why is the low beam lighting so poor on the 2011 mazda 3 ?

 

As with many-many cars these days, low-beams are shot through a lens which features a sharp upper cut-off so as not to blind oncoming drivers.

 

You may want to consider adjusting the aim as well. They're probably aimed properly, but they can be raised a significant amount without blinding other drivers.

 

I understand why the cut off lens is used, but it also makes it almost impossible to spot wildlife on the road including deer which there are many in my area.

 

Yup, here in my area as well. Unfortunately every car I've had since my 1999 328i has had the upper limit of the lights cut off. Prior to then I almost never used my high-beams; now I use them all of the time.

 

Re:lack of low beam quality on my 2011 mazda 3. I was told by a local auto parts store that a possible cure for my problem may be to purchase a more intense fog light lens. any thoughts?

 

I'm thinking "bad answer". Why? Fog lights, assuming they're aimed according to the regulations, are aimed even lower than low-beam headlights. Said another way, fog lights won't do a thing for you.

 

Another option would be to swap in a clear lens and install HIDs

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most/all of the HIDs on the market have the same sharp cut-off as the standard Mazda3 halogens? I know that both of the (non-Mazda) cars I've owned with Xenons had the cut-off, and the Mazda3 GT (with Xenons) which I recently drove had the cut-off as well.

 

Thank you for your input. Ithink my next step will be to see if in fact covers w/o cutouts are available, and assuming they are legal I will try them with ths stock halogens.