Then why not on the dipped beam as well ?

Because if it's dark you'll know the lights are on as you'll be able to see what's in front.

Why at all ?

A side light indication is good because you can't usually see that they are on, unless of course you notice your dashboard instruments are dark!

When the headlights are 'lit' surely the driver must realise so as it's night-time and the space preceding the bonnet is illuminated.;-)

Because if it's dark you'll know the lights are on as you'll be able to see what's in front.

This is good logical advice.

I thought you must have your lights on by law when it is raining?

Auto often doesn't turn the lights on soon enough, and when the lights do go on Google maps switches to night mode even though it's not dark.

If you can't see more than 100 metres (what do you do, get out with a tape measure???)

Auto often won't turn the lights on at all here.

The beauty being though, you don't have to use the automatic systems. They all have manual overrides.

That's why you need a clear indication of the Auto status, so you know when it needs overriding.

I don't see the symbol as an issue personally. I know my lights are on because the road and objects ahead are illuminated.

Lights are often required to be on when it isn't dark enough to see them being reflected off other objects.

Edited 17 August, 20169 yr by Rodge

Lights are often required to be on when it isn't dark enough to see them being reflected off other objects.

Yes, like when it is raining heavily but in daytime.

Maybe their logic is that the DRLs offer enough light to make you visible in low light situations to other motorists and the dipped beam is for you to see your way in the dark, so if its dark and you need to see its clear if they are on or not.

 

I must admit I like that my Superb tells me on the dash when my dipped beam is on and I also find the auto lights work perfectly. They even seem to come on when its raining in lower light situations when it normally wouldn't put the lights on, i'm not sure whether its clever and knows when the wipers are on or its just coincidence but I have never had to intervene yet.

I think the lights turn on if the wipers wipe x number of times within a certain timeframe.

Havent tested it, but it seems that way.

Unless you have disabled that option in the infotainment.

Edited 17 August, 20169 yr by Gromle

Yes we've had this discussion before, it is a bit silly mine has auto lights and it's certainly not clear from the switch whether they are on or not (particularly if it's not actually dark, just raining or foggy or whatever)

As i dont trust technology and want to make sure for myself that they are on (to be fair they always are!), as someone above said, I've got used to looking at the sat nav backdrop to check.

Yes we've had this discussion before, it is a bit silly mine has auto lights and it's certainly not clear from the switch whether they are on or not (particularly if it's not actually dark, just raining or foggy or whatever)

Id say its quite clear from the switch if the lights are on or of. Green light at the switch = lights on. No light at the switch = lights off.

This has been done to death. If you have the lights in auto and are concerned if they are on or off just look at the switch! Green light means that they are on. it's easy to see with a quick glance.

Because if it's dark you'll know the lights are on as you'll be able to see what's in front.

and if it is daylight & raining ?

This has been done to death. If you have the lights in auto and are concerned if they are on or off just look at the switch! Green light means that they are on. it's easy to see with a quick glance.

But there is nothing to tell you if it's sidelights or dipped beam. Just the sidelight symbol that lights up.

But there is nothing to tell you if it's sidelights or dipped beam. Just the sidelight symbol that lights up.

Exactly

and if it is daylight & raining ?

The car turns the lights on automatically when the wipers are active, which they will be when raining. There is a point though, is there a light on the dashboard to tell us the wipers are on..?

Sell your MkIII Octy and buy a MkII

Problem solved!

But there is nothing to tell you if it's sidelights or dipped beam. Just the sidelight symbol that lights up.

I didn't think the auto feature bothered with sidelights, isn't it DRL's until it gets dark and then the dipped beam comes on?

I didn't think the auto feature bothered with sidelights, isn't it DRL's until it gets dark and then the dipped beam comes on?

Thats how mine works. The green symbol only lights up when the Xenons are on when in auto.

Thats how mine works. The green symbol only lights up when the Xenons are on when in auto.

exactly so I don't know what the problem is?

exactly so I don't know what the problem is?

Beats me. I dont see what the problem is.

There is NO problem

I never said it was a "problem" !

I just thought in all normal circumstances a dashboard symbol lights up when what it refers to is in use.

 

Consequently I thought something (to do with that symbol) had blown, and should be replaced.

If the symbol was never intended to light, why bother to light the sidelight symbols, or anything else come to that!