Stoplight visibility?

DaveG · 03-17-2004, 02:01 AM

This has got to be my number one gripe with the 04 - wonder if anyone else has the same problem (or solutions?)

I find that I have nearly no visibility of overhead traffic signals when I'm right at a light. Because of the low slope of the windshield, it stops about an inch or two short of providing adequate visibility for lights.

If the driver's seat was about two inches lower, it would solve the problem for me. I've got the seat all the way slid back to give my legs room.

Any ideas?

Dave

Ken Cooper · 03-17-2004, 03:03 AM

Yes, keep the hood well polished and use it as a mirror to watch the status of the overhead traffic lights. That's what I used to have to do in my Saabs of years past (my tallness is also mostly above the waist).

I just got my Prius a few days ago. I suspect I'll have the same problem with this car as you're experiencing. Look on the bright side though, you'll be able to set your seating position to use the top of the window as your sun visor while those other folks will be having to screw around with those irritating visor flaps every time the sun decides to do its morning or evening automobile intrusion.

Montana HIBRID · 03-17-2004, 06:27 AM

In the early fiftys some cars that had the external sun visor had a prism that sat on the dash up under the windshield. The driver would look into the prism and the refracted light would allow him to see the color of the stop light.
I don't know where you could get one of these today. Possibly could be used in the trucking industry.

terkar · 03-17-2004, 08:58 AM

Yes, I have the same problem, However, lowering the seat is NOT the answer. I really like the SUV type seating as opposed to trying to lift myself out of the low slung sports car seats. Wouldn't it be better to just increase the windshield depth at the top?
As it is, I find that I have to stop a bit further back from a light to see it.

I am 6'2" and also have the seat all the way back - Wouldn't it be nice if the steering wheel telescoped rather than the rather minimal tilt?

**efusco** · 03-17-2004, 08:59 AM

I find I have to stop a bit farther back or just duck my head to see. Hadn't considered it a major issue for me, but can see how it could be an annoyance if you deal with a lot of lights.

gene · 03-17-2004, 09:47 AM

I had similar issues with my 96 Saturn, and as a few people pointed out, the easiest thing to do is stop a little further back from the light.

It can be annoying when you pull up too far and you're contorting your head to try to see the light though.

m1j1tc0rn · 03-17-2004, 10:54 AM

i say we ask coastaletech to create a periscope for the top of the car to wire into the display. we can voice command the camera to look at whatever we'd like. "show traffic light."
easy.

-r

**efusco** · 03-17-2004, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by m1j1tc0rn
i say we ask coastaletech to create a periscope for the top of the car to wire into the display. we can voice command the camera to look at whatever we'd like. \"show traffic light.\"
easy.
-r

:mrgreen: LOL!

xlarimer · 03-17-2004, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by m1j1tc0rn
\"show traffic light.\"

"Showing Mexican Restaurants"

rockluvr · 03-17-2004, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Yes, keep the hood well polished and use it as a mirror to watch the status of the overhead traffic lights.

Can you actually SEE the hood of the car when you're inside? I can't.

03-17-2004, 02:01 AM	#1
DaveG Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 807 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: C Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Stoplight visibility? This has got to be my number one gripe with the 04 - wonder if anyone else has the same problem (or solutions?) I find that I have nearly no visibility of overhead traffic signals when I'm right at a light. Because of the low slope of the windshield, it stops about an inch or two short of providing adequate visibility for lights. If the driver's seat was about two inches lower, it would solve the problem for me. I've got the seat all the way slid back to give my legs room. Any ideas? Dave

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03-17-2004, 03:03 AM	#2
Ken Cooper Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 338 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yes, keep the hood well polished and use it as a mirror to watch the status of the overhead traffic lights. That's what I used to have to do in my Saabs of years past (my tallness is also mostly above the waist). I just got my Prius a few days ago. I suspect I'll have the same problem with this car as you're experiencing. Look on the bright side though, you'll be able to set your seating position to use the top of the window as your sun visor while those other folks will be having to screw around with those irritating visor flaps every time the sun decides to do its morning or evening automobile intrusion.

03-17-2004, 06:27 AM	#3
Montana HIBRID Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Billings ,Montana Posts: 6 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	In the early fiftys some cars that had the external sun visor had a prism that sat on the dash up under the windshield. The driver would look into the prism and the refracted light would allow him to see the color of the stop light. I don't know where you could get one of these today. Possibly could be used in the trucking industry.

03-17-2004, 08:58 AM	#4
terkar Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hendersonville, NC Posts: 100 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yes, I have the same problem, However, lowering the seat is NOT the answer. I really like the SUV type seating as opposed to trying to lift myself out of the low slung sports car seats. Wouldn't it be better to just increase the windshield depth at the top? As it is, I find that I have to stop a bit further back from a light to see it. I am 6'2" and also have the seat all the way back - Wouldn't it be nice if the steering wheel telescoped rather than the rather minimal tilt?

03-17-2004, 08:59 AM	#5
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,253 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	I find I have to stop a bit farther back or just duck my head to see. Hadn't considered it a major issue for me, but can see how it could be an annoyance if you deal with a lot of lights.

03-17-2004, 09:47 AM	#6
gene Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 33 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I had similar issues with my 96 Saturn, and as a few people pointed out, the easiest thing to do is stop a little further back from the light. It can be annoying when you pull up too far and you're contorting your head to try to see the light though.

03-17-2004, 10:54 AM	#7
m1j1tc0rn Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 92 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	i say we ask coastaletech to create a periscope for the top of the car to wire into the display. we can voice command the camera to look at whatever we'd like. "show traffic light." easy. -r