As I mentioned this weekend, I had the opportunity to drive the Challenger at night through the desert. This was a perfect test of its headlights, which I thought were sufficient for the desert's pitch black darkness. Despite not being xenons, the wash of light was consistent and bright enough. I wasn't as enamored with the high beams, though. They aren't particularly brighter than the regular lights, just whiter in light and the beam casts itself higher toward tall shrubs and big reflective signs. I didn't find the high beams useful and stuck with the regular headlights.
Fast forward several days when I was driving in a torrential downpour on I-10 just east of Palm Springs. The cabin was quite noisy. I was concentrating on the treacherous road ahead. The turn signal indicators are buried on the far left and right of the instruments and in a dim yellow color. You guessed it, I turned into Grandpa with his turn signal on for 157 miles. Thankfully, I didn't get that far because the Challenger has a pleasant feature that dings you the standard warning chime shared with the low fuel light and displays a "Turn Signal On" warning in the trip computer. What a smart feature.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 15,562 miles
bodyblue says:
12:08 PM, 11/30/09
What a cool feature! Does the LT Ford Edge have that feature?
yellowmiata says:
12:34 PM, 11/30/09
That's a great feature!!! Dodge leading the pack!
carguy622 says:
01:08 PM, 11/30/09
I believe Buick has had this feature for the turn signal for some time now, additionally it would alert you if you had the parking brake on for miles (apparently the BRAKE light is not good enough). I'm not sure if newer Buicks have these features since they are trying to equate themselves with the younger, more turn signal aware crowd.
CaptainChaos says:
01:37 PM, 11/30/09
Oh, the irony of Buick having all of those features.
smrtypants44 says:
02:07 PM, 11/30/09
My brothers previous car, 04 Grand Prix GTP had this feature too
dg0472 says:
04:30 PM, 11/30/09
My grandmother's '90 New Yorker had the same feature. At least the chime. I can't remember for sure about the display in the message center.
mzbamf says:
06:47 PM, 11/30/09
My old 98 STS had that. It Popped up on the DIC and sounded a chime.
wrinklebump says:
09:18 PM, 11/30/09
Half the people that drive this will be too busy braiding their back hair to even notice the light's on
moparfool says:
05:17 AM, 12/ 1/09
Challenger turn signal indicator location, brightness, and size really stinks. Those indicators might as well be located in the glove box for all the good they do. I say this because I've been caught several times now with mine on - feel like a fool driving one of the hottest cars on the road with the blinker continuously on. The "turn signal on" warning bell on this car has saved me several times.
Turn signal indicators need to be large and centrally located - just like on my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. If any executive from Chrysler reads these posts, please take note of this issue.
I agree with JR's headlight comments.
jriz says:
08:37 AM, 12/ 1/09
It's good the hear that the blinker warning is such a widespread feature.
And on a personal note, I think I'm OK with the fact I didn't know it was so widespread. That just means I'm not cruising around with my turn signal on.
mzbamf says:
12:16 PM, 12/ 1/09
haha, ya I only know because I read about it and tried it on purpose. I would definitely be embarrassed about that in any other case!
adamb1 says:
11:33 AM, 12/16/09
Speaking of headlights, my Mazda 6s GT keeps the xenon low beams on when the high beams are turned on. I've always thought this is how highbeams should work providing the most light possible. By contrast, my '03 Ram pickup turns on either the high or the low beams, not both.