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druand



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: south ayrshire
Posts: 825

Scotland 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto Fuji White
Poor Headlights

Lots of posts about this especially on 2011 models with projector lamps.
Yes have fitted uprated bulbs.
BUT, felt lights were not too good the other night and although had been using screen/lamp washers regularly and lamps seemed clean on a closer look I was surprised to find how dirty they actually were. Washers a big help but when fine film of dirt dried on it certainly reduces the already below par light output. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Post #126958 10th Jan 2012 8:45 pm
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taztastic



Member Since: 03 Feb 2011
Location: North West
Posts: 8652

England 

I totally agree with you on this, the washers are effective with "mud" but traffic film simply builds up, many older cars had small wipers, albeit a little gimmicky, they were more effective.
I think the washers are more a bow to euro regs, they are there to prevent glare to oncoming traffic not to help with forward vision, something that not many manufacturers seem to care much about, even the HID lamps don't inspire confidence at high speeds on dip.

Post #126959 10th Jan 2012 8:54 pm
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Pegleg



Member Since: 15 Apr 2010
Location: Deep in mid Wales
Posts: 3114

Wales 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Manual Santorini Black

Taz,
You're spot on. It's well known witihn the auto industry that powerwash doesn't work as you described.
I remember even Lada's had combined headlamp wash/wipe!!

Which did work, till it broke Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Post #126960 10th Jan 2012 8:59 pm
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Landynut



Member Since: 01 Jan 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 49

2011 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto Stornoway Grey

I upgraded the bulbs in the projector lights and had a worse beam than with standard bulbs. Took the car to my friendly dealer and identified the bulbs were not correctly seated and hence out of focus. The dealer refitted them FOC and I now have better than standard lights, but not as good as the Evoque's Xenons. Might be worth checking your bulbs are seated properly. 2013 Discovery HSE Luxury Corris Grey
2010 Freelander SD4
1997 Defender 90 XD Wolf (ex Ghurkas)
1991 Defender County 110 V8
1959 Series II
1953 Series I
1952 Minerva Ambulance


Last edited by Landynut on 10th Jan 2012 10:20 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Post #126964 10th Jan 2012 9:16 pm
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MartynB



Member Since: 08 Aug 2011
Location: Currently Rootless !
Posts: 1776

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto Zermatt Silver

taztastic wrote:
I totally agree with you on this, the washers are effective with "mud" but traffic film simply builds up, many older cars had small wipers, albeit a little gimmicky, they were more effective.
I think the washers are more a bow to euro regs, they are there to prevent glare to oncoming traffic not to help with forward vision, something that not many manufacturers seem to care much about, even the HID lamps don't inspire confidence at high speeds on dip.


Yes, I can remember having a Cavalier Sri, and a Sierra GLS and both had little headlight wipers that cycled when you pulled the washer switch Thumbs Up 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Post #126968 10th Jan 2012 10:13 pm
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RazMan



Member Since: 18 Nov 2011
Location: Essexshire
Posts: 336

United Kingdom 2012 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto Fuji White

It might be worth trying a bit of plastic polish (PlastX is good) on the headlight lense. This will make them a bit more non-stick and prevent the build up in the first place. Cheers,
Raz
FL1 TD4 GS Auto 2001 Silver
FL2 TD4 Auto 2007 Black
FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2012 Fuji White

Post #126970 10th Jan 2012 10:39 pm
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druand



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: south ayrshire
Posts: 825

Scotland 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto Fuji White

Landynut,
Bulbs seated perfectly, have rectified hundreds of wrongly seated H7's on MOTs, H11s a much more secure fit as in 2011 MY dip beams..

My recent post Blinding FL2 covers above. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Post #126984 11th Jan 2012 12:08 am
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bigalf1961



Member Since: 14 Mar 2011
Location: manchester
Posts: 846

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 TD4_e XS Manual Lago Grey

druand i put osram nightbreakers in mine made them a lot better a lot cheaper than HID lamps Thumbs Up rainy-city
xs

Post #126990 11th Jan 2012 7:51 am
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engineer22



Member Since: 31 Oct 2011
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 12

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Bali Blue
Headlight Wipers

Wipers cannot be used on plastic lens such as FL2 due to scratching when dry wiping resulting in permanent light diminishing, thats why all manufacturers are fitting powerwash...a well designed powerwash system works well, but too many systems are influenced by stylists regarding jet position and look...unfortunately so long as the light recovery meets VCA regs then its good enough...no real attempts are made to obtain 'best in class' cleaning...same theory applies to the headlight output itself, the 2011 projectors are not as good as the 2010 open reflector but they meet VCA regs so it all OK so far as vehicle approvals....

Post #126994 11th Jan 2012 9:26 am
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freefrom



Member Since: 13 Nov 2011
Location: around the east
Posts: 68

England 2012 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Buckingham Blue

Hi

Lots of talk about poor projecter lights having had mine for 3 weeks it seems ok certainly no worse than my audi a4
The best thing is you are higher up so don't get so dazzled by oncoming traffic. I d be interestedto see a car with the +100 type bulbs as a comparison

Nic k

Post #127008 11th Jan 2012 12:00 pm
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bigalf1961



Member Since: 14 Mar 2011
Location: manchester
Posts: 846

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 TD4_e XS Manual Lago Grey

nick do you mean 100watt bulbs if so i would be worred that the heat build up may effect the plastic lens and cause it to warp Question rainy-city
xs

Post #127011 11th Jan 2012 12:26 pm
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Hicksy



Member Since: 29 Apr 2011
Location: Nr Oxford
Posts: 355

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Manual Fuji White

Halfrauds + 90's work well for me 

Click image to enlarge

Freelander gone
Audi sold
Volvo xc60 r design coming

Post #127086 11th Jan 2012 9:07 pm
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freefrom



Member Since: 13 Nov 2011
Location: around the east
Posts: 68

England 2012 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Buckingham Blue

Hi

The +100 I think refers to the supposed increase in brightness from bulbs like Philips etc ,they are still only 55W power, I might try the Hafrauds version as they are reasonable if the 2 for 1 offere is on, mind you seems a bit much on a brand new car! Shocked

Nick

ps 1961 was a very good year Thumbs Up

Post #127090 11th Jan 2012 9:29 pm
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druand



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: south ayrshire
Posts: 825

Scotland 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto Fuji White

And even more reasonable if you have a Halfords Trade Card. Oil prices up to 50% cheaper for card holders. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Post #127103 11th Jan 2012 11:10 pm
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JST



Member Since: 01 Nov 2011
Location: Lizant
Posts: 1098

France 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Manual Narvik Black

I think the lights (non projector) on mine are superb as they are.........but then I am more used to my old TD5 Defender which had lights courtesy of Lucas Prince of Darkness! Smile John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Post #127124 12th Jan 2012 12:33 pm
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