Instrument lighting dangerous?

[siggie]

Now that the days are shorter and I need my headlights on earlier, I've noticed that I sometimes forget to turn on my headlights when they should be on. The reason is that the instrument lights are always on. I've never had a car before in which the instruments lights being on does not mean the headlights are also on (or at least the parking lights). I think it is dangerous that there is no obvious way from looking at the instrument lighting to tell whether the headlights are on, or off. About the only way to tell that the headlights are on from inside the cabin (besides looking at the switch, which is partially hidden by the steering wheel) is that the ventilation controls are illuminated only when the headlights are on. Is this type of instrument lighting also used in other cars, or is this unique to the Versa?

[Fla_Versa]

There are numerous 2007 car models that have gone to a full-time lit dash package. The newer Nissans all have it (2007 Sentra, Altima, Versa, Armada, Titan), and recently I saw this in the new Honda Civic and Toyota Camery.

I agree that there should be something more aparent for folks to realize that their headlights are on or off. I am not a particular fan of auto-dark sensing-headlights, but the photocells are cheap and associated circuitry is pretty straight forward.

It would be nice if there was some "display" of lights on or off. I agree, the turn signal switch is not easily spotted from a normal driving position.

For most folks, not being able to see your dash instruments was always your first clue to turn on your headlights. Long ago (even more) having my headlights on and still not seeing dash lights was a clue that my rear lights (and/or brake lights) were out.

It is cool having the lighted dash panel, so I guess the human brain has to keep up with the daytime/nighttime aspects for the headlights. I hope there won't be a court in our land that will try to hold the car responsible for the driver not having their lights on.

-paul

[MIdnkight-lude]

my last car was full digital and so it hard to tell when the light are on and off on both cars. But in a few days i guess i will be adding a HID kit and seeing how that goes for me. to notice the different or not.

[Ever Victorious]

This is one of the very few things I hate about the Versa. Every car I have ever owned has the dash lights off with the headlights off, so I have been guilty on more than one occasion of driving with my headlights off at night in the Versa.

I can understand the reasoning behind doing it (being able to see your dash in a tunnel or bad weather during the day) but yes, the car needs to warn you that your lights are off in some way.

There is no doubt in my mind that this will cause an accident somewhere at some time.

[tama48]

Without question Nissan dropped the ball on this feature! Dangerous situation in the works. I asked the dealer about this and was told this is the way Nissan makes them now. I don't want my dash lights on all the time. Also didn't like the SSV on the radio but I defeated that " necessary" feature.

[MIdnkight-lude]

i wouldnt say they drop the ball. but on my prelude, there was different brightness when the headlight came on. i am sure if you setup a relay that would slight cut the resistance in half or less you can notice the different and still get some light when you go into a tunnel.

I am more of a fan of the blue lights, so i been trying to come up with ideas on how to deal with the odemiter because i cant make that blue like everything else . haha

[motoguy128]

I agree thsi could be an issue. I did notice that backlighting on the stereo controls and heating & air controls are not light full time.

My '03 Corolla had headlights that came on as soon as the car started moving. The tail and marker lights came on automatically on a photo sensor. It's funny because some people complained about having their headlights on full time. Several studies have show however, that in ALL conditions, having you headlights on improves your car's contrast ot the background making is more visible. I think all car should be requred ot have DRL's or their hedlights on full time. This has been required by law for all motorcycles for over 20 years... why not for cars?

[Ever Victorious]

DRL's are great, I had them on my Saturn.

If Nissan feels it's necessary to have the dash lights on all the time, maybe they should have 2 different colors on the dash... one for day and night. Most dishes use LED's now anyway, so the cost is negligible, and LED's will probably last the entire life of the car.

[marleyfan]

Here in Canada ALL cars have been required to have DRL's for a number of years now. The Canadian Versa's have it too but are the headlights are dimmer than when they are actually turned on. But the always-on dash lights are a nuisance. As has been pointed out, the only way to tell that your headlights are on is by the climate control lights. Would a little indicator on the dash have been too much trouble?

[Jemdawg]

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the lights on the radio's buttons and by the shifter knob (if you have CVT or auto trans.) are off when your headlights are off and come on when you flip them on.

[Althalus]

It doesn't bother me at all, I always notice that the stereo and climate control lights aren't on. That and I can't see in front of me, lol.

[Legacy40k]

I too find this annoying. Its not an issue when you are in the country, but in town, where there is so much light, on occasion I dont notice my lights are off till I leave town. (Fortunatly I have Daytime Runners)

[proxim2020]

I read this before and I'm preparing myself to remember to turn the light on and not rely on this dash that I've done for all these years. One day I plan on installing a daylight sensor to turn on the lights automatically so I won't have to worry about this. This may be something that we might want to have added to the V Faqs on nissanversa.org.