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Weak Headlights are the Cybertruck's Worst Feature

oisiaa

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I picked up my AWD Cybertruck on Saturday and it is FREAKING FANTASTIC! The only complaint that I have is that the headlights (both main and high beams) are pretty weak compared to my Model 3 and Y (which are very bright). They are useable, but by no means impressive.

Anyone else have the same thoughts?
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Outdoors

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I am fine with the lights. Thought about a lightbar, but not going to now.

I tend to have problems with all cars in urban areas with lighting. Tend to wash out the headlamps. When I get rural I can see better.
 
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oisiaa

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Interesting that I'm perceiving this differently. My wife has the same opinion as me.

The spread is very good, but the brightness is quite low in my opinion which means the throw distance is also unimpressive. I'll have to do some more night driving to refine my opinion.

I saw a teardown (Munroe?, Autoline?) that said the CT's headlight modules are ~50 Watts and the Model 3/Y are ~95 Watts so hardly half the output if that's accurate. Not sure if I can find that again.
 


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oisiaa

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I haven't adjusted them and don't really want to for the same reason as you. It's not so much the aiming as it is the light output (lumens).
 

HaulingAss

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I think my Cybertruck headlights are better than any of our Model 3's, but they are all 2018 Model 3s, so maybe newer Model 3s have brighter headlights, I don't know.

I like the Cybertruck headlights, if that's it's worst feature, we can thank the Tesla engineers for making such a well-rounded vehicle!
 
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oisiaa

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I also have a 2018 Model 3. I agree! This truck is incredible!!! My build quality is also literally perfect. I haven't found a single flaw anywhere!
 

SentinelOne

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I suppose it's all relative-compared to my daughter's Mazda they're great...compared to a MB GLE or Audi much less so....they work ok and they'll do, but definitely nothing to get excited about and IMO not befitting of this caliber of truck...my 2 cents.

I will double check adjustment as I've had many vehicles that come from the factory with poorly aimed headlights, simple check / adjust assuming Tesla gives you the requisite info for correct alignment.
 


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I picked up my AWD Cybertruck on Saturday and it is FREAKING FANTASTIC! The only complaint that I have is that the headlights (both main and high beams) are pretty weak compared to my Model 3 and Y (which are very bright). They are useable, but by no means impressive.

Anyone else have the same thoughts?
That has not been my experience, they seem plenty bright to me.
 

SE.MI.CT

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I haven't adjusted them and don't really want to for the same reason as you. It's not so much the aiming as it is the light output (lumens).
I would look at it. When I picked up my CT I was disappointed in the headlights, but then found out they were aimed Full Down.

Park in front of a brick wall, like a couple car lengths away, and adjust your headlights. Left and Right are adjusted independently.

I just eye-balled the height. When driving normally, my lights seem to illuminate the rear bumper of the car in front of me but doesn't shine up into their rear window, so I think they are aimed okay now.
 
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oisiaa

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I would look at it. When I picked up my CT I was disappointed in the headlights, but then found out they were aimed Full Down.

Park in front of a brick wall, like a couple car lengths away, and adjust your headlights. Left and Right are adjusted independently.
I'll look at it. I can see the cutoff and it looks about right, but I'll investigate more.
 

MyFirstElectricTesla

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Before making any judgement about brightness of CT's headlight, go get this one to measure.

You don't need to buy an expensive one, just use it to compare the lumens between the vehicles you have. Tape it to a wall/garage door/fence ... and try to park all your cars at the same distance (about 3 ft) shinning to the meter and get the measurement.

I think it's the best way to say CT's headlights are weak or not.

Just my $0.000002.
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