My Yeti has the auto lights option (not sure if this is relevant however).

Lights were in the off position. I was in a multi storey car park today so it was not as bright as outside. When I started up the needles on the tach and speedo light up but there was no light on the numbers. As soon as I got out into the daylight the numbers lit up.

Was this the cars way of telling me to put my lights on, but as soon as the ambient light was bright enough it reverted to normal.

Works similarly at night reminding you to turn the lights on.

tom

Hi Sanqhar,

our FabiaII FL which has no auto lights (not available on the Fabia) only has illuminated needles with lights off; intresting driving in semi darkness knowing where the needles are but not what there pointing at

Regards,

TP

My Yeti has the auto lights option (not sure if this is relevant however).

Lights were in the off position. I was in a multi storey car park today so it was not as bright as outside. When I started up the needles on the tach and speedo light up but there was no light on the numbers. As soon as I got out into the daylight the numbers lit up.

Was this the cars way of telling me to put my lights on, but as soon as the ambient light was bright enough it reverted to normal.

Works similarly at night reminding you to turn the lights on.

tom

No auto lights option on mine, but functions just like you describe.

The instrument lighting is controlled by a photocell (I wish I could find the b****y thing) and dims the lights when it becomes dark outside. There are three tunnels on the A55 and the instrument lighting is out by the time I get half way through - it is most annoying, especially as the tunnels are lit so there is no requirement for additional car lighting.

It is the VAG way of telling you "You Vill put your lights on."

A few years ago some car manufacturers started to have the dails lit all the time regardless of the lights being on or off - Lexus for one. So you saw many a plonker driving around without lights at night since they thought they had their lights on since the dash was illuminated. I think they've now cottoned on that this really confuses people and thus have this intermediate needle only stage as a reminded that your lights are in fact not on. I loved it on my A2 which did exactly the same thing with the needles.

Now here's a funny thing!

Sitting in a car park with the front interior lights ON (the spotlighty ones) switched on the engine to get a bit of warmth and the instrument lighting came on full power. Switched off the interior lights and the instrument lights dimmed and went out. Switched on the interior lights and ..... you guessed it....... on came the instrument lights. OH

A few years ago some car manufacturers started to have the dails lit all the time regardless of the lights being on or off - Lexus for one. So you saw many a plonker driving around without lights at night since they thought they had their lights on since the dash was illuminated. I think they've now cottoned on that this really confuses people and thus have this intermediate needle only stage as a reminded that your lights are in fact not on. I loved it on my A2 which did exactly the same thing with the needles.

There we go, exactly, to be honest, I am quite happy with the instrument going dark in the dark so I would remeber to turn lights on.

I too have noticed so many Lexus drivers who doesn't turn on their light in the dark - dangerous and genuinely annoying, they think you are mad when yu flash them to warm them about their light!!!

I actaully have a theory that auto light is just an additional switch and VAG com activation - as all Yeti's already have the "photocell" you said........

I actaully have a theory that auto light is just an additional switch and VAG com activation - as all Yeti's already have the "photocell" you said........

I'm not so sure, as there are two height positions of the interior mirror - those with auto light and or rain sensing, and those without.

Mike

I actaully have a theory that auto light is just an additional switch and VAG com activation - as all Yeti's already have the "photocell" you said........

Hi,

light assist (inc auto lights) equipped Monsters have a light (and or rain) sensing unit in the mirror housing. Can been seen here hanging lose when Pat had a screen replacement.

The whitish squares I believe are the light sensors and the diamonds rain :wonder:

Regards,

TP

The dimming of the instrument lights has nothing to do with auto loghts or rain sensors. It operates on Yetis without either embellishment.

The dimming of the instrument lights has nothing to do with auto loghts or rain sensors. It operates on Yetis without either embellishment.

I concur. But how the dickens does it get the light information????

Excellent, thanks - I was planning to replace the light switch to see if auto light works, save me a few quid there.

I concur. But how the dickens does it get the light information????

I know this isn't a VAG car but I'm assuming most of the major manufacturers use the same technology?

My previous car, a BMW 320d SE had auto lights and wipers which used a similar location for the sensors as the Yeti behind the rear view mirror.

The instrument lighting used a different sensor though, a much smaller one, you can see it pictured here. If you placed your finger over it the instrument lights would get brighter.

I guess it would be very easy to hide this sensor in amongst the dash somewhere making it very difficult to find?