I've had my 2009 base fit (AT) for several months now but today was the first time I noticed the dashboard lights on during the daytime. Is this normal? It was very dark out, big ominous storm blowing in so I thought maybe there is a photo sensor that triggers them? (I believe my 2010 Ford Fusion has this).
It's just new to me and I'm curious. I did take another look when I got home, but the sun was going down then and the dashboard lights were again on, even with headlights off. However, the dimming knob did not work unless I turned the headlights on, then I could dim the dash.
Any info would be appreciated.... it might be totally normal but first time I've noticed it.

 

My daughters 2009 base has DRL that come on with ignition, and it turns on the dash lights. Its the automated feature so if you drive in town and it gets dark you don't notice and drive around with the tail lights off and orange headlights. LOL Also give other drivers something to honk about.

 

Thanks dwtaylorpdx, that seems to support that they are on all of the time, good to know. Just funny that today was the first time I really noticed it.
I did disable my DRL by pulling the fuse (#15) - that disables the DRL lights and the annoying DRL dash indicator some get when you install LED's in the headlight socket. This way though, when my light switch says off, they are actually off, (headlights, not the dash lights).
The dashboard lights must be on a different circuit though. I don't mind those being on all the time, I was just wanting to verify if that is normal operation, which it sounds like it is.

 

The dash lights are on so you can see your trip/ mpg screen in bright sun?

 

I suppose so, do yours stay on during daylight hours, I mean with the headlight switch off?

 

As a side note, the DRLs also allow the blue high beam indicator in the gauge cluster to glow dimly (the DRLs are actually the high beams at a reduced voltage) so that when the ambient light gets darker, you can then tell that you don't have your "headlights" on. The indicator is too dim to see when it is daylight out.

Mark

 

That's weird, I never noticed that either, though now that I have DRL's disabled I probably won't have that.
It's like the indicator is also getting a lowered voltage, just like the high beams when DRL is active.