while washing my car today, i noticed that on the fender just infront of the rear wheels, there r these kinda square panals. u can feel the outline. they look like they r suppose to pop out or something. anyone know what these r and what its for?

 

I just found those today as well. I believe they are just CLEAR protectors from rocks, etc.

 

I've noticed that also when I went to see the cars at the dealership. I wasn't aware that this was never bought up and thought maybe it was something already discussed. Not even the salesguy knew...

 

If you open the back door, at least on mine, the plastic wraps into the door jam area and is just clear plastic w/sticky on it I guess. Why they are they, guess for stones? But sure is in a strange place for that. I'm more worried that it'll come off, loosen up or smthg someday. It also collects the wax and makes a white line that you have to clean carefully at the edge of it...pain.

 

Strategically placed based on their experiences during testing I'm sure.

 

yeah it's like pieces of strategically placed clear bra. someone mentioned it before and it was one of the first things i looked at. mine has it and i don't think you have to worry about it coming off for a long time. BTW this car is GREAT!! my god the headlights work great!! took a night drive last night WOW!!

 

Rock guard... Funny as the dealership asked me if I wanted them to remove them. Glad they are there. Just wish the entire car were like that! I've already got a very small chip in my paint.

 

They are rock guards. If you are curious about their positioning take a look at any 911.

 

I am with you on the great headlights Zoom44. I work Wed nights and coming home both nights since I have owned the car has been a treat inside and out.with regard to lighting. The headlights shoot a beam in a wide arc and illuminate both sides of the road well. There is a distinct cutoff vertically but not relevant. EXCELLENT CAR.

 

Got to love HID's .... that is why I converted my FD lights to HID. :D

 

I've been through this discussion on another board, but basically the abrupt vertical cutoff does make the headlights less useful than they could be in rural areas and hilly/mountanous ones.

The S2000's headlights have a similar vertical cutoff and they are difficult to drive with at times requiring the use of high beams perhaps more often than many people are used to.

Other HID systems, for example those on the Audi TT and the Litronic system on Porsches have a much more gradual vertical cutoff rather like reflector halogen headlights that make them a bit more useful in areas you do want more vertical illumination but not giving so much that you blind oncoming drivers.

 

I was a bit surprized with rqt. that High Beams don't have to be lowered until you are about 70 yards behind car travelling same direction here. Must have been written before HIDs.

 

That's what high beam is for.
I've never understood why anyone would drive on low beam voluntarily. If there's no traffic in front of me or oncoming, my lights are on high. Why squint when more light is a simple switch flick away? It doesn't matter if the low beam is HID or DOT-approved "glow puddle", high beam is there to be used.