I have a 2006!!!
Does the Solstice HAVE a fuel gauge????/


I don't look at it, I'vr been using the DIC for 22 months.


fred
(I once posted about a magnifyinhg lens stuck in that lil round hole - but I never tried it.)

 

Each dial has two LED's (looks like LED's) surfaced mounted to the PCB.
Looking at it, I'm not sure how you would make it brighter.

Not to pass any judgement, although it makes me scratch my head about his vision for the bigger task of driving.

 

From the techs at work, there are different intensities in LED’s (light-emitting diode), not sure what the factory uses.
Day time not bad, I have a hard time at night seeing any of the gages. Just memorize them and know how fast you’re going or how just make sure the tank is full all the time.

 

I don't have vision problems and still fine the gages very difficult to read. Pontiac must never have driven a Solstice anyplace where gauges were necessaty. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

 

You are so right, what could be the reasoning behind those hidden gauges. One more item, what about the lack of an oil gauge?

 

You all are sounding like trolls.

These gages are very readable and styled right!!!!!

The way you sound perhaps Pontiac should of put some 1980 S10 pickup style gages.

If one cant see the gages, you have to wonder if driving is right for that person.

 

There is no way you can see the gauges consistently on a bright day, even with the top up. That is not conjecture, that is fact. It is a poor design - period.

 

For me the instrument gages are difficult to read in bright sunlight, and a bit dim at night at the brightest setting. But not enough for me to bother with changing them or distracting enough from the enjoyment of the car.

 

O.K., as we learned in yoga class today, just let it be. So all you blessed with perfect vision, thank your lucky stars and then shut your pie hole. Those who aren't, Google Black Cat Custom. Besides custom Solstice gauge faces, they sell an upgrade LED kit for $35. Apparently it takes a bit of soldering. I will find out soon enough. I'm ordering a custom gauge faceplate from Alex at Black Cat and getting the LED upgrade kit. I can't stand the Star Trek gauges in the Solstice and am going for a classic retro look.

 

We expect great photos on a new thread when you're done!
:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I have a lot of trouble noticing my fuel gauge. It is deeply recessed in that tunnel, and my head is pressed against the headrest, with the seat as far back as possible. I just don't have a good angle at the gauge.

Usually my first indication of low fuel is the "low fuel" warning light, closely followed by a significant loss of power. :willy: :willy: :willy:

.

 

So the demographics for the Solstice are the aging baby boom generation. So who at GM had the wisdom put in tiny gauges for us old farts? The gauges should be 25%, no 50% larger. The current size is just dumb.

Larger gauges would improve the style of the dash layout. Plus the gauge needles have to move faster during acceleration, just adds to the performance experience.

Anyway how can a grey haired old man look cool in his car with reading class on?

 

I can understand that seeing the fuel gauge is an issue if your seating position doesn't align you properly with the 'tunnel' to the gauge itself. I happen to be able to look right down it and have no problem in various lighting conditions...top up or down. The DIC and radio are impossible to see in direct sunlight, but everything else I can't see how there is a problem. Is this a GXP vs base issue?

 

To answer the original question. You could push the fog light button which can brighten them up sometimes, cover the little dome on the dash which will cause the lights to come on and also brighten up the gauges ... last but not least maybe a dashhawk?

 

Pushing the fog light button can sometimes brighten the instrument lights? Haven't noticed that on my Sol yet.
I think I'm going to have to go for more night runs to check this out!. :yesnod:

 

My father has a 2007 Solstice and was wondering if there was any way to get the lights behind the speedometer any brighter (brighter bulbs, etc). He has a problem with his vision and says that he has a difficult time seeing the fuel gauge.

One long shot you could try, ask your dealership or your Father's (if different) where they send their IP Clusters or Radios for servicing. Try to contact them and see if they can answer the question or "upgrade" your Dad's cluster.


You may even be able to come up with a source to ask by using your search engine of choice.

 

Initial Solstice advertising and marketing targeted single college graduate males between 25-35 years old with household income of $65,000 that would use the car as primary transportation and "wanting to fall in love with their car and expect an invigorating driving experience".

 

I have no problems with the gauges. I have good vision plus my viewing angle is pretty much perfect with my sitting position and height.
My problem with both my original N.A. and GXP is the radio, can not see it with the top down and daylight

 

Same here, at least with a Corvette you can see the radio station in the heads-up display. We need a HUD on the Solstice!

 

More light

my wife has the same problem with her Sky. She cant read the spedo during the day. I have ordered LEDs for illumination of the gauges without spending 4 hours taking the dash apart and risking doing more damage.

http://www.oznium.com/prewired-leds

Im going to install these in the gauge from the outside and hide them with colored tape. Then tap them into a convenient 12 v line.

 

SOLMIO have you heard when you will be receving you new gage cluster and led kit.

 

Worked out the design and all the specs with Alex, but haven't placed the order. Going to wait until I get the dash torn apart. Really want to get a close look at that DIC and try a red filter on it. Probably a January project. When I do it I will definiltey will post before and after pics.

 

There should be a dimmer knob to the left of the traction control button, at least there is on my GXP.
Turn it clockwise to up the brightness, counter to lower it.

Also, I've noticed that auto headlights seem to dim things during the day- and turning the auto headlights off (a quick flip clockwise/toward yourself) seems to brighten things up too.

 

The problem with being able to see the gauges in all light conditions is all over both this forum and the Sky forum. I personally have no problem seeing the gauges in my Sol but the Sky is much more difficult to read in daylight. The design should allow enough range of performance to satisfy people who are at either end of the spectrum. It clearly does not allow everyone to see them under all conditions.

And for those of you attacking people who post here, please give me a call so I can councel you on your maturity.

I am pursuing a solution for the wife's Sky that does not involve total dissassembly of the dash and all the problems that could bring.

 

I only have trouble seeing the illumination when going from dark to bright sun or vice versa like when you go in or out of a tunnel. Other than that, the illumination is fine for me.

 

Actually, I have found that I do not NEED to be able to see my speedometer.

The cop writing the ticket is always so helpful. He tells me how fast I was going.

.

 

:lol: Funny, Giz! :lol:

 

SOLMIO have you receved your new gage cluster and led kit? How do you like it? Do you have pictures?

 

I don't know if you all are aware of when you turn off your the day lights the led's on the speedometer says "day lights off" and the led lights get brighter on the speedo and radio then press your "info" button and it will get all the led's right. When you need your lights on, manualy put them on.