I have a 2011 F-150 FX4 with Navigation. My headlights are set to automatically turn on when it's dark. Its night time and I just noticed my instrument cluster gauges seemed low in brightness. I adjusted the panel dimmer control all the way to the right (at it's very brightest), and it just seems a little dim to me. It would be nice to get it a little brighter.

When I switch the automatic headlight **** to the far left position, to turn the headlights off, sure enough my lighting gets a lot brighter where I want it. How do I make the gauge lights bright and keep my headlights on at the same time? I'm wondering if this is normal for the new F-150's or if am I overlooking a button or setting.

FYI, I read my manual and searched this forum with no luck on finding an answer. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

umm..every vehicle i have ever owned, ever, has always dimmed the panel when the headlights were turned on.

 

Hmmm, maybe I'm just being weird. Or maybe I'm losing my eyesight. This is the first night that the interior lights seemed so dim.

 

I noticed the same exact thing on my 2011 FX4 without Nav, but I do think its normal. I feel the same way with getting the lights a little brighter too. If you find anything more about this please update the thread!

 

Really old post, but wondering if anyone is experiencing this issue? I have a new 2013 FX4 and noticing the same thing.

 

The dash lights stay on all the time.. Which is why they are brighter when the headlights are off,Being day time they would have to be bright to see the dash light.

WHen you turn on the headlights they will dim a little bit otherwise they would probaly be to bright when it gets dark inside the cab.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I agree, when the lights come on in general, the interior lights will dim. However, in this case specifically, when the lights are turned on "automatically" by the truck, the lights will dim more significantly than if I were to manually turn the headlights on myself.

Example: This morning, raining out, early, on my way to work. Headlight switch was turned to auto. Lights were on all the way to destination except for the last few miles. The auto lights turned off, the interior lights brightened. I manually turned the lights back on using the headlight switch, the interior lights did not dim as much as they were 5 seconds prior when it was in auto mode. Honestly, I didn't notice any dimming at all.

Outcome: the interior lights are significantly dimmer when the autos turn on than when I turn on the lights manually. I can play with the interior light dimmer, very little help before the interior overhead lights come on.

I have noticed this behavior for a couple months now.

Thanks again.

 

my 2012 XLT does it too. I'm fairly certain that the dash brightness is NOT tied to the headlight switch - it is solely based on the lighting sensors. So the truck dims the dash when it thinks its dark outside.

This is based on me turning on my headlights manually sometimes. If I am driving on the highway in the rain I will often flip from auto headlights to "ON" so that I'm sure people can see me coming (cause a huge red truck is hard to see!)

just my .02

 

Pretty sure you are spot on about the light sensors. My, '10, '12, '13 were and are like that as well.

 

Agree completely now that I have paid attention to it the last few days. I would bet the truck that it is tied to the lighting sensors. If the sensors think its dark enough to turn auto lights on, it will dim the interior lights. If you manually switch on in daylight hours, for rain or something, it will keep interior bright.

Thanks