oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
The local Amazon megacenter has a bunch of those Rivian vans in their fleet now.
This is exactly the problem Rob is pointing out. One that I’ve noticed quite often also. Idiots on the road think the car does it all for them and leave their lights on “Auto” in low visibility situations, which effectively turns your vehicle into a near-invisible moving road hazard as the “Auto” function doesn’t turn taillights on in low visibility, when you need that extra lighting, it only works when it is dark out. If you don’t want to get rear-ended, it’s a smart idea to (no, really, it’s freaking retarded not to) actually turn the lights ON so the taillights actually turn on.If you leave them on "auto", the DRLs will be on during the day and then the lows/highs/tails will come on when it gets dark. I don't think the low beams come on automatically in rain unless it also gets dark enough. I had assumed that they'd come on automatically when the wipers do, but there's no mention of it in the manual (so thanks for reminding me to check): https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-371B94E9-E74F-4BBB-9A55-5F4182894B99.html
I suspect Rivian isn't making much money on those. I've seen a couple around, too.The local Amazon megacenter has a bunch of those Rivian vans in their fleet now.
Some DRL functions also run taillights. Others do not. Honda drivers are the most notorious, in my experience, for driving at night with DRLs only. Some say the big difference is whether or not the gauges are illuminated when headlights are off. If they're not, drivers are more likely to notice.This is exactly the problem Rob is pointing out. One that I’ve noticed quite often also. Idiots on the road think the car does it all for them and leave their lights on “Auto” in low visibility situations, which effectively turns your vehicle into a near-invisible moving road hazard as the “Auto” function doesn’t turn taillights on in low visibility, when you need that extra lighting, it only works when it is dark out. If you don’t want to get rear-ended, it’s a smart idea to (no, really, it’s freaking retarded not to) actually turn the lights ON so the taillights actually turn on.
Amazing how many people don’t understand such a simple concept...
While I've not truly kept a tally, I've not seen one brand represented more often. Just last night I saw another one, and I'm fairly sure (though with no rear illumination I couldn't be sure) it was a small Chevy SUV.Some DRL functions also run taillights. Others do not. Honda drivers are the most notorious, in my experience for driving at night with DRLs only.
Yep, why I said that clusters should be required to be readable WITHOUT backlighting in daylight...Some say the big difference is whether or not the gauges are illuminated when headlights are off. If they're not, drivers are more likely to notice.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's the problem with all of the Rivian vehicles- they priced them too low relative to production costs. Demand is there, I think. They just need to figure out how to cut production costs, or worse, raise prices. If they raise prices a whole bunch, that will effect demand.I suspect Rivian isn't making much money on those. I've seen a couple around, too.
I think that's a great EV application if the range is adequate for the van's service area.
I have auto lights and wipers on my Ram. No DRLs. Lights turn themselves on near dusk and if in a darker area. Sometimes, they will turn on while sitting in the drive through. High beams are also automatic and use a sensor on the back of the mirror to "see" other's headlights and taillights. The lights also turn themselves on if the wipers turn on. In NC, the state law is that if your wipers are on, you have to be "burning" your headlamps. Yes, it is still written that way. We used to have a Honda where the dash light up with DRLs. It didn't change intensity based on outside lighting. We got pulled over a few times to remind us to turn all the lights on.Does that make it impossible to drive the car at night or in inclement weather (rain/fog/snow/etc.) without at least running lights on both ends? I've long since lost count of how many idiots I see on the roads in NJ who drive around with either nothing but DRLs or no exterior lights at all in rain/snow, at night, or combinations of all of the above. Tends to annoy me more than a bit, espcially when I'm sharing a freeway with them...
Saw a few of those in the Phoenix area but didn't know who was building them.The local Amazon megacenter has a bunch of those Rivian vans in their fleet now.
Lots of 3/4 and 1 ton trucks around here too. I don't know if it's mostly elderly folks buying the Godzilla Superduties, but they aren't easy on the wallet either. I think they start around $50k and get about 12 mpg when they aren't towing anything.I see a lot of Super Duty pickups around where I live, usually driven by landscape companies, plumbers, or contractors. However, they all tow big box trailers full of tools, equipment, and supplies. If the Lightning is limited to less than 100 miles when towing a 2 or 3 ton trailer, they're not going to work for these buyers. Like oilhammer said, they're good for the elderly (because that's who can afford them) going to Home Depot to buy a broom or snow shovel. Or, in my town, for runs to the transfer station. Not much else.
We have the same law in NJ - been on the books since before I got my permit in '92. Wish they'd have a ticket campaign for this like they do for seatbelts....In NC, the state law is that if your wipers are on, you have to be "burning" your headlamps. Yes, it is still written that way.
For may years, there were models available in Canada that we could not get in the US. Never made any sense.Hell, even just across the border in Mexico they got way more options!
If they do, it's a pretty common opinion among VW enthusiasts (not just TDIs) that VWoA is way off base on the models they offer here, and have been for years. Maybe their current line appeals to a mass market consumer cross shopping against Kia and Subaru, but not so much for those of us who have loved VWs for years.The automakers have a pretty good idea of which models sell well in which markets. If importing/exporting them isn't profitable, they generally won't bother.
Yeah, unfortunately they are more interested in profits than pleasing a subset of enthusiasts. Many hardcore Porsche enthusiasts were disgusted when Porsche first unveiled the Cayenne. But that model has sold incredibly well, and may have kept Porsche afloat.If they do, it's a pretty common opinion among VW enthusiasts (not just TDIs) that VWoA is way off base on the models they offer here, and have been for years. Maybe their current line appeals to a mass market consumer cross shopping against Kia and Subaru, but not so much for those of us who have loved VWs for years.
The difference between Porsche and VW is that Porsche has continued to sell the sports coupes and sedans that the Cayenne helps fund. VW doesn't use revenues from SUVs and CUVs to sell, for example, the up!, Polo, or even Golf or Golf Sportwagen any longer. Not to mention vans or trucks.Yeah, unfortunately they are more interested in profits than pleasing a subset of enthusiasts. Many hardcore Porsche enthusiasts were disgusted when Porsche first unveiled the Cayenne. But that model has sold incredibly well, and may have kept Porsche afloat.