2010 gauges are ridonculous

[frjoel]

Mine are plenty bright for daytime, only too dim when I use the headlights during the day and have sunglasses on. If there's something wrong with yours, time for them to fix it. Should still be under warranty.

[frjoel]

Does you Fusion have the blue numbers for the tac and speedometer? That's what I can't see in the sunlight and the service dept tells me there is nothing wrong.

[n2_space]

I think they changed Mid MY, my mom's early 10 is bright as hell, and has to be dimmed. My june 10 build 2010 doesn't get nearly as bright at night with the dimmer all the way up. I think they realized it was way too bright at night and changed that. I know there are several things just that I know of they changed during the 10 MY.

[Beachboy]

Does you Fusion have the blue numbers for the tac and speedometer? That's what I can't see in the sunlight and the service dept tells me there is nothing wrong.

 

 

I have the same problem with my 2010 Milan. I can't read the blue tach or speedometer numbers in normal daylight. I've memorized the speedometer "hashmarks" but I'm disappointed that I can't quickly and clearly see the numbers in broad daylight. When I test drove the car, I had no idea how fast I was going, as I couldn't make out the numbers. I was sure there had to be a brightness adjustment, but nope, there isn't for normal daytime operation.

[frjoel]

I have the same problem with my 2010 Milan. I can't read the blue tach or speedometer numbers in normal daylight. I've memorized the speedometer "hashmarks" but I'm disappointed that I can't quickly and clearly see the numbers in broad daylight. When I test drove the car, I had no idea how fast I was going, as I couldn't make out the numbers. I was sure there had to be a brightness adjustment, but nope, there isn't for normal daytime operation.

[frjoel]

The service manager at my dealer has a tech request in to Ford to see if there is a way to fix this. Good car but if they can fix this problem I may trade it in with only 2000 miles on it. I'll post whatever I find out.

[xmech2k]

My numbers are white outlined in black, on the blue background. You say you've got blue numbers? Could you post a pic? Maybe someone forgot to peel some blue protective tape off it before assembly!

[xmech2k]

Just realized, the kilometers are in tiny blue numbers in the inner arc and impossible to focus on unless you don't want to watch where you're driving. Is that what you're talking about?

[2010 Sport Blue SEL]

The service manager at my dealer has a tech request in to Ford to see if there is a way to fix this. Good car but if they can fix this problem I may trade it in with only 2000 miles on it. I'll post whatever I find out.

 

Wow, you would trade in a car with only 2000 miles, take a hard hit on depreciation just because the of the dash lights? Why didn't you notice this on the test drive? Unless it's a defect from the factory and covered under warranty, I'd learn to live with it for a couple of years then trade it in. I have an early build Fusion (4-09) and mine are fine night and day.

[rfruth]

On the hybrid (2010 for sure) the speedometer 'needle' (all the gauges are computer graphics) ((the idiot lights are fixed bulb, just like always)) anyway the speedo is BRIGHT red on a (i'll look next time) blueish background, just right in daylight thank goodness it dims when the headlights are switched on or it would be over the top (I'd live with it for a couple years thou)

[frjoel]

Wow, you would trade in a car with only 2000 miles, take a hard hit on depreciation just because the of the dash lights? Why didn't you notice this on the test drive? Unless it's a defect from the factory and covered under warranty, I'd learn to live with it for a couple of years then trade it in. I have an early build Fusion (4-09) and mine are fine night and day.

[frjoel]

Test drive was in evening. The lights were beautiful. Not till I got it in the bright sunlight that they became invisible. The white tic marks at under each number are fine, only the blue numbers fade in sunlight. I'm still hopefull that service manager finds a solution. As you can see in the forum I'm not the only one with the problem. At my age I only learn to 'live with it' when I have to.

[fastfords4me]

Unless Ford made a mid year change I'd say there is a problem with your lights. My 2010 I purchased last October has super bright dash lights. I have to dim them at night they are so bright. While not nearly as bright during the day I certainly don't have any problem seeing them. Could possibly be a bad rheostat "the dashboard rocker switch." It might not be allowing the lights to reach full illumination. Just a thought, what position is your headlight switch in? If it is in auto mode and for some reason the photo eye is telling the headlights to illuminate, the dash lights would automatically dim for night conditions. Try turning the headlight switch to the off position and see if the dash lights get brighter. Its easy to sit here and speculate but difficult to diagnose without actually seeing the car. Good luck with a resolution.

Edited September 19, 2010 by fastfords4me

[frjoel]

Unless Ford made a mid year change I'd say there is a problem with your lights. My 2010 I purchased last October has super bright dash lights. I have to dim them at night they are so bright. While not nearly as bright during the day I certainly don't have any problem seeing them. Could possibly be a bad rheostat "the dashboard rocker switch." It might not be allowing the lights to reach full illumination. Just a thought, what position is your headlight switch in? If it is in auto mode and for some reason the photo eye is telling the headlights to illuminate, the dash lights would automatically dim for night conditions. Try turning the headlight switch to the off position and see if the dash lights get brighter. Its easy to sit here and speculate but difficult to diagnose without actually seeing the car. Good luck with a resolution.

[frjoel]

The light switch makes no differance. One post suggest that Ford did make some sort of a mid year change but I haven't confirmed that nor do I know if it is something that could be undoon. As you may have noticed I'm not the only one with this problem. Will check with my service department tomorrow to see if they have a response from Ford.

[Beachboy]

My numbers are white outlined in black, on the blue background. You say you've got blue numbers? Could you post a pic? Maybe someone forgot to peel some blue protective tape off it before assembly!

 

On my Milan, and evidently on some Fusions also, the speedometer and tach numbers are illuminated, by the backlighting. When the ignition is off, the only thing you see on the tach or speedometer are the chrome "hash" marks. The numbers are not painted or printed onto the faces, but are cut outs illuminated from behind by the backlighting. The brightness cannot be adjusted when the headlights are off, and the standard lighting "level" is inadequate in normal daylight. I agree with frjoel that is a significant and serious deficiency.

[caddywhompus]

I liked them from the first moment we test drove the car.

 

Since I bought my 2010 Fusion, I've put over 15k miles on it, day and night driving, and I find the gauges to be the most pleasing, easy to read, and attractive on any car I've ever owned. I drive 90 miles each way to work, and spend most of that time driving in dark or dim conditions.

 

On top of that, the first compliment I get when someone gets in my car is the gauges. People love them.

 

Now I'm not saying you don't have a right to dislike them, but it's your opinion only. The fact remains that the vast majority of people LOVE them, so it's hard to say Ford should have gone with a more conventional approach, like the boring dull-green instrumentation on my 2004 Freestar.

[xmech2k]

You may want to compare to another car on the dealer lot and see if your lights are OK. I can't imagine them being hard to read with the headlight switch off unless there is something wrong with them, or someone's eyes. Are you sure you don't have auto-headlights, which are coming on in an overcast and your lights are actually on and dimmed for night-time?

 

Anyways, while I do like the dash, I don't like that if the dash lights should go out, you're screwed. But I live life on the edge like that! :rockon: :P

[BigShabazz]

I just financed a used 2010 Fusion about 2 weeks ago, and I love it so far. I have had no problems with the gauges at all. In fact, I'm in agreement with all the people that say they have no problem with it. I mean, the only problem that I could see with the guages being impossible to see is when you're driving into the sun without the visor down.

[ElKabong]

On my Milan, and evidently on some Fusions also, the speedometer and tach numbers are illuminated, by the backlighting. When the ignition is off, the only thing you see on the tach or speedometer are the chrome "hash" marks. The numbers are not painted or printed onto the faces, but are cut outs illuminated from behind by the backlighting. The brightness cannot be adjusted when the headlights are off, and the standard lighting "level" is inadequate in normal daylight. I agree with frjoel that is a significant and serious deficiency.

 

 

I have the blue and white gauge cluster in my '10 Milan - and today, I *thought* I noticed that with the car on and the lights off (by autolamp) the dimmer control worked to raise and lower the brightness of the display.

 

Can someone verify this? I was driving to work at the time and forgot to test again when I got there, by the time I left it was dark (and tomorrow I work from home so no commute).

 

For the record, I did notice the "display being a little hard to read" issue when I test drove multiple cars, but only when I had my sunglasses on.

Edited December 10, 2010 by ElKabong

[Beachboy]

I stand by the fact MY Milan's gauges are IMPOSSIBLE to read in normal daylight. The blue illuminated numerals simply cannot be read in daytime, whether its sunny or overcast outside. At night, they still aren't very legible. I've noticed that at least some '10 Fusion's appear to have white painted numerals on the speedometer and tach, rather than these goofy blue illuminated things on the Milan. I could also do without the juvenile flashing/wildly swinging needle scheme the gauges do every time you start the car. There's no reason for that to be programmed into the operating system. Give me regular, old fashioned displays anyday! I'm evidently in the minority here about being unhappy with my new Milan.

[ElKabong]

I have the blue and white gauge cluster in my '10 Milan - and today, I *thought* I noticed that with the car on and the lights off (by autolamp) the dimmer control worked to raise and lower the brightness of the display.

 

Can someone verify this? I was driving to work at the time and forgot to test again when I got there, by the time I left it was dark (and tomorrow I work from home so no commute).

 

For the record, I did notice the "display being a little hard to read" issue when I test drove multiple cars, but only when I had my sunglasses on.

 

Verified - I can adjust the brightness of the display using the dimmer switch when the lamps are off. It's a separate setting from the one that is saved when the lamps are on.

 

But it's still not bright enough - wearing sunglasses, I can only readily see the needle and the tickmarks. Seeing the numbers in some lighting situations requires me to focus on the gauge for more than a second - at 65, that is too long.

[FFHdriver]

Verified - I can adjust the brightness of the display using the dimmer switch when the lamps are off. It's a separate setting from the one that is saved when the lamps are on.

 

But it's still not bright enough - wearing sunglasses, I can only readily see the needle and the tickmarks. Seeing the numbers in some lighting situations requires me to focus on the gauge for more than a second - at 65, that is too long.

I've never had problems on my car. Maybe the Hybrid lights are different.

[BuddyRich]

I stand by the fact MY Milan's gauges are IMPOSSIBLE to read in normal daylight. The blue illuminated numerals simply cannot be read in daytime, whether its sunny or overcast outside. At night, they still aren't very legible. I've noticed that at least some '10 Fusion's appear to have white painted numerals on the speedometer and tach, rather than these goofy blue illuminated things on the Milan. I could also do without the juvenile flashing/wildly swinging needle scheme the gauges do every time you start the car. There's no reason for that to be programmed into the operating system. Give me regular, old fashioned displays anyday! I'm evidently in the minority here about being unhappy with my new Milan.

 

Have you been checked for colorblindness ? I'm just thinking that maybe part of the problem . I think the gauges are great. Very bright and easy to read day or night.

[xmech2k]

I went to Edmunds and looked at the interior pics and now I see how different the Milan gauges are from the Fusion. Not any really close pics, but from what I can see, blue on blue... So I guess that's why the Fusion owners here don't understand. If you can't see the numbers on the Fusion gauges, you shouldn't be driving, but without seeing the Milan gauges in person... ? And I suppose the Milan doesn't have much of an aftermarket base to get a replacement?