Undriveable at night in wet snow due to LED headlights not melting snow & ice

[jclicky]

I was afraid this was going to be the case. Added heated Truck-lites to the Jeep and it solved the problem, but visibility was significantly degraded before. Highly unlikely Rivian will ever have a fix (or aftermarket) due to the headlights being tied into a larger unit.

Rivian should be able to (relatively easily) add some defroster lines to the front glass of the headlight assembly (as @Gator42 said, he's got this in his LR).

Rivian would just have to splice defroster lines into the LED powerline & snake it over the front glass; although some sort of transparent heated film as @RBR1S suggested, would look better than these cross-lines over the distinctive ovals.

Either way, it shouldn't be too hard (I agree, especially for a 6-figure vehicle), since others have already done it for LED-headlight semi trucks, quote:

Additionally, the Western Star 49X headlamps are equipped with a proprietary lens technology that automatically melts ice and snow in cold temperatures and clears the lens of fog in humid weather. This active safety feature delivers incredibly important increased up-time while ensuring the best possible visibility for the driver to see and be seen.

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[Sgt Beavis]

It's a fairly well known issue for any LED headlamp. Jeep has the same problem with the LEDs on the Wrangler. I don't know if there is an OEM that makes an LED headlamp with a heating element.

PS

I love driving in the snow!

Same

 

[Ash]

Will have to try RainX on the headlights... Yeah our 2017 Volvo V90 CC has LEDs, but has washer spray nozzles to clear

In an emergency situation, I might try spraying some wd40 on a rag and wipe them down, but just over the ppf. Although, I’m not sure if the wd40 will hurt the ppf. It all depends what the material is. It’s probably fine and would work longer than ceramic stuff. I would definitely try to keep the wd40 off the paint. Pro tip: The best way to clean up wd40 is degreaser like dish soap.

Please share the best solution you figure out with us because I bet this is going to be a big issue for some people.

Edit: I adjusted my post by recommendation. When I read it back, I didn't feel like I was clear enough about the potential risks to the paint, plastic, and ppf. I would feel terrible if someone damaged their truck on my recommendation. I would totally try this on my own truck (with PPF wrapped headlights) in a pinch though.

 

[crashmtb]

Has anyone had to replace a headlight bulb in their Rivian? I wonder if it'd be possible to swap to an older non-LED type that puts off more heat to melt snow in the winter.

There likely isn’t a “bulb” with a socket. It will probably be emitters on a PCB.

 

[jebinc]

If that doesn’t work, try spraying some wd40 on a rag and wipe them down, but just over the ppf. Although, I’m not sure if the wd40 will hurt the ppf. It all depends what the material is. It’s probably fine and should work longer than ceramic stuff. Try to keep the wd40 off the paint. Remember the best way to clean up wd40 is degreaser like dish soap. Please share the best solutions with us because I bet this is going to be a big issue for some people.

I wouldn’t recommend a petroleum based solvent, like WD40 on any petroleum based products, like plastic lens covers, etc. To each….

 

[birming]

This has always been my biggest concern.
Because of these problems, I know that the radar or sensors in the front and rear of the car need to be installed with heating wires.
Did the other sensors have any problems?

 

[crashmtb]

I wouldn’t recommend a petroleum based solvent, like WD40 on any petroleum based products, like plastic lens covers, etc. To each….

Can’t ice over the lens if the polycarbonate has been dissolved ???

 

[bd5400]

Rivian should be able to (relatively easily) add some defroster lines to the front glass of the headlight assembly (as @Gator42 said, he's got this in his LR).

He’s referring to his heated windshield. Land Rover’s heated windshield has tiny heating elements running through the entire glass (and it’s distracting at times to be honest).

LR does not have defroster lines in their headlights.

 

[rivian1800]

This has always been my biggest concern.
Because of these problems, I know that the radar or sensors in the front and rear of the car need to be installed with heating wires.
Did the other sensors have any problems?

When I get over Vail Pass during a snowstorm, all my radar sensors turned off. After stopping twice to check/clean them, I decided to go ahead regardless of the situation…
Definitely it’s going to be a interesting experience for many of us in the next few months

 

[crashmtb]

He’s referring to his heated windshield. Land Rover’s heated windshield has tiny heating elements running through the entire glass (and it’s distracting at times to be honest).

LR does not have defroster lines in their headlights.

I wish mine was heated. Defrost on full blast for 5 minutes ?

 

[computertom]

We're planning on PPFing ours, and will then use Ammo Reflex Pro on the truck and the lights. I'd imagine a few coats on them and then a topper or two will have pretty much nothing getting stuck on these.

 

[Prime]

It's a fairly well known issue for any LED headlamp. Jeep has the same problem with the LEDs on the Wrangler. I don't know if there is an OEM that makes an LED headlamp with a heating element.


Same

RB looks good dirty

 

[AllInev]

Here in the PNW our snow is mostly on the warm wet and sticky side... So when driving in light to heavy snow flurries we get a lot of build up on our vehicles.. Well the R1T is no different... the big problem is at night the snow covers up the headlights and visibility goes to zero... I have experienced this twice now as we are getting into the snow season here in the Washington Cascades... Last night we had to pull over about every 3 miles to wipe off the headlights... Not fun. There is just not enough heat from the LED lights to melt off the snow. Rivian either needs to add washer nozzles (our Volvo V90 CC has these), or add heated lenses. Heated head light example, Looking a pair of these. Wonder if I could power off frunk 12vdc outlet or tap into fog lights.. Another option is to mount on forward mounted roof cross bar and power from bed outlets some how.. Also researching transparent ITO or thin wire heating element to stick on stock headlights...

I have emailed my guide with pictures and raised this as a safety issue. Will also create service ticket.... And posted here tagging RJ..

Anyway.. beware if you find yourself in wet sticky snow at night...

https://stories.rivian.com/cold-weather-testing

Maybe Rivian’s testing team forgot to test drive the R1 when it was actively snowing ?️?

 

[domoplaytime]

Maybe Rivian’s testing team forgot to test drive the R1 when it was actively snowing ??

Rivian should have given a few trucks to USPS for testing. What's their motto again?

 

[SeaGeo]

I wish mine was heated. Defrost on full blast for 5 minutes ?

love that you have to have a label "lights".

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