I've seen instrument lighting discussed a few times, but none address the issue I have,  I understand the instruments light up even with the vehicle lights off, and the brightness varies with the ambient light.  I am OK with this.

 

I have the automatic lights, and when the lights come on automatically, the instruments light up as you would expect.  If I manually turn the light switch to sidelights, the instrument lights go out.  When I manually turn the switch to headlights, the instrument lights come back on.  If the switch is in the sidelight position and I switch on the fog lights, the instrument lights come on.  To summarise - with sidelights only, the instruments do not light up; in any other position they do.

 

Does anyone know if I have a problem, or are the lights supposed to operate like this?

You're not switching on the parking lights rather than the sidelights are you?

Just my 2 pence worth here:

If your only using the side/parking lights then surely there is no requirement to have the instruments lit up as your obviously driving during the day or with good enough visibility to not need headlights on and be able to read the instruments.

If it is dark enough that you can't read the instruments, surely you have the headlights on to see where your going? And thus the instruments will be lit up.

If the visibility is poor and you need fog lights, then the environment may well be very white/light (and thus enough light to see your instruments). Your putting the fog lights on so others can see you. If the visibility is poor/dark then you put the fog lights (and possibly headlights) on to see, hence the instruments light up.

If you have auto lights, just use these and change the setting to early. Should it foggy/bad rain then just turn on your fog lights.

Or am I missing something?

The manual says.... If the visibility is poor and the headlights lights are not on the instrument lights dim to warn the driver to turn on the lights. It's a pain but it can be coded on all the time. Xpower has done it before.

It depends on your MY. My 2014 model didn't act as you describe, if you turned side lights on - the instrument was illuminated.

On my 2016 model they act as yours do, instrument cluster only lights up when the headlight are on and not the side lights

The manual says.... If the visibility is poor and the headlights lights are not on the instrument lights dim to warn the driver to turn on the lights. It's a pain but it can be coded on all the time. Xpower has done it before.

 

+1 for this.

It depends on your MY. My 2014 model didn't act as you describe, if you turned side lights on - the instrument was illuminated.

On my 2016 model they act as yours do, instrument cluster only lights up when the headlight are on and not the side lights

 

Thanks to everyone for your responses.  From what you say it looks as though this is what happens on 2016 MY cars and the lights are behaving as they are designed to.  First car I have ever owned where the instruments are not illuminated when the lights are turned on.

I think Skoda don't want you to drive in poor visibility on sidelights alone.

 

By keeping the instrument lights dim when in sidelight mode you are being encouraged to turn dipped headlights on.

 

Let's face it there is little need for sidelights anymore, not now most cars have a separate switch to turn on parking lights.

I've driven other makes where instrument lights are on with the ignition and in built/lit up areas it is so easy to initially set off with no lights on. That's why sometimes in bad weather or at dusk quite often cars are seen with no external lights on. If you can't see your speed it reminds you to put lights on. As mine are auto it's always in that anyway. I like the way that if the wipers run continuous the lights also come on. Simply clever.

I think this is a great idea as I'm sick to death of seeing people driving at night with just their p*sspoor side lights on. At least this forces you to use the appropriate amount of lighting for the conditions.

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Off topic I know but does the mk3 have that annoying feature where it puts your headlights on when you hit 85mph?

I think this is a great idea as I'm sick to death of seeing people driving at night with just their p*sspoor side lights on. At least this forces you to use the appropriate amount of lighting for the conditions.

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Glad someone else hates seeing drivers driving with sidelights on in rain, dusk etc. Are they that lazy, that they can't turn the switch one notch further?!?

Edited 13 April, 201610 yr by ToffeeMRD

Once the security access code becomes available it can be set to full illumination all the time. This is what I like :-)

I've driven other makes where instrument lights are on with the ignition and in built/lit up areas it is so easy to initially set off with no lights on. That's why sometimes in bad weather or at dusk quite often cars are seen with no external lights on. If you can't see your speed it reminds you to put lights on. As mine are auto it's always in that anyway. I like the way that if the wipers run continuous the lights also come on. Simply clever.

Auto wipers can add to brake wear as the pads run close when rain is sensed. It's to keep them dry for better braking, I never knew of this problem but I've gotta say, mime does stop well so, what do I know.

I didnt know that one. Better to stop than not, or you might not need brakes ever again.☺

I've never understood the point in the sidelight position. If you want parking lights, just have the car turn the headlights off when the ignition is off. Problem solved? Or am I being too simplistic?

No doubt that there are some EU / UK regulations that stipulate side lights are required for type approval.

 

Much like the Highway Code, it could do with a decent refresh.

On 2016-4-14 at 08:46, xpower said:

Once the security access code becomes available it can be set to full illumination all the time. This is what I like :-)

 

What's the security access code?

THIS NEEDS TO GO INTO THE OCTY 3 tweaks sticky now :-)

 

IF YOU HAVE A EARLIER 2013 / 2014 / 2015 vehicle follow the instructions below:

 

Go to 17 instruments - enter access code 20103

Adaptations - look At the "night" values of these channels and copy them in to the day values verbatim

Eg.

(2)-dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial_night-Y1 = copy to (2)-dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial_day-Y1 

 

Here are the channels

(2)-dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial_day-Y1 

(3)-dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial_day-X2 

(4)-dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial_day-Y2 

(5)-dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial_day-X3 

(6)-dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial_day-Y3 

(7)-dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial_day-X4 

 

ALL THE WAY TO Y6........

 

IF YOU HAVE A LATER 2015 / 2016 /2017 vehicle follow the instructions below:

 

Go to 17 instruments - enter access code 25327

Adaptations

illumination_algorithm-scale_switching_algorithm = change from "parking_light" to "lds"

Go to 09 body - enter assess code 31347

Adaptations

Daytime running lights-Tagfahrlicht-Dauerfahrlicht aktiviert zusaetzlich Standlicht = change from "not active" to "active"

This means the tail lights, number plate lights and the front DRLs will be on also as well as the cabin illumination but it works :-)

Please don't set the dials to full illumination all of the time, this means its likely you'll be one of the many who drive around in the rain, fog and at even at night with no lights on.

 

Not good.