Can anyone tell me how the lighting behind the rev counter and speedo works? The reason I ask is that with the darker days I have noticed that the lighting varies, this is without the car lights being turned ON.

The pointers on both instruments and the fuel gauge and temp gauge are constant but the background lighting goes from bright to nothing. If the car lights are turned on the brightness is constant and also adjustable via the control below the steering wheel.

There have been occasions in recent days where only the pointers are visible, difficult keeping to speed limits if you can't see the numbers.

Fred

Can anyone tell me how the lighting behind the rev counter and speedo works? The reason I ask is that with the darker days I have noticed that the lighting varies, this is without the car lights being turned ON.

The pointers on both instruments and the fuel gauge and temp gauge are constant but the background lighting goes from bright to nothing. If the car lights are turned on the brightness is constant and also adjustable via the control below the steering wheel.

There have been occasions in recent days where only the pointers are visible, difficult keeping to speed limits if you can't see the numbers.

Fred

I would have thought that if it was so dark that only the pointers are visible then you should have the lights turned on so you would have the constant background light.

Do you have auto lights?

Think it may be when they are switching from just normal setting to lights on.

I would have thought that if it was so dark that only the pointers are visible then you should have the lights turned on so you would have the constant background light.

Not dark enough for car lights to be on.

Do you have auto lights?

Think it may be when they are switching from just normal setting to lights on.

Not unless Skoda have made a mistake. It's an SE so Auto lights not an option.

I think!

Fred

It doesn't rely on auto light.

There is a sensor (simple transistor type) that make the dash lights up when it is light outside and dark when it is dark outside.

Because it is a recessive dash - it requires light to be seen even when its bright outside, since the Yeti has DRL, I guess the transistor is there to warn the driver that the headlight is not on in dark places or in the dark.

Lexus don't have that and their dash is permanently illuminated and that's why the drivers may not be aware that their headlight is not on in cities in the dark because of the intensity of the street lamps.

Lexus don't have that and their dash is permanently illuminated and that's why the drivers may not be aware that their headlight is not on in cities in the dark because of the intensity of the street lamps.

Yep, I think this is brilliant practice (the way the Yeti does it, NOT the Lexus way). Most people only know their lights are on in low light if the dash is also illuminated. So having it permanently illuminated is just daft in my book.

It doesn't rely on auto light.

There is a sensor (simple transistor type) that make the dash lights up when it is light outside and dark when it is dark outside.

Because it is a recessive dash - it requires light to be seen even when its bright outside, since the Yeti has DRL, I guess the transistor is there to warn the driver that the headlight is not on in dark places or in the dark.

Lexus don't have that and their dash is permanently illuminated and that's why the drivers may not be aware that their headlight is not on in cities in the dark because of the intensity of the street lamps.

Thanks, that sounds logical but where is the sensor?

Fred

I'm not too sure about how good this feature is as the sensor sometimes gives odd results. I drove my new Yeti home from the garage on an October evening with no lights on because it fooled me. OK, it wasn't pitch dark, but I felt it was dark enough for side lights. I was later surprised to be left with just the needles when I drove into a multi storey car park.

but I felt it was dark enough for side lights.

Surely, if it is dark enough for side lights then it is dark enough for headlights?

Plus by turning the sidelights on your are turning the BRIGHTER DRL's off!

Must be me, but I only use sidelights as parking lights, and never use them in a moving vehicle

Surely, if it is dark enough for side lights then it is dark enough for headlights?

Plus by turning the sidelights on your are turning the BRIGHTER DRL's off!

Must be me, but I only use sidelights as parking lights, and never use them in a moving vehicle

+1

I agree and cannot see any purpose in parking lights on a moving car-especialy when it involves turning the DRLs off.

Surely, if it is dark enough for side lights then it is dark enough for headlights?

Plus by turning the sidelights on your are turning the BRIGHTER DRL's off!

Must be me, but I only use sidelights as parking lights, and never use them in a moving vehicle

I agree totally. This brings me back to my earlier point, if it's too dark to see the instruments then your headlights should be illuminated.

I agree totally. This brings me back to my earlier point, if it's too dark to see the instruments then your headlights should be illuminated.

The point seems to have been missed .

When I noticed this effect it was daylight but as the instruments are deeply shrouded they are often in deep shadow. I first noticed it going through a well lit tunnel, there was enough lighting that headlights were not needed but again the instruments were in deep shade and the numbers disappeared.

If, as has been suggested, there is a sensor then it can't be very responsive. Or is there something that can be reset via VCDS?

Fred, who always uses the correct lighting for the current conditions.

Fred

the comments about the use of sidelights is pertaining to Yetifabia's comment at #9, not at you.

I have notced what you mention, invariably at dusk; I just turn my lights on!

Fred

the comments about the use of sidelights is pertaining to Yetifabia's comment at #9, not at you.

I have notced what you mention, invariably at dusk; I just turn my lights on!

Well, we clearly disagree. I feel there is often a point when sidelights are appropriate before headlights, and I don't have DRLs so that is totally irrelevant.

Not unless Skoda have made a mistake. It's an SE so Auto lights not an option.

I think!

Fred

I have an SE with auto lights, didn't ask for them but they came anyway.

Rubbish really as they come on when I don't want them on and don't go off when I want them off.

As a result I don't have the switch in the auto light position unless SWMBO is driving and says 'why aren't those stupid lights coming on'

There's just no pleasing people.

Well, we clearly disagree. I feel there is often a point when sidelights are appropriate before headlights, and I don't have DRLs so that is totally irrelevant.

Correction, you do have DRL's, as they are a standard fitment, it is just that you have chosn to turn them off.

Can you explain to me how a 5 watt sidelight bulb is more visible than a 13 watt DRL?

"sidelights" is a very old name for a concept which has long gone.The Yeti has parking lights and DRL's. The purpose of vehicle lighting is two fold, to see and to be seen. Parking lights are there to indicate to others a stationary vehicle. DRLs are there to indicate a moving vehicle and headlights are to illuminate the way ahead.

There are many circumstances where from a drivers point of view you may well feel your view ahead is adequate and headlights would not improve it. That does not necessarily mean that you are as visible to others as you should be.

If you are rooted in the era of Hillman Minxes and Ford Prefects please consider joining the era of alternators and decent batteries.

Must be me, but I only use sidelights as parking lights, and never use them in a moving vehicle

Did you know that the Highway Code (rule 113) says you MUST use them between sunset and sunrise?! Mind you it also says that you aren't obliged to have your headlights on at night if there is street lighting, which I also think is a bit daft.

I don't know whether, if an officious plod pulled you over, you would have any joy with arguing that the DRLs are the same as side lights. I imagine that the reason DRLs are brighter than side lights is, as their name suggests, precisely because they are meant as a conspicuity aid in daylight, when the ambient light is much brighter. I very doubt that the brightness of the DRLs would actually be an issue, though - after all there's no law preventing you from using dipped headlights all the time if you wanted to - but their position on the car might not conform to the rules for side lights (anyone got the construction and use regs to hand?)

The worst offenders IMO are those who drive on sidelights and front fogs at night in perfect visibility.

113

You MUST

1/ ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise

2/ use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified

As far as I am concerned "between sunset and sunrise" is the same as "at night", so my headlights go on, no matter what. In fact they go on when I consider I need them, which is often well before sunset.

Yes, an officious Plod could do you, because the DRL's are only frontal, so your rear lights and registration plate light aren't illuminated (113, p1)

I have long been of the view that the "lighting" switch should work as:

OFF

HEADLIGHTS

PARKING LIGHTS

That way perhaps more people wouldn't drive on their "side" lights.

Somebody in the local once said that he drove on sidelights because it saved him petrol!!

I have long been of the view that the "lighting" switch should work as:

OFF

HEADLIGHTS

PARKING LIGHTS

That way perhaps more people wouldn't drive on their "side" lights.

+1

Now that would make FAR more sense to me!

Though I think there is an even better way still Graham. The switch should just have OFF and HEADLIGHTS. Parking lights only come on the moment the key gets taken out of the ignition, ie when your car is parked! But then you can't park the car with parking lights on and listen to the radio. Though nothing stops you from taking the key out and then switching the radio on I suppose...

There is so much bad driving going on that now having my DLR`s I do think being seen is important in all but the brightest weather.Millions of bike riders can`t be wrong and if some git on his mobile phone pulls out without concentrating your lights might just prevent a mullock. As soon as it got a bit dreary or if it stated raining I always put on my lights on the Octavia. On the continent in particular the Netherlands as soon as the sun goes in lights come on.

Cheers

Peter

Oh dear! I really didn't intend to start a war.

:'(

It's all gone a bit Orf Topic but I'll add my four pennyworth, I only ever use headlights when driving in inclement or dark conditions. I rarely venture into town after dark so have never needed to use parking lights.

I certainly haven't got an Auto position on my lighting switch so no Auto lights.

To try to get back on topic, can anyone answer my question about where the alleged sensor is?

Fred

Oh dear! I really didn't intend to start a war.

It's all gone a bit Orf Topic but I'll add my four pennyworth, I only ever use headlights when driving in inclement or dark conditions. I rarely venture into town after dark so have never needed to use parking lights.

I certainly haven't got an Auto position on my lighting switch so no Auto lights.

To try to get back on topic, can anyone answer my question about where the alleged sensor is?

Fred

On ANY car forum wars ALWAYS start with any mention of the words "fog lights" and/or "parking lights" and their use.

As to the sensor: is it perhaps the little eye in the middle above the AUTO and AC buttons?