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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Driving / July 2005GM's automatic headlights, again...
Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do some paperwork was on vacation... but I digress) ANYWAY... any doubt in my mind that the automatic headlights are a bad idea has now been erased. When you leave the vehicle, the lights stay on for 30 seconds or so... SO... when you look back at it to check to see if you left your lights on it freaks you out for a minute, until you tell yourself "oh, it's just the automatic lights" BUT... what if you really *did* leave them on? talk about an incentive to never manually turn on your headlights, even when they may be needed... (rain, etc.) And of course, this "feature" is difficult to defeat... nate > Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine > is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > And of course, this "feature" is difficult to defeat... I agree...it is distracting and really serves no purpose. I do know that the women (those in my life anyway) like it a lot though. It gives them what I would call a false sense of security. > Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine > is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > nate At least it helps you socialize - you get to talk to the people that tell you 'hey, you left your lights on!' >> Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine >> is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > At least it helps you socialize - you get to talk to the people > that tell you 'hey, you left your lights on!' I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me that. >> And of course, this "feature" is difficult to defeat... How do you defeat it? Do you have to beg the dealer for help? >At least it helps you socialize - you get to talk to the people >that tell you 'hey, you left your lights on!' My sister met new people after she had knee surgery. A leg brace is a conversation-starter. But I think overall she'd rather have her knee intact.  SignatureJohn Carr (jfc@mit.edu) > Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine > is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do > some paperwork was on vacation... but I digress) ANYWAY... any doubt > in my mind that the automatic headlights are a bad idea has now been > erased. When you leave the vehicle, the lights stay on for 30 seconds > or so... On my jeep I can manually override this if I choose by quickly switching the lights from AUTO to OFF and back to AUTO after I shut off the engine. Maybe it'll work for you too. > > Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine > > is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > lights from AUTO to OFF and back to AUTO after I shut off the engine. Maybe > it'll work for you too. no such position. Switch has "auto" "park" "on" positions, no "off." Which is another gripe that has already been discussed here... :/ nate >> On my jeep I can manually override this if I choose by quickly >> switching the lights from AUTO to OFF and back to AUTO after I shut [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Which is another gripe that has already been discussed here... :/ Wow. No wonder people hate GM so much. What crap. > >> On my jeep I can manually override this if I choose by quickly > >> switching the lights from AUTO to OFF and back to AUTO after I shut [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Wow. No wonder people hate GM so much. What crap. Followup: DRLs were changed to low beam sometime between '02 and '05. Has GM seen the light? (intended...) we can only hope. I did figure out how to disable the "feature" that leaves your lights on after you shut the car off. With low beam DRLs most of my objections to the lighting have gone away, while I am still not ecstatic about the auto headlights - I can live with them. Actually the car is one of those love/hate things. It actually drives better than I have come to expect. There's actually a decent about of feedback through the steering wheel and brake pedal. It's still a wallowy pig, but nowhere near as bad as GMs I've driven in the past. (I called my '02 GTI a wallowy pig as well, so perhaps my taste in cars leans towards the go-kartish.) It's inoffensively styled, much nicer than just about every other GM design on the market, even if I wouldn't nominate it for any design awards. I was, overall, pleasantly surprised at it being decent. That said... it's friggin' gutless. the 3400 is a joke in the Impala, it would be acceptable in a Cavalier maybe. It actually doesn't appear as a problem however until you actually try to accelerate quickly however - I have next to no respect for that whole engine family but the objectionable noises and vibes seem to have been mostly eradicated. It just doesn't have enough beans to get the job done. The tranny downshifts at a sneeze on the gas pedal, but it has to because of the gutless engine and super-mega-overdrive top gear (not really a bad thing, if you are doing a lot of driving on flat highways.) It's fairly inoffensive; if GM hasn't forgotten how to build a durable auto trans like Ford and Chrysler apparently have, I don't have anything bad to say about the tranny. Also it is decontented to the point of pain; IMHO the back seat would be inexcusable in a Hyundai and the fact that it doesn't fold down is ludicrous (yeah, I know, a folding seat is optional, but still... what is the point of buying a car that big if you can't haul stuff and don't want to sit in the back?) there are no gauges (yeah, I know, the 3800 gets a real dashboard but that wasn't part of the fleet deal) and there's still a few ergonomic gaffes like the parking brake, the shift lever that blocks the little thumbwheels for the dash vent, stuff like that. And the stereo is all bassy and unpleasant - I'm sure it appeals to the ghetto crowd but come on, would a little sophistication really kill ya? Too bad they tied all these stupid other functions to the stereo; I would really like to try an aftermarket head unit. So yet again GM manages to piss me off by offering (for a shockingly high price - sticker was something in the neighborhood of $23K) a car that still feels inferior to similarly priced offerings by VW and others that I've traditionally been interested in. Verdict: I can live with the car but I sure as hell would never have paid my own money for it. Now if they'd get rid of some of the useless crap like the auto-light gimcrackery and offer a better engine, heated leather seats with a folding rear seat, and fix the ergonomic mistakes instead, they might have something... Maybe a police package would be more my taste, if I could get the fleet lady to order me one next time around :) nate >> >> On my jeep I can manually override this if I choose by quickly >> >> switching the lights from AUTO to OFF and back to AUTO after I shut [quoted text clipped - 62 lines] > > nate Yes, the ridiculous GM "gimcrackery" has to go. Hmmm...wonder where we've heard that before! >IMHO the back seat would be inexcusable in a Hyundai and the fact that >it doesn't fold down is ludicrous (yeah, I know, a folding seat is >optional, but still... what is the point of buying a car that big if >you can't haul stuff and don't want to sit in the back?) there are no >gauges (yeah, I know, the 3800 gets a real dashboard but that wasn't >part of the fleet deal) If you wanted to haul stuff, why didn't you pick a Malibu MAXX instead of an Impala? It would still have the 3.5L from the same family as the 3.4L that you don't really like, but the 3.5L supposedly has more power and better fuel economy than the older 3.4L. Signature------------------------------------------------------------------------ Timothy J. Lee Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome. No warranty of any kind is provided with this message. > >IMHO the back seat would be inexcusable in a Hyundai and the fact that > >it doesn't fold down is ludicrous (yeah, I know, a folding seat is [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > 3.4L that you don't really like, but the 3.5L supposedly has more power > and better fuel economy than the older 3.4L. Didn't have a choice. Apparently there's this whole heirarchy of what people get what cars and due to the fact that I have "manager" in my job title, I automatically get the more "upmarket" car, i.e. the Impala. Plus i think we're supposed to have big cars in case we need to wine 'n' dine any customers. I actually thought about seeing if I could "downgrade" to a Malibu (non-Maxx version) to get a slightly sportier ride, but I don't like the styling at all. Also only having worked for the company a couple weeks I'm not really in a position to be making special requests yet. nate > Didn't have a choice. Apparently there's this whole heirarchy of what > people get what cars and due to the fact that I have "manager" in my [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > nate I know what you mean. Companies like to give the same vehicle to the same type of worker, regardless of whether it makes sense or not. One company I worked for was constantly complaining about how much gas I used in the company vehicle that I was required to drive. Never mind that the vehicle had a HUGE V6 engine which I didn't need, as I was always alone, and only carried about 50 pounds of stuff with me. A base model corolla or civic would have been a more appropriate vehicle for what I was using it for. And I wouldn't have had to listen to the higher-ups complain about all the gas I was using. (well, they still might have complained, but my fuel costs would have been cut in HALF, so I doubt if they would have complained AS MUCH) And honestly, I would have been happier driving the corolla or civic also, as I prefer small cars. -Dave <snip> > what if you really *did* leave them on? > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > nate My wife drives a '97 Bonneville with automatic headlights. I am just wondering, how do you deal with the lights not coming on when you're in "Lights on while wipers in use" areas? I also drive a GM car ('00 Sunfire) but the lights are manual, a "disadvantage" I prefer. Eric ><snip> > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >wondering, how do you deal with the lights not coming on when you're in >"Lights on while wipers in use" areas? There is a manual override. RTFM. :) >><snip> >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > There is a manual override. RTFM. :) According to Chris, this situation hardly ever happens. Curious. What has been your experience with the frequency of needing to use the manual ON override? > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Eric That's my whole gripe... normally I would just turn the lights on manually... but in this car you might not notice if you turn them on manually and then *leave* them on... not cool. I guess I may have to train myself to check the headlight switch every time I leave the car... nate >> <snip> >> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > nate What I ended up doing is just turning them on manually when ever the lights should be on, even if they were already on. Then manual operation becomes habit so one is less likely to forget (is a automatic reaction). > >> <snip> > >> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > should be on, even if they were already on. Then manual operation becomes > habit so one is less likely to forget (is a automatic reaction). I already do that, my point was how do you 100% remember to turn them off, since they are always still on when you leave the car no matter what position the switch is in? nate > I already do that, my point was how do you 100% remember to turn them > off, since they are always still on when you leave the car no matter > what position the switch is in? I think your Impala will beep at you if you remove the key with the regular lights on >> I already do that, my point was how do you 100% remember to turn them >> off, since they are always still on when you leave the car no matter >> what position the switch is in? > > I think your Impala will beep at you if you remove the key with the > regular lights on GM cars "chime" when someone in the car has a smelly butt. Even hit the door locks...it chimes three times to tell you it's in 6-second lock mode, etc. Eventually one ignores something that chimes so frequently and at so many "events". It would be easy to misinterpret a headlight on chime for a door lock chime. >> >> <snip> >> >> [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > off, since they are always still on when you leave the car no matter > what position the switch is in? I see your point. Hmmm... Well if you do the "cover the sensor" idea that someone gave you over at the GM NG, that will solve the problem. I wish I had thought of that! >Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine >is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >what if you really *did* leave them on? On my GM car, the lights turn on and off automatically based on ambient lighting conditions - it's impossible to "leave them on." On my Tacoma, the lights are manually controlled, but if you leave them on a timer shuts them off automatically after a minute or so. >>Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine >>is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > On my GM car, the lights turn on and off automatically based on > ambient lighting conditions - it's impossible to "leave them on." Yours must be different compared to most other GM's, If one needs to switch the lights on manually (say during a snow storm when the auto system may not work because the ambient light can be too bright AND/OR wipers aren't needed since the snow just blows off of the windhield), one can leave the lights on with most GM vehicles IF once forgets to set the switch back to "Auto". > On my Tacoma, the lights are manually controlled, but if you leave > them on a timer shuts them off automatically after a minute or so. I think quite a few of the Toyota's do that. Maybe GM should implement that design as well for when people forget and leave their manual switch on. > Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine > is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > what if you really *did* leave them on? My parent's Grand Caravan has this feature. However, only the headlights stay on, not the parking and side marker lights. So it's easy to tell the difference. > talk about an incentive to never manually turn on your headlights, even > when they may be needed... (rain, etc.) > > And of course, this "feature" is difficult to defeat... Ulf > nate > Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine > is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > what if you really *did* leave them on? My neighbor's daughter can tell you. She came out to a dead battery in her Aztek a time or two. Which might explain why she would leave out of the neighborhood on some foggy mornings with dark taillights...just like her dad does in his Impala. It is curious why GM engineered the lights to remain on for a period of time by default after cutting the engine. The Chrysler products I own now have the off delay as a option. IF you turn the lights off before cutting the engine, the lights go out immediately. If you turn the lights off *after* cutting the engine, they will stay on for a minute or so, then go out. So if you need the illumination, you have it. Otherwise cut the lights immediately. > talk about an incentive to never manually turn on your headlights, even > when they may be needed... (rain, etc.) According to Chris, that will never happen anyway. Let us know your experience after a few months. > And of course, this "feature" is difficult to defeat... > > nate > It is curious why GM engineered the lights to remain on for a period of time > by default after cutting the engine. The Chrysler products I own now have [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > if you need the illumination, you have it. Otherwise cut the lights > immediately. I don't know about current model Subarus, but the '92 model I have has the best solution. The lights would immediatly shut off when the ignition was switched off if you failed to switch them off beforehand. The lights were the manual kind as well. My Audi will shut the low beams off, but leave the sidemarker lights illuminated if I shut the ignition off without switching the lights off. I'm now trying to figure out how to disable the DRLs on my dad's Acura RL. Pulling the fuse has the desired result except for the "Check DRL system" message that won't go away ... >Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine >is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do >some paperwork was on vacation... but I digress) ANYWAY... any doubt >in my mind that the automatic headlights are a bad idea has now been >erased. When you leave the vehicle, the lights stay on for 30 seconds >or so... AFAIK, the Impala owner's manual has instructions on how to disable the headlamp delay (or extend it to 60 seconds...). Maybe GM enables the "feature" by default so that owners who are not inclined to read the manual are aware that the feature exists (as John S mentioned, some people actually *prefer* the headlamp delay). -- Chuck Tomlinson > >Just got an Impala last night (company car... not actually mine, mine > >is at a dealership somewhere because someone who was supposed to do [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > -- > Chuck Tomlinson Well, I get "my" car today... hopefully this one comes with the manual so I can figure out which features I can't defeat and which ones are just factory set by default! nate > AFAIK, the Impala owner's manual has instructions on how to > disable the headlamp delay (or extend it to 60 seconds...). When one *has* to read the owner manual in order to know how to work the lights, perhaps the control system is just a wee-bit "over-engineered". >"Chuck Tomlinson" <v8chuck@yahoo.com> wrote in message >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >When one *has* to read the owner manual in order to know how to work the >lights, perhaps the control system is just a wee-bit "over-engineered". Perhaps. I downloaded a 2005 Impala owner's manual from the Chevrolet Owner's Center: various customization settings (including the headlamp delays) are changed via the _radio_. The procedure is probably impossible to figure out unless the owner's manual is consulted. But if the owner does choose to RTFM, the procedure is quite easy to follow. I can't say whether GM made a reasonable decision when they decided to "overload" frequently-used buttons for seldom- (or rarely-)used features. But FWIW, I don't have a problem with having to read an owner's manual (whether electronic or paper) for a setup procedure that I would probably use exactly once. -- Chuck Tomlinson > Perhaps. I downloaded a 2005 Impala owner's manual from > the Chevrolet Owner's Center: various customization settings > (including the headlamp delays) are changed via the _radio_. Ummmm, what if you want an aftermarket radio? Dave >>Perhaps. I downloaded a 2005 Impala owner's manual from >>the Chevrolet Owner's Center: various customization settings >>(including the headlamp delays) are changed via the _radio_. > > Ummmm, what if you want an aftermarket radio? I'll bet that's not the only way to do it, just the only way easily available at home. The dealership could probably be persuaded to (grudgingly) plug your car into their computer and reprogram it's "features." Signature~/Garth |"I believe that it is better to tell the truth than a lie. Almgren | I believe it is better to be free than to be a slave. ******* | And I believe it is better to know than to be ignorant." (pgp@v6stang.com for secure mail info) --H.L. Mencken (1880-1956) > >>Perhaps. I downloaded a 2005 Impala owner's manual from > >>the Chevrolet Owner's Center: various customization settings [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > (grudgingly) plug your car into their computer and reprogram it's > "features." Too much hassle, I'll stick with Honda/Toyota. Dave >> Perhaps. I downloaded a 2005 Impala owner's manual from >> the Chevrolet Owner's Center: various customization settings [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Dave You'll loose the "chimes" too....those also are generated by the radio. |
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