dim lighting on instrument panel/dash

[PJFW8]

not sure what this means?

 

though, as I have said, I seem to have no issues in this case - but do with the reflective dash glare others do and do not - I certainly think time of day and suns lighting makes all of the difference. Driving into the sunlight on a sunny day and the dashboard glare issue I have is off the charts (as I think my photos show), but drive with light behind or besides you, no real issue. point is, some of these can be only recognized in the coming together of certain variables at the right time. Now, dashboard glare or weak backlighting aside, what many of us do have in common on both of these is that they are not issues on other cars we have/did have - so they are noticeable and so it is nice to get to the bottom of them and determine if there are ways to address them.

Lex, There is a chrome ring around the speedometer. An 1/8th inch strip of tape at 60, 70 and 80 on the ring will be far more visible than the washed out numeral. Marking the chrome ring of a tachometer (for the "red line") or speedometer used to be a common practice. If I do it I will post a picture. Thanks for your continuing interest.

[Lex Talionis]

ahh.. I see what you mean. Kind of like Trijicon gun night sights

[PJFW8]

ahh.. I see what you mean. Kind of like Trijicon gun night sights

My son is a gunsmith... precisely!

[PJFW8]

My son is a gunsmith... precisely!

Pictures! Note how when there is glare at twilight that wipes out the guages. These particular photos show the transition from daylight to full darkness. Note the fuel and temperature guages. At other times and angles the speedometer is wiped out, but you get the idea. Thoughts?

 

[Lex Talionis]

the first picture tells me all I needed to know to know... your lights are fine. They are not flawed as they are just like mine in brightness - so to me, that rules out a mechanical issue. I took some similar photos, exactly the same results.

 

Thus, it tells me it is a personal preference thing and not an issue with the lighting/dimmer feature.

 

Now, last night at twilight/dusk - when driving back from a stellar sunset and beach swim - I kind of see what you mean about them kind of washing out and hard to read. But, in my case, I was able to adjust that dimmer to the brightest setting to overcome the outside lighting conditions. However, I never have my dash lights on full blast. They are also set kind of dim as I hate it bright in my car. But, it was at that time that I kind of got a feel for your compliant as the dim setting I like at that time of the day made the gauges hard to read. but like I said, cranked up the dash lights and viola - I could see it all fine.

 

So, like I said, seeing your first photo shows me you get the same full on brightness I get, so it seems to me to be a personal preference issue and not an actual flaw in the system.

 

BTW.. did you tint your front windows? Mine are, and maybe that also adds some protection from your issue you might consider... yeah yeah it can be illegal in some states, I know I know, but I do not care as it's benefits out weigh the fix-it-ticket

Edited October 2, 2009 by Lex Talionis

[PJFW8]

the first picture tells me all I needed to know to know... your lights are fine. They are not flawed as they are just like mine in brightness - so to me, that rules out a mechanical issue. I took some similar photos, exactly the same results.

 

Thus, it tells me it is a personal preference thing and not an issue with the lighting/dimmer feature.

 

Now, last night at twilight/dusk - when driving back from a stellar sunset and beach swim - I kind of see what you mean about them kind of washing out and hard to read. But, in my case, I was able to adjust that dimmer to the brightest setting to overcome the outside lighting conditions. However, I never have my dash lights on full blast. They are also set kind of dim as I hate it bright in my car. But, it was at that time that I kind of got a feel for your compliant as the dim setting I like at that time of the day made the gauges hard to read. but like I said, cranked up the dash lights and viola - I could see it all fine.

 

So, like I said, seeing your first photo shows me you get the same full on brightness I get, so it seems to me to be a personal preference issue and not an actual flaw in the system.

 

BTW.. did you tint your front windows? Mine are, and maybe that also adds some protection from your issue you might consider... yeah yeah it can be illegal in some states, I know I know, but I do not care as it's benefits out weigh the fix-it-ticket

Thanks for looking, Lex. I have less trouble than my wife. She has the lights on max! The guage cluster design does promote glare. Can't tint a windshield in my state (and the state patrol likes to use it as a pretext to stop and search). I'll try a florescent line on the crome ring. A little extra contrast should help.

[bbf2530]

Thanks for looking, Lex. I have less trouble than my wife. She has the lights on max! The guage cluster design does promote glare. Can't tint a windshield in my state (and the state patrol likes to use it as a pretext to stop and search). I'll try a florescent line on the crome ring. A little extra contrast should help.

 

Hi PJFW8. :D After looking at the pictures, I agree. It seems to be more of a glare issue than a "lighting" problem.

 

In addition to the window tinting, I have another suggestion. The gauge cover/lens seems to be a bit dirty/dusty. Have you cleaned the gauge cover/lens lately? Over time, it will get that same film, dust etc which dirties the inside of the windows. You will be surprised how much that will add to the glare problem.

 

Use a small, very soft, 100% cotton or automotive microfiber towel (I use 100% cotton) and spray the automotive glass cleaner (no ammonia!) directly on the small towel. You spray the cleaner on the towel instead of the lens to avoid having the cleaner run down into the cluster. Then wipe very gently (pressing or rubbing hard will cause scratches) and then dry with a second towel of the same type (again, very gently).

 

Hope this helps.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited October 2, 2009 by bbf2530

[PJFW8]

Hi PJFW8. :D After looking at the pictures, I agree. It seems to be more of a glare issue than a "lighting" problem.

 

In addition to the window tinting, I have another suggestion. The gauge cover/lens seems to be a bit dirty/dusty. Have you cleaned the gauge cover/lens lately? Over time, it will get that same film, dust etc which dirties the inside of the windows. You will be surprised how much that will add to the glare problem.

 

Use a small, very soft, 100% cotton or automotive microfiber towel (I use 100% cotton) and spray the automotive glass cleaner (no ammonia!) directly on the small towel. You spray the cleaner on the towel instead of the lens to avoid having the cleaner run down into the cluster. Then wipe very gently (pressing or rubbing hard will cause scratches) and then dry with a second towel of the same type (again, very gently).

 

Hope this helps.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Thanks! I'll give it a try!

[bbf2530]

Thanks! I'll give it a try!

 

 

Hi PJFW8. :D You are welcome. While it certainly won't completely eliminate the glare issue, it may help a little.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[njbillt]

I agree with this author of this thread. The panel lights are dim in all but complete darkness and the gauges are hard to read in day light. Poor design.

[edge 2010]

I do agree the gray background is a little difficult to see in the daylight. Night is no problem.

 

My last 3 vehicles were Explorers. All had a white background on the gauges. Much easier to see in the daylight. Maybe Ford will consider this in 2011.

 

BTW.......... the Edge is a FUN vehicle!!

[goatee]

When I purchased my 08 LTD I drove it for a couple of weeks and noticed how sub-standard the gauge lighting and glare was. I actually took it to the owner of the dealer and had him assess it after a service call proved unsuccessful. He told me that it was just the way the vehicle was designed. My lighting was not in need of repair. The greenish hue is reminiscent of the many Crown Vic interior's seen on law enforcement shows everyday. Come on now, the competition is leaving us in the dust. It's hard believe it especially when I see how nice the Escape's ice blue dash panel lighting seems. Obviously the entire interior needs upgrading. Those cheap hard plastics all over the place. One can only hope the guys and gals at Ford won't get left behind in this very competative market for the 2011 model year.

Edited December 23, 2009 by goatee

[peet]

Hi all, first post from an Edge newb. I have thousands of posts on other car forums where I frequent for my car, but the Edge is a new car for my wife so I'm jumping in here.

 

Anyhow, I totally have to disagree with the defensive posts that are saying the lighting is just fine. It's got to be the lamest dash design I've ever seen. While it wasn't enough for me to not buy the car, it's really bad. It's only visible in the dark, and there i have to turn the brightness all the way up and the nav screen burns the retinas when that happens.

 

The picture the poster above has, as a night view, is severely overblown. Look at the fluorescent odometer display. Because it's so "fuzzy" looking, this tells me that the picture is about 3x overexposed. So no, that viewer's lighting is no better than mine, just his camera overexposed.

 

I am thinking of buying a spare cluster and modding it with proper multiple LEDs to get it brighter. Anyone can point me in the right direction?

 

Better still, are there any aftermarket gauge graphics? For example for BMW/mercedes/Mustang I've seen tons of aftermarket gauge silk-screens. Some even have their own indiglo lighting, but some are just black on white, white on black and nice high contrast.

 

Now, onto a serious matter in this regard. What if one were colorblind? That shade of green would probably completely disappear during the day. Hmmm..

[lrjackel]

My eye sight is just fine and I have check with one other owner of a 08 Edge. The dash lights are dim only when it is dusk or twilight and only in the speedo row; as soon as it gets darker the speedo area is just fine. It Has nothing to do with eye sight or glare, I feel it is the sensor that does not come on until it is dark (the color of the numbers don't help either. Company say's there is no way to adjust the sensor.

[hateokotoksford]

I think I know what they re talking about, my dash light keeps going on and off while im driving... both were on the same drive, i touched nothing

 

 

 

[Theakerr]

Bit late to the table, but I have to agree that a combination of poor dashboard lighting and dashboard layout makes reading parts of the speedometer under certain conditions just about impossible, especially when i am wearing my sunglasses. For the most part I have learned to live with it by using the rpm and the cruise and by lifting up my sun glasses. (Before anyone asks, the time it really gets me is in the early morning when the sun is coming up in front of me. I need the sun glasses to deal with the sun but the sensor still has the lights on - wish i could adjust the sensor like I could on all the older less sophisticated vehicles i had)

[HHHarrier]

I have owned a 2010 Edge since March and I like everything about the vehicle except the dashboad lighting. I agree with all those complaining about the dim lighting and poor contrast of the dashboard gauges. It's astonishing to me how bad it can be when driving at dusk or anytime during the day when it's raining. There are times when the speedometer is virtually impossible to read without taking your eyes off the road for way too long. To me this is not only piss-poor engineering but a real safety issue. Ford should offer a no-charge fix and until then I would not recommend this car.

Edited August 15, 2010 by HHHarrier