[Joyce L]

No I did not. I did take the car back to the dealer to complain and he said that that is the way the headlights are. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Nutjob1]

To those annoyed by the two black rectangular spots from led headlights, you may be able to minimize the distraction. On the infotainment display, click on the car symbol to open three tabs with the Vehicle Control page open. The list allows customization. Second from the bottom is Steering Responsive Headlights. Factory default is on. Press the right side enable/disable tab to disable SRH; the headlights remain in straight ahead position. It will not remove the two black squares.

 

[KJ_Aardvark]

To me, the SRH system doesn't seem to make any difference, beyond moving those black squares. I've tried driving around with it on several times, and I literally cannot detect any benefit or change in the lighting. So yeah, I do have all the automated headlight functions turned off.

 

[Bluefoton]

There NEEDS to be a limit on how bright and how "focused" and "sharp cutoff" they can be. It's getting ridiculous.

The BIG thing is to put a very hard limit on how much blue light can be emitted, both an absolute limit and a percentage limit.

As it stands, even low beams that are within legal/regulatory requirements are blasting people in the eyes with blinding levels of light, whether from head on, or from behind via the side mirrors.


I have been trying to figure out where and how I could mount white reflectors such that anyone whose headlights are blasting my mirrors would also get a taste of their own klieg lights.

Blame NHTSA and Transport Canada. It's the Wild West here - as opposed to Europe - when it comes to the cutoff pattern allowed projection angle, allowed percentage of glare, and lack of headlamp washers (near point-source light sources, when hitting a dirty lens, create significantly more glaring diffusion that old headlamps). In winter, here, Teslas are amogst the worst offenders when it comes to dazzling from merely dirty lenses. Or pickups hauling a trailer and shooting low beams above my hairline...

 

[Silver Fox24]

Cannot read the article without a subscription.

 

[Joyce L]

To those annoyed by the two black rectangular spots from led headlights, you may be able to minimize the distraction. On the infotainment display, click on the car symbol to open three tabs with the Vehicle Control page open. The list allows customization. Second from the bottom is Steering Responsive Headlights. Factory default is on. Press the right side enable/disable tab to disable SRH; the headlights remain in straight ahead position. It will not remove the two black squares.

Thank you for that info but what is the point if those black squares are not removed? Is there a way to get rid of them all together short of a recall replacement?

 

[KJ_Aardvark]

Thank you for that info but what is the point if those black squares are not removed? Is there a way to get rid of them all together short of a recall replacement?

For better or worse, there won't be a recall, those dark spots are there on purpose.

 

[Nutjob1]

Thank you for that info but what is the point if those black squares are not removed? Is there a way to get rid of them all together short of a recall replacement?

As suggested, they must be there for a purpose as we all know it can be a distraction if dwelling on it rather than accept it and deal with night time driving.

My guess? Alignment for electronics, Eyesight, to steer headlights a few degrees left or right in turns when SRH is enabled, allow automatic aiming (on level ground) when starting up at night for initial straight ahead lighting, and adjust for vehicle tilt from a rear level sensor if the rear is overloaded, causing headlights to shine upwards that may create blinding glare as if high beams are turned on, to opposing traffic, tilting them down. Once an overloaded condition is removed, lighting is automatically readjusted. Those two black spots may be for Eyesight to maintain lighting in every scenario to allow safer night time illumination.

 

[Montanan]

As I think I've mentioned, Subaru's current LED headlights use a design developed by Toyota several years ago. They exist on literally millions of Toyota and other automobiles by now. While I'm not privy to how the technology works, those little squares are components of a system designed to reduce the likelihood that oncoming drivers will be blinded by your headlights. As such, they're likely making your nighttime drives statistically safer, rather than less safe.

I had a little bit of a WTF moment when I first noticed those shadows on my '24, but I didn't obsess about it and I don't really even notice them anymore. And overall, I've found the headlight system on my '24 to be excellent.

 

[sanghill]

Thank you for that info but what is the point if those black squares are not removed? Is there a way to get rid of them all together short of a recall replacement?

Stick some electrical tape to the headlight lens where ever necessary. Probably a narrow piece of tape stuck horizontally across the top of the lens. You'll just have to figure out what works. Once you figure out the spot that works you could paint the lens to make it a little more durable.
This is very technical, but maybe it will help explain why: https://www.vwidtalk.com/threads/headlight-low-beam-shadow-in-center-the-notch.13804/
Your Taxes at work: Headlights

 

[Exurban]

Stick some electrical tape to the headlight lens where ever necessary. Probably a narrow piece of tape stuck horizontally across the top of the lens. You'll just have to figure out what works. Once you figure out the spot that works you could paint the lens to make it a little more durable.

Huh? It’s a dark spot. Putting tape on the dark spot does nothing and putting tape across the top of the light would just make the cutoff lower. I’m not seeing the point. Maybe plug into a battery charger, maybe it’ll go away. 🤔 (No, not seriously)

To reiterate, like it not, it’s there on purpose for a reason. Do a search and take your pick- AI, youtube, Reddit, whatever. Most all of the manufacturers have it. Complaining about Subaru doesn’t do much if Volvo, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, etc all have it.

 

[BillLin]

Wouldn't any attempt to remove the artifact by blocking only result in exacerbating the complaint about insufficient throw?

For the complaint of not being able to see far enough, please have your dealer or mechanic check headlight alignment to make sure it is up to spec. These cars with LED headlights get top safety ratings plus for a reason.

 

[talespin]

Probably easier said than done if you search how these electronically controlled single led headlights with steering are more complicated than fixed projector light housings. America lagged behind headlight lighting for around two decades before domestic vehicle manufacturers finally abandoned sealed glass round headlights while Europe adapted to HIDs and leds. Although questionable from standardized headlight illumination regulations, some here already made adjustments, aiming their low beams higher.......... The subjective judgement may not have been made yet by driving another vehicle at night in the opposite direction to see what opposing traffic sees to raised lighting as well as asking others if they're blinded with more glare from adjustments.

Those sealed glass headlamps were mandated by NHTSA due to an administrative screwup on the agency's part. They finally saw the light and changed that standard to allow other types as long as they met the illumination specifications.

 

[General Martok]

Like, come on. Stop. The black spots aren't serious or bad.