Thread: Trip computer red lights

Originally Posted by Rob453

I have now been driving my Soul for about three weeks and I still have a hard time reading the red display of the trip computer data. Does anyone else have problems with that? Does anyone know if the colour display can be changed. Green would be so much easier to read like the "ECO" light. And no, I am not colour blind.

I agree with the author of this thread. It irritates me to no end to not be able to read this during bright daylight driving. Someone at KIA needs to say we messed up using a dim red LED that can't be controlled by the customer. It render it useless except cloudy, evening or night time driving.

Originally Posted by Goseki

Red is a lower frequency, hence less energy. Red light isn't as "intense" per say. Hence your pupils don't have to constrict as much when viewing red things. However, at old age, things are less, "sensitive". Since red is the least intense, it becomes harder to separate out and see. Normally though, red is best as a light source since it's cheaper and better for night-time lights.

Perhaps it is my 59 year old eyes. I think you have a point. However, I maintain it is a design flaw that needs to be corrected. I presently own a Veloster and 2012 Elantra Limited and the Mileage computers are easy to read day and night using white colored digits/lettering. I have owned cars over the past many years with mileage computers and none of them have been difficult to read. I find it interesting that many post have trouble even admitting that this is a design/engineering flaw.

Originally Posted by Rob453

I do like to watch the data, especially the mileage. I'll ask the dealer if anything can be done. It's gotta be some kind of led.

Please let me know what you learn from the dealer or technician. I am going tomorrow and I will post if there is any way to turn up the brightness during daylight driving.

Originally Posted by Bay Soul

Me, too... I want blue! The red is just too hard to read for those of us over a certain age. I don't care if it is suppose to be helpful, because it is NOT for me. Anyone know know how to do this?

Is this the problem? I am 59 and my spouse is 62 and neither of us can read the dim red LED mileage computer on sunny days. I am hoping someone can come up with a remedy. We do monitor the mpg, temp, often distance to empty and trip mileage on a routine basis. We REALLY use this feature.

Originally Posted by jhwalk58

How is your question helpful to the thread? Assuming you are trying to be helpful and not just asking demeaning rhetorical questions I'll give you an answer. 1) Customers discover the problem after buying the car. 2) We like our Kia Souls as much as you do. 3) The mileage computer, odometer, distance to empty, temperature and more is a paid for feature that is monitored while driving. Really nice when you can read it without being in the shade. Is this helpful -- perhaps not.

In one of your many many previous posts on this thread you were using words like "major flaw" and "mistakes" and "KIA need to do" this and that. Maybe it's an age thing (since you keep mentioning yours), personally I would never buy anything that I consider as having a "major flaw", and then spend my time/resource to complain about it afterward. From your response, it sounds more like the case of a minor inconvenience to a select group of people/not doing enough research before making a purchase (buyer's remorse?)






Also to troll a bit

Originally Posted by jhwalk58

It is a problem for us who have said so and there is no need for you to dismiss our diminish the experiences of those who struggle with this. We agree to disagree. It is a major flaw to use a dim LED that can't be read. We have two new Hyundai's in our family that have white lettering for this feature and it is easy to read in any light. The sun does not have to be shining on the panel. As one author said, eyes cannot adjust after looking out on a sunny day to the dim red LED. There is a reason that this is a thread. It is a real problem and renders the feature useless during sunny daylight driving for we who have taken the time to post.

I agree that white would improve it. Your concern should really be addressed to Kia Motors, post on their US Facebook page on the headquarter Facebook page in Seoul or on Kia Buzz where you much better get your concern noticed. Any vehicle no matter how much it cost can always be improved.
I don't think a technician at a dealership is going to be able to do much other than pass on your concern.

As a possible suggestion, have you tried perhaps a small piece of film over that part of the gauge, something like these covers you can get for cell phones and iPads etc to make them more easily to read in strong sunlight.

The completed revised 2014 model will be coming out probably within 6-8 months so we will see if they have changed that, as the dash is supposed to be completely overhauled.

Originally Posted by jhwalk58

Is this the problem? I am 59 and my spouse is 62 and neither of us can read the dim red LED mileage computer on sunny days. I am hoping someone can come up with a remedy. We do monitor the mpg, temp, often distance to empty and trip mileage on a routine basis. We REALLY use this feature.

well I'm 10 years older than you, I do use it, but its not critical information and even in sunny days it would not be 100% of your driving time that you would not be able to read it at least at some point. Hope my suggestion above may perhaps help you.

I've never had a problem seeing the red readout on my ! sunny days, even with having to wear glasses on my 64 year old eyes all the time. What I do consider to be a design flaw, however, is the location of the display. It's just not a convenient spot at all. Consequently, I have a ScanGauge mounted above the speedo, whereby I can quite easily monitor far more info than the Souls tiny display offers. Since this is the only issue with the car in 8 months of ownership, it's really no issue whatsoever. At the risk of getting those having the problem cranked back up, perhaps they can't see the display because they simply need (new) glasses.

[QUOTE=ryocho;184461]In one of your many many previous posts on this thread you were using words like "major flaw" and "mistakes" and "KIA need to do" this and that. Maybe it's an age thing (since you keep mentioning yours), personally I would never buy anything that I consider as having a "major flaw", and then spend my time/resource to complain about it afterward. From your response, it sounds more like the case of a minor inconvenience to a select group of people/not doing enough research before making a purchase (buyer's remorse?)

Listen fella -- don't attack me or my opinion. You have yours and I have mine. If you want to talk about solutions or if you want to say that your experience is different than mine; then fine. If you have no problem with the red LED display; FINE! Just say so. Other than that don't be a jerk in telling me my motives and what I should and should not buy. Who made you the forum (hallway) monitor. I spend my time any darn way I please and I'll post my experiences anytime I please. Don't be shooting me down or anyone else for that matter who is having problems reading the red LED display. You apparently have nothing to add to the the discussion accept attacks on those with whom you disagree. Either talk about the LED display and your experience or stay out of the discussion! Take notes from those who have found ways to disagree without attacking the people making the post! PS: Though I know this will be entirely WASTED on you -- the KIA technician I saw today said he has had several customers who have said the display is difficult to read on sunny days. I don't know why I just told you that -- now I am wasting my time.