66 Reg Citigo Monte Carlo: instrument lights?

[911hillclimber]

We have had this great little car from new.

17K miles, all ok, but a curious thing is the instrument panel lights do not come on unless in the Headlamp position, thus they are off when the sidelights are switched on, then on when head lamps are selected.

 

Is this normal or is there a menu somewhere to allow panel lights on with sides and headlamps?

It's been like this from new we think, but not sure!

Edited 11 January by 911hillclimber

[911hillclimber]

Just read it is the correct function. The car not switching on the panel lights when side lights switched on reminds you that you really should have the headlights on!

Is that true?

[Luckypants]

I don't know if that's meant as a reminder to switch on your headlights or not, but that is exactly how our 66 plate works.

I would never drive on sidelights, they are for parking in the dark only.

[AGFalco]

3 hours ago, 911hillclimber said:

Just read it is the correct function. The car not switching on the panel lights when side lights switched on reminds you that you really should have the headlights on!

Is that true?

Yes.

 

One of mine has the Scandinavian DRL set up so parking/sidelights are even more redundant.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

[911hillclimber]

Seems the car is 'normal' after all. My 2014 Superb has none of this, all works when on sides as well as headlamps of course.

 

Thank you to all!

Graham.

[freemansteve]

If ambient light is below a certain level, the dash illumination - which is normally always on - turns off to remind you to put your headlights on.

If your car has DRLs, these are always on, but at half brightness if the headlights are on or if you are parked up an on sidelights. When driving, turning sidelights on simply tuns on the tail lights. There are obviously many driving conditions where bright DRLs and tail lights are fine (sidelights) so that you are visible.

[911hillclimber]

Bang on!

It is a bright afternoon now, 3 pm and tried the car.

The panel lights are on (dim) with no lights switched on.

Switch the lights to SIDE and the panel stays dimly alight.

Switch to headlamps and the panel light are 3 times brighter.

So, indeed, the car tells you when to go to head lamps by cutting the panel lights OFF (not to the dim level).

 

Neat safety feature.

We rarely drive this car at night so the dash lamps will stay off until you switch to head lamps.

 

Excellent, thank you.