IIHS Declares Ford F-150 Headlights ‘Inadequate’

It seems that headlight technology has been steadily increasing for years now, even to the point that some enthusiasts think that it’s improving faster than the DOT can keep up. However, an independent agency, the IIHS, thinks that some trucks’ headlights – including the F-150’s – are too dim.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety tested four small pickups and seven full-size pickups, assigning “poor” ratings to all of the small pickups’ headlights and branding three of the full-size pickups with the same rating.

This year, the IIHS began testing headlights after discovering that government standards are vague, allowing for wide variations in nighttime visibility between new vehicles offered for sale. The IIHS carried out their tests by measuring the distance that light is projected on straight roads and while cornering.

While the F-150 offers optional LED low beams in addition to the standard halogen lamps, the IIHS rated both poorly, stating that both setups offer insufficient low-beam and high-beam performance, and criticizing the LEDs for producing unacceptable amounts of glare.

The IIHS report wasn’t all bad news for truck owners, however. High marks were given to Honda Ridgeline, which offers LED projectors on the RTL-E and Black Edition trims. According to the report, they offer “fair” to “good” visibility in almost all conditions. Beginning in 2017, the IIHS will take headlights into account for its TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.

Source: IIHS

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.

He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.

In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.

You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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