Excursions are a "bargain"....
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
I also see many cars without lights on.
I see 2 factors:
1. Electronic dash board, you can read it at night without headlights on
2. Daytime running lights, especially for folks renting a car (Orlando has a "few" of those)
In the older vehicles with lights behind the dash, they came on with the tail/headlight switch, couldn't get far at night without looking at speedometer and realizing, oops need to put on the lights!
I see 2 factors:
1. Electronic dash board, you can read it at night without headlights on
2. Daytime running lights, especially for folks renting a car (Orlando has a "few" of those)
In the older vehicles with lights behind the dash, they came on with the tail/headlight switch, couldn't get far at night without looking at speedometer and realizing, oops need to put on the lights!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
Seems to me that all these bells and whistles aren't helping the morons that rely on those sensors anyway.
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed a HUGE increase in the amount of cars driving in "stealth mode" without their headlights on? I see at least 2-3 cars each time I'm on the highway at night clueless that they're almost invisible from the rear.
Personally, I can't wait for Armageddon, the 4 horsemen or whoever else my mother used to threaten me with. My gut feeling is that not only will everyone that frequents this site survive such an event, we're probably going to thrive!
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed a HUGE increase in the amount of cars driving in "stealth mode" without their headlights on? I see at least 2-3 cars each time I'm on the highway at night clueless that they're almost invisible from the rear.
Personally, I can't wait for Armageddon, the 4 horsemen or whoever else my mother used to threaten me with. My gut feeling is that not only will everyone that frequents this site survive such an event, we're probably going to thrive!
I do it all the time when I drive my wife's car. The entire thing lights up like a Christmas tree and you assume the lights are on.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 644
Likes: 29
From: Toronto, Canada
My 15 year old vehicle has this handy "Auto" headlight mode that seems to work pretty good.
Do these new ipad command center touch screen everything cars not have this feature?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
my Challenger and Tahoe have auto lights. and so did my old Excursion
At night I still check to see that they actually turn on.
however, the issue comes when other people drive my cars. Or when I get into an older vehicle that don't have these features. Other people for some damn reason always turn off the automatic feature. Chevy dealership did this last month while performing a recall on Tahoe
or when I get into an older rig, I assume the lights will turn on. usually takes 1-2 blocks before I figure it out.
At night I still check to see that they actually turn on.
however, the issue comes when other people drive my cars. Or when I get into an older vehicle that don't have these features. Other people for some damn reason always turn off the automatic feature. Chevy dealership did this last month while performing a recall on Tahoe
or when I get into an older rig, I assume the lights will turn on. usually takes 1-2 blocks before I figure it out.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 575
Likes: 1
From: Eastern KS
Mine has the auto, hardly ever use it... when it's late and no cars around, I tend to kill my lights when turning in as a courtesy to the neighbors... leave my parking lights on though until I'm parked...
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
I'm mixed on electronic aids. But after my Grandmother who is in her 70s got her new Chrysler 300C with front/rear park sensors, cross path detection, blind spot monitoring and backup camera it's saved her from a few fender benders in the last 2 years shes had it. I like to think I'm a great driver also but tech can be helpful. Now I've only dealt with passive type systems, nothing that brakes for you or vibrates your seat so I can't comment on those.
I do fully agree the Ex is a bargain for what you get. I'ts not the newest but IMO it doesn't have to be. But I'm not one of those people who needs/wants something new every 2-3 years either.
I do fully agree the Ex is a bargain for what you get. I'ts not the newest but IMO it doesn't have to be. But I'm not one of those people who needs/wants something new every 2-3 years either.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
I also see many cars without lights on.
I see 2 factors:
1. Electronic dash board, you can read it at night without headlights on
2. Daytime running lights, especially for folks renting a car (Orlando has a "few" of those)
In the older vehicles with lights behind the dash, they came on with the tail/headlight switch, couldn't get far at night without looking at speedometer and realizing, oops need to put on the lights!
I see 2 factors:
1. Electronic dash board, you can read it at night without headlights on
2. Daytime running lights, especially for folks renting a car (Orlando has a "few" of those)
In the older vehicles with lights behind the dash, they came on with the tail/headlight switch, couldn't get far at night without looking at speedometer and realizing, oops need to put on the lights!
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: IOWA
My wife's Escape has a back up camera, awesome, cross traffic alert, great when backing out of parking spaces, blind spot monitoring, useful because it doesn't have blind spot mirrors like an X. The worthless things are the parking assist sensors, and the auto parallel parking crap. I appreciate them because I don't rely on them. It doesn't have near the visibility of an X so I think they build that stuff in to try and make up for it.
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 644
Likes: 29
From: Toronto, Canada
Don't get me wrong, I do think that some of that new tech is useful.
No matter how good of a driver you are there are always moments where we forget to look, or what have you. That's where that tech comes in handy.
I was just saying that if your driving skills are lacking, those features won't help you become better. You're going to rely on the features more so than someone who is actually "good" at driving.
No matter how good of a driver you are there are always moments where we forget to look, or what have you. That's where that tech comes in handy.
I was just saying that if your driving skills are lacking, those features won't help you become better. You're going to rely on the features more so than someone who is actually "good" at driving.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: IOWA
Don't get me wrong, I do think that some of that new tech is useful.
No matter how good of a driver you are there are always moments where we forget to look, or what have you. That's where that tech comes in handy.
I was just saying that if your driving skills are lacking, those features won't help you become better. You're going to rely on the features more so than someone who is actually "good" at driving.
No matter how good of a driver you are there are always moments where we forget to look, or what have you. That's where that tech comes in handy.
I was just saying that if your driving skills are lacking, those features won't help you become better. You're going to rely on the features more so than someone who is actually "good" at driving.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 6
From: MA
Im considering moving out our 2013 explorer and into an excursion. My father had a 2000 brand new, and it was a beautiful vehicle... just remember it floated like a damn boat. I guess thats why folks are putting sway bars and stuff on them now.
My kids arent getting any smaller (all three will be over 6' tall when done, and they span 12 to 3), and my wife loves big vehicles (drove a 5 ton in the Army).
My kids arent getting any smaller (all three will be over 6' tall when done, and they span 12 to 3), and my wife loves big vehicles (drove a 5 ton in the Army).
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
I don't use "auto", mostly because I hate the lights coming on along the shady parts of a road, or under a bridge, then off again in the sun.
We have "lights on with wiper" laws (not that ANYone has ever gotten a ticket), so since it rains hard while the sun shines it requires manual controls. At dusk/dawn I use parking lights with fog lights to make the big white bus even more visible to the folks busy texting
We have "lights on with wiper" laws (not that ANYone has ever gotten a ticket), so since it rains hard while the sun shines it requires manual controls. At dusk/dawn I use parking lights with fog lights to make the big white bus even more visible to the folks busy texting
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 169
From: Central Texas
A "new" Excursion would be pushing $100,000. That's a bit out of my league, but boy would it be nice.
My wife has a '14 Explorer Limited and I drive the '12 KR diesel and I can tell you there's no comparison to the X. It was an awesome truck but it's time has passed for my use. MY 15 y/o daughter wants to drive the X, I'm OK with that. But when she goes off to school she will not be taking that...too old, too many miles, uses too much gas. It will be offered here first as a rust free TX truck that has been pampered.
Modern technology is amazing, just hope nothing goes wrong cuz' I'm not wrenching on it.
My wife has a '14 Explorer Limited and I drive the '12 KR diesel and I can tell you there's no comparison to the X. It was an awesome truck but it's time has passed for my use. MY 15 y/o daughter wants to drive the X, I'm OK with that. But when she goes off to school she will not be taking that...too old, too many miles, uses too much gas. It will be offered here first as a rust free TX truck that has been pampered.
Modern technology is amazing, just hope nothing goes wrong cuz' I'm not wrenching on it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 26
From: Chino, California
I am skeptical about these new cars that are electronically controlled from throttle to braking and eventually steering. Chevy with their On-Star can remotely shut off your vehicle, I believe. If someone wanted you off'ed, they can do and it is after all an "accident", right? The drive by wire is scary because you do not have a direct control of the throttle.