OK...I've found something I would definitely change if I could. I keep forgetting to turn my headlights on because the steering wheel hides the "lights on" icon on the top of the gauge cluster; I would relocate that icon to the bottom of the cluster.

 

The steering wheel tilts and telescopes so maybe you could adjust it so the light can be seen.

 

yup...sounds like you need to adjust your steering column or adjust your seat lower...

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys, but I adjusted the seat first to an ideal (for me) driving position, then noticed the icon was blocked.
Oh well....

 

Good stuff... Seating position should always take priority over dashboard visibility. I guess everything is a compromise.

 

I drove at night with my headlights off by mistake more then once.....

 

I'd rather have my seat in my optimal position instead of seeing that little icon. In addition, The gauge cluster does have day/night setting availability. You can adjust your dimmer to a lower setting for the time when the headlights are on. Then you'll know that they aren't on at night when your gauges seem brighter than they should be.

 

Thanks for the terrific tip. I'll try that.

 

I just adjust the night setting to be one notch lower in brightness. That way I can tell if the lights are on. Also if you have the nav and have the display mode on auto, the nav will go into night mode when the headlights are turned on.

Or you can just leave your headlights on all the time, since we have the auto shutoff on the headlights

 

I assume he isn't talking about forgetting to turn on the headlights at night. How do you have HIDs and not notice they're not on?

Maybe city driving? or at Dusk? Just turn them on consciously when you notice other cars with lights on, and if you make stops along the way at night (esp. in the city) leave them on. They'll cut themselves off and come back on when you come back to the car.

 

the HIDs are blindingly bright, how can anyone not tell they're on?

 

plus, your navigation will look different day/night if you have them.

 

I find that icon annoying and would be happy to not have it in my display. Please don't take this as me being a smarta$$ in any way, but how in the heck can you not tell when your headlights are on? Are you talking about when driving during the day, or maybe in a well lighted city?

 

Hide it with black electrical tape.

 

It's very easy to drive without them on.
Example: I live in a suburb of New York City, in which many main roads are very brightly lit. A few nights ago we left a brightly lit restaurant parking lot, and entered a main road which was also brightly lit. Under such conditions it's hard to notice that the lights aren't on, especially with the dash lights on.

 

Ummm....is it really that tough to figure out that you don't have your lights on? I mean, doesn't the dash stay dark if you don't have the lights on?

And one more thing, if its dark outside, shouldn't it be second nature by now to go ahead and turn on your lights? I've always wondered how people can drive at 10pm without their lights on. I don't care if the roads are all lit up, it should be second nature for someone who has been driving for a few years.

 

Our dash is always lit...

The center console stays dark, but the dash is always lit...

 

I agree. When I first got the car, I thought my brights were on when I saw that icon light up. So does everyone else when they get in the car. Not normal to have an interior light on indicating your headlights are on.

 

I've just come to the conclusion that some people are braindead when driving. Even if your in a brightly lit area, if you know its nighttime, you should at least subconsicously flick your lights on. Just dosent make any sense to me...

 

 

Our Mazda3 has an indicator light.

 

Your the exception boss

 

 

Ok, ok...braindead it is

 

Just expecting the lights to come on automatically like my wife's Chrysler.

 

It might seem hard to believe but I've been driving for many years and I'm conditioned to know my lights are on when the dash lights up.
The "subconscious" to which you refer has always responded to those dash lights as affirmation that my lights were on.
Be that as it may, and given people's reactions to my original post, that's how it is for me.
Maybe I won't drive at night ;o)

 

Hmmm... if you leave them always on, they'll shut off when you turn the car off, and come on when you turn the car on.

Not quite the same, I know.

 

Thanks for clearing that up! I was just going off what my Integra does and it seems like it would make more sense just to have it come on when you have your lights on. I guess I wasn't the type of consumer when they were deciding on this feature.

 

I know, but my OCD kicks in if I leave the light on. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night, checking the garage to make sure they are still off.

 

Well, thats a good point, but usually when your parked, most of the time you have something parked in front of you. When you look up after you start your car, dosent it seem odd there isnt this bright reflection bouncing off of whatever is in front of you? Or how about when you pull in behind a car at the first stop light or stop sign? I would think something in your brain would trigger the "somethings not right" spark. We need clinical tests!

 

The only thing I dont like about running lights during the day is the dash gets too dim. However, I have found that if you adjust the dimmer knob, you can get it to the full brightness. But, then its fully bright at night, which is kinda distracting.

 

I always wondered why I've seen some folks wearing sun glasses at night. Could this be the reason?

 

Doubt it, their just assclowns

"Don't switch the blade on the guy in shades, oh no."

 

I really do think I'm just conditioned so that if my dash lights are on, I associate that with the headlights being on, and I don't pay any conscious attention to the situations you mentioned.
I notice the headlights aren't on when I get to a dark road, or when I suddenly realize I'm driving on an airport runway and a 747 just flew 10 feet over my car ;o)

 

 

well if you realize you're driving on an airport runway, you won't ever have to worry about headlights again. They'll put you under the jail.