Why is it that when Auto lights are selected, the daytime running lights are on at the front but not the tail lights. As it gets darker the headlights come on and that is when the tail lights come on also. But my question is, what indication is there on the dash that the headlights and tail lights have come on?

As far as I can tell, there is no indication about the state of the headlights - and I find that very frustrating. 

There is a set of three buttons low on the dash near the drivers door; the right hand one is illuminated with Auto. When the headlights are on there is also a bulb symbol illuminated above the word Auto.

 

Additionally, the infotainment screen (notable the satnav map) changes to ‘night mode’, even in daylight if the headlights are on.

17 minutes ago, SteveTheElder said:

There is a set of three buttons low on the dash near the drivers door; the right hand one is illuminated with Auto. When the headlights are on there is also a bulb symbol illuminated above the word Auto.

 

Additionally, the infotainment screen (notable the satnav map) changes to ‘night mode’, even in daylight if the headlights are on.

The infotainment screen only changes to night mode if the setting is set to auto, which I don't set to auto because the maps are rubbish in night mode. However thanks for the heads up on the bulb symbol, i had only ever noticed the Auto illuminated by the light switch. As an aside I have always wondered why the tail lights aren't lit in daytime running, how many cars do we see running around with daytime running lights and no tail lights when it is going dark and the driver thinks all their lights are on because the dash is illuminated?

You could probably set the rears to DRL as well. I have on my Mk3. No experience of making VCDS changes on the Mk4 however. Appreciate this isn’t what you were asking either. Just some info really. 

5 hours ago, Ianrally said:

I have always wondered why the tail lights aren't lit in daytime running, how many cars do we see running around with daytime running lights and no tail lights when it is going dark and the driver thinks all their lights are on because the dash is illuminated

Most countries don't have mandatory rear-daylights; Scandinavian ones do - hence the name of the App in OBD-eleven that turns on the back lights also during daylight.
The risk of driving in darker areas (with Octavia) with no back-lights is practically zero, unless the owner does some coding with VCDS of OBD11. The car will automatically switch lights to "Auto" above a certain speed (10-20 km/h, not sure) which means it will turn ON front and rear lights when in gets a bit darker or when you enter a tunnel. I actually noticed it turns ON the lights quite early for my taste, when there's still plenty od daylight outside.
Indeed, most of the cars of any brand don't have rear daytime running lights activated by the factory. My Megane 4 had rear-DRL activated from factory, but there are plenty of Megane 4 phase 2 that don't have it. Not sure what's the reason behind these changes. For sure rear-DRLs can be activated via can-clip.

 

Finally, as @SteveTheElder mentioned, since there's no indication on the dashboard, you need to check the button under the steering wheel (left in my case, right side in yours) - you'll see an extra light coming ON next to "Auto" once the headlights start... (see the User Manual for details on each symbol)

 

 

Edited 17 March, 20233 yr by SkOmk4

Yes thanks for that. At least I know with the symbol when the headlights and therefore the tail lights are activated. Many thank to all who have answered. 

Mine has rear light up allways (Lithuania, Baltic states), but i have few friends with mk4’s and their rear is not lit up. I thinks it just depens 😃 at least in my country. But you can code it and I think dealer might be able to do it too if you asked. And for the indications about when the low beams come on - my swicht is allways lit up, only way to know if low beams ar on is to actually see them ir waze/google maps go dark mode 😃

Could it be that your switch is always lit up because you have the rear lights ON? I don't know, I'm just asking.
IIRC in bright daylight with lights OFF in "Auto" mode only the "Auto" will be green-lit on the switch.

4 hours ago, SkOmk4 said:

IIRC in bright daylight with lights OFF in "Auto" mode only the "Auto" will be green-lit on the switch.

 

Yes, you do indeed recall correctly 🙂

On 18/03/2023 at 09:20, SkOmk4 said:

Could it be that your switch is always lit up because you have the rear lights ON? I don't know, I'm just asking.
IIRC in bright daylight with lights OFF in "Auto" mode only the "Auto" will be green-lit on the switch.

I dunno. My previous MK3 had low beam indicator, even though it too had front and rear drl activated.