2025 Forester Headlights Questions

[Bartholomew]

I see the post about the '24 Forester's headlights being low. I have the same question about the '25.

I also have another question regarding a dark spot on each headlight. There are a couple of videos that show these dark spots.

Does anyone know why the dark spots are there? Is it a defect, or is it just a quirk with the rotating headlight function?

 

[MikeinPDX]

I picked up my 2025 Forester three days ago. The two black spots are small, but quite noticeable due to the otherwise perfectly smooth spread of light. I only notice them when the lights are projected onto something like a garage door. I'm sure it doesn't indicate any problem, just a funny design choice by the headlight team. I have no complaints about the aiming of the headlight beams, they seem quite good to me. I'm not quite sure what to think about the moving headlight feature. I can't see that it does any good, but it doesn't really hurt anything. I will probably just ignore it.

On the other hand, I'm disappointed in the amount of light the LED bulbs produce. It's adequate on dry nights, but here in the Pacific Northwest we have to deal with a lot of rain, which "soaks up" much of your headlight power. This is especially annoying for me because my other vehicle, a 2006 Toyota Sienna, has amazing aftermarket LED bulbs in the old style headlight housings.

Does anyone know if you can upgrade the LED bulbs in Subaru headlights?

 

[Dick Foster]

Nope. Personally I think LEDs are a poor choice for headlights.

BTW the steering headlight gimmick was on the infamous Tucker that failed to get a foothold in the market. It had an extra third headlight, center mounted that followed the steering. That was back in the post WWII American boom era. First to have seat belts, padded dash and a lot of standard safety features in todays cars. Way ahead of its time.

 

[MikeinPDX]

It looks like path to better headlight performance is to install auxiliary lights of some kind. I think I should start a new thread for that.

 

[TNForest]

My understanding is the black spots are to help avoid blinding oncoming drivers.

 

[Dick Foster]

I'd doubt the theory that black spots are intentional for any useful purpose.

 

[ontheroadagain]

It looks like path to better headlight performance is to install auxiliary lights of some kind. I think I should start a new thread for that.

I agree the night driving needs to be better. I don't enjoy driving my 2025 forester at night, too much distraction with the sharp cut off at low beam. It projects a bright field for about 30 feet then cuts off sharply to blackness. Can't believe the NHTSA approved them.
The high beam are great on clear nights but reflect too much when there is heavy rain, making nearly impossible to see. I believe part of the problem is the led's narrow light temperature (probably 6k) vs a broader spectrum halogen bulb.

Any ideas on adding a safe solution would be great.
Ps I wish I had driven this car at night before I bought it.

 

[Dick Foster]

I agree the night driving needs to be better. I don't enjoy driving my 2025 forester at night, too much distraction with the sharp cut off at low beam. It projects a bright field for about 30 feet then cuts off sharply to blackness. Can't believe the NHTSA approved them.
The high beam are great on clear nights but reflect too much when there is heavy rain, making nearly impossible to see. I believe part of the problem is the led's narrow light temperature (probably 6k) vs a broader spectrum halogen bulb.

Any ideas on adding a safe solution would be great.
Ps I wish I had driven this car at night before I bought it.

You're not supposed to run high beams in rain, fog and incliment weather. Low beams and fog lights are the thing for bad weather.

 

[ontheroadagain]

It looks like path to better headlight performance is to install auxiliary lights of some kind. I think I should start a new thread for that.

Yes I agree. Perhaps swap out the fog lights which don't help much anyway. On or off they don't help with the problem.

Mostly what I dislike is the total blackness beyond the cutoff. You can't to see a hanging obstruction before it was too late. It's scarry, like going thru a haunted castle at night with low ceilings.

 

[Dick Foster]

I posted a link in similar thread to a video where a guy installed a light bar sold to the off-road market. It helped improve lighting immensly. It was LED and looked nice too. It was installed inside the grill/bumper so it looked really nice too.

 

[Scubasid]

I posted a link in similar thread to a video where a guy installed a light bar sold to the off-road market. It helped improve lighting immensly. It was LED and looked nice too. It was installed inside the grill/bumper so it looked really nice too.

Can you repost that info / link in here so I can check it out, Im looking at doing something like that in my 2025 . Especially with a 14 hr night drive coming up soon

 

[Dick Foster]

Here ya go.

 

[Scubasid]

I posted a link in similar thread to a video where a guy installed a light bar sold to the off-road market. It helped improve lighting immensly. It was LED and looked nice too. It was installed inside the grill/bumper so it looked really nice too.

Thanks for a super fast REPLY. have to find those videos on how to remove the bumper. Can re mount new PIAA Horns I put in with the bumper off. THANKS,....