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2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue

17 messages,  Last post on Jan 08, 2011 at 7:15 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Lighting, Van

Messages Page 2 of 3

#3 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [aviboy97] by mhkatz

Oct 21, 2010 (4:06 am)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Oct 20, 2010 1:33 pm)
The "smart start guide" only confirms my point that the controls are not working as intended. Page 9 clearly states that selecting either the parking light setting or the headlight setting turns the dashboard lights on. This does not actually happen in my 2010 Mazda5 because the dashboard lights are already on automatically.
 
This is an accident (or many) waiting to happen. There is a huge difference between having to look for a small indicator on the dashboard vs. not being to drive because you can't see the dashboard. The latter forces you to notice that he headlights are off, which is how cars have been designed for decades.
 
I think this is a bug which Mazda is spinning as a design change. Even their manual confirms this.

#4 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [mhkatz] by r2k

Dec 02, 2010 (1:14 am)

Replying to: mhkatz (Oct 21, 2010 4:06 am)
Not knowing how long you have had your 2010 Sport, I don’t know if you have figured out there is an “instrument cluster dimmer” knob in the lower left-hand quadrant of the speedometer, just to the left of the odometer/trip meter display. This is shown on page 7 in the smart start guide. Some posters on another forum weren’t aware of this, they thought the instrument cluster backlight was ‘broken’ until they figured it out.
 
The instrument cluster back lighting is on at all times when the key is in the ‘run’ position, but the brightness is controlled by the knob mentioned above.
 
On my 2010 Sport, this has to be turned up on full bright during the day, as the speedo and other gauges are not very visible on a sunny day, or even an overcast day unless the back-light is on full.
 
If it’s dark, then of course the headlights would be on. Note that some of the controls shown on the turn signal lever on page 9 of the quick start guide only pertain to the Grand Touring Model, such as the headlights auto-on feature.
 
When going from a parking lights/headlights off to on, the instrument cluster lights will go from being full bright to a lower level (seems pre-set). If the lights off setting has been lowered for some reason, the backlight will still dim down from whatever the current ‘daylight’ setting is.
 
At night, if the brightness had been set to full up for the day time, even the dimmer mode is too bright, so it has to be turned down as not to be so bright. When turning the knob from full-bright down, it beeps, and also beeps when turned from just below full bright to full, but only if the headlights are on. If the lights are off, there is no beep when turning the dimmer knob up or down.
 
So far, I have not found a happy medium from daytime (full bright), to night/lights on, as if it was on full bright for the day, and it’s a rainy day and the headlights or even the parking lights are turned on, I still have to have the backlight on full bright. Then when it finally gets dark, it has to be turned down, as it’s too bright for, say, out of town driving where it is really dark.
 
This is the first vehicle I have had that has to have the instrument cluster lights on to be able to see the speedo and other gauges during the day, so I do find that to be somewhat unusual. The fact that the backlights have to be on to see the gauges should be tip-off at night that your lights are not on (as well as the exterior ‘lights on’ indicator not being on), as the backlight should be so bright, you will be asking yourself why is it so bright.
 
So far, I have not had any problem deciding if my 'exterior lights' are on or off when it is dark enough to need them.

#5 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [mhkatz] by dona83

Dec 05, 2010 (12:33 am)

Replying to: mhkatz (Oct 20, 2010 10:40 am)
Does your 5 not have auto lights? I'm not aware of the American trim levels but it is standard in Canada.

#6 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [r2k] by qbrozen

Dec 05, 2010 (8:50 am)

Replying to: r2k (Dec 02, 2010 1:14 am)
Wish I could help, but it sounds like you are driving a completely different vehicle than my '09 Sport. I don't need any lighting to see the gauges during the day.
 
To answer the question above, no, mine does not have auto lights, either.

#7 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [mhkatz] by coolmazda5

Dec 05, 2010 (9:51 am)

Replying to: mhkatz (Oct 20, 2010 10:40 am)
Yes, it is normal on the 08+ models (luminescent gauges that is). Dashboard gauges are on at all times when the switch is on. I owned an 06 before (I own an 08 now) so yes, it takes a couple of weeks to get used to it but then it is OK, you'll just need to check the "lights-on" indicator more often I'm afraid. I can definitely notice when is getting dark and the lights are off, but might be because our road and street lights (if any) are terrible at night
 
And FYI, luminescent gauges are very common nowadays, so Mazda is not alone. I believe the best combo is luminescent gauges and auto-on/off lights, but hey, I guess that is more money into production...

#8 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [dona83] by r2k

Dec 06, 2010 (12:51 am)

Replying to: dona83 (Dec 05, 2010 12:33 am)
In the US, only the Grand Touring has 'auto on' headlights, the other 2 trim lines, the headlights are manual. The US Mazda 5's do not have the 'daytime running lights' like Canadian cars.
 
In the 2010 US Sport, the speedo, the tach, the gas gauge and the temp gauge are not visible during the day with out turning up the instrument cluster back lighting with a small knob just to the left of the odometer. I have a PDF file of the 2009 owners manual, and it is the same as the 2010 manual. I don't know about earlier years.
 
Sounds like the difference could be due to the nation where the cars are being sold.

#9 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [r2k] by qbrozen

Dec 06, 2010 (4:51 am)

Replying to: r2k (Dec 06, 2010 12:51 am)
I'll have to take another look at my wife's '09, but I'm pretty darned certain I would have noticed not being able to see the gauges when first getting in the car prior to starting it up.

#10 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [qbrozen] by coolmazda5

Dec 06, 2010 (8:49 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 06, 2010 4:51 am)
That is correct. 08-10 are the same thing...

#11 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [coolmazda5] by qbrozen

Dec 06, 2010 (9:05 am)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Dec 06, 2010 8:49 am)
Am I misreading the above? Aren't you guys saying that you can't see the gauges until you turn the car on??

#12 of 17 Re: 2010 Mazda5 headlight safety issue [qbrozen] by coolmazda5

Dec 06, 2010 (11:14 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 06, 2010 9:05 am)
Here you go...
 
No key, ignition switch-off, lights off
 
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com
 
Turning ignition switch to "on" position, ready to crank up (and subsequently car is running). Lights off
 
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com

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