I just posted a question about deactivating an annoying chime situation when the door is open and the key is intentionally left in the ignition. I was hoping that someone would have a quick and easy solution to the problem, without deactivating the headlight warning chime (which I consider a good feature). So far -- no help.

In the post, I suggested that Ford should consider putting a timer or a cancel button in the circuit -- seems like a good and reasonable fix to me.

I've been buying a new Ford every year or two for about 40 years. I like them, and I have a dealer that I consider a friend. I understand that no product is perfect, but lately there seem to be more and more annoying features or lack of features that are about to force me to start looking at the "dark side".

So then I was thinking, it might be a good idea to develop a category here, which is devoted exclusively to making suggestions to the folks at Ford -- suggestions & complaints. It should be done in a very clear and concise, matter of fact style -- and always with a respectful tone. Maybe someone at Ford might notice, and maybe we can make a difference.

So here are a few examples of how it might go (in this case for my 2008 F150 4x4 Lariat):

1) Hey, put a timer or a cancel button in the chime circuit -- it bugs me.

2) Since the 1950's, every car I've bought had an under-hood light, a glove compartment light, and some sort of interior courtesy floor lights (not just a dome light). You apparently removed all of these lights from the 2008 Lariat to save a few bucks. Put them back, or make a lighting package an option -- some of us liked all those lights.

3) Since Ford has failed to install daytime running lights, I always turn my headlights on when driving during daylight hours. Turning the lights on during the day, makes the system assume it's dark outside -- so it dims all the dash light, including the GPS map (if left in the "auto" mode). Consequently, I can't use the map auto mode; and I have to turn off the headlights, if I want to see any of the dash readouts. This is a poor set-up. Day-light running lights should be offered; and the dash lights should go to full bright (day or night), when selected. I don't like these auto systems that keep forcing me to adapt to them -- it should be the other way around.

Well -- this is getting long, but you get the idea. These are things that the magazines don't talk about, and most buyers don't notice -- until they drive the vehicle for a couple weeks -- then you start thinking -- this is dumb -- or, there ought to be a better way.

How about a section devoted to constructive suggestions to help Ford build better vehicles? If we did it right, I think Ford might notice.

 

You can remove the tumbler and place a small piece of tape over the contact to prevent the dinger from dinging when the key is in and the door open. It's a very easy mod.

I agree with more lights! However, with the availability of cheap LED strips. It's easy to add footwell lights and such but I hear what you're sayin'.

Dodge and others are good at this. They have a switch on the dimmer that keeps the dash lights at full bright if you decide to use your lights during the day. May Mazda 5 even has the feature. Ford should follow suit in all their vehicles.

 

I would settle for a Ford that would actually have more time on the road with no issues for a long time. That would be my first wish. I agree everything else you mentioned is a good thing but if you fail to make a quality vehicle in the first place like what was done in years gone by then what is the point? (can you tell I am having more Ex issues?)

 

Ken -- You say "…remove the tumbler…", I'm not following you. Are you talking about the door switch?


Moose -- I'm pretty happy with overall build quality -- huge improvement over 20 years ago. My kids have Chevrolets and Toyotas -- and they're very good too. It wasn't too long ago that brakes and tires had to be replaced every 10,000 miles -- now they last 40,000 or 50,000 miles (or more). It wasn't too long ago that ignition parts had to be routinely replaced and adjusted -- we tend to forget how much things have improved; and how well these vehicles run. I've got a dwell meter and a timing light that haven't been out of my tool box for many years.

 

DRLs mean next to nothing to me personally, but I agree the chime can be nerve wracking. As for interior lights, most of my Fords have so many, I have to keep spare bulbs in the glove boxes.

 

Chime drives me INSANE, we fix a lot of fence and that damn thing dinging while the door is open and I am trying to listen to the radio ruins my whole day. Another reason why I try and stay with the Pre '97s for work trucks.

I also agree on the dimming of the gauges in the daytime, I almost always drive with my lights on as well, I see too many idiots driving pavement color cars with their lights off and I think it is time for DRL being mandatory.

As for a new problem I think auto dimming interior rear view mirrors should at least be an option on every model Ford makes, if not standard I'd also like auto dim rear view exterior mirrors at least as an option on everything. I just bought a new Mustang and it has neither even as options.

 

Keep the DRL's away...

Makes me a tiny tiny itsy bitsy more visible when I'm on my motorcycle.

 

The tumbler is the thing you put the key in. IOW: ignition

It can be removed by putting the key in, turning it RUN but do not start and then using an awl or similar push the detent up that is on the bottom of the steering column below the ignition.

Pull it out.

You can remove the key and see which contact pops out when you reinsert it. Place a small piece of tape or anything that will break the connection (Liquid Electrical tape for example) and reinstall. Make sure the key is inserted and in the RUN position again.

 

EXACTLY!

 

Ken -- Thanks for the clear explanation! I'll do that tomorrow!

 

Amen brother. I'm smart enough to know when I need to turn on my headlights. Also, with automatic windshield wipers is totally irrelevant for me. People complain about the price of new vehicles and it's useless BS like that that are jacking the price up. How lazy and worthless do you have to be to demand automatic windshield wipers?

Next people will want an option that if you think left turn or right turn the turn signal will automatically engage. What even happened to the love of the feeling of just driving? How retarded do you have to be to not realize that it is raining and you have to turn on your freaking windshield wipers and/or headlights? Or, are they just thinking that "why can't someone invent automatic windshield wipers so my lazy *** doesn't have to reach my fat little fingers around my big fat gut to turn them on?

If I'm ever at a dealers lot and I over hear someone talking about how they want the automatic windshield wipers I'm just going to punch them in the face and leave without saying a word.

It's like wiping your butt after you poop. YOU JUST DO IT WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT!!!!

Automatic windshield wipers? Please

 

keep all the buttons off the steering wheel, I can reach the dash just fine. And it is not less of a distraction cramming all that crap on the wheel. Put the dimmer switch back on the floor. Just cuz eroupe thoght of it dosn't mean we like it on the turn sgnal.And whats with the plastic radiator tanks and aluminum cores. Id radther pay more and have the better copper and metal..And drl. should at least be an option it's saftey factor is proven.. and one last one move the engine forward in the compartment I am not looking for a cab over pickup.. and I want to see what I am working on not use a mirror because of the firewall covering half the motor.

 

A lot of the things you're complaining about are designed that way for crash protection. Crumple zones and stuff....

The high beams in the floor changed probably due to ease of manufacturing. Loved that feature.