Home News Models Alternatives
 
Smart Car of America - America's Largest Smart Fortwo Enthusiast Community   Smart Fortwo, smart car, smartcar
HOME FORUMS GALLERY

Go Back   Smart Car of America Forums > Smart Car Community > Smart Car General Discussion

Notices

» Supporting Partner
» Recent Threads
Movie Game!
1,125 Replies
Music Game
5,920 Replies
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-06-2009, 01:39 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
tablepad's Avatar
 
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Drive: ML320,SLK320 380SL,Passion
Instrument cluster (Re: readability)

During daytime driving I sometimes have a problem seeing the instrument cluster (odometer, outside temp, clock, etc). I have set the instrument cluster illumination to it's highest level and it is difficult to see during daytime. It seems as if the contrast is to low. It is OK at night. Has anyone else had this experience or have I set something incorrectly?

tablepad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2009, 02:11 PM   #2 (permalink)
SCOA Club
 
John_H's Avatar
 
Location: Orlando, FL
Drive: Merlot Red Cabriolet
My SCOA Gallery
You should be able to see the display fine when in a garage or very shaded during the day. Direct sunlight is a challenge. But even when the only shade provided is that of my Cabrio top, I can still see the display very well on a bright day without the direct sun on my cluster.

If you haven't opened up your cluster and played around inside, this would be a warranty issue and they should be able to set you up with a new cluster as long as you're within 24k miles.

Also - the adjustments you make for brightness only affect you when your lights are on. If you drive daytime with your lights on, check to see what the display looks like with the lights off.

John_H is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2009, 05:17 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
Location: Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico
Drive: 2007 Passion 450
True, if your headlights are on in the daytime, the cluster automatically dims.

RVGRINGO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2009, 08:21 PM   #4 (permalink)
Mom liked you better...
SCOA Club
 
The Rigger's Avatar
 
Location: Depends on what week this is....
Drive: '09 Smart Passion Cabrio
My SCOA Gallery
I have the same issue when the sun shines down through the windshield directly on the steering column housing; its reflection in the speeo lens blocks out pretty much everything in the LCD display.

I've just resigned myself to it.

The Rigger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 07:57 AM   #5 (permalink)
 
DoraAnderson's Avatar
 
Location: Far Northwest Houston
Drive: 2008 Smart Passion
My SCOA Gallery
Yeah, I have problems with the glare off of the plastic cover. I think they should have either moved it back more, or removed it altogether! I always have to shade it with my hand to see any of the LED displays.

DoraAnderson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 08:01 AM   #6 (permalink)
 
Location: Berrien Springs, Michigan
Drive: 2009 Smart ForTwo
My SCOA Gallery
I too, have trouble reading the display. My problem is with the digits themselves. They seem to be sized for a watch display, all crammed together. Cell phone makers have seemed to figure this out. Why can't smart. Looks like a good place for an aftermarket LCD to replace the stock one, or maybe even an LED version

MGAman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 08:55 AM   #7 (permalink)
 
Location: Shakopee, MN
Drive: Forester, Outback, smart
Quote:
Originally Posted by tablepad View Post
During daytime driving I sometimes have a problem seeing the instrument cluster (odometer, outside temp, clock, etc).
Perhaps you just need some glasses, or new glasses.


MrVvrroomm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 09:06 AM   #8 (permalink)
 
DoraAnderson's Avatar
 
Location: Far Northwest Houston
Drive: 2008 Smart Passion
My SCOA Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrVvrroomm View Post
Perhaps you just need some glasses, or new glasses.

LMAO! That's awesome!!

DoraAnderson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 04:40 PM   #9 (permalink)
Mom liked you better...
SCOA Club
 
The Rigger's Avatar
 
Location: Depends on what week this is....
Drive: '09 Smart Passion Cabrio
My SCOA Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGAman View Post
Looks like a good place for an aftermarket LCD to replace the stock one, or maybe even an LED version

There is an aftermarket LCD replacement, with the functions of the ScanGauge, but it looks like it'd be even harder to read than the OEM display; the digits are even smaller, due to all the data displayed there.

The Rigger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 05:06 PM   #10 (permalink)
SCOA Club
 
jimvw57's Avatar
 
Location: southern Minnesota
Drive: Pure
My SCOA Gallery
The aftermarket display is currently only available for the 450 european Smarts. The US version (451) is not ready yet (so I have been told)

jimvw57 is online now   Reply With Quote
Today
 


This ad will not be shown if you are logged in.

Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Instrument Panel Lights dichrodave Interior & Exterior 1 04-05-2009 04:09 PM
wire diagram for center button cluster SmartDigger Interior & Exterior 3 03-08-2009 11:12 PM
Question about a light on my Instrument Cluster yuckmoon Smart Car Operation and Maintenance 10 09-05-2008 03:18 PM
Instrument Cluster Display Problem factor9 Smart Car Operation and Maintenance 6 05-03-2008 09:14 AM
Instrument Pods Old smart Audio & Video 18 02-07-2008 02:44 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.0.1

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:24 PM.


Smart Cars of America, LLC is not affiliated with, authorized by, associated with or have any connection with G&K, Zap, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Mercedes-Benz McLaren Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, smart Canada Division, DaimlerChrysler, Chrysler LLC, DaimlerChrysler AG, Maybach, smart gmbh, a division of Mercedes Benz LLC, the manufacturer of SMART automobiles, smart USA Distributor, LLC, a division of Penske Automotive Group, Inc, the exclusive authorized U.S. importer and distributor of the smart vehicle or any of their official dealerships


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2
Ad Management by RedTyger