20 hours ago, FlyingGecko said:

While they're at it, lets bring back the guages for oil pressure , oil temperature, coolant temperature, voltmeters...  and maybe an altimeter for good measure.  One can never have too much information to take in.

 

 

I forgot to mention a barometer for those who need to check the weather outside the car without looking through a window, an inclinometer (for those who need to look at a dial to check if the car is falling on its side) and how about a decelerometer for those who need to know the G-force experienced when they crashed into something because they were too busy looking at all the gauges?

 

Saabs had a panel light switch that at night turned all dash lights off except the speedometer, and even that had the higher speed markings blacked out.  Driving at night was so much easier and safer with barely any internal lighting or reflections.

 

The ABS tyre pressure system is fine.  if you really need to know what your tyre pressures are then stop, wait for the tyres to go cold, then use a decent pressure gauge.

 

 

1 hour ago, FlyingGecko said:

 

Saabs had a panel light switch that at night turned all dash lights off except the speedometer, and even that had the higher speed markings blacked out.  Driving at night was so much easier and safer with barely any internal lighting or reflections.

 

Yes, I even remember having cars where you could turn the dashboard lights right down - in fact I'me trying to remember if my MG TD (1950 version) even had lights on the dials?!

51 minutes ago, CJJE said:

Yes, I even remember having cars where you could turn the dashboard lights right down

You mean like early 2000s Skodas for example?

I was shocked to find that there was not a dimmer on my 2015 Yeti.

 

To be fair the LED illumination never becomes intrusive but I found on a long night drive having dimmed panel lights was relaxing, not a good thing if you are tired though.