Lights and Snow: tested, fail (ice covered headlights)!

[rbalkun]

there is a lot in motion here you'll like!

Whatever is coming, is it lights mounted in that new bumper or something else? Trying to figure how much money to set aside lol

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[T Sportline]

Whatever is coming, is it lights mounted in that new bumper or something else? Trying to figure how much money to set aside lol

plan for lights and winch a lot of lighting options, from mild to wild.

Deets here: https://tsportline.com/collections/...ront-bumper-with-integrated-high-output-power

 

[Noideaofname]

Had a chance to take the truck out in the endless snowstorm in southern Vermont. This evening there was some snowfall, nothing heavy / but the lights totally are inadequate. I have three other vehicles where there hasn’t been an issue (volvo wagon, g63, f250). The lights get clogged with snowfall, then the bits that melt freeze and create a sort of ice wall blocking the lights. This can’t be removed without a hammer (my scrapper couldn’t). Super bummed out about it as I was counting on it being a beast in the snow. I didn’t take pics while driving but if you don’t take my word for it, you’ll experience it soon enough if in snowy locations.
I’m wondering if a put a lower light bar if it’ll help…

TesBros

 

[devdrone6]

Stock AT tires?

 

[T Sportline]

Stock AT tires?

wow

 

[65SoYoLO]

An effective cheap solution could be to just mold a clear plastic insert that fits into the shelf of the front bumper to eliminate the snow cave effect. Hmm, make you could even DIY with plexiglass.

My thoughts also. I didn't look at the lights but if it could be mounted to the top of the light and angle down it might transfer some heat to the shield and hopefully melt the ice/snow.

 

[65SoYoLO]

Nilight

I didn't have good results with nilight products on another vehicle.

 

[Bobo_LaDouche]

Interesting problem about the snow build-up on the front lights. I can not confirm this from my snow driving. I just drove over the Sierra in a blizzard at 8,000' elevation, and had no similar problem. Everything worked fine; other traffic was moving 25 mph, I easily and safely traveled 45 mph. Autodrive was cranky, due to lack of visibility. Temperatures were about 25F, and snow was the fluffy type, but deep (road not plowed yet).

Maybe this is a wet snow/ dry snow issue? Or maybe driving velocity? Seems like some tilted deflectors might keep the lights clear for those wet snow days. I am thinking of some plexiglass clip-ons.

BTW, the tire-chain police just waved me through, without looking at my tires; everyone else got the tire-snowflake examination.

 

[MICyber]

Someone should invent a de-icing mat that is on top of the bumper. Like on an airplane wings.

 

[Crissa]

Interesting problem about the snow build-up on the front lights. I can not confirm this from my snow driving. I just drove over the Sierra in a blizzard at 8,000' elevation, and had no similar problem. Everything worked fine; other traffic was moving 25 mph, I easily and safely traveled 45 mph. Autodrive was cranky, due to lack of visibility. Temperatures were about 25F, and snow was the fluffy type, but deep (road not plowed yet).

Maybe this is a wet snow/ dry snow issue? Or maybe driving velocity? Seems like some tilted deflectors might keep the lights clear for those wet snow days. I am thinking of some plexiglass clip-ons.

BTW, the tire-chain police just waved me through, without looking at my tires; everyone else got the tire-snowflake examination.

Yeah, that's what I was saying; snow accumulation can vary so wildly based upon conditions.

I do like that lots of solutions have come up! Maybe someone can make a thread of them?

My spouse is allergic to snow so I rarely get to play in it but before I met her I drove in it often in my Civic back in the 90s. The family did cross-country skiing so I learned on back roads. And with a little car, always have to be aware of those snow ledges which might be slush, might be solid ice.

-Crissa

 

[mjezzi]

Interesting problem about the snow build-up on the front lights. I can not confirm this from my snow driving. I just drove over the Sierra in a blizzard at 8,000' elevation, and had no similar problem. Everything worked fine; other traffic was moving 25 mph, I easily and safely traveled 45 mph. Autodrive was cranky, due to lack of visibility. Temperatures were about 25F, and snow was the fluffy type, but deep (road not plowed yet).

Maybe this is a wet snow/ dry snow issue? Or maybe driving velocity? Seems like some tilted deflectors might keep the lights clear for those wet snow days. I am thinking of some plexiglass clip-ons.

BTW, the tire-chain police just waved me through, without looking at my tires; everyone else got the tire-snowflake examination.

This makes sense to me.

Wet snow wants to stick, and it’s attracted to the recessed area where the headlights sit.

Dry snow on the other hand mostly flies by without sticking.

So really this is only an issue at the beginning and end of the winter season when temps or high and snow is sticky.

Good news for me because I just placed on order a couple of days ago and was concerned about this affecting my ski commutes.

In theory it shouldn’t be an issue for me since I only ski in the middle of the season when it’s cold enough for snow to be dry.

 

[HaulingAss]

Anyone try this setup?
Would love a real world review prior to plunking the cash.

https://cybertruckco.com/product/cybertruckco-x-baja-designs-6x-xl-linkable-bumper-light-bar/


CybertruckCo Baja light kit

That's the dumbest thing I've ever seen:

EVs may not not need as much airflow over their radiator as an ICE vehicle, but they have highly engineered thermal managements systems for the effeciency of not only the battery management, but also the cabin heating/cooling. Efficiency matters because it affects your range, cabin comfort, and the lifespan of your batteries.

These lights might only cover 75% of the air intake, but due to turbulence created they probably block around 90% of the airflow to the radiator.

What were they thinking?

 

[SentinelOne]

I ordered the 2 light setup…not the 6 light setup as shown, with the thought of less airflow block, to your point….not goimg to help but hopefully emough margin…we’ll see

 

[HaulingAss]

I ordered the 2 light setup…not the 6 light setup as shown, with the thought of less airflow block, to your point….not goimg to help but hopefully emough margin…we’ll see

Well, your truck isn't going to suddenly shut down, but even two lights will impact its thermal performance, and therefore range/efficiency/effectiveness of battery heating and cooling and of cabin climate operation.

I'm not sure why anyone would find that acceptable, unless they don't know how the thermal system is engineered, and what the impacts would be.

 

[Crissa]

I ordered the 2 light setup…not the 6 light setup as shown, with the thought of less airflow block, to your point….not goimg to help but hopefully emough margin…we’ll see

Well, you don't need as much airflow in winter as the peak of summer, no reason you can't swap things around for different seasons.

-Crissa

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