I just drove the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, The Bowtie’s fresh new midsize truck aiming to take on the Toyota Tacoma, and while I’ll publish a full review soon, for now we need to talk about the headlight switch.
The vast majority of cars have their headlight switch in one of two locations: The left side of the steering wheel on the dashboard, or on a stalk mounted to the steering column. Here’s a look at the outgoing, 2022, Chevy Colorado’s headlight switch, which lets you turn the lights off, activate
This switch allows you to turn the headlights off, leave them in “auto,” turn on just the parking lights, or turn them on. Plus, a push in the center turns on the fog lights:
The second common headlight switch location is the column-mounted. This is where the Toyota Tacoma, the vehicle whose sales Chevy really wants to encroach upon with the new Colorado, has its lighting control stalk:
You twist the end of the stalk to turn the lights off and on, to turn on only the parking lights, to turn off the daytime running lights, to put the switch into auto mode, etc. You’re probably all familiar with this.
The new Chevrolet Colorado, as my co-driver at the first-drive event (and boss at A Girl’s Guide to Cars) Scott Reiss pointed out, forgoes these rather intuitive headlight switch concepts for something that especially truck customers might find a bit surprising:
That’s right. The headlight switch is part of the infotainment screen!
From the home screen, you press a lightbulb at the top, and that will open up the headlight “toolbar” (that’s what I’m calling it), which offers the following modes: off, auto, parking lights, on. The toolbar only remains in place for a few seconds after you press the little bulb icon, then it disappears. It’s worth noting that the high beams are actuated via the stalk mounted on the left side of the steering column, so that’s still fairly traditional:
Overall, it’s a rather peculiar headlight switch setup, but the lack of a physical switch isn’t specific to the new Colorado. I bet you can guess which other brand is doing it:
That’s right — Tesla’s headlight switch is also located in the infotainment display. I can’t off the top of my head think of other mainstream car brands with this setup, but I bet there are a few.
I spoke with a Chevrolet spokesperson about the brand’s decision to forego a physical headlight switch in favor of the touchscreen, and he told me it comes down to OTA, or over-the-air update capability. Per the spokesperson, allowing the infotainment system to actuate the headlights means Chevrolet has wireless access to the headlights, should the brand decide it wants to install some kind of update that affects the headlight function.
I don’t mean to suggest that Chevy is going to go in this silly direction, but it’s worth noting that Tesla’s “Holiday Mode” light show function was an over-the-air update:
I don’t see why one couldn’t have both a physical switch (perhaps a “fake” mechanical switch that works through the infotainment system, and is not an actual mechanical switch that directly actuates relays to send current to the lights) and OTA capability, but in any case, this is the route Chevy chose to take.
I don’t think it’s a massive deal given that most folks will keep their vehicle in “auto” mode 99 percent of the time, but at the same time, I think it’s going to receive more criticism in this application than it does in a Tesla. The Colorado is a truck, after all, and if you look at the transmission shifter (shown above) in the truck — an electronic, center tunnel-mounted shifter that mimics the look and feel of an old mechanical PRNDL — it’s clear GM understands that truck customers like chunky things, even if they’re not entirely logical (the shifter is a waste of space). It is worth noting that the electric park brake shown above represents a shift away from a chunky pedal or hand-actuated lever, but few folks use park brakes on automatic-equipped cars, anyway. Are most folks entirely onboard with “set and forget” automatic headlights? I’m not quite sure yet; I wouldn’t be surprised if Chevy sees a bit of backlash for the screen-accessed headlight “switch.”
I was all ready to be up in arms about this until I got to the part in the article about Tesla and realized, oh, yeah, mine doesn’t have a physical headlight control.
Just reinforces the fact that I’ve almost never switched it off “auto.” Goes for my other two cars, really, both of which are just set to auto despite having a physical control.
Absolute no. If I was shopping for a new car (ha, yeah right) I’d be opposed to any unnecessary screen-usage, the entertainment system should be exclusively that, entertainment.
That said I’m the kind of guy everyone gets mad at because I leave my phone on silent 24/7 and I’m hard to reach so maybe I’m not the right demographic..
Here’s my take…when the light activation in the screen goes bad??? Have to replace the whole screen, just to get lites to work again. Rather replace just the switch. This is right up there with some makes putting the rear turn signals in the bumper..down low..how stupid! Keep ‘em up there where we can see them! Shows how “bright “ the NHTSA is allowing that! “See what I did there?” Lol. Nobody asked the prospective owners. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The height of stupidity. But what else is new? Make sure you the extended warranty. Those screens start at $1000 plus labor…Thanks for letting me vent.
Just as stupid as the glove box thing, but an even more important control. Absolute dealbreaker for me.
I find myself afflicted with “zombie finger”(look it up) from time to time, so having a touch screen too deal with can sometimes be chore. I think placing critical automotive controls on a capacitive touch screen is wrong headed.
One the other hand a possible benefit that I’ve noticed with my tablet and my desk cat is that they interact well and with sufficient training it is possible that Toonces can drive a Tesla. (-;
A lot of folks in the comments seem to be split into two camps: “Auto headlights are a set-it-and-forget-it kind of thing; they might as well be on a touchscreen” and “Primary/safety controls should always be physical; this is idiotic.”
I think this reflects two very different points of consideration – one is “is this significantly worse than the existing implementation/a dealbreaker” and the other is “is this better than the existing implementation”. IMO the reason for the split is that the answer to both of these questions is no.
On one hand, I agree with camp #1 – since I got my first vehicle with auto headlights, I’ve touched the light controls maybe twice, while driving through mandatory lights-on construction zones. In fact, since I have to drive at night a lot, I’ve often found myself thinking about how I can’t wait until automated high-beam systems become commonplace, both so I wouldn’t be consistently blinded and so that I wouldn’t have to tap the stalk every minute or so. If I were in the market for a new truck, whether or not a control I use literally once every couple of years is on a touchscreen or not would not impact my purchase decision in the slightest.
On the other, I also agree with camp #2 – this reeks of innovation for the sake of innovation. There is nothing that the new system does better than the physical implementation. It doesn’t save a meaningful amount of space, it doesn’t allow for repurposing the space it originally occupied, you could argue it goes against muscle memory and introduces a potentially trickier to deal with point of failure. I think we are headed towards a future where automation is going to be the norm and computer/electronic expertise will supplement if not supplant mechanical know-how. And that’s okay; times change. But for fuck’s sake, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
tl;dr: My take is – it is what it is. It’s not a huge deal, but also – literally why?
It seems automakers are confusing “safety” with “convenience,” “luxury,” “technology.” Lights are a safety feature. They can be automated, high-tech, and luxurious, but they are safety first.
The aircraft industry has found the glass cockpit to be a huge advance over older guage clusters, and fly-by-wire has made unstable aircraft more flyable. But, safety dictates that systems have redundancy – manual controls for when automation fails.
Maybe the next great thing from GM will be steer-by-wire, with access to the steering device buried in a sub-menu under the Sirius XM trial subscription privacy settings
I seriously object to the manufacturer creating possible safety problems just so they can save on a physical switch/want to be cool or edgy controlling >everything < with a screen(projecting here on the cool or edgy thing)
Since these companies are too stupid to do the obviously right things in regards to controls, this touchscreen for vital functions nonsense should be made illegal. Have driven cars with auto headlights for 17 years. The damn things annoyingly flip on and off traveling beneath underpasses during the day, so I never use that setting. I hate auto anything except maybe one-touch windows.
What I’d really like is a sensor that turns a vehicle’s high beams off if it detects the presence of other lights.
Seemingly getting as bad as those running around at night with only DRLs illuminated, I guess some people think having the blue squid illuminated on the dash means their lights are on?
My wife’s Subaru does that.. I run the high beams on our country road but once it spots another car it dims them faster than I could reach the switch. Yes, switch. Screen controls can go to hell.
My bigger complaint from the picture is, it is 2023 and they still use halogen bulbs?
Good.
I really don’t care. I actually prefer auto anyways, and would like it to default to auto after the vehicle restarts. The only time I ever touch the headlight switch in our one vehicle with auto headlights is after we have taken it to be inspected and the tech leaves it in the off position.
Like someone above said, but trying to make the opposite point, headlights are a crucial safety feature. They should just work and work automatically.
Primary controls should always be accessible, usable, and adjustable WITHOUT TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD.
I can find and use every primary control in my 2003 Odyssey, 2013 Mazda5, and 2013 Cube with my eyes closed. How is the infotainment interface an improvement? I swear car design is going backwards.
Questions: How much slower in access times is this than conventional? Can the lights be accessed any other way? If the screen somehow loses function, is the car undrivable at night, especially if not already in auto mode?
Again, not everything in life needs to be an ipad.
“Primary controls should always be accessible…WITHOUT TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD.”
This: so much this!
I live on a one-lane road, and have to turn around either coming home or leaving. Usually leave while still dark, so turn around the afternoon before. Occasionally will forget something, so I’ll cut my lights rather than spotlight into my neighbor’s bedroom when I come back to get it. Very occasionally work a second shift or have a late-night call: same deal. I should NOT have to pull eyes of my tiny road populated with neighborhood cats, deer, or (rarely) fox or bear to turn off my headlights.
Touchscreen controls for headlights would be a deal-breaker for me. That said, I am seriously unlikely to ever buy a brand new car
Is this really a primary control these days? I no longer think it is.
My idea of a primary control is anything that aids in safely moving the car, especially from a visual standpoint. This would include controls for lights and wipers (though often automated), cruise control, mirror controls, signals/indicators (remember the Ferrari 458 with the signals on the wheel that were never in the same place? Clarkson on TG had opinions), gear selectors, brake, accelerator, and steering wheel. Using these should be second nature for the driver, requiring almost no conscious effort and absolutely no visual distraction. That’s my opinion.
I’d drop cruise control and add climate control as necessary. Although both could be argued to be luxury items. Mirror controls could be added to the luxury list as well. Get into car, check mirrors, adjust as needed, get back in car and drive. Not too tough.
Given that it’s a (likely) 45k+ “mid sized” truck I wouldnt ever buy it anyhow, but that is just another reason not to.
Aside from the fact that certain things should be in places we are all used to having them so we can use them by muscle memory instead of having to think about them, the curmudgeon in me doesnt understand why somethings needed to be improved. Column shifters, high beam knobs on the floor, front bench seats. THESE ARE THE THINGS I WANT IN A TRUCK
Oh well, gas is stupid expensive and I finally dont “need” a second job landscaping in the evenings anymore, so Im driving a 4 cylinder sedan I got for cheap. Maybe its the more things change are reminding me that I’ll never have a truck again, and Im inching closer to the end of my journey
I’m glad I read this and an advertisement pops up under the headline for heartburn.
No thanks on the tech. Sincerely a Miata owner.
Doesn’t the ND even disable the touch screen when in motion to reduce driver distraction potential?
Yep. Not that I ever use the touch screen. And the Mazda 3 only uses the rotary controller. Mazda are one of the few brands that are good at driver UX.
Will this prevent all those boneheads from driving around at night with only DRLs on? If so, I’m all for it.
Otherwise this is just another awful move by GM, and Chevy in particular. I’ve lost count how many there have been.
Ages ago when I was in the military, we had to turn off our headlights when approaching the main gate or other security checkpoints.
Having that function on the screen seems to complicate things for the driver – especially if it can’t easily be done by touch/without looking – but also gives the option for the front passenger to turn the lights on/off. Hmm.
No, it’s still a bad idea IMO.
Horrible idea. Flashing your brights is a common safety and courtesy function that should never be treated like HVAC or entertainment controls on the head unit. How could someone quickly turn their high beams off when an oncoming car approaches? Forcing someone to look down and fiddle with a touchscreen to do that on a 2-lane highway is a recipe for a frontal offset collision.
This is not to select low or high beams. You can still do this with the stalk. It is simply to turn the headlights on or off or use other functions.
But the brights are activated on the stalk like every other car…
No touchscreen required.
That’s one way to demonstrate that you didn’t bother reading the whole post.
Emily Latella has now entered the chat….”oh dimmer switch on stalk?’Never mind.”
Don’t most people just set their headlights to “auto” and leave them there? On the one car I have that has automatic headlights, I think I’ve touched the controls for them maybe a handful of times in the 14 years I’ve owned it.
I’m perfectly ok with them being on a touchscreen.
I tend to agree, just leave it on auto. Heater blower on the other hand…
I turn mine on before they turn on automatically under some edge cases.
I also turn mine off when I’m stopped in a drive through or at a stoplight and I’m worried they may annoy other drivers because they’re high and they’re LEDs.
I’m sure a pickup truck wouldn’t have that problem. /s
While I completely agree this is stupid, and there should be a physical switch, the image shows an”Auto” setting. I have the automatic headlights on my 2002 TrailBlazer. I have NEVER touched that switch in 22 years. Set it to auto and forget it.
I frequently find the service folks mess with my light settings. I guess that’s my fault for not doing my own work.
I hate this. It does wonders to cement my “i’ll never buy a chevy” mentality.
*Driving around in my new 2023 Chevy Colorado at night with just the DRLs on*
*Some other driver rolls down their window and shouts* “TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS”
*looks in disgust at my touchscreen*
“No, I don’t think I will.”
COTD ^^^^
This should be flat out illegal. Safety equipment should not be treated as entertainment.
Also, why do trucks even have all this hot garbage? It’s a truck. Let trucks be trucks for crying out loud. This is as pointless as a hammer having a wi-fi connection.
What should be illegal is the ability to select anything other than auto. Why would you not want your headlights in auto ? In what situation would you want your headlights to stay off when it is dark enough that they would have turned on in auto ?
For me it’s about them turning on when I want, not staying off. I never use auto, I turn the lights on or off when I deem it appropriate. I don’t know why I do that, I guess it has something to do with being old.
Sometimes auto isn’t aggressive enough for me, and I turn them on sooner.
And sometimes I want to turn them off for other drivers’ sake when stopped.
Before entering a military base, you must turn off your headlights (so as not to blind the gate guards).
And if GM can use OTA “updates” to change headlight function, they can brick your car and demand a ransom to make it run again. TSLA’s already doin’ it…
So unless the headlights are defective from the factory, what possible OTA change could they make?
Any more, my preferred headlight switch implementation is a high beam stalk and nothing else. Want the headlights off, turn the vehicle off – that’s the motorcycle rules, and it completely eliminates the risk of driving with your lights off.
I’ve dealt with way too many electrical gremlins and phantom power draw to be feel comfortable with having my headlights on whenever I’m driving.
Everyone is doing this wrong. Sure, things like this can be software controllable, but for usability there should still be hard switches and buttons that can send the same signal. Bonus points if I can change the function of those hard switches/buttons to do exactly what I want. Even more bonus points if the assignable hard switches/buttons have tiny OLED or eInk displays that update when I reassign the function.
“Even more bonus points if the assignable hard switches/buttons have tiny OLED or eInk displays that update when I reassign the function.”
Yeah, we should definitely make cars more expensive to buy and repair.
Kill it with fire. That’s boneheaded AF.
My NB predates anything that isn’t an actual button ????
Apparently, emoji don’t work here.