Rivian headlights at night in snowstorm = zero visibility

[carl]

The easy and somewhat helpful fix, would be to allow the driver to turn off all the unnecessary front lights, like the light bar and right rings. Those are 100% esthetics and not at all needed to meet any light requirements, as long as the headlights are still on. That would make a massive difference, but my guess is that Rivian doesn't want you to turn those off because those are the signature Rivian lights.

And no, pulling over because it's snowing is not an option and can be just as dangerous as staying on the road when in the middle of nowhere. The issue is NOT the snow, it's the Rivian lights. 25 years of experience driving in Swedish, Washington State and Colorado blizzards. There is a reason fog lights are placed close to the ground, and Rivian completely removing them for the Gen2 is super annoying.

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[RivAW]

Love my Gen 1 R1T. However, recently drove in a snowstorm at night and experienced something I do not wish to ever again. The R1's headlights, which are fantastic in normal conditions, are far too bright when in a snowstorm at night. They reflect off of the snowflakes, and bounce right back into your eyes.

Normally, I would turn on the fog lights for these types of conditions. However, in the R1 there is no option to run with fog lights only, it is only a combination of regular headlights + fog lights. And before you ask, yes, I turned off the auto high-beams. In every other car I have driven, there is an option to have fog lights only, which makes sense given that in high fog conditions, you do NOT want the super bright LED headlights to be reflecting light back at you (that is the whole point of fog lights). Seems like for the sake of safety, there should be a fog light only option. I've searched on this forum and found that other owners have hacked their vehicle by removing the fuse for the headlights, when driving in a snowstorm. There should be a software solution to this.

This is a well known issue for all vehicle with LED headlights since they don't produce heat that would keep the lens clear. This is not a software issue. The solution is the addition of some sort of heating element (maybe they can do a small grid similar to the rear defroster?)...

 

[usulio]

This is a well known issue for all vehicle with LED headlights since they don't produce heat that would keep the lens clear. This is not a software issue. The solution is the addition of some sort of heating element (maybe they can do a small grid similar to the rear defroster?)...

I think you are confusing the issue of snow buildup on the headlights with what they were actually talking about … bright, high light bouncing back off the falling snow

 

[Time2Roll]

Snow? I find the illumination of white reflective highway signs to be somewhat glaring from the brightness of the headlight reflection.

 

[carl]

This is a well known issue for all vehicle with LED headlights since they don't produce heat that would keep the lens clear. This is not a software issue. The solution is the addition of some sort of heating element (maybe they can do a small grid similar to the rear defroster?)...

Well, yes, that is an issue too, but not what we are referring too. We are referring to the light bar and ring around the headlights producing too much scattered light in all directions since those are not focused light sources. If we could turn those accent lights off during snow and fog, which really don't serve any purpose other than aesthetics, then it would create a much safer light source. In the meantime I have a roll of gaffers tape I can use to tape off those lights incase I hit another storm, and working on installing better and brighter wide angle fog lights that will be mounted at the bottom of the grill.

Does anyone have a 3d print file for mounting to the grill, don't want to shell out $160, when I can print it myself.

 

[octo]

Sorry to hear people are still being put in dangerous situations by this. I installed fog lights on the grill for this reason. Plan is to use them and turn the Rivian lights down to "running lights" if necessary. It seems to me that the rear light brightness stays the same, although I actually do have a light from amazon to put on the hitch.

What fog lights did you install and how did you wire them in? I'm interested in doing the same. Thank you.

 

[octo]

These have helped me. Even with some snow covering the yellow shines through pretty well. Not too bad to install.

What fog lights did you use and how did you wire them in?

 

[octo]

Great thread. The Pacific NW has frequent high humidity, misty, foggy, rainy periods slightly different than the (white) snowy conditions highlighted in this thread - but it has the same effect on visibility reduction.

I'm interested in what fog light manufacturers/models would be best, and how to install/wire them, for my R1T 2025 Gen 2.

Thanks for any info?

 

[strykerwsu]

What fog lights did you use and how did you wire them in?

Dynamic diode small cubes. You can change lens but went with yellow for snow. Used a cheap switch panel with blue tooth to turn off and on. There was a member that sold the brackets for the lights. Not sure if still doing it or other aftermarket options now.

 

[MD89]

Does adding lights like those affect the warranty? I was about to do it last winter (a body shop Rivian recommended said they could install it) but read somewhere about it affecting the cars warranty.

 

[willowshollow]

This was a problem with my model Y and I also felt like I was in a snow globe, but at some point there must have been an update because in the last storm I was in, I was able to turn on just the fogs without also having the main headlights come on.

That said, they also take stuff away in updates so I’ll confirm this again and see if it’s still possible.

 

[usulio]

The grill brackets are from Skookum Racing and are pricey but great. I went with Morimoto 2-Banger amber fog lights, but I’m sure Diode Dynamics is great. For wiring, I would look for guides for installing ditch lights, which a few companies sell as a kit and include instructions. I think I saw on here that Gen 2 has battery posts behind the frunk that one can attach to. That’s where the Gen 1 12V battery is. I went with a basic wireless switch but you can find plenty of examples of people using more fancy wireless switches or running the switch cable through the firewall into the cabin.

 

[octo]

These Morimoto 4-Banger's are over $700 (https://evsportline.com/products/te...tem-with-morimoto-4bangers-for-rivian-r1t-r1s)

These Diode Dynamics are $500 (https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Lights/Diode-Dynamics/DDY37AV.html)

Given I'm a complete newbie to extra lighting like this I'm inclined to go to a local shop, but would love to be armed with any further specific product (perhaps already purchased) and specific installation recommendations.

Thanks again?

 

[impulsoren]

The DD kit above does not have a switch, it’s going to run off your factory lights so you will not be able to control them independently.
it will also have universal brackets so you will have to figure out what to drill into to mount.
the morimotos from Ev sports line have options for different switching and Rivian-specific a-pillar area brackets.
It appears the difference in price is mostly due to the brackets from Ev sports line , deselect those items and the kits become similar in price.

I use 4-banger bulbs for regular headlights in an older car, technically not allowed but they work great with zero problems. I have never used diode dynamics products.

 

[usulio]

These Morimoto 4-Banger's are over $700 (https://evsportline.com/products/te...tem-with-morimoto-4bangers-for-rivian-r1t-r1s)

These Diode Dynamics are $500 (https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Lights/Diode-Dynamics/DDY37AV.html)

Given I'm a complete newbie to extra lighting like this I'm inclined to go to a local shop, but would love to be armed with any further specific product (perhaps already purchased) and specific installation recommendations.

Thanks again?

EV Sportline and other Rivian specific sellers have good installation videos. You or the shop can use those to figure out the install and wiring situation even if you don't use their products. It would be cheaper to buy lights and wires yourself. The only question mark for a shop is probably how to mount the lights to the grill, maybe they have ideas, or you can get those Skookum brackets.

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