Whenever I turn the ignition on in conjunction with the headlights lights being on or in the Auto position, the two little LED's within the overhead lighting panel always come on. It is very distracting/annoying seeing the gearstick and my left arm illuninated whenever I drive at night.

 

I am sure there must be some simple way to turn the litthe blighters off, but I cannot figure it out even after browsing the manual.

 

Perhaps a kind soul on  here can advise me what I am doing wrong?

 

 

Well, it seems the only solutions for removing or reducing the annoying left are illuminators are:-

i). Cover the small lights with electrical tape.

ii). Turn interior light illumination down so that they are less annoying. This also dulls the dash.

 

I am sure some people will apreciate the lower centre console being illuminated all of the time, but I find it frankly annoying. None of my previous cars have done this permenantly. I have added this the my list of VRS dislikes. I now have the sound generator (too loud an non-adjustable), the standard boot floor (cheap, flimsy, nasty), doorbins and lower centre console plastics (hard and easily scratchable), and left-arm illuminators as pet hates. I know they are all minor niggles but still annoying.

Yes they are connected with the parkinglights.

 

Do You have the Columbus head unit?

 

If You have, then try:  Car-menu --> vehicle settings --> lights -->  interiorlighting --> instrument/switch-lighting: Here You can adjust from 10 to 100%, but the rest of the instrument/switch-lights will also follow this setting  

 

Still havent found a way to turn them completely off. :(

 

ArvidG

 

Edit: You beat me with your own answer

Edited 27 March, 201412 yr by ArvidG

10% for me then as long as the speedo is still visible enough. love the dash behind the wheel but not particularly fond of the Skoda GREEN

I always have interior illumination on the lowest setting so don't find the roof lights an issue.

The main issue for me is that I can always see my left arm at night (even on 10% setting) and this is distracting. In some cases my highlighted arm also reflects off of the windscreen meaning that it can partially affect line of sight whilst driving. It is stupid not having an off option, whether or not the lights are useful in some cases.

I have to say I too dislike this and will be following this tread with interest.

Maybe there's a plug on the back and they can just be unplugged?

In the Superb, they can be turned down by reducing the dashboard lighting (thumbwheel close to lights switch and next to headlight leveller). Does the O3 have this or is it all done via Maxidot?

In the Superb, they can be turned down by reducing the dashboard lighting (thumbwheel close to lights switch and next to headlight leveller). Does the O3 have this or is it all done via Maxidot?

On the 03 (VRS) can be turned down via the infotainment system, but minimum setting is 10% and left-arm is still very visible if I am wearing light coloured clothing/sleeves.

On the 03 (VRS) can be turned down via the infotainment system, but minimum setting is 10% and left-arm is still very visible if I am wearing light coloured clothing/sleeves.

 

Understand. I don't have an issue with the lights in my Superb.

 

Are they located in the unit with the main interior lights / map reading lights? I suspect you could pop the unit open and disconnect?

I hope you can see the attached picture. The lights are the two small yellow LED;s below the main switch.

Edited 27 March, 201412 yr by Orville

Can't see the pic Orville, sorry.

Hopefully above piccy works now.

what about black marker pen directly on the leds, better than black tape

Someone on here has mentioned putting a small amount of blue-tac in the recess, less obvious then tape and not permanent like a black maker, I though it was a good idea.

yet to experience it myself but I would think it's not that bad a problem as very few people have mentioned it so far

That unit with the lights in will come out to enable bulb replacement - there may be the option to disconnect the LEDs thereby solving the problem.

 

Failing that try the marker pen or blue tac option.

 

There is probably a guide somewhere about the dropping the unit out - will have a search, the process is probably the same for Superb/Octavia.

Just had a nosey at mine. The LEDs are soldered directly to the circuit board so cannot realistically be disconnected. Bluetac may be the way forward. Personally I like it, but each to their own

Black silicone. £2.39 from Wickes. Wee blob over the LED, smooth with your finger, job done.

I've had these ambient lights on my old Superb MK2 (white), my previous Audi A8 (Red) and the current A8 also has them (White) and I don't find them distracting at all and they aid finding things in the car interior when its dark.

Maybe I will get used to these lights, but I have been happy enough driving without being able to see my gearstick or left arm in the dark for the past 25 years. It is not like the gearstick will move location when I cannot see it. Perhaps they should light the brake and accelerator pedals just in case people forget where they are also?

You do get used to them, I don't even notice them now and its only when you look down and see the centre console slightly lit up I notice it.

quote name="Orville" post="3709746" timestamp="1395935381"]Maybe I will get used to these lights, but I have been happy enough driving without being able to see my gearstick or left arm in the dark for the past 25 years. It is not like the gearstick will move location when I cannot see it. Perhaps they should light the brake and accelerator pedals just in case people forget where they are also?

Do you mean footwell lighting - well some owners have that.

Do you mean footwell lighting - well some owners have that.

Footwell lighting generally turns off when the doors are closed. or gives you the option to switch it on/off manually. I doubt whether any manufacturer forces it on whenever the headlights are activated.