Lifespan of colour displays in modern cars?

Atlantic Dawn · 24-02-2018 10:07PM #1

I see the majority of new cars now have fancy colour displays for the audio, navigation etc, what would the lifespan of these be, could you expect them to be functioning for the life of the car or will they burn out and need replacement long before that?

JohnBoy26 · 24-02-2018 10:22PM

Aren't these lcd based? If so id expect them to have a similar lifespan to an lcd tv which isn't all that long.

Toyotafanboi · 24-02-2018 10:33PM

I've no scientific way to back it up but I'd expect them to last the lifetime of the car.

"Screen technology" is around a decent while now as it's became the norm for absolutely everything to have a screen and i'd say it isn't that expensive to make reasonable quality ones.

Lots of cars have had colour screens and in some cases colour touch screens for almost a decade now and you never really hear of failures.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 25-02-2018 08:44AM

Some of the higher end BMW (7 series) have colour screens since around 03/04 and are still working fine so if 14/15 year old technology can continue to function I don’t see why new tech shouldn’t be the same if not better.

kirving · 25-02-2018 09:37AM

I wouldn't be concerned about their durability.

Anything that goes into a car need to verify certified for automotive use, down to individual components in a circuit board. That means they're designed to last at least 15 years worth of vibration, heat, cold, electronic interference, and heavy use.

Even safety critical displays, like those running at 60+ FPS with extremely low latency for mirror replacement functions are now being shipped on cars and have gone through the same if not harsher testing.

http://www.gmauthority.com/blog/gm/general-motors-technology/gm-safety-technology/gm-active-safety-technology/gm-rear-camera-mirror/

Heres Johnny · 25-02-2018 09:52AM

I've an 06 e60 and the colour screen is perfect.

DaveyDave · 25-02-2018 10:05AM

Lots of people have HDTVs and computer monitors for years. I have a computer screen over 10 years that hasn't had a single issue. My Granddad is using a Sony TV we got in 2007 that was given to him.

Not forgetting workplaces, I imagine lots of hospitals, doctors and schools using the same screens. Some places hold onto stuff for a decade or more.

These things are on 8 hours+, every day.

The thing about screen technology is that it costs to be different. Apple use Samsung displays. When phones started using OLED technology back in around 2010 it was expensive, everyone was using Samsung panels of the same sizes, otherwise the cost to manufacture is too high.

It's likely the screens in older cars are made by Samsung or LG. Could be wrong, but most screen panels are made by just a few companies.

Atlantic Dawn · 25-02-2018 10:57PM

I suppose a chat to a taxi driver where they are doing 8-10 hour shifts in the car with displays on might be a good source of more information.

Kuva · 25-02-2018 10:59PM

They'll last as long as manufacturer wants really.

Everything is made to break for now, I think "Europe" is going to start looking at this soon.

Parents bought a washing machine the week I was born, they still had it when I turned 21. More chance of winning the lotto than the same thing happening to one you buy now.

mickdw · 25-02-2018 11:01PM

Very easy component to replace anyway in most cases.
It's just about the last thing I'd worry about in a modern car.

mickdw · 25-02-2018 11:01PM

Very easy component to replace anyway in most cases.
It's just about the last thing I'd worry about in a modern car.

JohnBoy26 · 25-02-2018 11:04PM

DaveyDave wrote: »

Lots of people have HDTVs and computer monitors for years. I have a computer screen over 10 years that hasn't had a single issue. My Granddad is using a Sony TV we got in 2007 that was given to him.

Not forgetting workplaces, I imagine lots of hospitals, doctors and schools using the same screens. Some places hold onto stuff for a decade or more.

These things are on 8 hours+, every day.

The thing about screen technology is that it costs to be different. Apple use Samsung displays. When phones started using OLED technology back in around 2010 it was expensive, everyone was using Samsung panels of the same sizes, otherwise the cost to manufacture is too high.

It's likely the screens in older cars are made by Samsung or LG. Could be wrong, but most screen panels are made by just a few companies.

Those old lcd's used a ccfl based backlight which had a longer lifespan than the newer led tv's. Even still 10 years is bonus territory for it.

Most seem to last 6-7 years at most. Issues range from panel failure, backlight failure and t-con board failure amingst other things. In the grand scheme of things it's not a reliable technology where longevity is concerned, especially compared to crt.

Kuva · 25-02-2018 11:06PM

mickdw wrote: »

Very easy component to replace anyway in most cases.
It's just about the last thing I'd worry about in a modern car.

Until you see the price I'd imagine

JohnBoy26 · 25-02-2018 11:07PM

mickdw wrote: »

Very easy component to replace anyway in most cases.
It's just about the last thing I'd worry about in a modern car.

But is it? Are these screens not used for the virtual cockpit in many modern cars? Can't see that being easy to replace in terms of cost.

mickdw · 26-02-2018 12:22AM

I wasn't thinking of a virtual cockpit displays as that is not what the op mentioned.
That said, I believe they would be stupidly expensive to replace via main dealer but to be honest having priced a dash pod for an Audi TT years back, that was stupidly expensive too.
As the tech becomes more common, the aftermarket repair companies will be all over these repairs at reasonable cost.

Ubbquittious · 26-02-2018 10:00AM

I saw a colour LCD there not so long ago and the pixels that were always on display were burnt into it after only one year of use. I thought this kind of thing was gone with the bows and arrows. This one wasn't in a car but there's no reason a similar one with the same flaw wouldn't be used in cars

Can't bate the auld 90s interiors

BigEejit · 26-02-2018 10:17AM

One of our cars has a 6" display for reversing camera, sat nav and audio, coming up to 10 years and no dead pixels. Only problem is that when it is very cold (around freezing and below) in the morning the display can be very dim, but as the car warms up the display gets up to normal brightness.

Del2005 · 26-02-2018 10:26AM

Kuva wrote: »

Until you see the price I'd imagine

If you go to the main dealer. The technology is several years old already already, so by the time the screen becomes an issue there will be plenty of 3rd party alternative solutions.

CJhaughey · 26-02-2018 11:09AM

My 08 Accord has a 6" touchscreen, still works fine the earliest ones from 03 are still working as well, no issues there.

zilog_jones · 26-02-2018 04:37PM

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Those old lcd's used a ccfl based backlight which had a longer lifespan than the newer led tv's. Even still 10 years is bonus territory for it.

I think you've got that the wrong way around - CCFL backlights are much more likely to fail sooner than LED backlit LCD panels, as they have more points of failure (high voltage inverter, etc.). I've seen many CCFL backlit computer monitors at work fail after about 6 years or so. The problem is in the past 10 years there is just a lot more low-quality cheap junk out there at the same time as LED became more commonplace.

BigEejit wrote: »

Only problem is that when it is very cold (around freezing and below) in the morning the display can be very dim, but as the car warms up the display gets up to normal brightness.

This is a common limitation with LCD technology, but not really related to age.

JohnBoy26 · 26-02-2018 05:41PM

zilog_jones wrote: »

I think you've got that the wrong way around - CCFL backlights are much more likely to fail sooner than LED backlit LCD panels, as they have more points of failure (high voltage inverter, etc.). I've seen many CCFL backlit computer monitors at work fail after about 6 years or so. The problem is in the past 10 years there is just a lot more low-quality cheap junk out there at the same time as LED became more commonplace.

No I have it the right way around. In theory the led backlights should have a longer lifespan but in reality they don't. Ask anyone that repairs tvs. Led strips failing is a very common problem. Even the plastic strips themselves have been known to melt.

Even with quality brands it's an issue.

GreeBo · 26-02-2018 05:46PM

Kuva wrote: »

They'll last as long as manufacturer wants really.

Everything is made to break for now, I think "Europe" is going to start looking at this soon.

Parents bought a washing machine the week I was born, they still had it when I turned 21. More chance of winning the lotto than the same thing happening to one you buy now.

My mum has a Ford Philco refrigerator that has been running everyday for 42 years now...

They can if they want...they just dont.

Eric Cartman · 26-02-2018 08:13PM

GreeBo wrote: »

My mum has a Ford Philco refrigerator that has been running everyday for 42 years now...

They can if they want...they just dont.

the advancement in fridge technology in that 42 years probably means your ma has paid for 4 new fridges in extra electricity.

Ubbquittious · 26-02-2018 08:52PM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

the advancement in fridge technology in that 42 years probably means your ma has paid for 4 new fridges in extra electricity.

I have one from the early 90s that uses little more than the new ones. Unless the seals are leaking.

The biggest things you can do to make the fridge use less are put it in a cold room and don't open the fridge door. The rest is mostly salesman talk

GreeBo · 27-02-2018 12:14AM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

the advancement in fridge technology in that 42 years probably means your ma has paid for 4 new fridges in extra electricity.

Nonsense, the fridge once cold stays cold due to insulation. It's a compact fridge and takes very little energy to cool itself.

Advances in fridge technology have given us ice makers, internal cameras and door LCD screens.

I know which fridge is more efficient.

beauf · 27-02-2018 12:51AM

Older VAG/Audi instrument clusters have some failures.

Guy:Incognito · 27-02-2018 10:22AM

How much was that fridge, as a percentage of salary, compared to what you can buy now.

You can have cheap or you can have well made. Seldom you get both.

JohnBoy26 · 27-02-2018 02:07PM

I love the way this thread went from being about displays in cars to an argument about the efficiency an old fridge :pac:

beauf · 27-02-2018 02:17PM

Its chilling isn't it.

JohnBoy26 · 27-02-2018 02:22PM

beauf wrote: »

Its chilling isn't it.

It's cool I think.

Eric Cartman · 27-02-2018 02:23PM

beauf wrote: »

Its chilling isn't it.

thats an ice pun you made there.

beauf · 27-02-2018 02:33PM

I guess the only indication of failure rates is how many business spring up fixing them.

I'm thinking of the Wheeler Dealer episode where he got a Audi TT instrument cluster fixed. Different tech granted, but its the same sort of thing. They gone to various specialty repair places with various other components. ABS modules etc.

mickdw · 27-02-2018 02:45PM

beauf wrote: »

I guess the only indication of failure rates is how many business spring up fixing them.

I'm thinking of the Wheeler Dealer episode where he got a Audi TT instrument cluster fixed. Different tech granted, but its the same sort of thing. They gone to various specialty repair places with various other components. ABS modules etc.

yes as I said earlier in the thread, the tt cluster was an expensive fix in its day when bought new from dealer.
Make no mistake, the same re manufacturing company who repair the TT clusters will be doing the new active displays as soon as parts can be sourced.

Lifespan of colour displays in modern cars?

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