Does anyone actually use their dimmer switch?

Just installed some new lights on my truck and I was thinking about installing a switch where the factory dimmer dial is (just to the left of the steering wheel) Does anyone actually use this thing? I cant for the life of me figure out a situation where I would want to dim down my dash.

I'm thinking about just setting it on high and hiding it behind the dash. Does anyone have a simple way to remove the switch? I tried a little prying but it started to mar up the dash so I stopped. Is there an easy access from behind the dash or do I need to just go for it?

I have a tx/pro double cab so all of the extra blanks in the dash are used up by the factory bells and whistles, doesn't leave much room for my own toys.

Thanks

 

i'm thinking the same thing for some reverse (tailgater) lights, it pops out of the dash but it's easiest if you can get a hand behind it. Thats what sucks about the off roads, no extra blanks for switches

 

If you use the dimmer to keep the lights below max they will last essentially forever and you can save yourself some money in replacement costs down the road. I have never replaced a light in a tacoma dash, but based on previous experience with other cars is it either a real PITA to do it yourself or very costly to pay the labor to have a dash opened.

If you do a lot of night driving it is simply easier on the eyes to have reduced dash lighting. In addidtion, your night vision will be better. One car manufacturer (SAAB) was famous for a switch that turned off all dash lights except the speedo if you wanted.

 

I've used it on long highway trips. I'll set the cruise control and dim the dash lights. I found it's easier on your eyes without all the lights shining back on you. Other than that, it's kind of stupid because not all the LEDs in the dash actually dim.

 

I use mine almost everyday, I dim the lights at night and make it brighter during the day. I hate the light shining back at me at night.

 

I typically use it when I'm stalking someone at night

 

This is what I do and exactly why I do it, night vision and reduced eye fatigue.

 

I generally turn mine down a little, especially on long drives. My Corolla has very bright, white gauges...those get turned down a lot.

As far as more switch space, I had to do this:

 

I have a dimmer switch?

No never used one in any car ever in my life. I like bright gauges.

 

Every time I drive after dark. I adjust it according to the light conditions around me--brighter for city, dimmer for highway. Always just enough to see the guages clearly at a glance without cocking up my night vision. Seeing what's in front of me is ALWAYS more important than what's going on under the hood.

 

+1

 

It is a good idea to dim the instrument lights at night. Pilots are trained to dim their instrument slights at night to improve their visibility outside. Works the same for driving. Dimming the instrument lights to just bright enough to see them allows you to see more outside.

Derek V

 

mine doesn't work.... so I don't use it

 

On long drives all white at 100% hurts my eyes so yes, I use it often.

 

i use it at night. back roads and maybe interstate i turn it down. down town or city driving i turn it up.

 

Yep use mine all the time. Bring the lights up bright in nighttime city traffic and when out in the country with no ambient lighting, dim them down. Helps the night vision and the ability to see whats on the road, the shoulders etc.

Ray

 

All the time. When driving at night on unlit roads I'll turn them off and set the cruise control in the city it will be about 1/4 the way up.

 

Yep, my old 9-5 had the classic NightPanel switch. I loved it actually - it turned all lights off except for what was immediately necessary - if you were going under 80 MPH only 2/3 of the speedo would light up. If you were low on gas or your revs get to high, it would turn those on. It was a nifty switch - at least for me, who has somewhat crappy night vision. If I ever got on a long night trip I will use the factory dash dimmer in my Tacoma for sure.

 

I'd love to have one of those on my taco.