2016 Silverado Is First To Offer HID Headlights Standard

[Zane]

 

Zane Merva

Executive Editor, GM-Trucks.com

9/25/15

 

When Chevrolet spilled the beans on the 2016 Silverado yesterday at the State Fair of Texas, a curious detail stood out to us. Silverado is saying goodbye to the halogen headlamp. Even base WT models will now come standard with HID headlights.

 

A 2016 Silverado WT with standard compact HID headlights, LED DRL, LED Turn Signals, & LED Marker Lights

 

LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) are also being deeply ingrained into the model. LED daytime running lamps, turn signals, and marker lights will be standard on every single Silverado, including work truck models. LT trim levels will be able to opt for LED fog lights and LT Z71 and up models get them standard.

 

LED headlights also come standard on LTZ and High Country models, matching the LED offering by Ford in the new F-150.

 

This addition of next generation HID and LED lighting will modernize the exterior the 2016 Silverado. It will also set the Silverado apart. No other automaker, including Ford and Ram offer HID headlights on their base work trucks. All the other standard LED stuff is just icing on the cake and a competitive advantage for Chevrolet. .

 

And this is just the beginning. Expect other Chevy models to receive the same full-LED treatment in the next two years.

 

What do you think? Will offering more standard LED and HID lighting than the competition equate to a sales boost for Chevrolet?

[newdude]

So they are going with HID...I knew GMC switched, wasn't aware Chevy did as well. Order guide shows halogen projectors.

[Joey Allard]

Best looking work truck ever. First thing I did to my 2014 is an HID upgrade. Glad they made the switch.

[Jsdirt]

About friggin time ...

[IronBear]

Very nice, and about time for sure. I love my truck but wish it had better lighting.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

I like how GM finally went with a standard grille on the WT model and not flat black. It looks much better with the normal grille IMO. Good move with the lighting choices as well. Can't beat HID's and LED's.

[Charles Dusek]

I don't like the LEDS now on the Silverado. Looks like it is trying way too hard like to be "cool" like the GMCs. The 2015 Silverados have a the more classic look and don't need hip leds to be cool. Plus imagine changing an LED is next to impossible.

 

The HID's are a big step forward. I was surprised to find out that my 2015 2500HD High Country wouldn't come with HIDs. First thing I did was put in some 55W 6000k HIDs. They make everything light up crystal clear.

 

One concern is the automatic leveling motors in the HID headlights. I am pretty sure they have to have them and may be the reason why GMC didn't put them in. When those motors go out the headlights point down and its really hard to aim them. I had lots of issues with those on my Mercedes, but I imagine that Chevrolet HID motors will be much more reliable than the Germans.

[shedkept]

Mercedes has had automatic leveling for years. Our high mile '06 has them. Not one bit of problem, EVER. This is about dollars and cents. Sort of like the ignition lock situation and the original cost/analysis FUBAR of the last century; the Ford Pinto.

 

I don't like that they have left the rest of us with '14-'15 1500's and '15 2500's holding the bag for bad lights. The mid-production upgrade can be couched as admitting that they were wrong on the lights in both of those trucks.

 

Going out and doing your own upgrade is your business but when you drop serious money on a new truck you shouldn't have to fix it to make it safer to drive at night.

 

So the headlights, the mirrors, the squeaky upholstery on the seats against the console are things I have to live with. The mirror (should do both) is done but the seat will have no fix. It's a matter of materials chosen. Two smooth surfaces would have been ok with each other. When you put a pebble grain console against smooth leather you get a noisy seat. This isn't rocket science.

 

BTW; All '15 1500's are $10,000 off sticker now. GM at my dealer told me that "GM" wants to drop the '16's price too by a substantial amount. He wasn't tickled about that since he '15 inventory with '16's on the lot and rolling in.

[Uncle Frank]

Also for 2016 Chevrolet did away with the painted plastic piece between the bumper and the grille. Good move. It was useless, usually seemed loose and was a rock chip magnet.

[Imcrazy]

Just brought home a 2016 Silverado LT, the lights are great compared to my 14 Sierra, the LED fog lamps really light up the road and the HID headlights are pretty sweet too.

[shedkept]

I'll hold my tongue for now. I'm still amazed by the number of people who think it is their personal duty to fix the problem on the '14-'15 trucks out of their own pocket.

 

Is "Good Enough" the "American standard"?

[Imcrazy]

GM dropped the ball on the 14-15 Sierra's I would have put an LED kit in mine if I had kept it. I would have fixed it on my own just for my own safety its BS that the trucks have such poor lighting.

[Jsdirt]

I'll hold my tongue for now. I'm still amazed by the number of people who think it is their personal duty to fix the problem on the '14-'15 trucks out of their own pocket.

 

Is "Good Enough" the "American standard"?

 

GM is still in business, so ...

 

I know one thing's for certain - my grandparent's generation wouldn't have put up with this.

Edited January 2, 2016 by Jsdirt

[Gregloftis]

2015 High Country, did upgrade to hid headlights and fog lights, now having problems with drl's coming on then shutting off, any suggestions on how to fix this.

[silveradosid]

read this https://betterautomotivelighting.com/2012/05/15/hid-relay-harnesses-explained/