Tail light design

[935684]

I'm not certain whether I've beefed about this before. My apologies if I have.In my opinion, the designer of the Vibe's tail lights should be sentenced to a minimum term of 30 days, cleaning Vibe tail lights with a squeegie at a service station. The horizontal ridges make it a slow and awkward task, especially in the winter when they're coated with snow, grime and salt.Either that, or boil him in oil.

[NovaResource]

The squeegie is for the windows, not to wash your whole car. You probably wash the gas that spills out onto the side of your car with the squeegie too, so the next guy who wants to wash his windows gets gas all over them.

[NSimkins]

The tail lights are just another one of the Vibe's unique design points.quote:The squeegie is for the windows, not to wash your whole car. You probably wash the gas that spills out onto the side of your car with the squeegie too, so the next guy who wants to wash his windows gets gas all over them.I am with Nova here... you know those places don't probably take as good care of their equipment (squeegee's) as well as you would personally. I wouldn't let them use it on my vehicle... you don't know where that squeegee's been! If you want to do it yourself, get a California Water Blade.. I have one.. works at getting the bulk of the water off the vehicle (the Vibe's many contours), but you still have to towel/chamois it completely dry.

[VibeSalsa]

quote:The squeegie is for the windows, not to wash your whole car. I don't know anybody who washes his whole car with a squeegee.... You're wrong! The fact explained by 935684 is that: When you live in an area where it has a lot of snow like here in Canada, the autorities who care for the roads, streets and highways have to put some sand, salt, calcium and some thing like that to help the ice and snow to melt when the roads has been cleared of most of the snow. When you drive, all this stuff go on your car and as it dries on the lights (front and tail lights) it becomes like you put some table salt on your lights: they have a little coat of this white stuff or mud and sand... So, to respect the law, you have to keep them clean and clear to stay visible for other cars. The better way to do that fast, is to go to the nearest gas station and clean the windows and the lights with the squeegee. When you drive in bad conditions, it may require that you wash the lights often.... I hope you understand now. I went to Philadelphia, PA one time and I know you don't have harsh and severe winter like ours.quote:You probably wash the gas that spills out onto the side of your car with the squeegie too, so the next guy who wants to wash his windows gets gas all over them.I never saw someone doing that and I think that is not the question here.At last, to answer you my friend 935684, I agree with you. I noticed the same thing when I washed my tail lights last week. You have to be meticulous to do a good job....

[Vibe]

Good Greif-Just keep a rag in your car and wipe them off. But usually everytime I get gas ---its time for a wash anyway. If your taillights are dirty then the rest of the car must be also. James

[NovaResource]

quote:When you live in an area where it has a lot of snow like here in Canada, the autorities who care for the roads, streets and highways have to put some sand, salt, calcium and some thing like that to help the ice and snow to melt when the roads has been cleared of most of the snow. When you drive, all this stuff go on your car and as it dries on the lights (front and tail lights) it becomes like you put some table salt on your lights: they have a little coat of this white stuff or mud and sand... So, to respect the law, you have to keep them clean and clear to stay visible for other cars.The better way to do that fast, is to go to the nearest gas station and clean the windows and the lights with the squeegee. When you drive in bad conditions, it may require that you wash the lights often.... I hope you understand now. I went to Philadelphia, PA one time and I know you don't have harsh and severe winter like ours.Oh, that right, only Canada gets bad snow. No where else in the world gets bad snow. Poor Canadians, they have to deal with snow and salt.For your information we do get bad snow here in Philadelphia. No, we don't get as much as you all winter long, but we do get alot. Also, living in a large city (probably the 5th largerst in the country) we don't handle snow removal on local streets well. Only the main roads get plowed and salted, not the local streets. On top of that, it's very common to get ice storms here instead of snow.Bottom line, we have the same problem with dirty taillights here in Philadelphia. I'll say it again, a squeegee is for your windshield not your whole car. If you want to wash your taillights, go through a car wash or carry a bottle of Windex and a rag (that's what I do).And to Mr 935684, if you don't like the tail lights, sell your Vibe and buy a Matrix with smooth tail lights.

[935684]

Where to begin? First, thanks for explaining the facts of life, Salsa. I should have realized that a lot of people in the forum have little idea about the highway conditions up here, during the winter.Nova and Nik, when you drive even 25 miles on the highway around here, until the roads have been cleared and dried completely, even clean headlights and tail lights pick up a coating of grime. At night, I think headlight illumination can be cut as much as 50%. The tail lights are even worse, as hatchbacks get filthy on the back without a rear window wind deflector. As you may recall, I've complained about this particular omission by GM, on several occasions.On a longer drive, say 200 miles or more, your only real opportunity to clean your lights is when you stop for gas. I guess I could carry my own bottle of Windex with me, and clean my lights with paper towels. The only problem is, at times, I'm a tad forgetful, and I leave the bottle in the car overnight. The result - the spray mechanism freezes, and never works again, even after it's thawed.No, I don't wash my car with a squeegee at gas stations. In fact, I simply don't wash it at all during the winter, as I have no warm place in which to let my car dry. I take care of my windows, lights and licence plates only. As for James' suggestion, I'm afraid it won't work. The coating of grime on the lights can't be removed unless it's wet. Again, my only sources of liquid on most trips (I live in a rural area about 70 miles from the nearest small city) are gas stations, liquid carried in the car, or (in emergencies) clean snow, itself. Have you ever tried to find clean snow next to a highway? Thanks again, Salsa. You know what it's like.

[NSimkins]

quote:The result - the spray mechanism freezes, and never works again, even after it's thawed.Another idea would be to put a jug of windshield washer fluid in your vehicle. This fluid has alot lower tendency to freeze when compared to windex/water. Just dump a little washer fluid on a rag, wipe, and you're set.Something like this should suffice. Shell Canada say's it should cause no harm to your vehicle.

[935684]

Nova, I just saw your second message, after I posted my reply to your original comments. I think I've addressed what you said, except for your last point. Sorry, not everyone can buy and sell cars on a whim. I'm stuck with the Vibe for at least 5 to 10 years, I suspect. Actually, I like many features of the car. I'm complaining about a specific design feature, only.

[935684]

Nick, sorry I spelled your name incorrectly in my message.I carry washer fluid in the car at all times. Unfortunately, it contains methyl alcohol, which is highly poisonous and easily absorbed by skin. I'm reluctant to use it on a rag or a wad of paper towels, because of that. If you can wash it off right away, it's not a problem. That's why I prefer the Windex.

[NovaResource]

quote:Sorry, not everyone can buy and sell cars on a whim. I'm stuck with the Vibe for at least 5 to 10 years, I suspect. Actually, I like many features of the car. I'm complaining about a specific design feature, only.The Matrix is the exact same car as the Vibe but has smooth tail lights (among a few other external design differences). I guess you should have done a little more research on the Vibe before you put down your hard earned money. 5 to 10 years of cleaning thoses tail lights will be a horrible burden for you but I believe you are strong enough to overcome it. Chin up!

[935684]

quote: ....I guess you should have done a little more research on the Vibe before you put down your hard earned money. 5 to 10 years of cleaning thoses tail lights will be a horrible burden for you but I believe you are strong enough to overcome it. Chin up!I did research the Vibe. I simply failed to think carefully enough about the tail light design. I've made many mistakes in my life. This was a minor one, so let's leave it at that.I knew about the Matrix, long before I even knew it had a twin. I test drove a Matrix (I had driven Toyotas for 16 years), prior to learning that the Vibe even existed.I chose the Vibe for other reasons, such as a $3400 GM Visa credit and the equipment that came standard on the Canadian version of the AWD model. It's a great little car. As I said before, I'm only beefing about certain features.If complaints about design features are not welcome in the forum, I hope Nick will let me know. I'll be happy to refrain from making any further comments about issues that bug me, should that be the case.

[935684]

Nick, I just thought of something, with respect to your suggestion. I wonder what would happen if I were to make a mixture of say 50/50 Windex and isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is safe even if you don't bother washing it off. I think Windex contains ammonia. Does anyone know whether there's a problem with mixing alcohol and ammonia? If not, that would be a perfect solution. It would never freeze, even at -40, and it would be safe to spill on hands while on a trip.

[VibeSalsa]

Oh! something was started here! Dear Nova, I don't think I wanted to be considered as a poor Canadian... I just explained a little bit more the situation when you have to deal with bad conditions. The snow itself is not bad. I love to ski and I love snow and the Vibe because the roof rack & the inside of the car can carry skis very well. It's the roads' conditions created by the snow and the consequences who are bad... I will continue like 935684 to wash my tail and front lights this way but we'll have to take our time.935684, I'm with you and you're welcome if you think I helped you!

[NSimkins]

quote:I wonder what would happen if I were to make a mixture of say 50/50 Windex and isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is safe even if you don't bother washing it off.I just looked around a little, and it looks like mixing ammonia and alcohol should be okay. I would check around a little more just to be sure. I found this website that has a mixture for glass cleaner that uses alcohol and ammonia.See this page: http://www.almanac.com/home/cleaners.html Check by the "Glass Cleaner" section. I would assume appropriate mixtures of both should work out. It also states you can substitute ammonia with a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice. All that I can say is it would smell interesting.

[NovaResource]

First of all I want to say that most of my comments are dripping with sarcasm so don't take them too seriously but there is a bit of truth behind my opinions.About freezing window cleaner: I carry a bottle of Windex but there is no Windex in it. I just use an empty bottle filled with windshield washer fluid. The same stuff you pour in your washer fluid reservoir. It never freezes and works well to clean the windows and lights.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

Usually, I use windshield washer fuild and a towell.

[TGebiV]

I use well a car wash in the winter? ]