The dashboard lights...

[cfz2882]

noticed recent model cars all seem to have overly bright blue glaring white LED illuminated displays and instruments-like there are 2 or 3 smartphones in the dash:can't be good for the eyes or night vision I would think...Older BMWs and mid-'80s up Pontiacs used to have red dashboard illumination to better preserve night vision and 1994 Opel SAAB 900s had a feature where just the speedo could be lighted(in green IIRC) for dark driving...

 

[rp2813]

OK Millennial,

Recognizing what constitutes today's target demographic, it comes as no surprise that making dashboards look like an array of screens would be what sells.

 

I bought a very low mileage 2012 car about a year and a half ago because I wanted normal dashboard lighting, no touch-screen controls for anything, I didn't want headlights that blind oncoming traffic, and most of all, an engine that shut off every time I came to a stop.  I'm intentionally not putting a lot of miles on this car because I don't want to be stuck with a millennial-mobile any sooner than I have to.

 

A friend of mine had placed a deposit on a Model 3 Tesla.  She went to test drive one before making her commitment to buy and found that 1) A single screen in the center of the dash operates everything (inefficiently, no doubt, as with any touch screen), and 2) There is no radio -- only subscription streaming services.   She asked the Tesla rep how she was supposed to listen to baseball games while in the car and was met with a shrug.  She opted to get her deposit back.

 

[arbilab]

Musk has people to listen to baseball for him......

 

[askolover]

The first thing I look for in a car with LED screens is how to turn them off at night due to the glare from them.  I am a vampire, have been working nights for almost 28 years and do not like a lot of lights in my face...didn't even before I started working nights.  I dim the dash lights down and turn off the radio screen.  Much more comfortable on my retinas which have issues anyway (central serous retinopathy).

 

[yogitunes]

I find dimming the dashboard and just using the HUD(heads up display) so much more pleasant to view...

lit enough to see, yet no glaring lights

 

[chachp]

Funny..

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">When I first started reading this thread my first thought was "no disrespect but ya'll have too much time on your hands...."</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">But then I thought a little more about it and realize some folks spent 1 hour plus in the car going to and from work and I guess if you spend this much time in the car these things could be really annoying.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">We have a 2012 and a 2019 in the garage.  What I find most annoying about our new car is not the type of lights on the dashboard but instead the fact that the damn car practically drives itself.  There are more annoying beeps when I get too close to this or don't do that.  Luckily, I work from home so most of my driving is up the street and back.  The only real advantage to having these features was we got a significant discount on our auto insurance which was a surprise to me.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">BTW,  the first thing I do after I start the car is hit the button that disengages that annoying feature of turning off the car at stops.  The car has the ability to have profiles for each driver where you can set all kinds of default settings except that one.  I wish I could set it so it doesn't engage when you start the car but it's not an option.  I'm sure it must save some minuscule amount of gas but over time is it good for the starter?  I don't know, maybe it doesn't hurt it much.  Time will tell I guess.</span>

 

[toploader55]

I hope my 2004 Tacoma lasts forever.

Best features...

5 Speed Manuel Transmission

Manual Controls for A/C-Heat, Headlights etc.

And most important to me... It starts with a real metal KEY.

I drive a friend's Caddy Crossover every once in a while and I hate all the nonsense.

 

[arbilab]

is it good for the starter?

It's good for selling you a new starter and about a dozen more batteries than you'd need otherwise.

 

With the engine off, doesn't the aircon quit also?  9 months a year here, that would be a dealbuster and a damnable nuisance having to 'remind' the car of that every time you get in it.

 

I strenuously hope my 86 Celica lasts the rest of my driving life.

 

[chachp]

A/C

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">We have the same issue here in Arkansas with the A/C at the stops.  Honestly, I haven't paid that much attention but I don't recall getting warm at the stops at the times I haven't shut off that feature.  Seems the air continues to run and now that I think about it, I think it switches the engine back when the car calls for A/C.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">I'll have to pay attention the next time I'm in the car.  As far as having to buy more starters....you're probably right.  We're under warranty for four years and purchased the extended so hopefully I won't have to buy one on my own.</span>

 

[DADoES]

 
My hybrid, of course, starts/stops/starts the engine under various situations.  The A/C (power steering, brakes) are electric so aren't affected.  Six+ years, no failures as yet.  Engine does need to run for heat but not continuously depending how much heat is needed.

 

[kate1]

My Honda Odyssey is a 2006 and the dash is all blue/white, I spend a lot of time commuting and my morning drive is always in the dark and it doesn’t bother me. I do know that when it comes time to buy a new one, I’m basically getting a base model to avoid the push button ignition and other nonsense. I’m a millennial but I’m definitely not attracted to all these new features, they’re just distracting in my opinion.

 

[ea56]

Re: Reply#6

I’m totally with you Eddie on this. I have a 2007 Honda Civic with just a little over 62,000 miles on it and I hope it will last forever too, and it probably will at the rate I drive now that both David and I are both retired.

I take the car in for service once a year and the year before last it needed to be in the shop for about 4 hrs. and the dealer gave me a 2017 Civic as courtesy car. OMG, that dashboard was literally loaded with crap that was totally unnecessary and distracting, especially the main board that controls the radio, heater and AC. I have always been able to make these adjustments mostly by feel, thereby still being able to pay attention to DRIVING the car! And that keyless ignition is for the birds. Give me an old fashioned key to start the car.

The car handled well and was very nice looking and comfortable, but I have no use for any of that modern technology. Soon, we will have a generation of drivers that won’t know how to drive a basic automobile, having to pay attention their surroundings because they will have become so dependent upon the car telling them what to do or doing it for them.

I guess I’ve officially become an Old Coot! In my youth I had to have a new car as often and I could manage it. Now, I plan on keeping this little Civic for the rest of my life.

Eddie

 

[chachp]

Features to keep us safe.....

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">I would be lying if I said these features haven't helped on a couple of occasions to keep me safe from myself.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">However, they do take some getting used to. </span>

 

[toploader55]

Reply 11

Thanks Eddie.

Welcome to the Old Coots Club. LOL

Just thought of this... With Smartphones driving being a hazard, distraction, etc...

I would think those touch screens should fall into the same category. I mean when I drive that Caddy Crossover/under... you have to look at the screen to change the temperature, music, GPS, all the same distractions of looking at a phone.. Which also brings to mind, would you get a ticket for changing stations on your SmartPhone ? Or would they make that fall into the category of texting ?

Hmmmmm...

Anyway, every time the Tacoma goes into the shop for a repair whether it be $200-1,000+ I just think to myself "It's better than a car payment".

 

[vacerator]

Ours are dimmable

variably, and the main light switch knob has a position to disable the dimming with all exterior lights off. In automatic setting with lights on, either park/tail, driving, or full headlights, the dimming is automatic and varies with ambient and exterior brightness. Bulb light, better idea from who would think; FORD.
Son says he might get to bring one of those soon to be unveiled Electric Mustangs home and take me for a spin. Who knows, if the leases aren't to pricey in a couple or three years?

 

[thomasortega]

One more reason to love Alexa...

 

[retro-man]

I don't understand why so many don't like keyless starting. I have had it on vehicles for over 7 years now and love it. The fob just stays in my pocket all the time. Lock, unlock the doors, plus rear hatch door opens. Push a button it starts, push same button it shuts off. How simple is that. Sort of like all of our appliances. How can it be good on one thing but ridiculous on anther. I guess people just like to whine over changes. I am trying not to be this way as I get older.

Jon

 

[chachp]

Voice recognition

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;"></span>

<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">... you have to look at the screen to change the temperature, music, GPS, all the same distractions of looking at a phone.. Which also brings to mind, would you get a ticket for changing stations on your SmartPhone ? Or would they make that fall into the category of texting ? </span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 14pt;">Most of the vehicles with these options also have voice recognition.  I have ours set up so I can do most things with my voice so I don't find that too distracting.  As I mentioned earlier, it takes a little time to get used to it.  I have spent some time setting up Favorites for the NAV, phone calls and radio stations, etc.   Having done that I don't have to take my hand off the wheel much.  I press a button on the steering wheel and say what I need.   I'm 65 so I fall into the category of those who could be someone who doesn't want to change.  I decided a few years back that I could be stubborn and not change but that doesn't slow down change around me.  I'm the one who would lose out while the world zips on by me.</span>

[COLOR=#000000; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; background-color: #ffffff] [/COLOR]

<span style="font-weight: normal;">I can open the garage with my voice and park the car (I think).  I haven't figured those out yet.  When we went through our orientation they told us we could do these things and demo'd them but I'm not quite there yet.  They are on my list.</span>

 

 

[toploader55]

@ Chach

I get that Chach.

But for those of us who do not have the latest technology in our vehicles as in my '04 Tacoma, I run Pandora via Bluetooth in my truck. So, when I want to change the station, I need to look at the phone.

Just wondering about if the police saw that, what would happen. I guess I will just be cautious as always and look around to see if there are any police around when Ineed to change the music.