it's cold...... just the kind of weather plastic fasteners love.

Rgds, D.

Oh man what would the common guy do without some of these online video tutorials hey!

You be standing there scratching your head

trying to figure out how to change a headlamp bulb.

What would one figure, a $100 maybe if a dealership replaced the bulb?

3930dave · Mar 5, 2015

Even most little shops will bill an hour minimum.

Dealerships around here are over $100/hr, and I would not be surprised if they would bill for more than 1 hour.

Might be interesting, to get some dealer quotes - best done before you buy the vehicle.

Rgds, D.

3930dave · Mar 5, 2015

DFB said:
Flitz now that's one I don't have.. darn I do have several Turtle Wax buffing compounds plus some Simi Chrome, and Mother's metal cleaners Novus plastic cleaners, and Harley Davidson and Meguiars liquid polishes. That HD stuff works great on my fiberglass shower

Thanks for the tip.

New lens covers aren't cheap

Remembered to ask, when I was by my buddy's shop today. One of the best cleaners they've found is:

Presta Products, Barberton OH
ReNuLite, PN 136816

Headlight Restoration Creme

Of course, I couldn't go to their website without finding something else innarresting....

Headlight Sealant, 6.5 oz. (137306)

Spendy, for a little bottle.... but if it works, that's about $3/light for the sealant.

Rgds, D.

DFB · Mar 5, 2015

3930dave said:
Remembered to ask, when I was by my buddy's shop today. One of the best cleaners they've found is:

Presta Products, Barberton OH
ReNuLite, PN 136816

Headlight Restoration Creme

Of course, I couldn't go to their website without finding something else innarresting....

Headlight Sealant, 6.5 oz. (137306)

Spendy, for a little bottle.... but if it works, that's about $3/light for the sealant.

Rgds, D.

Ya thanks seems they have a whole system for restoration and the sealant is part of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7W1sY0Dbl0

3930dave · Mar 5, 2015

DFB said:
Ya thanks seems they have a whole system for restoration and the sealant is part of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7W1sY0Dbl0

If they are rating the sealant at 3 years, that's not bad at about $1/year/light.

Rgds, D.

Oaktree · Mar 8, 2015

3930dave said:
Some companies today will put 1,000's of engineering hours into the infotainment systems on vehicles.

And still manage to make it totally non-intuitive/needlessly complicated.

3930dave · Mar 8, 2015

Oaktree said:
And still manage to make it totally non-intuitive/needlessly complicated.

Too True !

Rgds, D.

mikehaugen · Mar 8, 2015

Both my mom and a friend of mine have Nissan maximas, around '05 or '06. Between the two of them 3 bulbs have had to be changed for around $180 each. One shop actually told my mom that he couldn't get the bulb and it had to come from Nissan, so to the dealer she went. I've heard, but can't confirm, that the fender needs to be removed.