By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
My son fooled around with our answering machine and somehow got it talking like an English lady. People sometimes hang up without leaving a message because they think they got a wrong number.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Why, you might ask? My wife has found several different modes when the auto lights don't turn off, resulting in a dead battery the next morning in her vehicle. The algorithm apparently won't turn the headlights off for any number of reasons, among them a door ajar. That said, she leaves the switch in the "auto" position. Different strokes. . .
Yeah, I have a manual transmission too. Yet, somehow I manage.
It also was mid size coupe and had a 4 cylinder turbo engine with a 5 speed manual transmission.
I'm willing to take the chance on newer auto technology.
MY wife just bought a small suv that has auto headlights, front and rear sensors parking sensors, rear view camera, blind spot warning system, remote start, and HANDS OFF parallel parking. :P
I wonder why the drivers don't realize they need their lights on to be seen. It seems that Camrys don't have them nor do Accords, at least some models don't.
All of our cars have automatic lights, Cobalt and two leSabres. The leSabres have power systems that turn everything off after 10-12 minutes, even if headlights are turned on bypassing the automatic system or interior lights, etc., are left on.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
What did throw me off early on is there is indeed an off position where you can just turn off the lights completely. Well, almost completely. The dash lights still come one. There were a couple of times early on where I'd pull out and wonder why it looked so dark. Everything is fine now. I've even sometimes learned to appreciate that there is like a 30 second delay after you leave the car before the lights go out (which you can override just by hitting the lock button on the fob). When I come home at night and the porch light isn't on teh extra light is nice. I need all the help I can get.
Because they are literally (used properly, for once) asleep at the switch.
The goal appears to be a self-driving pod that takes one from location A to location B, with no thought or participation by the participant (previously known as the driver). Many people need that and even more want it.
I don't.
There are enough things to think about in life without having to think whether your lights are on or off. Every time I get in the 535 I have to press the start button, open the garage door, press the button that turns the engine off when you stop the car, tune the radio, put the car in gear, drive forward out of the garage, press the button to lower the garage door, stop and look both ways at the end of the drive, check review mirror to make sure the door came down. I don't need another step....turn on the headlights. :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's another thing, not just when starting up but remembering to turn your lights on at dusk when you are driving. Maybe the guys here are more into remembering car related matters, but, there are lots of people who don't remember. Dusk creeps up, and the instrument panel lights are on but you can't really tell if the headlights are on at dusk....so, it is easy to forget.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Maybe Camry and Honda owners get so bored driving they are lulled into forgetting about their headlights, and don't know there is an automatic setting.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I cannot argue your point because driving, in order to be safe, must be accomplished by people who are alert, aware of their surroundings and environment, who can "feel" the relationship of their car to that environment. But have you noticed how unaware a majority of the drivers are regarding the above?
At the average traffic light, there is always at least one driver who is either texting or talking on their cell phone. And when the light turns green, how often do we have to honk our horns to get those drivers to pay attention to their surroundings? On the highway, how often have we had to pass a car going too slowly because of texting or talking on the phone?
So, the more safety equipment we put on cars, the better when it comes to keeping these drivers from not only killing themselves, but from killing us. Thank goodness for auto headlights. It isn't very often we see a car at night going down the street with its lights off like we used to see all the time - that's because of auto headlights.
Lane departure warnings and blind spot monitors would reduce accidents and injuries because these texters and cell phone idiots need something to remind them there are other cars on the road besides them.
If we could count on all drivers being alert and aware of their surroundings, we wouldn't need these features - but so long as we have idiots on the road, we need features to protect us from being killed.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Now, both our cars are fully automatic on/off and have DRLs of some sort. My daughter may never have to turn on her own lights. Which could be a problem if someday, she has to drive a car that requires it!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Also, I didn't know if the cars I had mentioned had auto lights that could be turned off or what. I just think in this age of technology with airbags that adjust for the weight or absence of a passenger to adjust the explosion, lights should be auto on for safety. They should be not defeatable.
The technology can be confusing. I recall on our leSabre the salesman told us to use either the manual switch or let the auto switch do it all (which it does anyhow). But using the manual switch to try to turn them off can end up with them in manual ON. Then they stay on for 12 minutes until the battery saver system turns everything off. People go crazy trying to get them off using the auto on system's Twilight Sentinal control which adjusts the time the lights stay on after automatic off--but instead they have turned the lights on manually trying to get them off.
Add to that the fact that the automatic windshield wiper sensors turn the lights on, daytime too, when they are in automatic position for sensing. So people try to get the wiper-induced lights off with the manual switch.
Technology can get complicated. I recall folks trying to figure out much more esoteric technology systems on their vehicles here in SFSFL.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My wife and son keep the auto headlamps activated on their cars, but I never use the feature on my commuter sled. My Jeep and the "vintage" BMWs have manual lamps, which suits me just fine; when remembering to turn on the headlamps overtaxes my driving ability I'll start taking the bus...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
At my job I have to be able to parallel park a 35' long school bus without any gizmos to help. On some routes there are no directions so I have to take addresses off 30 individual permission slips and plan a route in my head without a map let alone NAV system.
The bus does have automatic headlights though. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
My wife's PT Cruiser has the opposite. When you unlock the door with the fob the lights come on and stay on for about a minute. I hate that as the fob has quite a range and I'm always locking and unlocking her doors as the keys shift in my pocket. At odd moments we can be startled by the light going on and the horn beeping.
Another useless gimmick.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
That's so driving doesn't interfere with their texting. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Maybe there's a new car manager who's in trouble for ordering so many.
Wow.. probably so... My local dealer stocks about 95% AWD, and that's in Cincinnati...
Of course, if you add in the M3, that will skew it a little bit towards RWD..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Now it has become a Mustang thing. Seems it started with the 2013 since they are easily recognizable apart from previous years with the raised hood lines. Also the hood vents set GT apart from the non GT models. However, now the 12s and 11s seem to be doing the wave since they have almost 420 HP. That's fine with me. As long as it doesn't include the 05-10s which have something in the low 300 HPs.
Lately, the 2005-2010 crowd has been trying to get a nod especially if their car is clean or tastefully modded. Upon asking fellow 13 owners I was told the 2013 guy has the choice. Wave or no wave. Maybe the very subdued index finger wave from the steering wheel.
If this gets any more confusing I'm going to get a BMW and snub everybody (just like driver). :shades: Or better yet, get a big S Class Benz with shaded windows so all the plebes can kiss my grits. (like Mike). The last part is JOKING around...so don't flame my inbox.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
At my job I have to be able to parallel park a 35' long school bus without any gizmos to help
Wow, you are my hero!
I have no idea how you do that. Also, when I go by a lot with school buses they are all backed in to their spots, all parked about 1 foot apart! That must take a lot of skill. You don't want to be the one going back and forward 20 times to get into your spot.
I bet that self-parallel-parking feature would be greatly appreciated for bus drivers.
In Toronto people have taken photos with their phones of bus drivers texting or talking on a cell phone while driving a bus. They try to get those drivers fired, but often the union will fight for them to stay on. Some video shows the driver steering and texting at the same time!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That is just so dumb that I can't comment without profanity. :mad:
Having said that, there is a rumor at work that one of the women drivers got a 90 day suspension for doing just that.
Since my son lost my cell phone I don't even have one of those. I wouldn't know how to text if I tried. My ham fists can barely work the i pad without screwing things up.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
That is just so dumb that I can't comment without profanity
Not only that, but after the first one was caught, there have been several more;
Not being able to text is probably a good thing. Some friends were saying they hate to drive in the car with their S-I-L who is constantly reading texts or sending texting.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
THANKS RICHARD! See, I really do pay attention to the useful information shared on this forum.
Gogiboy
On another note. My car insurance dropped over $500/year just for getting married. I figure if I divide the cost of the wedding I'll make it back in 80 years!!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
We have a couple of lawyers in the area who almost always get their clients off scot free. It is very rare for these guys to lose.
Our son had one of these guys on speed dial for a couple of years!
Around here, showing up in court will get most tickets reduced to "parking on pavement" or some other nonsense with a fine. From the assembly line way it is handled it is clear that it's just a money grab.
Just once I'd like to see the hundreds packed into traffic court demand a trial and shut the kangaroo court down.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I know that in several states, it is illegal to text while driving as well as illegal to talk on a hand held cell phone. I just don't understand why Bluetooth is not standard on all cars and why all states don't ban texting and hand held phone calls. These people are the cause of so many accidents and injuries yet these politicians do nothing.
I never take my phone out of my belt holder when I am driving. I use my Bluetooth all the time and I only text if I am parked or outside of the car.
THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Even if there were, it wouldn't apply to union people.
Especially now.
Congratulations gogi....that is a great deal. It was really worth the extra work to find that guy who fights tickets.
Will you be driving more carefully? After my 96 in a 70 mph ticket in February I have been much more careful....the thought of higher insurance premiums and the hassle of tickets just isn't worth it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Just read in the Tampa Bay newspaper; A woman was driving and talking on her cell phone. The phone dropped on the floor, she bent over to get it, her car swerved out of control, rolled over, and someone behind her ran into her car and he died.....because of her total stupidity. She was just injured!
Sometimes life isn't fair.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
But driver I thought in Canada you guys were on the metric system. Didn't you really mean 96 kph rather mph? Besides 96 mph in Canada would translate into 154.5 kph, a speed that would perhaps have your car impounded.
Isellhondas - it is so true what you say about options. The car & it's driving experience mean so much more to me than the gadgets. I'm not going to lie & tell you I don't LOVE my BMW's heated seats, heated steering wheel, auto trans (such a pleasure in traffic), & swiveling bi-xenon headlights, but I'm probably going to skip the navi option on the next car.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Let's see what I've been missing....
It's getting dark....time to twist my turn signal switch and turn on the lights....click...now, that wasn't a hard thing to do!
Getting out of the car now.....oops, forgot to turn out the lights!.....nasty gong reminds me that I didn't turn off my lights!.....click....all is well now!"
The biggest problem I have with automatic headlights is that they don't automatically come on when it's raining during the daytime! In Georgia, it's the law to do turn your lights on if it's raining...a good idea, in my opinion.
But driver's with automatic lights just set it to Auto and forget it. They'll come on when they need to....except when they don't!
I've been researching new cars for my Mom and found some cars that have Automatic OFF headlights, usually with a time delay of 60-seconds or so. This could be a good safety feature for someone who parks in an area with little or no lighting at night. The delay on the headlights would give them a minute or so of extra security.
Beyond that, if you are too dumb to know when to turn your lights on (I can't see anything!) or turn them off (why is my driveway so bright tonight?)...you really have no business driving at all!
Many newer cars have auto lights that come on whenever the auto or manual wipers are engaged for more than 20 seconds. My car has auto lights and auto wipers (rain sensing) so during the day, whenever the wiper go on for 10 consecutive seconds, the lights automatically come on and stay on so long as the wipers are on.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
And for the veterans of WWII, there is a special place in our hearts for you. You were indeed the greatest generation--thank you for your valor and ultimate sacrifice. Without your courage the world would be a different place today.
And to tie these sentiments to cars, when I die I would like to be buried in Cadillac.
Beautifully stated - in fact so well presented I read your comments to my Dad (WWII veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star) who wanted me to thank you for those beautiful and meaningful words. He is almost completely blind now and very hard of hearing and his memory is failing, but he can still recount the story of how and why he was awarded the Silver Star.
He tells me that during the Battle of the Bulge, he was a cryptographer (coding and decoding top secret communications for the general officers near the front) when the Germans over-ran their position. His unit was pinned down by two machine gun positions. He took his Thompson Machine Gun and 5 grenades and singlehandedly took out both positions, saving the lives of 23 soldiers and officers, getting wounded by shrapnel in the skirmish. Over 50 soldiers and officers were killed as a result of those two machine gun positions by the Germans. Dad was in the army hospital for over a month healing from his wounds.
Yes, I am very proud of him and perhaps reaching the age of 90 is God's way of showing his appreciation of what he did.
Thanks for those kind words!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
bwia, I got my ticket in Tennessee on the way back from Florida, so it actually was 96 MPH in a 70 MPH zone. Officer of the Law said he could make it dangerous driving, but if I just sent in the money it would just be a fine - $200.
I could have gone to court, but, that would mean a trip back to Tennessee, on their schedule.
Briefly, I had been following two trucks that wouldn't let anyone by for 20 miles, one in each lane. When the truck in the passing lane finally gave up, moved back to right lane, I just gave a burst of speed to get by the two lunatics, and the cop was in the bushes waiting. He got me at max speed, and I was past the trucks and would have slowed down again. There were about 20 cars behind me waiting to get by too.
I'll treat it as a reminder, try to go the speed limit, and not have to worry about cops lurking about.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Not as straightforward as it sounds igo.
All our cars have had auto headlights since 1999, about 7 cars. So, when I rented this Altima without auto lights we were at a grocery store, with a well lit parking lot.
When I started the car, the instruments were brightly lit, so I assumed, if the instrument lights can come on, then the headlights would be on.
When I stopped at the edge of the roadway, I realized it looked pretty dark. I searched around and found the switch to turn on the headlights.
The first stop we came to after getting off the highway, there was a cop going the other direction at a 4-way stop. I was really glad I realized the headlights needed to be turned on.
I know the people here are less likely to forget turning lights on or off, but for most of the driving public, auto lights are a great invention - and it can't hurt even for the pros.
What kind of cars are you looking at for your Mom?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
What kind of crazy design is that if you have auto on dash lights but not headlights?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
As for the auto headlight function, my 79 Continental had them, so IMO today's cars should have them standard. Even my crank window 99 S10 has auto lights.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
As far as I'm concerned, ALL cell phone usage should be banned while driving!
A driver should concentrate on DRIVING and not on the content of a telephone call!
Exactly! When I saw the dash lights lit up like a pinball machine I assumed the headlights were on.
How am I supposed to know if they can make the dash light up, why can't they make the headlights come on? l
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That I never heard of before.
I just read if you want to know what side of the car the gas filler cap is on, there is a little picture of a gas tank on the fuel guage - if it is on the left the filler cap is on the left, and if on the right, it will be on the right. Or, there could be an arrow, like this;
There are lots of theories why some tanks are on the right, some on the left. Seems the answer that makes the most sense is, it is on the other side from where the exhaust pipe goes.
Some people think it is done so cars will be more evenly balanced at gas stations, some will fuel up on the right side of the island, others from the left.
Some people believe European cars have fillers on the right, because gas pumps in Europe could be only on the right side...they don't have a big lot with islands like we do. Some feel it is safer on the right, because if you were to add gas from a can, you would want to be on the side of the road.
Some people believe it is on the left so it is faster to get to when you get out of the car.
No one knows the real reason :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
There's a saying "You can't fix stupid". You can outlaw everything under the sun but stupid people will still do it. Cell and text are against the law here in NY but every day I see dozens doing it. They also eat, read the paper and paint their toenails while they drive.
I like one outrageous suggestion that was made in jest. Instead of making cars safer they should be made more dangerous. If you put 10 pounds of TNT on the bumpers of each car or a bayonet sticking out of the steering column no one would dare drive foolishly because the consequences would be evident.
Perhaps we make cars so safe that people no longer feel the danger.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
That I never heard of before
Really? My dad's 1974 Fiat 125 (European midsize car, of course not available here) had such a light, so did many other cars that vintage and size, it is not a new concept at all, well prior those lit gauges. I also had the light on 2008 Subaru STI, which coincidently had electroluminescent gauges. Granted, my other cars had not had the light.
I think owners of their cars should read the manuals or think a little about how those work and what's different from the previous one. Just saying...
2018 430i Gran Coupe
A woman was putting on her makeup the other day and very nearly swerved into my lane. Scared me so bad that I dropped my cell phone. It knocked the donut out of my other hand and it fell into the cup of coffee I was holding between my knees ! Darn women drivers !
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Yes, I have a green light in the shape of a lightbulb that lights up, day or night, when the headlights are on. When the fog lights are on, an amber light on the shape of a lightbulb lights up. And if I put on the "brights", a bulb in yellow lights up showing "AFL" (adaptive front lights) system is on. That system works by picking up either headlights from an oncoming car or tail lights from a car in front of me and automatically turns off the brights until the system no longer picks up oncoming lights or rear lights from another car.
Of course, I can manually turn on lights of I desire, but so long as the lighting system is turned to "A" (auto), I don't ever have to deal with any lights, front or rear. I also have rear fog lights that come on in the day or night when that button is depressed.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger