Headlight switch position!

[VAMike]

It works on mine since I've changed to LED parking/turn signals and LED 4-light Raptor-style lights, so it's actually quite bright and noticeable when looking from the front.

If your parking lights are bright enough to be highly visible in daylight, they're too damn bright at night. You can't have it both ways.

if it's nice and sunny, or even partly to mostly cloudy, I don't have a problem seeing other people on the road, whether they have DRLs on or not.

If it's nice and bright than all of this is moot. Where it becomes an issue is if it's in between bright and dark, or if it's hazy. In those conditions when I see a vague shape coming at me I know it's either someone who didn't get the message to turn their lights on when visibility is poor, or someone who thinks parking lights will suffice.

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[SubVet]

Is anyone else SUPER FRUSTRATED by the location of the headlight switch. Nearly every time I get in and out of my truck my Knee hits it and I turn on my headlights!!

I hope they move it somewhere else!

Same pet peeve here. Once I learned how to enter an exit the truck I didn't have that problem anymore

 

[RCMUSTANG]

6' never once.

 

[weasel1]

I know it was already mentioned, but this exact conversation is going on at the Colorado forums. Kinda funny. In my Colorado, I've hit the 4wd switch a coupe of times. Then I adjusted my seat properly and it hasn't happened since. As a result, I don't expect it to be an issue with the Ranger. I'm really starting to wonder if some of the same mad scientists had a hand in designing both trucks. There are some eerily similar design "features".

My take on daytime running lights? Same as on my Colorado. I don't object to them, but I do object how they're implemented. The low beams are the single most important lights to have at night for safety. Why in hell are they used for DRL's?? Either use a dedicated DRL bulb like I used to have on my '14 Jetta or use something less significant like the fog lights or turn signal bulb. Thank God there's an option in ForScan to change this and I wish there was a cost effective way to do this in my Colorado.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

If your parking lights are bright enough to be highly visible in daylight, they're too damn bright at night. You can't have it both ways.


If it's nice and bright than all of this is moot. Where it becomes an issue is if it's in between bright and dark, or if it's hazy. In those conditions when I see a vague shape coming at me I know it's either someone who didn't get the message to turn their lights on when visibility is poor, or someone who thinks parking lights will suffice.

I guess my point is just: if it's bright enough out to see people clearly, then there's no need for lights, let alone DRLs; if it's dark enough that you need to be seen better, then you should have your lights on anyways. Which is what I do and have always done, even with vehicles that have DRLs. Granted there are people out there who are in their own world and don't consider or notice how other drivers are doing and wait until the last minute or later to use their lights. But we should teach those people better, not give them an escape which only fixes part of the problem (head on vs all around lighting).

In the end, I just want smarter people in the world so we don't need all these designs for the stupidest person. But we all know that won't happen.

 

[weasel1]

I'm surprised that we still have headlight switches. With the way people think these days, I'd figure that someone would mandate all lights on all the time. Situational awareness and common sense doesn't seem to be plentiful. I was taught that everyone out there is out to get me. Does he have a signal on? Which way are the tires pointed? Why is that vehicle wandering? Drunk or on their phone? It goes on...

 

[VAMike]

I guess my point is just: if it's bright enough out to see people clearly, then there's no need for lights, let alone DRLs; if it's dark enough that you need to be seen better, then you should have your lights on anyways.

Yes, and my point is that it isn't about light or dark, it's about clear or not clear and glare vs not glare (e.g., sun). Lights can help even when it's not dark.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Yes, and my point is that it isn't about light or dark, it's about clear or not clear and glare vs not glare (e.g., sun). Lights can help even when it's not dark.

Yeah, I guess by "dark" I meant any situation in which sight is limited. Bad weather, twilight, driving into the sunset/sunrise, night, etc. I think in the end we're saying the same thing, just have different reasons for coming to that conclusion. So none of this has really mattered. haha

 

[OC4095]

I knock it out of auto all the time and I'm 5'8". I have no idea i did it except for the chime going off.

 

[Traneman]

Ok, I'm 6'1, and I looked as I got in and out of mine, and I am NO where near the switch?

 

[svogt302]

Not even close @5'11"

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I'm ashamed to admit that I left my lights on this weekend. Luckily it was only for an hour or so and it was only the parking lights, which are all LED. And after razing everybody for not hearing the ding when you get out, I'll admit I didn't hear it this time. Though in my defense, the wife was giving me orders and the dogs were going crazy and trying to escape the backseat at the time, so I was slightly preoccupied. haha

 

[Rich Elliott]

Just put it on Auto and problem solved.

I keep mine on auto and last night when I came home and got out of the truck something kept beeping and when I clicked to lock, the lights stayed on. I knew something was wrong so I checked and found the switch had moved. So I agree. I also agree with the part about it being hard to see. HARRUMPH!

 

[Izzi]

Is anyone else SUPER FRUSTRATED by the location of the headlight switch. Nearly every time I get in and out of my truck my Knee hits it and I turn on my headlights!!

I hope they move it somewhere else!

Has not happened to me. I am tall and my seat is way back.

 

[CoastieN70]

I have bumped the switch with my knee several times. If I don't catch the chime before shutting the door I usually notice that the head & fog light lamps lit on the dashboard.
First few times it happened it was a complete mystery as to how the switch moved, I bumped it with my right knee when I entered, Just the odd way I was throwing my right foot into the cab caused it.
Now I am aware where my foot is upon entry and I completely miss the switch now, btw I am 5' 11" tall in my bare feet...

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