Night visibility while left turning

Vaughanabe13 · 08-01-2011, 12:36 PM

One thing I noticed while driving the Z for the first time at night was that it's really hard (almost scary) to see during left turns. The lights don't seem to have a lot of lateral throw so when I'm turning left in a dark area (like exiting from a highway) I literally can't see where I'm going and I just have to trust that I am going the right way. Is this just something I have to live with and get used to or is there anything I can do? It's not a huge deal and won't happen very often, but it can be very unnerving.

kenchan · 08-01-2011, 12:41 PM

hummm... the areas i drive are usually well lit so havent encountered this. i suppose you can install driving lights (ugly) if you must and shine it when you need to.

SPOHN · 08-01-2011, 12:43 PM

You could always add a spot light like a cop car.

Vaughanabe13 · 08-01-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

You could always add a spot light like a cop car.

vividracing · 08-01-2011, 03:47 PM

Are your windows tinted? I can't imagine driving somewhere so dark that I couldn't see while making a left.

Nick911sc · 08-01-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vividracing

Are your windows tinted? I can't imagine driving somewhere so dark that I couldn't see while making a left.

I was just about to post asking if his windows were tinted. I can't imagine anyplace being that dark unless you're driving in a totally enclosed area..

TypeOne · 08-01-2011, 03:55 PM

No problems seeing while turning left here.

fuzzywuzzy · 08-01-2011, 04:12 PM

Might want to get your eyes checked

KillerBee370 · 08-01-2011, 04:43 PM

The huge side mirror seems to be more of a problem than the lights but I know what you are saying. (I live in a neighborhood with no street lights so it's more noticeable)

Red__Zed · 08-01-2011, 04:48 PM

I notice the same thing when driving in the country. Most cars are similar though.

Sent from my iPhone

Armonster · 08-01-2011, 05:36 PM

Our headlights actually cover a huge lateral area, relative to cars with halogen headlights. Next time you're driving next to a wall take a look and you will see what I mean. Now if you're talking about a left turn that is uphill from your location or just very far away, then that's not something that headlights can really fix (unless you get a fancy car that turns its headlights in the direction of the steering wheel, I suppose).

DJ-of-E · 08-01-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick911sc

I was just about to post asking if his windows were tinted. I can't imagine anyplace being that dark unless you're driving in a totally enclosed area..

My old Celica had tinted windows. Love them during the Summer, but after one or two canyon runs.....TINTED WINDOWS?!?!.....NEVER AGAIN!

I'm sorry, but I demand so much out of my own visibility. It's not that I'm not a skilled driver behind the wheel, I just don't want to miss any sort of detail while I'm driving.

I'm only 26, something wrong with me thinking that way?

Nick911sc · 08-01-2011, 07:51 PM

I didn't tint my windows either on the Z

VaGntlmn · 08-01-2011, 07:53 PM

I consistently make left turns in a couple of places where I have to lean forward and sit up to see over the left hand mirror.
I'd love to replace the side mirrors, but I can't find anything I like.

happytheman · 08-01-2011, 08:04 PM

Hmm, never really noticed an issue turning left...but I do find myself being very careful turning right. I came from a vehicle with a relatively short hood and a higher sitting position. Driving in the Z has taken some getting used to, with some extra care taken while driving about in situations where sharp, low speed turns were required.

08-01-2011, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vaughanabe13 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 387 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 14	Night visibility while left turning One thing I noticed while driving the Z for the first time at night was that it's really hard (almost scary) to see during left turns. The lights don't seem to have a lot of lateral throw so when I'm turning left in a dark area (like exiting from a highway) I literally can't see where I'm going and I just have to trust that I am going the right way. Is this just something I have to live with and get used to or is there anything I can do? It's not a huge deal and won't happen very often, but it can be very unnerving. __________________ 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

08-01-2011, 12:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 46 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	You could always add a spot light like a cop car. __________________

08-01-2011, 03:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
vividracing The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Age: 38 Posts: 7,306 Drives: 350Z,370Z,GTR Rep Power: 39	Are your windows tinted? I can't imagine driving somewhere so dark that I couldn't see while making a left. __________________ Rocky @ Vivid ♦ 480.966.3040 x236 ♦ Rocky@vividracing.com Email, PM, or call me directly for aggressive The370Z.com member pricing!!!

08-01-2011, 07:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
VaGntlmn Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Centreville, Va Age: 64 Posts: 378 Drives: '10 Tour/Sport, 6MT Rep Power: 15	I consistently make left turns in a couple of places where I have to lean forward and sit up to see over the left hand mirror. I'd love to replace the side mirrors, but I can't find anything I like. __________________ Bill 2010 370z; Tour/Sport; 6mt; BlackCherry/Grey; 318 rwhp; 265 lbs rwtq. To view a list of my mods, click here; To view a photo journal of the mods, click here.

08-01-2011, 08:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
happytheman A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 10,737 Drives: MB 6M Tour/Sport Z34 Rep Power: 1822	Hmm, never really noticed an issue turning left...but I do find myself being very careful turning right. I came from a vehicle with a relatively short hood and a higher sitting position. Driving in the Z has taken some getting used to, with some extra care taken while driving about in situations where sharp, low speed turns were required. __________________ --Brantly-- *PowderCoating by Mike/Stillen/PWJDM/Shine Auto/NST* GTR/Michelin /Fast Intentions/Evo-R/Mobil 1/Motul/Z1 https://facebook.com/CentralFloridaZClub

08-01-2011, 12:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	hummm... the areas i drive are usually well lit so havent encountered this. i suppose you can install driving lights (ugly) if you must and shine it when you need to.

08-01-2011, 03:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	No problems seeing while turning left here.

08-01-2011, 04:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
fuzzywuzzy Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: In a house Posts: 211 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 15	Might want to get your eyes checked

08-01-2011, 04:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 51 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 321	The huge side mirror seems to be more of a problem than the lights but I know what you are saying. (I live in a neighborhood with no street lights so it's more noticeable)

08-01-2011, 04:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	I notice the same thing when driving in the country. Most cars are similar though. Sent from my iPhone

08-01-2011, 05:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
Armonster Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 270 Drives: 2010 370z t/sp/6mt Rep Power: 14	Our headlights actually cover a huge lateral area, relative to cars with halogen headlights. Next time you're driving next to a wall take a look and you will see what I mean. Now if you're talking about a left turn that is uphill from your location or just very far away, then that's not something that headlights can really fix (unless you get a fancy car that turns its headlights in the direction of the steering wheel, I suppose).

08-01-2011, 07:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
Nick911sc A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,698 Drives: 2010 Nissan GT-R Rep Power: 20	I didn't tint my windows either on the Z

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Grind when turning left	hansoac	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	9	03-15-2011 10:53 PM
OEM radio isn't turning on	JNguyen	Audio & Video	9	09-21-2010 03:38 PM
Does turning off VDC disable ABS?	ARFCOM	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	17	08-15-2010 11:01 AM
squeak when turning off	agroovesu	Introduction	3	01-20-2010 01:34 PM