BMW 4 series instrument panel question

[trando]

My wife has a new 440i convertible but is moaning that the instrument panel is not backlit until the headlights come on. I assumed these days that all instrument panels were lit up even during daylight, but clearly not so.

I can't find a button or a setting that changes it. She drove home today and said that it was difficult to read the instrument panel in that murky time when it's still too light for the auto headlights to come on.

Or am I missing something?

[helix402]

Afraid I’m not familiar with the backlighting on that model, however would putting sidelights on be an option that would have the desired instrument illumination?

[numtumfutunch]

Brightness knob near light switch?
If not in idrive?

I'm away from the car at present but am sure my 335d has a completely blank dash till I turn on the ignition which changes to an orange glow with headlamps active

[Triumph Man]

Surely if the dash is not readable in that "murky time" then it's dark enough that lights should be on and the auto lights manually overriden?

[trando]

helix402 said:

Afraid I’m not familiar with the backlighting on that model, however would putting sidelights on be an option that would have the desired instrument illumination?

The instruments only light up when the headlights come on auto or manually.

[helix402]

Manual headlights on will do the trick then!

[trando]

numtumfutunch said:

Brightness knob near light switch?
If not in idrive?

I'm away from the car at present but am sure my 335d has a completely blank dash till I turn on the ignition which changes to an orange glow with headlamps active

There is a brightness switch but it only changes the brightness when the instruments are backlit.

You can definitely see the instruments before you turn the ignition on.

[trando]

Triumph Man said:

Surely if the dash is not readable in that "murky time" then it's dark enough that lights should be on and the auto lights manually overriden?

That’s a good point but this is my wife i’m talking about. She’d never be able to multi task putting the lights on and driving at the same time.

[trando]

helix402 said:

Manual headlights on will do the trick then!

As per above reply!!!!!!