Hello,

I was driving home tonight and since it was still light-ish I decided the left the the DRL on instead of main beam on the way out of a private road, then I notice that the dash started dimming and light up, not vibrant or anything, quite calm light up and dim. (Needle still very bright)

I am wondering if this is a feature to remind drivers that the main beam is not on? I have never notices this before when I was driving during the day??

On a different note, saw a nice Blue VRS Octy Estate coming down Bathwick hill, nice car, and because I was focussing on that, I didn't see the Burgundy Mk2 Superb (think elegance) from my right hand side on the Round about - apologies to the Superb driver if he's around, should have given way.

Hello,

I was driving home tonight and since it was still light-ish I decided the left the the DRL on instead of main beam on the way out of a private road, then I notice that the dash started dimming and light up, not vibrant or anything, quite calm light up and dim. (Needle still very bright)

I am wondering if this is a feature to remind drivers that the main beam is not on? I have never notices this before when I was driving during the day??

On a different note, saw a nice Blue VRS Octy Estate coming down Bathwick hill, nice car, and because I was focussing on that, I didn't see the Burgundy Mk2 Superb (think elegance) from my right hand side on the Round about - apologies to the Superb driver if he's around, should have given way.

The instrument lights do vary depending on the outside light level but how and why I have no idea. Example, going into a tunnel they stay obstinately off. The only sure fire way of getting them on is to put the sidelights on. If I couls find the lightsensor, I would put a plaster over it!! (SE model without auto lights)

If I could find the lightsensor, I would put a plaster over it!! (SE model without auto lights)

It's where the rearview mirror touches the windscreen. Bet youdont put a plaster on it

It's where the rearview mirror touches the windscreen. Bet youdont put a plaster on it

Ok thanks, Mine is an S and definitely does not have auto light, come to think about it, it does light up when it's brighter outside and vice versa.

If there is a sensor, surely it means I could fit auto-light to the car??

Am I understanding this right?

The instrument lighting adjusts its brightness relative to the ambient light? If so, what is the adjuster dial for...the one that adjusts the brightness of the instrument lighting?

My car has auto lights.

Am I understanding this right?

The instrument lighting adjusts its brightness relative to the ambient light? If so, what is the adjuster dial for...the one that adjusts the brightness of the instrument lighting?

My car has auto lights.

When the car is on side-beam or main-beam, the brightness of the dash is controlled by (I don't know where the adjuster dial is tbh, I wanted to adjust it, but couldn't find it, could someone help me) and stays as bright as you want it to be.

But when DRL is on (ie side beam and main beam off), the dash varies in brightness.

Is there a adjuster dial for dash brightness anyone?? - I can't find one.

It's where the rearview mirror touches the windscreen. Bet youdont put a plaster on it

On the SE, there is no connection between the rear view mirror and the electrics. Are you thinking of the Yeti with auto lights?

Went through some tunnels in mine a couple of weeks ago and on the first trip the numbers and needles lit up but on the return trip the needles lit up whilst the numbers didn't!!! Anyone answer that one? It can't be that the numbers light is broken because they all come on when the headlights are turned on. Very confused. My trip computer (screen 2 with cumulative totals) also resets itself at will without reaching 999.99 / 99hrs99mins. Thought that I might have pressed something but it has done it twice.......

Went through some tunnels in mine a couple of weeks ago and on the first trip the numbers and needles lit up but on the return trip the needles lit up whilst the numbers didn't!!! Anyone answer that one? It can't be that the numbers light is broken because they all come on when the headlights are turned on. Very confused. My trip computer (screen 2 with cumulative totals) also resets itself at will without reaching 999.99 / 99hrs99mins. Thought that I might have pressed something but it has done it twice.......

I think mine is the same and its an S as well. I definitely don't think the car has any light sensors.

If it has, why don't they just put autolight on all the model, afterall its just a different headlamp switch.

To be honest, I think its random

I deliberately didn’t order auto lights on my SE but it came with DLRs, coming home and tunnel lights anyway.

I assume they have changed the spec on the SE or it’s an error.

BTW the dash light manual dimmer is to the right and below the steering wheel (UK) next to the headlamp angle adjuster.

I now have a Theory!?!?

The A55 has 3 tunnels so 3 changes of brightness. Each time we went into a tunnel the instrument dials were brightly lit but quickly faded leaving only the pointers lit up.

There is NO instrument lighting except when the sidelights are on. BUT the dials are made of a luminescent paint which continues to glow for a short time after the outside light is dimmed by a tunnel. As soon as we came out of the tunnel, the figures on the dials regained their brightness.

Try it.

No I'm wrong. The numbers are lit but can fade out for no apparent reason. Retested theory in tunnel and again the instrument dials went black only to recover when in the open air. Second theory - perhaps the Yeti "brain" expected me to switch on the sidelights 'cos it was dark outside.

Edited 27 May, 201016 yr by Terfyn